Crystal Beach (Crow Hill Book 1) Read online

  “But he's just a bird,” Jeff said.

  “Just a bird? He woke me up and led me out here when he saw you in my garden. Do you want to reconsider that?”

  Michael stroked Calvin's back gently while Jeff tried to adjust to the new idea. When Michael lowered his arm, Jeff reached out tentatively and stroked Calvin's back. The crow puffed up proudly and extended one claw towards Jeff.

  “Hold your arm out,” Michael said.

  Jeff complied and Calvin hopped over to his arm. Jeff's eyes were wider than they had been all morning as he stroked the glossy black feathers of the crow sitting on his own arm.

  * * *

  When the half hour was up Michael drove the boy home. Jeff's home was a single wide trailer set on a concrete pad, with a very small lot. There was no car in the driveway and the trailer seemed badly in need of some basic maintenance.

  “This is home?” Michael asked.

  “Yup, well it's what passes for it nowadays. At least mom owns this one, so we won't get kicked out again. It's better than some places we were, the walls were so thin you could hear the neighbors breathing.”

  Michael nodded slowly.

  “This might sound stupid,” Michael said. “But has your mom thought about applying for food stamps? SNAP or whatever it is they call it now?”

  “That's how we get what food we have. But mom said that food prices are skyrocketing and the benefits haven't changed.”

  “Well, you can help her out with that now.”

  “I will, and thanks. I didn't think anyone else would help us. Father Anderson already gives us lunch between services on Sundays and makes sure we get some of any food donations he receives but...”

  Jeff shrugged, unable to put words to the feeling of despair that Michael could read on his face.

  “You're welcome Jeff. You know, you could also have just knocked and asked.”

  “Everyone I asked said you were a great guy, but not all that approachable. I was... Well to be honest I was scared spitless. Still am a little, with what you told me.”

  “No need to be scared. Some people can play sports really well, some can do magic. Just remember not to tell anyone about it and you should be fine.”

  Jeff slid out of the truck and gave Michael a shy wave before slipping into the house.

  * * *

  Joshua was waiting when Michael got back.

  “You're such a softy, you gave him the food he was trying to steal, didn't you?”

  “Hey, don't run down the mine's newest employee,” Michael replied.

  “What?”

  “I'll pay him out of my own pocket, the kid doesn't have anywhere else to turn. His house is a cheap little trailer with three of them living there. Looks like the thing's about to fall apart. His dad ran off a few years back when his mom lost her job. What was I supposed to do, give the kid a juvenile record? I'll give him a chance, we'll see how he does. He was honest when he confessed, and yes I did use a little 'extra' to tell if he was lying to me.”

  “So now there's going to be a rug rat running around all the time?” Joshua asked. “I get enough of that at home.”

  Michael's reply was bitter.

  “Well you know, if I could get a woman to remember me for more than five years at a time, I might have some of my own running around here. Besides, he'll only be here for a half hour in the morning and a couple of hours in the afternoon.”

  Joshua had the grace to look abashed.

  “Well, that's okay then,” he said.

  “Good, because I need your help for a little bit.”

  Joshua looked eager to change the subject, but Michael wasn't letting him off that easily.

  “What do you need?” Joshua asked.

  “I need you to help me run some more chain link fence. That area I was going to expand the garden into? The poles are already in place, but it will be a lot easier to add the fence if I have a second pair of hands.”

  “Sure. You expanding so you have as many veggies left after you give some to the kid?”

  “No, I told Jeff he could have his own section. I'm going to let him use that fifty by fifty area for his garden. I'll teach him how to do everything, then he'll have to do it himself.”

  Joshua rolled his eyes, but he also rolled up his sleeves. The two of them spent the morning putting the fence up and tightening it.

  * * *

  Chapter 5

  Rynn didn't sleep at all that night. She knew from past experience that she could go as long as a week without sleeping, but she'd have to eat more while she was awake and then she'd need a solid ten hours of sleep to make up for it. When the children began to wake, she was back in the room with them.

  She decided on energy bars and Tang for breakfast. The students sat at the table they'd been playing cards at to eat while Rynn paced nervously.

  Less than a day after everyone left and someone tried to break into the school. What's going to happen today? And what's causing it?

  “So, should we try some applied magic lessons today?” Rynn asked.

  The students groaned in unison, except for Eugene who remained silent as always.

  “Don't you even want to know why or what?” Rynn asked.

  “I'll bite,” Andi said. “Why more lessons and what kind?”

  “I was thinking I might show you the basics of some magical self-defense. Depending on your power and skill levels, there are a number of things I can show you.”

  There was a sudden shift in the mood of the students. Self-defense techniques were normally restricted to graduating students and, even then, they were only shown some basics.

  Eugene scribbled on his pad.

  'Are we going to need them?' he wrote.

  “I don't know, but it's possible. I wish I had some way of getting news without going out to stare through a shop window.”

  Eugene grinned and gestured to the door.

  “You have a way we can get news?” Rynn asked.

  Eugene nodded.

  “Go get it then.”

  Eugene wrote quickly.

  'Secret, I'm not supposed to know. Nobody tells?'

