Chapter Thirteen
My encounter with Rewsna weighed heavily on me as I glanced at the area of town where she had just gotten off. It was downtown near the market. Even if I knew exactly where she was heading, I doubt I’d be able to find her in the flood of tourists, shopkeepers and locals.
Keep to my path? My hands started to sweat as I considered what she meant; maybe I was supposed to be on this specific bus right now for a reason. I looked at the other passengers and wondered if some epic event was going to take place. I paid attention to every stop, who got on and who got off.
My nerves were nearly frazzled when the bus came to a stop at the mall. I got off and half expected an earthquake, or tsunami, or something. The bus closed its doors and pulled away. I stood motionless for far longer than I should have.
An older gentleman with a cabbie hat on was approaching me, perhaps to see if I needed any help. There was something about him that didn’t feel right. It made the hair on my arms stand at attention. I didn’t know why, but I knew I needed to keep my distance. My eyes darted to the ground as I willed my feet to move before he got to me.
After making my way in through the entrance to the mall, I walked toward the food court. Rachael is normally “fashionably late” - her term, not mine, so waiting for her in the food court was a regular occurrence. I looked at my watch: 10:00 on the dot. As I rounded the corner past the cookie store, I saw her sitting at a table in the middle of the court. Staring in disbelief as I approached, “Hi, Rachael, I thought we said 10:00. What’re you doing here already?”
Rachael looked at her watch, “It is 10:00.”
“What planet are you from and where did you take my friend Rachael?”
“You’re hysterical. I’m willing to overlook your snottiness, so long as you have some juicy details. Tell me about this mystery man, Max.”
“You mean all this time we’ve been friends all I needed was juicy gossip for you to show up on time?”
Rachael slapped my arm and laughed, “Come on, out with it!”
I spent the next fifteen minutes giving her the condensed version of my day with Max. As I was nearing the part where we were on the carriage ride, I could see Rachael looking intently over my shoulder. I turned around to see what had her attention. My stomach knotted in an instant: it was a guy, probably our age, standing at an oriental fast food shop. As I looked at him - I got a really strange vibe, even though I couldn’t see his face because his back was to us. I felt an odd sensation, one I can’t even describe: not the pure danger I felt when the robber walked through the door, but similar. I knew he was trouble. It was the strangest feeling to know I didn’t like someone without knowing why, but my instincts had always been flawless. Without missing a beat I stated quietly, “Not him, Rachael.”
Rachael looked back at me quickly and almost stammered, “What’d you say?” She could tell that my three words had nothing to do with me telling her of my perfect afternoon with Max. My quick warning had caught her off-guard, “Lauren, what’d you just say?”
“Rachael, there is something I don’t like about him, a bad vibe.” Rachael had always heeded my advice without question. She had seen firsthand that I was intuitive for situations and people, but this time was different.
“Oh please! He’s gorgeous!! How should I start a conversation with him? What does he like? Come on, Lauren. Help me!”
I shook my head at her and repeated, “Not him.” It’s extremely difficult to tell your friend that the guy she thinks is amazing could, for all I knew, be Jack the Ripper.
“Lauren, come on, he’s got his food. Just tell me what to strike up a conversation with. Sports? Weather? Shopping? I know you know, come on!”
Still feeling a bad vibe, “He’s not someone you want to meet. Pick any other guy in this place and I promise I’ll help, but not him.” I am not clairvoyant, telepathic, or any number of other supernatural categories. I’m somehow sensitive to people. I don’t know how best to describe it other than I pay attention to what people wear, expressions on their faces, body language, the tones of their voices, and I don’t know how many other factors. Other than on my bus ride to the mall today, I’d never come right out and acknowledged it before, but my closest friends knew what I could do without me ever saying it.
A disappointed look took hold, and I could tell Rachael was irritated with me. She was not arguing with me, so at least she was thinking straight. I tried to ease her frustration, “Seriously, pick any other guy.”
In a very dramatic way, “Never mind, tell me about Mr. Wonderful and your perfect day together.” She propped her head on her knuckles with her elbows on the table. She was still looking toward the guy I had just warned her about, but it looked as though she was going to drop it.
