The Lost Sister (26 page)

But it was too late. Maddie fell to the floor, swallowed up by dizziness and the feeling of blood rushing from her body. Kiki stood up and looked down at her, laughing.

“You stupid, stupid girl. You’ll never learn, will you? Never, ever learn.”

Her voice sounded hollow and Maddie’s body suddenly felt very cold, as if there were hands reaching up through the floor and pulling her downward. She thought she imagined a large hulking figure coming out from the shadows. Was it a spirit? Maddie could see the shadows coming closer. Spirits of those who had been tortured or abused or killed within the confines of the asylum were coming closer—crowding around Kiki, unbeknownst to her. She continued to cackle and laugh at her good fortune. But no matter how hard they tried, they were ineffectual. They could not manifest themselves—they weren’t strong enough to distract Kiki from her mission. In the corner, she saw Darcy and Bronwyn, clinging to each other—helpless and in shock. Maddie knew that she was close to death because the veil had been lifted so that she could see the spirits on the other side.

One of the figures lunged at Kiki from behind, throwing her back onto the floor. The gun went off accidentally this time. Maddie felt the bullet graze her head. She didn’t have the energy to even try to shield herself from the blow. The room was swirling and her body was numb. She wondered how the spirit was able to attack Kiki and save them. It was so curious.

Cordelia ran over to Maddie and tried to stop the blood that was gushing from her left shoulder. Maddie tried to speak, but the air felt like it was sucked out of her. She moved her mouth wordlessly, choking on the copper taste of blood that seemed to be filling every part of her. She was drifting away. The gentle spirits were surrounding her, letting her know that everything was going to be okay. Even Tess was there, smiling down at her. She just needed to close her eyes for a moment.
Just a moment and everything will be okay
.

Finn pushed Cordelia out of the way and started CPR. Maddie could hear him say, as if he were down a long, dark tunnel, “Stay with me, Maddie. You stay with me.”

Cordelia turned in amazement to see Malcolm Crane knock Kiki off her feet, her head slamming onto the cold cement floor. He ripped the gun from her hand and steadily pointed it at Kiki as she was shrieking in pain and fury.

“Finn, try to stop the bleeding any way you can,” he shouted as he tossed a cell phone to Cordelia. “Call 9–1-1, the police, anyone! She’s losing a lot of blood. We need to get her to a hospital right away.” And then he looked at Kiki. “I should shoot you right now for everything you’ve done, but death is too good for you. You deserve every humiliation in the world for all the pain that you’ve caused. And I know you, Kiki. Death won’t be as painful as being torn apart in public for what you’ve done.”

Cordelia pressed down on Maddie’s shoulder, trying to keep the blood from squirting out. She leaned over Maddie’s chest, listening for a heartbeat. “Maddie, don’t go. Don’t leave me,” she cried.

Suddenly a flurry of activity descended upon them. EMTs and police swiftly moved through the cavernous room. A stretcher was brought in for Maddie. As they strapped her down and tried to control the bleeding, an oxygen mask was placed over her mouth. Cordelia wept and had to be dragged away from Maddie—from her sister. Finn held her as she shook and cried out for Maddie, as she watched Maddie’s eyelids flutter and her eyes roll back in her head. Orders were being barked left and right. Officer Sullivan was right behind the EMTs, cuffing Kiki, shoving her through the entryway and reading her rights as she laughed hysterically.

“I own this town! I own you! Get your hands off of me, you mongrel! I’ll have you fired. I’ll have you killed! I’m an Endicott, goddammit! Let me go!”

Malcolm Crane brushed the dirt and debris from his clothing. Cordelia remained in Finn’s arms, sobbing, realizing that he’d put his life on the line for her once again. He truly was her white knight.

“How did you—?” she asked Malcolm through her tears. “How could you know?”

“When Rebecca called me while I was up teaching in Maine, she told me she saw this happening. She needed to warn us all—she said she sent tarot cards to everyone that she felt was in danger, or who was involved in this crazy plan. It was her only way of reaching out to us all. I don’t know how she found me, or how she knew what was going to happen. But I think we all know by now to listen to Rebecca when she has anything more than a hunch about certain things.”

He smiled sadly and then continued. “That’s why I needed to come back here. Plus, I read about Tess and Rebecca and everything that happened here at Ravenswood—and then with Abigail’s cancer, I knew it was time for me to make amends. So I came back here. I was going to try to make things right as best I could.”

Cordelia was sobbing into Finn’s shoulder as Malcolm continued. “I knew that it would be a while before you girls would forgive me, which is why I stuck around a little while longer. And then out of the blue, Abigail calls me and tells me about some note that Maddie left. She felt that I was the only person to help—the only one to stop this. As soon as she called, I knew that you were in trouble. That Rebecca’s visions were coming true. I knew I had to do everything in my power to save you kids. I’ve caused enough pain in your lives—it was time I did something right. Even if it meant putting my life at risk.”

