The Guardian's Protector: The Chamber of Souls Page 8

  CHAPTER 7

  THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS

  ‘Mornin’, me Mummy,’ said an articulate, eight-month-old Tom. He stood in his cot at the side of her bed, holding onto the bars, bouncing his chubby legs.

  ‘Mornin’, me Tom,’ Amy responded, lifting him out and placing him on his potty. Despite being amazed at how much he could do for his age, Amy was accustomed to it.

  ‘Father kismas today?’ he asked eagerly.

  ‘That’s right,’ Amy said, helping him off. Tom jumped on the spot, his smile making his cheeks dimple.

  Amy hated to admit it, but having Tom with her every day at the café, and Jack and Winston both helping with the child minding, felt great. Tom sat in the ball pit most of the time, in his element, loving the routine the café gave him. The only problem was the reactions people had to Tom. Those who knew Tom’s age weren’t frightened of showing their disdain but, because of his odd mannerisms, even those who presumed he was much older thought him strange.

  Knowing Father Christmas would be at the café today, Tom remained excited all morning and, as they walked into the café, his excitement peaked. In the corner stood a ceiling-high tree, surrounded by many decorations and, in the play area, taking up the whole left hand side, a huge Santa’s grotto had been erected, transforming the place into a wonderland. Amy followed Tom as he ran past his ball pit, straight to the tiny fence of the grotto.

  ‘Father kismas!’ he shouted with excitement. Amy couldn’t remember feeling happier as she watched his beautiful face light up.

  ‘Good morning,’ a male voice said and, after bending his large, chiselled body under the tiny doorway of the grotto, Amy could see who the voice belonged to: the handsome workman who helped Winston remodel the place. He stood tall and smiled at Tom, his scar curving on his cheek as he did. He then turned to Amy and, as his teal green eyes pierced into her soul once more and the electric, skin tingling feeling rushed all over her body, she wondered how he made her feel like this. She was never allured by mere beauty; the notion of vanity repulsed her.

  Staring rudely at him to work out where the feeling came from, she realised that was it. She could see, behind his ravishing features, he lacked even an air of machismo. As he stood, hair messy and in no style, wearing unfashionable jeans and a plain T-shirt, Amy could tell he didn’t have a clue about the stunning beauty he possessed.

  ‘Hello,’ he said with a deep, soothing tone.

  ‘Ak,’ Amy responded, more a grunt than anything coherent. Goose pimples shooting up and down her arms, she wondered what was happening to her. Apart from her love for Tom, she’d never felt anything more powerful in her life. She didn’t even know this man. Thankfully, as she couldn’t stop gaping, he turned his attention back to Tom.

  ‘Do you want to come have a look inside the grotto?’

  ‘Me look grotto!’ Tom said, running up the fake path and entering the doorway. The man turned and smiled at Amy like he was impressed by Tom.

  Amy looked into his gentle eyes and wondered why she’d felt uneasy near him when they first met. She watched in bewilderment as Tom pulled on his hand to join him inside and decided that if Tom liked him, so did she. Amy turned to see Jack smirking at her.

  Amy blushed. ‘Why are we having the workman as Father Christmas?’

  ‘He’s called Mark. He’s Winston’s mate.’ Jack laughed. ‘You’ve been single too long!’

  Amy shot him a look of disdain. ‘Shut your face.’

  ‘He’s a great guy!’ Jack’s eyebrows raised to indicate he was serious.

  ‘I think he’s more than great!’ a middle aged woman commented, who had approached the counter. She nudged Amy with her elbow. ‘I’ll have him on toast please!’ Amy giggled then looked back at Mark. He knelt beside Tom, holding his hand, speaking to him with a beaming smile as though delighted just to be in his presence and, as if he suddenly knew Amy was watching, he looked up at her, his smile unwavering. Amy couldn’t help the way her heart swooned; there was definitely something about him.

  In the space of a few hours, Amy had no choice but to agree with Jack. Not only was Mark brilliant with Tom, but once she regained the ability to speak, Amy found he was the politest person she’d ever spoken to. Every mother and child thought so too. Even behind the huge white beard and red suit that disguised his handsome features and wonderful physique, his eyes grabbed the attention of them all.

  ‘Is he not bothering you?’ Amy asked Mark after Tom had spent the whole morning with him.

  Mark laughed as though Amy was mad. ‘How could someone so brilliant possibly bother me?’ He patted Tom on the head. ‘You’re my little helper aren’t you, Tom?’

