A night at the castle

As Amaia took another step, she felt the wet mud hugging her ankles. She looked down and saw her boot sunk in sticky muck. She gasped, but kept walking at a fast pace, her hands still trembling and her heart pounding out of her chest.
What was that back there?
That question would linger in her mind for days.

A few hours earlier

The crinkling of paper and cardboard boxes was all Amaia had heard since 6 AM. She picked up the phone after the third ring.

— Hellooo?
— Holaaa chica, qué tal?
— Holaa, good good. Just packing up a few things. Moving in is a nightmare.
— Yes, so I’ve heard. I want to help, so I’m coming over after five, ok? I’ll help you unpack, and after that… maybe we can explore the surroundings a bit. There’s not much to see here, but tonight a few of my friends are meeting at the castle ruins. We hang out, drink beer, and smoke.
— After five I’ll probably be all unpacked.
— Can’t come earlier, I have to watch my brother.
— Miau…
— So see you tonight? The castle?
— Yes, come to my place and we’ll go together.
— Exactly my thoughts.
— C yaa
— Byeee

After about an hour of gossiping, unpacking a single steel pan, and inspecting a box of necklaces – each of which sparked a memory from a different era in Amaia’s life – they finally decided to head toward the meeting point. They both told their families they’d be out for the evening, and Amaia’s parents were understanding, especially since she was still settling in and trying to make new friends.

Their bikes were dirty but usable. Clothing around here was also “functional” – hoodies, jeans or any comfy pants, and plain t-shirts. Amaia wasn’t big on fashion, but she did enjoy dressing up sometimes. Something told her that wouldn’t be the vibe here. Most teens wore simple outfits, and being 16 in a small town meant junior high wasn’t exactly a fashion show.

On her first day, she met Lovi and Maya. They were gossiping when Amaia showed up in their line of sight, like a lost bird in a new coop.
— Hey, it’s Amaia, right? – Maya asked with a raspy voice, while Lovi smiled wide, his round face full of kindness.
— Yesss. Maya and…?
— Lovi. L-o-v-i, like love – but better.

Amaia liked them both instantly. They seemed real – and they were.

The castle was ancient. Well-preserved, but time had left its stains. Tall pine trees stood around it like guards – intimidating and majestic. The woody scent in the air was divine. She had to admit it: the air here was cleaner than any place she’d ever been.

They weren’t meeting inside the castle (thank God, Amaia thought), just in a small clearing nearby where it wasn’t completely pitch dark – thanks to a few tall light posts lining the road. Five kids had already arrived, beers in hand, laughing, watching videos, playing silly games. Two were making a small fire. When they noticed Amaia, they gave her curious looks.

— Hello hello! New face. Who’s she? – one asked while combing his messy dark hair with his fingers. He wore a grey tee, khaki pants, and a red checkered shirt tied around his waist.

— Amaia, she just moved in yesterday, – Maya said while unloading her bag – beers, Doritos, and gum.

— Oh damn, I miss one day and we get a new one. How are ya?
— Not too bad, – Amaia answered, raising her voice slightly.
— Yeah? Hey, it’s not much around here, but you work with what you’ve got, right?
— Right right… –  she nodded and smiled, then immediately turned away, wishing she could speed off in a convertible down some coastal highway.

It wasn’t that she wasn’t happy – she was just a little awkward. But she did want to fit in.
Also… he was kinda hot.

— Hey, you’ll get used to it. Don’t worry. Where are you from? I’m having a hard time hearing you, –  he said, stepping closer.
— LA.
— Oh damn. Then it must be rough. I’m from Ohio.
— Then this must be nothing for you. I heard the most exciting thing in Ohio is when the corn grows an inch.

He tried not to laugh, kept a straight face, then leaned closer and dropped his voice:
— Actually… I love watching corn grow. Or paint dry. It’s soothing. You know – being present in the moment, with no expectations.
He smiled and reached into his pocket for a cigarette pack.

His scent hit her—woody, spicy, with a hint of mandarin. It made her forget what they were even talking about.

— Good one, – she smiled, pulling out her own cigarettes. He lit hers first, watching the orange flame flicker on her freckles.

