Page 29 of Jacob Michaels is Dead

The Sunny Side-Up Café had flames licking up the north wall, inching towards the roof. The modest, yet beautiful, bushes out front were already skeletal candles, their flames licking towards the sky. Before long, the flames would be crawling over every inch of the café, devouring it from the outside in, until it was nothing more than a shell. The crack that ran down the center of Main Street was more than wide enough for a grown man to dive into, splitting the town of Point Worth from South to North. When the sun started to rise over the eastern horizon, night and day would meet at the center of town, and only one would win the battle.

Carlita held her hand out before her, focusing on the crack, doing her best to use what magics she had left to slow the widening of the chasm. Jackson Barkley still stood to her side, watching nervously as the ground rumbled beneath their feet, yet the crack didn’t grow wider. Andrew was chewing at his lip on Carlita’s other side, watching with the same level of anxiety as Jackson Barkley, wondering if Carlita could hold out long enough. Ever composed, Carlita’s face was an impassive mask as she focused on the task before her. All she had to do was give Rob, Lucas, and Esther Jean just enough time to figure out a plan.

Deep in her mind, Carlita knew that Rob and Lucas had made a decision—one that neither of them quite understood yet. Carlita also knew that Esther Jean was aware and was preparing for their arrival. Beyond that, Carlita had no idea what was to come, which was a strange experience for an oracle. Carlita had lived her very long life always one step ahead of the game, knowing where she had to be, when she needed to be there, and why she needed to do the things she did. Aside from doing everything in her limited magical power to keep the crack in Main Street from spreading, she knew only one other thing.

And she was prepared for that if nothing else.

“Carlita,” Jackson grumbled nervously.

“Yes, honey?” She responded simply, as though the work she was doing wasn’t testing her down to her bones.

“There’s no way you can hold it together forever.” He said gently.

“Well,” Carlita answered, “I don’t have to, do I?”

“This is crazy.” Andrew spat, though he didn’t move to run away or abandon his friends.

“Well, if there was money in stating the obvious, you’d be able to take us all to the Bahamas, baby.” Carlita turned her head to wink at him.

Beads of sweat were appearing on her brow, though her smile didn’t falter. Andrew shook his head, but a smile came to his face. The ground stopped rumbling, but only for the briefest of moments, which took all three of them by surprise. Carlita frowned and turned to look at the crack in Main Street. Slowly, she pulled back on her magic and lowered her arm. Steam still continued to rise from the crack, but the ground was still, and the crack didn’t suddenly split open before them. Jackson shifted nervously from foot to foot as Carlita and Andrew both stared down at the crevice before them.

“Well,” Carlita mumbled, “I guess we just have to wait and—”

“Carlita!” Andrew gasped, his hand reaching out to squeeze her forearm.

“What?” She replied in unison with Jackson.

“Shit.” Andrew hissed.

Carlita looked over at Andrew, to find him staring off towards the east end of Main Street. Jackson followed suit, his eyes traveling from the crack and over to Andrew. When they saw the fear in their friend’s eyes, and where he was looking, their heads turned in unison to search out whatever he had seen. At the east end of Main Street, two wolves were standing shoulder to shoulder, red eyes glowing in the darkness at the end of the street that the flames—which were licking up the side of The Sunny Side-Up Café—did not cast light on yet. Both wolves’ fangs were on display as they growled at the threesome at the other end of the crevice on Main Street.

“I’m surprised,” Carlita stated blandly, turning her head to look at her friends in turn. “Are you surprised?”

“Carlita.” Jackson whimpered, shifting more as he stood beside her.

“Goddamnit.” Andrew hissed.

“Jackson Barkley,” Carlita stated with finality. “I think it’s time you go on into the hardware store, don’t you? Give Esther Jean a call.”

“Wuh-what?” Jackson stammered.

“Let her know she doesn’t have much time, would you?” Carlita nudged him. “Go on now. Get out of the way. You got other things you need to be doing.”

Jackson stared into Carlita’s eyes for a few moments, as though unsure if he should listen or not. Would he be cowardly for abandoning his friends in their time of need—to make a phone call?

The ground began rumbling again, and the crack spread another inch. Steam exploded in bursts from deep within.

“Well?” Carlita nudged him harder. “Go. Tell Esther Jean to be ready, Jackson. Only you can do this.”

“Right.” Jackson nodded shakily. “Okay. Yeah.”

When he showed no actual intention of moving, Carlita smiled warmly and reached for his hand. She gave it a gentle squeeze.

“My friend.” She said. “You’ve done well. For your part.”

A single tear slid down Jackson’s cheek.

“I didn’t really expect this to happen, ya’ know?” Jackson shook his head.