  ‘Yes, me help,’ Tom said with a beaming smile.

  ‘If you’re sure,’ Amy said, trying to bat her long lashes as she spoke.

  ‘Really, it’s an honour and a pleasure!’ Mark confirmed.

  Tom stayed with Mark all day. He helped give out presents to the children when they came and sat on his knee and when no one was having a turn, he’d climb back up himself. They even had their dinner together.

  ‘I should have brought him an elf suit,’ Mark said as Winston closed for the evening. As he lifted off the beard and hat, which had turned his hair into tight curls around his face, Amy knew she would miss him. After a full day of talking to him and becoming accustomed to the feeling he gave her, she felt strangely attached to him.

  The next day, after Tom said ‘Love Father Kismas’ a hundred times, Mark brought him an elf suit. Not only was Tom overjoyed but, after she’d changed Tom into it, Mark gazed adoringly. She knew they’d bonded but there was something more. It was rare for someone to love Tom wholeheartedly and, as she watched them together, it melted Amy’s heart.

  The café thriving with customers, every one of them in the Christmas spirit, and Tom out of his ball pit enjoying his new friend, Amy wondered how the café would feel after Christmas without Mark. Tom would certainly miss him.

  Everything went well until Thursday. At closing time, Adaizi walked in through the back door, a look on her face that meant business, and asked if she could have a word. Amy hadn’t seen the woman since she told her to leave her alone when Tom was a week old, but Adaizi acted like she’d seen her just yesterday. Amy hesitantly went through to the back.

  ‘I’ve had a vision,’ she announced. ‘I think Ethan’s going to come here again soon.’

  ‘Oh,’ Amy said, adrenaline surging through her.

  ‘I know you don’t want me to interfere but…’

  ‘That’s right!’ Amy said, cutting her short. Realising her voice had been too sharp, Amy took a deep breath and more calmly added, ‘I don’t.’

  ‘I’ve come to remind you that you can call me if…’

  ‘Not necessary,’ Amy said, twiddling the talisman under her clothes with her thumb and forefinger. ‘I can protect Tom myself.’

  Adaizi opened her mouth to speak then reluctantly nodded. Amy felt a pang of guilt as Adaizi turned and walked into the café to warn Winston.

  Amy didn’t sleep that night. She’d always wondered if the amulet would work as a talisman to protect Tom but she never wanted to put it to the test. A mother who came to the café every Tuesday told Amy that Kate had never returned to the clinic after the incident with Tom and, even though Amy hoped they’d moved away, she knew one day they’d be back. Not knowing when drove her mad.

  Amy didn’t have to wait long to find out. The next afternoon, the café door opened and the world came to a screeching halt. There stood Ethan, holding Kate’s hand.

  With her thin black hair stuck to her cheeks, her face ashen, and her wide eyes bloodshot, Kate looked ready to star in a Gothic horror film. Ethan’s hair, now thick and black on his misshapen head, made his veined and flaky skin gaunter. As the customers gasped at the sight of them both, Ethan’s oil like eyes glared at them all like they were beneath him. Looking at the murderous expression on his face, Amy began to shake with nerves.

 
; ‘Hi,’ Kate said like she was Amy’s best friend. ‘Haven’t seen you for ages.’ She stepped forward and Ethan, just able to reach the handle, closed the door behind them.

  ‘I know. Err…how are you?’ Amy asked, her voice breaking with fear. Amy turned to check on Tom’s location. He sat at the tiny table on the back wall, eating his dinner with Mark. Noticing the new arrivals, Winston hurried towards Mark, striking up a casual conversation. Amy turned to face Kate again and noticed she had bruises all over her wrists and forearms. The way Ethan gripped her was the obvious cause.

  ‘I’m okay,’ Kate answered, looking anything but.

  ‘Good,’ Amy said, trying to stay calm.

  ‘How much is it to enter?’ Kate asked, jerking her thumb to the play area. Unable to think of an excuse to refuse them entry, Amy froze. Kate looked confused. ‘What?’

  ‘Nothing,’ Amy said, wearying from Ethan’s piercing gaze. ‘You…err…just look worn out, Kate, that’s all.’

  Kate lifted her fingers to the dark circles under her eyes. ‘Well…I’ve got a lot of people staying with me at the moment.’ Kate laughed, revealing four missing teeth. Amy gasped. ‘Anyway,’ Kate said, looking down at Ethan, ‘say hello to Amy, Ethan.’

