The Arrival - The Madeline Calderon Trilogy: Book 1

  Chapter 18

  The playground in the park is littered with families and small children running and playing. I walk past and head toward the trail leading to the woods. Just past a tree destroyed by a thunderstorm is a clearing that leads into the meadow my mother and I played in before she was taken. Once getting through a group of small trees and tons of weeds is the meadow. Nearing the edge right before a cliff I set my bag down and start to unpack. I place the candles down in the shape of a star and the crystals in the center. I begin to chant and call the spirits for strength to get through to my mother. The wind increases and the ground shakes. I stumble and find myself lower to the ground.

  "Come on Maddie, catch me!" I hear her voice and I want to jump up and join her. I look around and see my mother coming out of the woods and into the clearing. Following not too far behind is my 6 year old self laughing and giggling. We both look so alien, happy, care free, no clue about what is to come. My mother draws nearer and reluctantly I look away and up at the sky.

  In my memories I recall the sky opening up and swallowing her. A rustling in the trees to the left catches my attention. Wearing a long white gown and wreath made of baby's breath and crystals was my grandmother. She was chanting but I cannot hear the words, and as my mother runs closer in my direction the sky darkens. The cyclone quickly forms. My mother stops running as she gazes at my grandmother knowingly. With sadness in her eyes she turns and faces the younger version of me. She speaks the words that I have heard in so many of my dreams, and I watch as the twister touches down.

  My mother faces it, leisurely walking forward taking a pause right next to me. If I didn't know any better I would say she could sense me. She looks in my direction and frowns. Shortly after my mother takes her final steps she is swept up by the tornado.

  The clouds lift and the sun is shining brightly once again. Little Maddie stands in the meadow staring at the spot our mother was standing in just moments ago. I remember holding back the tears as our mother implored us to be strong. Turning to give my younger self a lingering look I notice something glimmering on the floor. I walk forward and find a necklace with a fire agate crystal in the center of a pendant representing our family's crest. I begin to wonder if the necklace is still in the woods after all these years. My grandmother suddenly materializes next to my younger self as if she hadn't been on the side watching everything. Once again the ground begins to shake and the trees sway along with the wind. I fall back landing hard to the ground. Still protected by the circle I wait for the change to pass. Once all is quiet again I sit up wrapping my arms around my legs and weep. I cry hysterically for my mother, my grandmother, and for myself. The book warned me to be careful about the information I seek. I knew things would be hard, but never in my wildest dreams would I think my grandmother would keep these many details from me.

  Wiping away the tears I step out of the circle to look for the necklace. Unfortunately the sun is masked by a group of clouds taking away my chance of spotting the shine of the crystal. Walking up ahead I search the grass and nearly in the same spot as my mother stood in lies the necklace. I hold the pendant in my hand and the crystal begins to shine. I can't shake the feeling this was meant for me to find. Not sure if it is a key to my mother's disappearance I place it in my bag. I pack all my supplies and head home to meet with the girls. It is almost time for our first practice for the talent show. Hopefully this will go well. I need a break from everything that is stressful and challenging in my life.