STORIES
324 - The Shoe
Tahariel Cammeo
Sunday night in Cammeo and Tahariel’s room …
TAHARIEL:
Hey Cam …
TAHARIEL:
… Where’s Charlotte?
CAMMEO:
She’s staying with your Aunt Lu tonight.
TAHARIEL:
Good.
CAMMEO:
I beg your pardon?
TAHARIEL:
Cam, have you noticed anything unusual about that doll?
CAMMEO:
Have you?
TAHARIEL:
Well, I think I …
CAMMEO:
Tell me what you think and I’ll tell you if I think it too.
TAHARIEL:
OK. She’s been giving off this hostile vibe …
CAMMEO:
Uh-huh.
TAHARIEL:
You feel it too?
CAMMEO:
I thought I was going mad.
TAHARIEL:
Not unless it’s catching.
CAMMEO:
I think it’s Herita.
TAHARIEL:
Your twin?
CAMMEO:
Mm-hmm, and today - I swear I saw her move.
TAHARIEL:
All on her own?
CAMMEO:
I’m certain of it.
TAHARIEL:
I believe you.
CAMMEO:
Lu asked me when Charlotte began … not being
a doll. I can’t remember. Perhaps you do?
TAHARIEL:
I think it was the morning I found her shoe on
the floor - it was right here. I picked Charlotte up
to put it on her and I felt - hate.
CAMMEO:
I wouldn’t put Charlotte to bed without her shoes.
Do you suppose she was walking about?
TAHARIEL:
I do now…
TAHARIEL:
... Cam, that was last Wednesday - I know cause that’s
the only day I have an early class.
CAMMEO:
Yes, that’s about the time I began sensing her,
especially when I played my violin. My sister
always hated my music.
CAMMEO:
… I told Mez and he purposely dropped Charlotte to the floor
TAHARIEL:
Did he break her?
CAMMEO:
No, he was hoping Herita’d show herself, but my doll was empty
at the time. That’s when we went to Lu. She’s looking into it.
Oh dear, do you think your aunt’s in danger?
TAHARIEL:
No. She’s protected by a dragon’s spell.
No magic’s strong enough to supersede that.
CAMMEO:
I keep forgetting.
TAHARIEL:
Aunt Lu will figure it out. She loves a good mystery.
I can see her now going though all her books.
