It turns out newly-formed spider webs with fat juicy spiders in their centres, just waiting for easy prey like me, are my worst enemy. I keep my head buried, hands spread wide in front of me as I knock down one web after another. With every step adrenalin pumps harder, making my pulse go berserk. Sweat forms everywhere even though the temperature keeps dropping. I suddenly wonder if I’m even heading in the right direction. A seasoned bush-walker wouldn’t attempt a forest walk in these conditions, at this time of night, without a compass.
These particular thoughts make me even more edgy. My breathing starts coming in rapid short bursts, exhaling smoky puffs into the chilling air. What if I end up way off course and miss the creek altogether? What if I find a gully or ravine instead? Hypothermia will set in. I could freeze to death before anyone finds me, probably in two or three days’ time.
Panic sets in, destroying my nerves like acid on sugar. I’m drawn into making a decision. I can’t continue. I spin around in a mad swirl, too fast. Which way is which? I become disoriented. It’s at this moment I see a faint glimmer in the distance. At first I think it’s a fire, but it lacks a familiar orange glow. Whatever it is, my breathing instantly slows. It has to be Kate. No one else would be out here in the middle of the night, except perhaps an axe-wielding murderer.
I grope my way toward the light, calming with every step, so that by the time I reach the spot, I have taken on a transient image of physical control.
‘You made it,’ she says as if she entertained some pretty realistic doubts.
I shrug, attempting to look unconcerned. If there’s one thing that hits deep, it’s Kate’s lack of faith in me. She thinks I’m a spineless wimp. I don’t mean the accidents, she’s not shallow, she’s looking deeper than that – right into my soul. ‘Sure. Whatd’ya think? I said I’d come.’
She has a wand in her hand which she points in a wide arch. ‘I’ve already cast the circle. The candles are its perimeter. You can only enter at the place directly behind me.’
I go along with her, even though her words send an icy chill along my spine, and do exactly as she says. I end up sitting cross-legged opposite her. It’s then I start to absorb everything around me. The creek is here, familiar and very close. I can touch the crystal water if I stretch my fingers far enough to the right. A steamy mist hovers low over its surface. It looks spooky and surreal like a scene from a fantasy movie. There are very small flames coming from heaps of white candles burning smoke-free in an odd shaped circle surrounding us. Strangely, they don’t appear to be burning down either. On Kate’s right side sits a gold box, shaped like a small treasure chest. The lid is open and inside I see a perfectly smooth pink crystal, a silver goblet, a pair of scissors, a length of blue cord, and a few other oddities. My eyes feel huge in my head and I decide not to investigate any more. There is a putrid smell coming from somewhere. I really don’t want to ask about it. Yet, it is the light that is strangest of all. Other than the small flames burning around us there seems to be no other light source, but the entire area, like a dome, is filled with a strange white light, as if the very air is glowing.
She sees the wonder on my face. ‘It’s just a bit of magic Jillian taught me,’ she says softly, her voice smooth and melodious. I envy her calmness. It makes me feel more gutless than ever.
‘Do you like it?’
What does she want me to say? ‘Er, yeah,’ I stumble. ‘How …?’
She merely smiles. ‘It’s complicated, and I’m not sure you’re ready to hear it. Einstein would love it though.’
I have to be content with that, though I want to ask more. I start relaxing a little at the evidence of her magic, and start to hope. If Kate can do this thing with the light, and there truly is a curse on my family, perhaps she can solve my problems after all.
‘Are you ready, Jarrod? It’s almost midnight.’
I nod slightly. ‘Yeah, I guess.’
She smiles again, and I start to unwind, my pulse finally slowing down to something resembling normal. She’s in her element, totally in control. Some of it brushes off on me. ‘You will have to remove the beanie, and strip down to your jeans.’
My head shoots forward, eyes the size of eggs. ‘Strip?’
‘Not everything!’ she laughs. ‘Just the top part.’
My face forms a smirk. ‘I didn’t mean that. It’s just, well … it’s like two degrees out here.’
She frowns and looks puzzled. ‘Are you cold?’
Her question, issued as a challenge, has me reassessing the situation quickly. I realise our breath isn’t steaming any more, and my fingers aren’t numb. Even my toes are comfortable now. I touch the skin on my face. Amazingly, it’s not icy cold as it was only moments earlier, but warm. I look at her, intently. ‘How did you do this?’