  Amy’s hands began to tremble on the fake marble counter as they approached. Ethan looked to be around the same size as Tom—two and a half foot—but the way he walked, his back straight, shoulders square, made him look much bigger. ‘Hello, Ethan.’ Amy feigned enthusiasm, but her voice trembled.

  Ethan’s lips tightened with anger. The bones under his grey skin protruded and cracks and indentations broke out in his cheeks, making him look like he’d been dug from a grave and forced to have life.

  As Ethan peered into her eyes, his glare dark and bitter, Rose’s words came back to her. He knew exactly who and what he was, and he knew he possessed power. Amy could see he detested the child’s body he possessed.

  ‘He won’t smile for you,’ Kate said, shaking her head with disdain. ‘He never does. He’s a misery guts. Aren’t you?’ She shook his hand. ‘See?’ She shrugged. ‘No response!’

  Ethan’s fury was evident in his posture. As the hatred swelled within him, Amy could see him bursting to unleash his true evil. Amy, frightened and uncomfortable, lifted her eyes back to Kate.

  ‘Keep the change,’ Kate said, throwing coins on the counter. As she walked through, Amy’s heart thumped against her chest. Filled with terror, she edged her way in behind them.

  Tom’s reaction was quick. He took one look at Ethan, and ran from the table towards the ball pit. Icy shivers raced round Amy’s neck. She looked down at her jumper to see an intense light shining through it from the crystal.

  Tom managed the little steps leading up to the ball pit with ease. He threw himself in, scrambled his way to the back, and sank himself.

  Oblivious, Kate walked Ethan towards the toy area, where two little girls sat on tiny chairs. Kate sat Ethan down and handed him a pop-up book. He took it, scowled at it for a moment then let it fall from his hand.

  ‘No!’ he said flatly. As if his voice had scared her, one of the little girls ran from her seat towards her mother, sitting at the table nearby. Kate put a drum in front of him and put the drumstick in his hand and showed him how to do it. He dropped the stick and kicked the drum away. ‘No!’

  Amy scanned the rest of the room. Mark passed the dinner plates to Winston and, as he made to walk back to the grotto, he caught Amy’s eye and lolled his head to the side, concerned. She gave a convincing enough smile to assure him she was fine and he continued back to the grotto. Winston, plates in hand, stood at the side of the ball pit. Amy’s eyes went straight back to Ethan.

  ‘He never wants to play with anything,’ Kate said to the mother of the other little girl, who scooped up her child like Ethan was contagious.

  ‘Let’s go see Father Christmas then,’ Kate said, noting his eyes had followed Mark. As Kate made her way towards the grotto, Ethan bent his knees so she couldn’t walk him any farther. ‘Come on,’ she said, tugging at his arm.

  Ethan growled at her manically, terrifying the nearby children, but Kate merely shrugged and walked back to Amy.

  ‘He’s terrible!’ Kate said. ‘Can you imagine him on Christmas day opening presents?’

  ‘Mmm,’ Amy responded.

  ‘So who has Tom while you’re in here?’ Kate asked. Amy gulped; she couldn’t tell her he was here but before she could lie, Jack walked through.

  ‘Tom’s here,’ he said, his thumb indicating his whereabouts. As Kate turned to look at him, Jack gazed down at Ethan, who was staring back at him with his signature scowl, looking horrified. ‘What the…?’

  ‘He comes to work with you?’ Kate smiled at Jack as if his reaction towards Ethan was a pleasant one. Amy couldn’t believe she didn’t react to the way Jack looked at Ethan, and still looked at him now.

  ‘Yes,’ Amy said, scowling at Jack, who couldn’t seem to change the look of repulsion he had plastered on his face.

  Kate looked down at Ethan. ‘Why don’t we go in the ball pit with Tom?’ As Kate spoke the words, the room seemed to slow in motion. Amy’s eyes shot to Winston, but he was speaking with a customer. As they began to walk over, Amy wanted to scream. Winston had to stop them going in. But how?

  It was only as Kate began to help Ethan climb the steps to the ball pit that Winston turned. As Amy caught sight of Tom’s frightened face through the Perspex cage, her heart fell into her stomach. Amy and Winston exchanged worried glances and, as Kate and Ethan began to move around inside, Tom lifted his hands out of the balls, gently resting them on top.

  ‘Hello, Tom,’ Kate said.