After another couple minutes of me relaying my day with Max, I could see Rachael’s eyes light up. She sat up straighter, still looking at me, but somehow, not really listening. I knew what was about to happen.
“Excuse me, ladies,” came the smooth voice from the guy I had just asked her to stay away from. “I’m waiting for a friend who’s running late. Would you mind if I sat with you two?”
“No, we wouldn’t mind!” Rachael answered quickly, I’m sure in an effort to keep me from telling him to take a hike. “Pull up a chair. We’re just hanging out.”
He kept his eyes on Rachael the whole time, reminding me of a jaguar on the prowl, paying the same attention to me that he would a bush or a tree. “I’m Paul.” He spoke very proper English, and sounded so nervous that his words came out stiff.
Rachael quickly introduced us both, “I’m Rachael, and this is my friend, Lauren.” He glanced in my direction briefly then refocused all of his attention on Rachael.
“I am very pleased to meet you both. Are you waiting for your boyfriends?”
Rachael too eagerly replied, “Oh, I don’t have a boyfriend, and Lauren’s meeting hers later. We’re just here hanging out and shopping today.”
“I can’t believe that a girl as pretty as you does not have a boyfriend? You are teasing me.”
Paul was making my skin crawl. He was very polite - and I have to admit - devastatingly handsome, but something was off. I glared at him hoping he would take the hint and find a way to politely excuse himself. I knew he could feel my stare, but paid no attention to it.
Rachael giggled at his line, buying it hook, line, and sinker. “No, I don’t have a boyfriend.”
Paul rubbed his eyes with both fists, over exaggerating the movement, “There must be something wrong with my eyes. I am looking at the most beautiful girl in the place, and you tell me you do not have a boyfriend? This is my lucky day! Where would you like to go? What would you like to do?”
The tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood up, my stomach physically hurt, and I knew without a doubt if I allowed this to go any further, I’d get physically ill. Rather than take the chance that my staring daggers in his direction wouldn’t dissuade his advances on Rachael, I bitterly responded, “Actually Paul, this is a girl’s day out, so you may have to celebrate by yourself. I hear the arcade has a special token bonus offer going on.” My voice was cold and my tone undeniably hateful.
Rachael was still under this loser’s spell, “Oh, come on, Lauren, I’m sure Paul and his friend would be a great help shopping.”
Fury engulfed me, as I could see for the very first time that Rachael was really not taking me seriously. “Rachael, I need to go to the restroom. Come with me.”
She rolled her eyes in my direction, “All right.” She turned her attention back to Paul, “You’ll be here when we come back, right?”
“Absolutely, I will anxiously await your return.”
Rachael and I went down the long hallway and made our way into the restroom. As soon as we were two steps inside, she fiercely expressed her frustration, “Lauren, stop it. I know you get these weird feelings sometimes
, but drop it! I don’t care what you say, I like him. Do you mind taking the bus home? I’d really like to hang out with Paul, and you obviously don’t care for him, so it might be better if you just left.”
Taken aback by her conclusion that I was just being difficult, and it would be better if I left them alone, I asked, “Are you nuts? Name one time that I’ve ever been wrong. This Paul is a snake. I wouldn’t leave you alone with him for a million dollars. Friends don’t leave friends with creeps. I’m sure that’s a rule in some friendship handbook or something.” Trying to lighten the mood did no good, and I could tell she really wanted me to leave. “Not a chance, Rachael. I’m staying.”
“Fine, stay, but not one more word about him. I have a real feeling about him. Everyone is entitled to one mistake, and this is obviously yours. He is gorgeous, and he likes me. Don’t ruin this for me.”
“Rachael, I’ve never been wrong. I’ll humor you on this, but I won’t leave you alone with him, deal?”
“Okay, deal! Let’s go!” Rachael all but sprinted out of the bathroom. She was back to the table in no time, enthusiastically asking Paul, “So, when’s your friend supposed to be here?”
Paul smiled an awkward smile, “I hope you won’t hold it against me, but I just said that so you wouldn’t think badly of me for wanting to join you two.”