  “All of you listen to me please,” Rynn said. “I want to hear the news to find out what's going on and Eugene says he has a way to do it, but he needs to keep it secret. Can you all swear to me that you won't let anyone know?”

  A series of nods and a “Yes, Rynn” answered her.

  “Go get it Eugene.”

  Several minutes passed before Eugene returned. He handed Rynn a small cloth bag. When she opened it, she found a sheaf of papers wrapped around something solid. She drew the papers out and unfolded them. Inside was a small Eton radio. Eugene took it from her and pulled out a handle that tucked in on the back. He cranked it for a few minutes then placed it on the table.

  'AM, FM, or Weather Band?' he wrote.

  Rynn shrugged helplessly.

  “Isn't AM normally news stuff?” she asked.

  Eugene nodded and flipped a switch on the radio. Static filled the cafeteria. He nudged a dial slowly until the static was replaced by a voice.

  “Coming up in news at the top of the hour. The stock market has closed for the rest of the day, again. The news that China is selling all of its U.S Treasury Debt has sent the market into a tailspin. The dollar is dropping precipitously, and countries around the world are fleeing the U.S. Dollar.”

  The announcer went on with other news items but Rynn was pretty sure she'd discovered what the problem was.

  “Shut it off for now. I'm agitated enough that I'm liable to destroy your radio,” she told Eugene.

  Eugene grinned again and pointed at the papers that had been wrapped around the radio. Rynn bent over to look.

  'Simple Measures to Allow the Use of Basic Electronics to Wizards.'

  by: Michael Hart

  She skimmed the paper that followed.

  “Michael did this? I haven't seen him in thirty years or so, it sounds like he's kept busy.”

  Hell
, I haven't even thought of Michael in that long. We were pretty tight, I wonder why he slipped my mind?

  She turned her gaze on Eugene.

  “Where did you get this?” she asked.

  Eugene blushed and looked down at the floor.

  “Eugene?” she said warningly.

  He picked up his pad and began to write, slowly.

  'They think that I'm stupid because I don't talk. That I don't have any curiosity or anything. I was working in the office one day and one of the Board told me to go out and get twenty-five copies of this made. I guess he thought I wouldn't care about it. When I saw the title, I got twenty-six instead and kept one.'

  “The Board has this and never said anything? How long ago was this?”

  'About three years back. I never shared it because I didn't want them to find out. I'm scared of what they might do if they found out.'

  “I won't tell them, don't worry,” she said.

  * * *

  Rynn spent the morning tailoring self-defense training to each of the students. Their efforts ranged from making themselves slippery enough that they couldn't be held, to delivering electrical shocks through their hands, to Eugene who managed to replicate the jet of flame his lack of concentration had caused, but with the flame traveling horizontally instead of vertically.

  At the start of each hour they turned the radio on long enough to listen to the news. The top stories stayed the same until mid-afternoon.

  “In breaking news, several major banks have ceased credit and debit card processing. Officially we were told 'No Comment', but in an anonymous interview we were told that between the heavy use of credit over the past few days and the plummeting U.S. Dollar, the system is falling apart. The banks offer no estimate as to when the system will come back online.”

  The next time they checked the new it was growing worse.

  “Due to the abrupt cessation of credit and debit card processing, riots are breaking out in major cities all over the United States. As of this time, we have reports of large riots occurring in Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle, New York City, Atlanta, and Chicago. If you are in one of the affected areas, please stay indoors if at all possible. The authorities are currently dealing with the riots and expect them to be over by nightfall.”

  “Well, at least they aren't rioting here,” Rynn said. “Denver's close, but not close enough for a riot there to be a problem for us.”

  “Did you know?” Cindy asked. “Is that why you taught us self-defense spells this morning?”

  “Let's just say I had a feeling. When enough wizards warn you something unpleasant is coming, you can be pretty sure they aren't all wrong.”

  Rynn eagerly waited for the next news broadcast, all pretense at normality forgotten. The younger children were playing cards while the older three were with Rynn, waiting for the broadcast.

  “This is news at the top of the hour. Riots are breaking out in more of the major cities. They're also spreading to smaller ones now. Here's one live, in the street in front of our broadcast studio.”

  The broadcast changed to yells and screams. The occasional gunshot added to the commotion. Then the broadcaster returned.

  “I can't see any police out there trying to restore order so this is the last news broadcast I'll be doing. I'm headed home to protect my family. I suggest everyone do the same. Good bye and God Bless...”

  There was a click and then silence, interrupted only by light static. When they turned the radio on at the beginning of the next hour there was only static. They turned the dial, but the only stations that were still broadcasting were those that taped their programs in advance.

  * * *

  The younger children didn't grasp the significance of what was going on and the older ones were full of questions that Rynn couldn't answer.

  I told Principal Adams that I'd take them someplace safe if I needed to. I think I might have to do that. I can take them to mom and dad's, but that's at more than ten thousand feet elevation. Getting there would be rough and it wouldn't be comfortable for them at that altitude. Where else can we go?

  She gave up trying to think of where to take the students and just let her mind relax for a while.