Cordelia smiled sadly and nodded, realizing that her mission to track down Malcolm Crane ultimately saved her life and Maddie’s. It was too much for Cordelia to take. Her head was spinning. The spirits of Ravenswood were crowding her, all trying to be heard, to be seen, to be remembered, to be avenged.

She turned to Finn and said, “They’re happy now. The spirits will finally be at rest here, because of you.”

Finn grabbed her just as she collapsed and the two men carried her outside, bringing Cordelia back to Mariner’s Way. Bringing her home.

M
addie’s eyes fluttered open. Her last memory was of darkness and pain, Kiki standing over her like an evil witch cackling. Blood everywhere. Freezing winds howling in her ears. Scorching pain consuming her body. Spirits crowding around her shrieking in pain. Now her ears were filled with a void, a silence, eyes blinded by the lights, and a numbness that enveloped her body. She was floating. Was she dead? Was this what death felt like? An overwhelming sense of peace and of letting go? Of not caring anymore and succumbing to the light? She saw Luke’s face hovering over her, worried and stricken. Would she be able to say good-bye? Faces crowded above her. She tried to focus on the people she loved—to let them know that she was going to be okay. They looked down at her: Finn and Cordelia, Rebecca and Abigail, Luke and Reed, and even Malcolm Crane, all were vying for her weak stare.

“She’s coming out of it,” she heard Luke say. But it sounded like she was underwater and he was speaking from dry land.

Then Cordelia spoke. “Easy, don’t try to talk. We’re here for you, Maddie.” She could hear the fear and the sadness in Cordelia’s voice.

A blinding light suddenly filled her eyes. This was her good-bye. She got to see them all before she left and now she was heading into the light. It was so beautiful and peaceful and bright. Just when the light became overwhelming, a man pulled his head back and she realized that she was looking into a doctor’s face. His headlamp had caused her temporary dip into the light and now he was moving a flashlight back and forth between her eyes. It was as if he were looking deep inside her mind—into her dark memories: the pain, the misery, the secrets of her soul.

“Looks like the computer’s working in there,” he said as a collective sigh of relief ran through the sterile hospital room. “Just give her some time to readjust. She’s been through a lot mentally and physically.” He turned back to Maddie and smiled down at her. “You had a pretty close call, young lady. You’ve been out for a few days. Welcome back.”

Maddie tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. Her mouth was dry and her throat hurt.

“Don’t try to talk,” the doctor said kindly. “We’ve had a tube down your throat keeping those lungs working while you fought to come back to us. It’ll be a few days before you’ll be comfortable enough to speak.” And then he turned to the rest of the people in the room and said, “But the rest of you are welcome to give her words of encouragement and love right now. You came pretty close to losing this little lady. But she’s a fighter, that’s for sure.”

Rebecca leaned in and looked at Maddie. Her beautiful eyes were filled with life once again—they were no longer vacant and haunted. “She’s going to be just fine,” she said. “She’s stronger than any of us ever realized. I don’t even think she was aware of her strength.” Then she whispered to Maddie, “Thank you for saving my little girl. For bringing her back and for risking your life for hers. Tess is very proud of you.”

Then Cordelia shoved her way into Maddie’s line of vision. “Why would you jump in front of a gun? I can’t believe you did that for us! I just can’t believe that we almost lost you.”

Luke was the next person to lean over her and a feeling of warmth rushed through her body as he smiled at her. He held her hand and gently kissed her mouth. “Next time I invite you to go with me on a trip, I’m not taking no for an answer.”

Maddie’s mouth hurt as she tried to smile, but her eyes filled with tears, letting everyone know how happy she was to be alive; how thankful she was to have all these wonderful people in her life. And how blessed she was to have survived.

“W
here are you going?” Maddie asked. “Can I come with?” She was almost afraid to let Cordelia out of her sight for fear that she’d slip away again, disappear like she was kidnapped by an elvin king and dragged underground for another year. She sat up anxiously in her bed.

“No,” Cordelia said firmly. “You know that the doctor said you needed at least a few weeks of bed rest before doing anything that could drain or exhaust you.”

“Well, what are you planning on doing that’s so exhausting? Hiking a mountain or something?” Maddie laughed as she flopped back down on her pillows. She could hear the flurry of activity going on downstairs. Abigail was preparing breakfast for her houseful of guests: Reed, Finn, Rebecca, Malcolm, Luke, and his father.

“No, I have to thank someone. I have to return something. It’s something I have to do alone. And if I go now while grub is being served,” she said jokingly, “I might be able to sneak out undetected and without a chaperone.” She leaned over and kissed Maddie’s forehead and promised that this time she wouldn’t be gone for long.

Maddie understood that Cordelia needed to thank Sophie, the strange woman who helped her escape from Hawthorne, who taught her astral projection, and who took her in when she needed the most help. Maddie wished she could thank that woman in person as well. Maybe she would when she was up on her feet again. But for now, she was going to enjoy having Luke, Reed, Finn, and her father waiting on her hand and foot, Rebecca and Abigail happy and healthy and under the same roof, and Cordelia returning back to them safe and sound. It was the happy ending she’d been craving for as long as she could remember.