  Tom said nothing. His face said it all—he was ready for trouble. Amy felt the pulse of the talisman intensify, the cold almost painful against her skin. The crystal made a warping sound and tried to push its way out of her jumper.

  Suddenly, every light in the café dimmed and a huge humming sound began to fill the whole play area. Next, a blinding flash of light appeared in the ball pit. Everyone in the café exchanged dark looks and Ethan began to scream manically. As Amy climbed into the pit, Kate flew backwards and began to shake.

  Amy waded through the balls towards her but, Ethan, red-faced with rage, hissed at her. Saliva dripping from his few teeth and eyes bulging with evil, he shot towards her. As he got close, Amy saw a flicker of fear within his glare. As his eyes darted towards her pendant, Amy realised he could sense the talisman.

  Kate stopped shaking, grabbed Ethan, and scrambled her way out while Amy made her way to Tom who sat, eyes wide, with his concentrated expression. As Amy reached him, blood streamed from his nose.

  ‘Get me a tissue!’ Amy screamed at Jack, Mark and Winston, who stood at the entrance, looking nervous. Jack ran and was back with her tissue as she reached the door.

  Everyone in the café gathered round to watch, most of the mothers whispering amongst themselves.

  Kate, noting the unwelcoming glances, turned to Amy. ‘Is he okay, Amy?’ she asked sheepishly, her tone indicating she knew it was Ethan’s fault. ‘I don’t know what happened, do you?’

  ‘It won’t stop bleeding!’ Amy cried while Jack passed her more tissues. Tom sat expressionless as she frantically wiped blood from him.

  ‘What happened?’ Jack asked, bemused.

  ‘We don’t know,’ Kate said robotically.

  ‘That boy went in the ball pit with Tom,’ a lady said, pointing toward Kate, ‘and the next minute…’

  ‘The next minute, what?’ Kate snapped.

  ‘This!’ she said, shrugging and indicating she was merely stating a fact.

  ‘We don’t know how it happened,’ Amy said, trying to diffuse the angst. Winston bent down and clicked his fingers in front of Tom’s face.

  ‘Tom…Tom,’ he said.

  Tom didn’t respond.

  ‘Tom, look at me.’ Still no response.

  Amy turned him to face her. ‘Tom,’ Amy cried, still tr
ying to catch the blood, ‘sing mummy the alphabet.’ The alphabet song was usually a stimulus, but Tom remained dazed. ‘Oh my goodness, what’s wrong with him?’ Amy’s eyes filled with tears.

  ‘Tom,’ Mark said, bending down to touch Tom on the shoulder, concern written across his beautiful face. Amy’s eyes were so close to Mark’s scar that she could see it contained what looked like tiny bits of shrapnel.

  ‘He’s okay!’ Jack shouted to all who were watching. Amy quickly looked back at Tom to find him blinking and looking confused. Everyone looked relieved.

  Tom’s body then relaxed. ‘What dis?’ Tom said, touching the sticky blood under his nose.

  ‘That’s blood,’ Amy said. ‘Are you okay, Tom?’

  ‘Okay me.’ He smiled. ‘Okay you?’

  ‘Yes, okay me,’ she said, squeezing him as her tears fell. ‘Let Mummy wipe again,’ she added, holding the tissue.

  ‘Tom do!’ he said, putting his hands over his nose, spreading the blood sideways all over his cheeks. For a fraction of a second Amy saw white light emit from under his hands. ‘All gone!’ he said, letting go. Amy wiped the blood away and this time it had stopped bleeding. As gossip broke out, Amy turned to see Kate and Ethan leaving.

  For the rest of the day it was all everyone spoke about. After Amy made sure he was fine, Amy allowed Tom to rejoin Mark for the rest of it. Before he left, and after an awkward moment where Amy hoped he’d give her his number, Mark gave Tom a present of his own to take home and put under the tree. Tom hugged him like he knew he wouldn’t see him for a while.

  ‘It was so nice to meet you,’ Amy said, hating the fact that she wasn’t confident enough to ask for his number.

  ‘The pleasure was all mine.’ The way he smiled left her feeling sad.

  Before closing, Amy decided she would clean any balls that had blood on them. Tom followed her in with his cloth. As she scrambled through the pit, something sharp scratched her legs. As she looked down, there were twenty or so balls where Ethan had been that were burnt. Some were half melted and some were completely black and screwed up, leaving them hard like rust. She lifted them up and looked at Tom confusedly.