Perfect…a self-confessed liar. Warning bells were ringing in my head, as if I needed any more reminders of how bad an idea it was for Rachael even to be talking to this guy. The banter between them took off while I concentrated on a strategy to get Rachael away from him.
“See, she doesn’t mind. We’ll be right back.” The malevolence in his face was unmistakable, and it felt as though I had just been punched in the gut. Unsure of the exchange between the two of them, I quickly asked, “I’m sorry, what?”
“Paul was just telling me about his car. It’s a Porsche. I want to go take a look. We’ll be right back.”
Before I could file a protest, they were both up and out of their seats headed for the door. I was fuming at Rachael for ignoring our agreement. She shot me a cross look indicating that I was to stay behind.
I have never been wrong. What’s the worst thing that could happen if I stayed here? I didn’t even want to think about it. I jumped up from my seat and ran to the door. My eyes scanned the parking lot from left to right. At first I didn’t see them, but then I saw them walking in between cars two rows away. I gave chase, shortening the gap between us to just ten feet.
They were talking quietly, so I couldn’t hear them, but as long as I could see Rachael, I was sure she’d be fine. I replayed the conversation with Rewsna and her explanation of a temptation. That must be what Paul is to Rachael. I’ve never felt more protective of her in my entire life. The conversation I had on the bus less than an hour before immediately became crystal clear. It was my responsibility to keep him away from Rachael.
Without a word, I walked to the back of the car, keeping my distance so Rachael wouldn’t be any more furious with me. I was confident that no matter the danger she could potentially be in with this guy, he would not try anything with me watching. At least, that’s what I hoped. As my mind started running through all the worst case scenarios - I did the only thing that came to mind.
What guy our age drives a Porsche, anyway? Without any hesitation, I called the police and confessed, “I saw a suspicious man near a white hard-top Porsche, and I was worried it might be stolen. He’s at the mall hitting on my friend. Would it be possible for me to give you the license plate number and you can tell me if I’m overreacting?”
The dispatcher asked if this was some sort of prank. I assured her it wasn’t. I gave her my name, phone number and location. After she was confident that this wasn’t some stunt, she answered, “Read me the plate.” I did and she stated, “Hold on, please, the system’s pretty slow today.”
It felt like I was on hold forever as I watched Paul and Rachael standing less than twenty feet from me. The dispatcher came back on the line, “Lauren, where are you right now?”
“Outside Northwoods Mall, in parking area 117A, about half way down the row.”
“Lauren, you need to stay away from him.”
“He’s talking to my friend Rachael by the car.”
“Get her away from him. The police are on their way. Get her away now.”
In my most booming voice, I yelled, “Rachael, your mom’s on the phone. You were supposed to pick up your little brother from soccer practice. She wants to talk to you, now.” I waved my phone in the air knowing that this was the fastest way to get her over here.
She rolled her eyes and raised her index finger to him in a gesture saying, “Just a minute,” then she walked over to where I stood. I handed her the phone.
In a theatrical tone she protested into the phone, “Mom, you didn’t say you wanted me to pick Zack up today. I’m at the mall with Lauren. Why can’t you or dad get him?”
I endured a long silence as the dispatcher was talking directly to Rachael. I kept my eyes on Paul the entire time, making sure that he made no sudden movements. He really seemed not to sense anything was out of the ordinary. Within minutes three police cars were pulling into the parking lot. Without so much as a word or a glance in his direction, Rachael tugged on my shirt sleeve and began walking farther away from her handsome friend. I heard her say, “Yes, they’re here now, thanks.” Rachael disconnected with the dispatcher and handed me the phone.
Bewildered at what had happened in less than five minute’s time, “Wow, Lauren, when you’re right, you’re right. The car is stolen and the person they think stole it is the suspect for a double murder.”
Rachael and I stood in an awkward silence waiting to see if the police needed to talk to us. She didn’t look up from the pavement for a really long time, then in a hushed tone, so that anyone outside of two feet from us wouldn’t hear, “How do you do that?”
“I don’t know.” The hair on the back of my neck was tamed again, and I was relieved that the whole incident had ended so quickly.