Cordelia guided the car onto 95 North and headed toward Ipswich and Wolf Hollow, the place where she had hitched a ride over a year ago. Once she arrived at Wolf Hollow, she walked over to the pen and looked at the magnificent creatures. One poked its head up above the others, perked up its ears, and howled. That must have been her friend who helped her stow away.

“Can I help you?” a man said as he lumbered across the field. It was the guy who drove the truck.

“Oh, um, I’m just trying to find a little place near here. It’s called the Crow’s Nest. I wanted to talk to Sophie, the woman who owns the place.”

A strange expression came over his face. “You mean Sophie Pickering?”

Pickering—the name hit her with a full force. Of course, she was a descendent of the Pickering sisters. Now it was all coming full circle, as Tess used to say.

“Yes, I guess. I only knew her first name,” Cordelia continued, trying not to show her shock. “I was here about a year ago and she helped me out. I just wanted to thank her.” She turned, motioning to the thick woods that surrounded them. “I remember it was near Wolf Hollow, I just don’t remember exactly where.”

“Well,” he said slowly, “the old cottage called the Crow’s Nest is about fifty feet off the road that way.” He motioned toward a thick stand of trees.

“Oh, thank you—” she said, before being cut off.

“But the place is in shambles.”

“Oh no!” Cordelia raised her hand to her mouth. “What happened? Is Sophie hurt?”

Cordelia couldn’t bear to think of what could have transpired over the past year. The woman had been so helpful, so wonderful to her in her time of need. A wave of guilt passed over her.

“No, I’m sorry,” he said softly. “She’s not. She passed on.”

Tears filled Cordelia’s eyes. She felt selfish and awful. If she had only returned within the year, perhaps she could have seen Sophie and thanked her before she passed away. The emotions swirled within her, bringing the pain of losing Tess and not being able to say good-bye to her beloved grandmother. It was all too much for her to take.

“Excuse me,” the man said quizzically. “Do you mind my asking how old you are?”

Cordelia sniffed. “I’m almost eighteen, why?” She brushed the tears from her cheeks. The cold air was now stinging the spots on her face that were wet.

“Well, Sophie died about twenty years ago. I was just a kid working here when she was in her eighties. So I don’t think it’s Sophie Pickering you’re looking for.”

“Does she have a daughter or a niece or someone that’s been living there since she passed away?” This didn’t make any sense. Why would that woman lie to her about her name?

“No one’s been over there in years, best I can tell. Sophie had a friend that lived in Hawthorne that used to check in on her. But I haven’t seen her in years. What was her name again?” The man rubbed his chin as he looked down and kicked the dirt, deep in thought.

That woman was from Hawthorne?
she thought incredulously.

“Tess,” he said suddenly.

Cordelia snapped her head up. “Excuse me? How do you know—?”

“Sophie’s friend from Hawthorne. Her name was Tess—uh, Tess…”

“Martin?” Cordelia said slowly.

“Yeah, that’s it. Tess Martin,” he said proudly. “But she’s got to be in her eighties by now, so I don’t think that’s the woman you saw at the Crow’s Nest. I don’t even think the place has been touched since Sophie passed on.”

“Th-thank you,” Cordelia said, dumbfounded. “I think I’d still like to see it, though.” She turned and headed in the direction that the man pointed and she heard him call after her.

“Be careful, now! Don’t stay too long in those woods. And get out of there before it gets dark. I’ll be watching for ya!”

His voice disappeared behind her, meaningless. She was so confused. Sophie died twenty years ago? Then who was the woman who had helped her?

She walked into the forest until she came upon the tiny cottage. The sign with the freshly painted black crow was now rotted and hanging off the rusted wrought-iron hanger. The windows were covered in newspapers and the brush had grown up so thick around the window and doors that there wasn’t any way to get close to the front door. Cordelia looked up and saw that the roof was rotted and had a large hole in the middle. It looked as though no one had been inside for decades.

But that’s impossible
, Cordelia thought.
I was just here!

She turned and walked away from the house, afraid that she was losing her mind, trying to put the pieces together and trying to make sense of it all. She saw something bright on the ground. A shock of color on the blanket of white snow. It was a tarot card—worn and tattered. Cordelia leaned over to pick it up. It was the same as the cards the woman had used to read her fortune. Despite its weather-beaten and aged look, she could recognize the same artistic design—the one that had intrigued her so much on that night that hadn’t seemed so long ago. She smiled when she realized which tarot card she’d found. It was Justice.

Cordelia called to the man who was in the wolf pen throwing a bucket of food into the troughs to let him know that she was leaving. He raised up one of his hands to say good-bye. The wolf that she had ridden along with came running up to the gate. It looked at her knowingly. She held its mysterious gaze for a moment before turning back to the car.