— So… do you have a name? Or do kids in Ohio just number their offspring?

He laughed silently, head slightly tilted.
— It’s Adam. Excuse me, I think my friends just got here. I’ll catch you later at the circle.
— The circle? –  she asked, turning back toward him.
— Yeah, we sit around, tell horror stories and favorite heresies.
— What?!
— It’s fun. Stay and watch, LA.

Amaia shook her head, smirking, and searched the crowd for Maya. She spotted her with Lovi and two other girls.

— Looks like tonight’s already getting interesting, –  Lovi said, eyeing Amaia, then glancing toward Adam.
— And it’s a small town. Whatever I do will probably be in the local paper tomorrow.
— Erhh yes, that too. But don’t let it hold you back. Live in the moment.
— Why are you people obsessed with that line?
— Why? Did Adam say it? Uuuuuuuuu
— No no no no. I just… watched a movie before coming here.
— What movie? Say it fast.
— Err… Fast and
— Furious? – he cut her off.
— Yes.
— Hmm, I don’t remember that line.
— It’s there, –  she said confidently.
— Alright, so… you ready for the circle?
— What’s with that circle?
— Our friend Fra reads tarot. She gives readings every time we come here.
— Ugh, I don’t want to know the future.
— It’s not like that. It’s more like: Who said what? Will I hook up with X? Why does Y hate me? She deciphers stuff. And everyone says she’s always right.
— Okkk, I see.
— I was skeptical too. You’ll see.
— Which one is Fra?
— She’s not here yet. She usually comes alone – right before midnight. She’s kinda spooky, but cool once she joins the group.
— Sounds like a delight, – Amaia said sarcastically.
Lovi laughed and gently pushed her bangs back.

The trap music blended with laughter and gossip. From a distance, it sounded like the kind of party you’d dream of going to. Like a kid cracking open his bedroom window at night thinking, One day I’ll be there. No explanations to anyone.

Then, a flashlight beam cut through the trees behind them.

— Ooohh ooohh! –  the group reacted. Fra had arrived. She was clearly popular.
In Amaia’s world, a girl who roamed at night reading tarot would’ve been the definition of uncool.

But Fra had that je ne sais quoi. Charismatic, mysterious, with the confidence of someone who believed the world was hers. And in some ways, it was. If someone’s reading turned out to be true, they never forgot – and always paid her back in favors. This town moved slower, and the people had longer memories.

— What is uuuup? –  Fra called out.
— Welcome, dearest witch of the woods, – Lovi replied.
— Thank you, kind sir, – she said in a British accent.

She walked up to Amaia, hand extended.

— Nice to meet you, – Amaia said, taking it.
— Nice meeting you too. Where are you from?
— LA.
— Oof. You’re here to show these peasants how it’s done, huh?
— Nah, I doubt that, –  Amaia answered, shrinking a bit in her posture. Confident girls always made her feel small.
— Don’t sell yourself short. These are all hooooboooos! –  Fra yelled, making the others laugh and yell back playfully.

The wind picked up. Leaves rustled and swirled around them. Amaia sat cross-legged, watching, listening. Fra was reading for a boy who wanted to know if Sara—the girl he’d been DMing—would really come spend the summer with him. The questions were silly. Childish, even.

Adam was across the circle, just off to the right. Every now and then, their eyes met, reacting to Fra’s comments. They laughed at the same things.

A cat wandered into the circle. Fra seemed uncomfortable with it and avoided looking at it.

But the cat stayed. Small, with grey and white striped fur. Her tail was fluffier than normal.
A stray? Amaia wondered. Or someone’s runaway pet?
She decided it was a “she.”

— Hey kitty kitty, –  Amaia whispered softly, not wanting to draw attention.

The cat looked at her. Her eyes were bright green – unreal. But she didn’t come closer. After a few minutes, she vanished into the dark.

The next day at school, they were introduced to a new student – Lilly.

— There, –  said the English teacher. – Amaia, you’ll sit together. She just arrived too.

Lilly slid into the seat beside her.

— Lucky us, –  she said, turning with a smile.

Amaia froze. Those same green eyes. The ones from last night. The cat.