“Maybe we could get you in a circus side show or something.” I quickly looked in her direction to catch her smiling. Evidently the fear was short lived, and she had accepted these events as a normal occurrence. Even though this was the most acute use of my perception she had ever witnessed, I believe she was aware well before today that my senses were very sharp. We watched as a policeman slammed Paul up against a police car, searched him for weapons, handcuffed him, and escorted him to the back seat of a squad car.
It looked like we wouldn’t be needed for anything, so I thought we’d be able to escape back into the mall without so much as a wave, when a policeman did finally walk in our direction. He asked, “Which one of you is Lauren?” I identified myself, and he followed with, “Miss, I’m not sure why you thought to call the emergency line when you did, but I wanted to tell you, your instincts are amazing.” I didn’t know what to say.
“When I got the call from dispatch, I heard your name, then I saw your name come across the computer screen in my car. You’re the same person who was shot at Tasty Burger a few months ago, right?” I nodded shyly, expecting that he might think I was involved as more than a victim in both incidents. Realistically, what are the odds that the same person would be involved in two completely different criminal acts as simply a bystander only a few months apart?
The officer continued, “You are like a one person law enforcement agency.” His broad smile beamed, as he took my hand to shake it. “If you’re interested, I believe we can get the chief to waive the waiting list and get you into the academy in the next session.”
Never having considered a job in law enforcement, the idea seemed exciting. “I hadn’t thought about it before, but I’ll think it over,” was all I could manage to say.
“Fair enough, but I want you to know that I know veteran cops who don’t have the instinc
ts you have for criminals. Just keep us in mind. The dispatcher already has all the contact information for both of you. The city attorney may phone you if your testimony’s required. And Lauren - I wouldn’t be surprised if this hit the media. You are becoming our poster child for crime prevention.”
“Oh no, I don’t want to be involved. Can you keep me out of this?” My voice was pleading with him. My parents completely freaked out about the TV crews asking for interviews after the robbery. I could just imagine what it would be like if they found out I had anything to do with helping catch a murderer.
His voice was solemn, “Sorry, Lauren, but your name went out over the radio. Anyone with a police scanner knows that you phoned this in.” He paused for a second and then offered, “I can give you a lift home and try to get there before any of the news media knocks on your parents’ door. I actually got assigned to your house for crowd control when you were in the hospital after the shooting.”
“No, that’s okay, I’m not ready to go home yet.”
The officer handed me a card with his name and phone number, “If you ever need a police escort, give me a call.” I thanked him, and he walked back to his police car.
Rachael and I walked slowly back to the mall. She was talking a mile a minute, but I was only catching every few words. My mind was in a different place. What had Rewsna told me when she wouldn’t let me follow her off the bus? “Keep to your path.” Emotions flooded in as I realized that she had known this was going to happen. She wanted me at the mall. What would have happened if I hadn’t followed my path? I shuddered when I thought of the possibilities.
“Hey, Rachael, could you give me a ride downtown?” I realized, after saying this, that Rachael had been in mid-sentence; I had just cut her off.
“Uh, sure, where to?”
“I need to go to the market. I just need a ride there. I can take the bus home.” I’m sure through her constant babbling that she was thinking about how close she had come to real danger today.
We drove the twenty minutes comfortably, not in silence but not wrapped in a gripping conversation either. I hadn’t mentioned anything to her about my dreams about Max, meeting Rewsna, or any of Rewsna’s advice. It would have taken longer to explain all of these events to her than we had time for. I had always considered Rachael one of my closest friends, but as far-fetched as most of these events were, I wasn’t ready to share them with her yet.
She pulled up to the curb just outside the market, “Okay, here you are. You’re sure you want to wander around alone? I don’t mind keeping you company.” Her look was hopeful, and it hit me that she was still a little freaked out about the mall.
“No, I’ll be fine. I just need to look for something at a vendor I saw a while back. I still haven’t found your graduation present.” I knew that would keep her from feeling like I was ditching her.
“Oh, me neither! We could just buy ourselves presents and tell each other what we got?”
Her practical suggestion elicited a laugh from both of us.