  So, Michael's up to his old tricks still. I thought when they banished him to the mine he might learn that if he allows the Board to judge him then he has to follow their rules. Evidently that didn't quite sink in. The Board hates any sort of change; it's harder for them to retain control when things change. Wait, I wonder if he's still at the mine? That's in southeast Colorado, only a couple hundred miles from here.

  “Cindy, can you keep an eye on things here? I need to go check something in the office,” Rynn said.

  “Sure. You'll be right back though, yes?”

  “I'll be back as soon as I can.”

  Rynn rooted through the files in the office.

  I know we get crystals from there. They have to have contact information here someplace.

  It took her half an hour before she found the number she was after. She picked up the phone and dialed, only to receive a recorded message.

  “We're sorry, all circuits are busy now. Please try your call again later.”

  She slammed the handset down into its cradle.

  “No, this can't be happening! I'm responsible for them and I need to find someplace safe.”

  After a second attempt to place the call resulted in the same message, she took a few moments to calm herself.

  If that's really true and it's just all circuits busy, then I'll try again in the middle of the night. People will need to sleep and I can get through then. I just need to hold on until midnight or two in the morning and try again.

  After Rynn calmed down, she returned to the cafeteria.

  Cindy looked at her expectantly.

  “I couldn't get through. I'll try again later on.”

  “Who were you calling?” Cindy asked.

  “An old friend. I just hope he remembers me. He lives kind of nearby and I think the area he's in will be safe it it gets dangerous here. I'm trying to see if he's still there and if he's willing to take us in if necessary.”

  “Oh, is it really that bad here?”

  “I don't know, but it might get that way. I just want to have the option in case we need it.”

  Cindy nodded even though she still looked nervous.

  She can be nervous, she's got good reasons. I'd love it to be otherwise, but I think we all have a good reason to be scared.

  Rynn made dinner and once again the children played cards to pass the evening. Tonight their attention wasn't focused on the game. When Rynn told them it was time for lights out she got no argument. Once again she waited until she heard their breathing slow, then got up to wander the corridors.

  She'd hidden the small pistol in her bag throughout the day and she took it with her when she went out to wander the halls, thinking that it might be enough deterrent if she found another intruder. It wouldn't stop her from using magic, but she might not have to if she were carrying it.

  Several minutes after she slipped away from the students, she heard someone else in the hallway behind her. She spun, pistol in hand. Eugene threw his hands up in panic when he saw the gun pointed at him. His notebook fluttered to the floor and landed at his feet.

  Rynn sheepishly tucked the pistol back into her pocket.

  “I'm sorry, I thought everyone was asleep. For that matter, why aren't you asleep?”

  Eugene knelt and picked up his notebook. He wrote furiously for a moment, then handed it to her.

  'I woke up last night and you weren't there. Did you sleep at all? Or did you spend all night keeping watch on us?'

  “Yes, I kept watch last night. That's what I'm doing now also. I can go without sleep for a few days, it isn't a problem for me.”

  'I want to help,' he wrote.

  “No offense, but how are you going to raise an alarm if there's a problem?”

  'I'm good with audible illusions. I can make it sound jus
t like the fire alarm is going off. That should be enough to scare someone away or at least wake everyone up, yes?'

  “That might actually work. Wait a second, I'm guessing you've tested that?”

  Eugene nodded.

  “That wouldn't have anything to do with the two false fire alarms we had last year where we determined that no-one had pulled the lever, did it? We just wrote it off as the system malfunctioning due to interference from magic.”

  Eugene bit his lower lip and made no motion to write a reply. Rynn wasn't sure due to the low light levels, but she thought he might be blushing.

  “I'll take that as a yes then. It's a good idea for now although if things ever get back to normal I better not find it happening again.”

  He paled at bit at her choice of words, then nodded.

  The two of them walked the halls for several hours. They occasionally heard gunshots from outside, but they didn't sound close to the school. Finally it was after midnight and Rynn headed for the office.

  “I need to make a phone call, assuming I can get a connection,” she said.

  'Who are you calling this late?' Eugene wrote.

  “Someone who might be able to provide us a safe place to go. I tried earlier and got an all circuits are busy message. I hope that by trying at this time of night, I'll be able to get through.”

  Rynn at down at the desk and dialed the number. She held her breath, waiting. When she heard a ring, she sighed in relief. The phone kept ringing, but she waited.

  It's the middle of the night. I need to wait for him to wake up and get to the phone.

  Finally she heard someone pick up the phone.

  “This better be good,” the person on the other end said. “It's the middle of the freakin' night.”

  “Michael?” Rynn asked.

  “No, this is Joshua. What do you want him for?”

  “Could you wake him, please? This is kind of an emergency.”

  “It better be. Hang on, I'll see if I can get his sorry butt out of bed. Who should I tell him it is?”

  “Tell him it's Rynn.”

  The phone clicked as the handset was tossed onto something hard. There was silence for a moment and then she heard knocking and the man's voice called out.

  “Michael, wake up! Got some chick on the phone says she needs to talk to you, that it's an emergency. Said her name's Rynn.”