Who could have the power to enter the Halls of Death? The power surge had been unexpected and supposedly impossible within the passage between worlds. Lost in her thoughts, she stumbled over a rock, but kept walking.
When Cara turned a corner, she saw the truck waiting a few feet up and she quickened her steps before he could change his mind. As scary as he was, it was preferable to being alone. Walking up to the passenger side of the truck, she waited while he maneuvered the window down with a push of a button.
“Get in.”
Without hesitation, Cara opened the door and jumped in. The truck spun out as soon as she shut the door. She grabbed the dashboard as she was almost flung off the seat.
“Buckle up.” He spoke without glancing at her.
She clasped the seatbelt around her that Billy had showed her how to work the previous night. Cara was beginning to feel like a pro dealing with trucks. It was kind of comforting in this strange world.
“I’ll give you a lift to the next gas station, twenty miles from here, and then you’re on your own.”
Cara nodded. “Thank you.” She didn’t try to convince him to help her; it would be a wasted effort.
“Why were you in the mental hospital? Did you try to hurt yourself or someone else? My guess is someone else with the amount of police presence looking for you.”
“I wasn’t in a mental hospital.” Cara felt a chill up her back. She was very familiar with the mental hospitals and nursing homes. Both were a dumping ground for the unwanted in their society.
“Don’t lie to me or I’ll dump your ass on the side of the road and this time I won’t come back.”
“I’m not. I was not nor have I ever been a patient at one of those institutions.”
“Then suppose you tell me why the police were looking for you.”
“I don’t know. I did not know anyone in that town other than Billy. I can only think that the one responsible for me being there sent them.”
“And that person would be?”
“I don’t know.”
He turned to look at her with a snarl on his lips. “Listen, cupcake, I’m taking a chance just having you in my truck. If you’ve committed a crime and I’m caught with you, then they could get me for being an accessory. Now, for the last time, tell me why the police are looking for you.”
“I’m not lying. I don’t know. I haven’t done anything illegal.”
“Why were you in Corbin?” he snarled the words between clenched teeth.
“Is that the name of the town?” At his sharp nod, she went on, “Because that is where I was dropped.”
“Who dropped you off?”
“I don’t know.” Jericho could feel his patience straining at her ambiguous answers.
“Let me see if I understand this correctly. You were dropped off in Corbin for no reason by someone you don’t know with the police in said town looking to arrest you for no reason that you can think of.”
“Yes.”
“I ought to put you out here and now, the only reason I don’t is because we’re almost at the gas station. Is that all you got to tell me?”
“All that you will believe.”
He looked at her exasperated. “I don’t believe anything you’ve told me. Can you at least answer one question truthfully?”
“I have answered all your questions truthfully. But yes, I’ll answer your question.”
“Why are you wearing a winter coat and gloves in eighty degree weather?”
Cara hesitated, but spoke truthfully, “Because my body has not yet adjusted to its new environment.”
“New environment?”
Cara nodded her head. “Where I come from bodies do not feel heat or cold. Our body temperatures are constant.”
“What are you, an alien or one of the loony’s who believe they were abducted then returned by aliens?”
“I am not an alien, nor have I ever met one. I can guarantee they do not exist.”
“Not that I’m disagreeing with you or anything, and I’m sincerely grateful that you have no relationship with one, but how can you guarantee that they don’t exist. Even scientists don’t agree on that one.”
“Because I know every creature known and unknown ever created.”
“You do? And how is that possible?” Cara didn’t miss that his voice had changed its tone as if he was placating a crazy person. Cara didn’t appreciate his condescending attitude.
“Because I am a Moraie.” Cara’s own tone had turned smug. She was very proud of her heritage.
“Exactly what is a Moraie?” Again with the attitude. It was seriously beginning to grate on her nerves.
“Have you ever heard of the three fates?” Looking at him, she guessed he hadn’t. ”One is present at birth, guiding souls to the correct child’s body. That is my sister, Zerina. Another is present during your life, helping to fight battles along the way. The way they are meant to for the good or bad. That is my sister, Broni.” The whole time she was talking, Cara noticed his hands tightening on the steering wheel.
“And you?”
“I am the third fate. My name is Cara.”
“And what do you do?”
“I cut the thread. I free the soul and escort it to their next life.”
“So you’re a serial killer?”
Aghast, Cara stared at him. “I am responsible for no one’s death. I am only sent for when death is a forgone conclusion.”
“Did you explain this crap to Billy?”
“Yes, I did. And at first, he also did not believe me.”
“But you were eventually able to convince him?”
“Yes, I was.”
“That’s not so surprising; he probably took one look at you and would have believed anything you told him.” Jericho took in her long, straight, black hair, blue eyes and creamy skin. In her winter coat she looked like a ski bunny. The boy hadn’t stood a chance against her looks. He would have been putty in her hands. However Jericho was no boy and he wasn’t buying a word that came out of those perfect lips.
“He believed me not only because I spoke the truth, but I had proof.”
“Now, you just said something to surprise me. What proof? Show it to me.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not? If you have this proof, why show it to Billy and not me?”
“Because of your soul.” At this, his whole body tightened.
“My soul?”
Now Cara spoke carefully, not wanting to anger him, nor did she know if it was even possible to hurt his feelings. She hated hurting people, she had found even the toughest souls had a weak spot and didn’t want to cause additional hurt.
“Billy’s soul was white, gentle and kind. He also had a mother that had recently passed. She was still close to him. He knew I spoke the truth when I answered all his questions that only his mother would have known.”
“And my soul?” When Cara did not answer him, Jericho gave a bitter laugh. “That’s okay, I can guess. I bet it’s not white. Am I right?”
Cara nodded her head. “It’s black,” she whispered.
“And I take it that’s bad.”