“Oh, go ahead, just make sure I can return it! Call me later.” Rachael drove off as I started walking through the market. I wasn’t certain that I would even see Rewsna, but I needed to try. She had been dressed like one of the sweet grass basket weavers, so maybe I’d get lucky.
I walked up one side and down the other of the entire market. I saw venders selling fragrances, t-shirts, baskets, jewelry, candy, but no sign of Rewsna. Every few feet I would stop, look at something and scan the area for her. When I didn’t see anyone familiar or anything that heightened my senses, frustration set in. I needed to talk to her. She had to be here. I closed my eyes and stood still for a long moment imagining her face as best I could, focusing on details like the loose fitting clothing she wore, the style of her hair and how it fell easily at her shoulders, her eyes the one time they made contact with mine on the bus. After visualizing her for several long moments, I silently thought as clearly as I could, “Where – are - you?”
The answer was almost instant, “I told you not so loud! I’m behind you.” As I wheeled around, across the narrow street I could see Rewsna sitting at a table in a coffee house, near the window. Relief swept over me. I gave a wave and went directly over. When I got inside the café, she had a piece of coconut cream pie and a bunch of scrabble tiles in front of her.
“Rewsna, I’m so glad to see you. I was worried I might not be able to find you.”
She answered me, but not with her voice; she was speaking telepathically again, “Lauren, I know you’ve got a lot on your mind, I can hear it, but I have already answered all your questions that I am able to.” She had the tiles laid out in front of her in various words, almost the way you would expect to lay out words if you were playing an actual game. No one else shared her table, and there was no board, just the tiles.
I sat across from her in the other chair at her table. I was trying to ignore the tabletop as she moved the letters around in circles and kept creating new words. I asked, “You didn’t tell me how to unlock Max. Can you give me a clue?”
Speaking out loud, “There’s no specific process. Each soul and their human mind is different. As you get to know each other better, you’ll figure out what his key is.” I looked at the tabletop and saw that she had just assembled five tiles. They spelled H-E-A-R-T. As she was talking to me she took away the T and said, “Sometimes your mate will hear,” she replaced the T, “With his heart. You are the only one who can make him remember. Just keep doing what you are doing.”
“But that’s just it: I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Your skills are even sharper than I gave you credit for; very impressive the way you kept Paul from leaving today.” Rewsna had switched subjects so quickly, I had hardly noticed.
I couldn’t help but ask what I’d been feeling since it happened, “You knew I was going to meet him, didn’t you? That is why you wouldn’t let me follow you off the bus earlier?” She didn’t answer, but for the first time since I had met her, I was able to read her the way I could everyone else, and that was exactly why she made me stay “on my path,” to the mall.
“Your love,” again she had the tiles L-O-V-E “for the others around you will,” she moved the tiles and added an additional E-V “evolve to meet your destiny.” E-V-O-L-V-E was staring at me from the tabletop. None of what she was saying made much sense.
I looked back at the tabletop to see her playing with five new tiles. Before she could give me any new message, her lips didn’t move but her voice was clear in my head, “Lauren, you know what you must do. I know you will figure out how. I wish you luck, but I don’t believe you will need it. You do not have to seek me out; I already told you, I will be watching you.”
“Rewsna, I feel so strange, as if you are the only person I can ask questions. If I share any of this with anyone else I know, they’ll think I’m nuts.”
“Precious Lauren, you are more sensitive than any soul I’ve met. You see things clearly that others wouldn’t notice if it reached up and slapped them in the face. You don’t need me. The answers to your questions are inside you and with your soul mate. Make him understand the question, and he will give you the answers you seek.”
I knew that our meeting was over, so I thanked her, out loud, of course, and stepped out of the cafe. I hadn’t really learned anything new, but my feelings were confirmed. It’s as if everything is predetermined, but free will results in different outcomes. I looked at my watch and realized it was already two o’clock. I was supposed to meet Max at three, so I made my way to the bus stop across from the library.
The bus let me off right in front of Max’s apartment complex. I was the only one getting off, and no one was getting on. I made my way out the back door and onto the sidewalk. I felt someone watching me immediately, but the indicators of danger or fear didn’t accompany the sensation.