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Aria woke up to a strange noise in the dark. She rubbed her eyes and looked around the room. She saw Dahlia standing by the bedroom door, whispering and lightly tapping on it. She froze as the hairs on the back of her neck rose.
"Hey, Dahlia," she whispered, getting out of bed. "Are you okay?"
Dahlia didn't answer. She just kept staring at the door to the hall as if in a trance. She whispered, "Let me out, please, let me out..."
Aria walked over to her and gently touched her shoulder. "Dahlia, come on, wake up."
Dahlia still didn't respond. She seemed to be in a deep sleep, oblivious to Aria's touch.
If Dahlia wanted out, she would let her out. As she reached for the knob, she heard Dahlia say in an earnest, hoarse whisper, "Thank you."
Aria froze. She looked back at Dahlia, who was now awake and looking at her with a confused expression.
"What did you say?" Aria asked.
Dahlia blinked. “What did I say?”
"You said thank you."
"I did?"
"Yeah, you did. Why did you say that?"
Dahlia shrugged and looked around the room. "I don't know. I don't remember."
Aria frowned. She didn't believe her. There was something weird about Dahlia. It made Aria sad. Dahlia looked so lost, and so... Haunted was the word that came to Aria's mind. She seemed to have been through so much for such a young kid.
Aria put her arm around Dahlia's shoulder and pointed out the window, "Look, the sun's coming up. Let's get dressed. I'll go with you to your room."
––––––––
The girls went down to breakfast, where they found Serena and Dr. de Roux sitting at the table. Serena looked angry, while Dr. de Roux looked calm and composed.
"Good morning, girls," Dr. de Roux greeted them with a smile. "I hope you slept well."
"Not really," Aria said, sitting next to Serena.
"Me neither," Dahlia said, sitting across from them.
Dr. de Roux nodded sympathetically. "I understand. It's not easy to adjust to a new place and a new routine. But don't worry, we've got exciting plans today that will perk you right up."
She gestured to the plates of food on the table. "Please help yourselves to some breakfast. We have eggs, bacon, toast, fruit, yogurt, and cereal."
The girls picked up their forks and started eating. The food was delicious, but they didn't have much appetite.
"I need to take my pills with breakfast," Serena said through gritted teeth, staring at her plate of food with her arms folded.
Dr. de Roux smiled brightly. "I've decided it would be optimal to take all of you off your medication."
The girls stopped eating and stared at her in disbelief.
"What?" Aria exclaimed.
"You can't do that!" Serena protested.
"Why not?" Dr. de Roux asked.
"Because we need them!" Serena said. Her mind reeled with worry about her gruesome visions worsening, making the fear already prickling the back of her neck.
"Do you?" Dr. de Roux challenged.
"Yes, we do!" Aria declared, standing beside Serena in solidarity, outrage burning in her eyes.
"Why do you think that?" Dr. de Roux asked.
"Because I have a mental illness," Serena said as she cast her eyes to the table in front of her.
"Do you?" Dr. de Roux asked again.
The girls were speechless. Dr. de Roux leaned forward and softly said, "Listen to me carefully, girls. You don't have mental illnesses. You have capabilities that I want to explore without the anesthetic of psychotropic pharmaceuticals."
The girls looked at each other in confusion. There was a long silence.
"What do you mean?" Dahlia asked quietly. Hope glimmered in her heart that maybe, after all these years, the strange dreams, the sleepwalking, and the inexplicable bruises and marks on her body may have another explanation than the diagnosis that she never felt made sense.
"It is my belief that you three girls experience unique brain activity in the region that processes sensory information, causing you to perceive things that others can't. Have you seen any benefit from your medications, Serena? I do require a History and Physical report from your parents when you apply to Camp Effigy. We pride ourselves in our outcomes. We take in children who are bright, talented, yet unable to function," Dr. de Roux's eyes stared into Serena's, who cast hers downward, "and return them healthy, happy, and whole, with more power and confidence than they could have ever dreamed."
She smiled warmly and called, "Marcella?" Marcella bustled into the mess hall with three tall glasses with umbrellas and bendy straws sticking out of them.
"And to help you with that, I've prepared some special smoothies for you. They contain natural ingredients to boost your energy and enhance your mood."
She poured the smoothies into three glasses and handed them to the girls.
The girls took the glasses and looked at them skeptically. "What's in them?" Serena asked.
"Nothing harmful, I assure you," Dr. de Roux said. "Just some fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, honey, adaptogenic mushrooms, and a few herbs and spices."
They decided to give them a try. They took a sip and were surprised by the taste. They were delicious. They drank their smoothies until they were gone and giggled at the slurpy noises of their straws as they tried to suction out the last drops.
"Better, yes? You'll have one every morning you spend at Camp Effigy. I am looking forward to introducing you to my associate, Lucia Montenegro. You can call her Lucy. She will be arriving soon. She is the instructor for your activity today, horseback riding. Riding is a wonderful way to exercise, relax, and bond with nature. Please go change into jeans with socks and boots and meet here for Lucy to escort you to the corral and stables."
When they returned from dressing, they saw a tall, tan woman with wavy cropped brown hair and a grey streak in the front. A dog had followed her into the building, sitting at her left side, large and shaggy, with black fur fading to grey around his snout. Lucy wore a white tee and black sports jacket, jeans, black riding boots, and a whistle with a skeleton key on a lanyard around her neck.
"Hi, girls. I'm Lucy, your riding instructor. And this is Shadow."
She petted Shadow's head, and he wagged his tail.
"He's very sweet, but don't let him fool you. He's also smart and protective of me and the horses, so no horsin' around."
Dahlia snorted at the pun. Lucy smiled and shook her head slowly. She beckoned the girls to follow her outside. They walked to the corral. The heels of Dahlia's boots dragged on the ground the whole way. The horses seemed to get taller as she got closer.
"These are your horses for the week. They're gentle and well-trained but have their own personalities and preferences. So let me tell you a bit about each one of them."
She walked over to a chestnut mare with a white blaze on her face. "This is ol' Ginger. She's very calm and easy-going. She likes to take things slow and steady. She's perfect for beginners who want to learn the basics of riding. Dahlia, she's yours for the week. Come take her lead." She approached a black stallion with a white star on his forehead. "This is Midnight. He's very spirited and adventurous. He likes to run fast and explore new places, but we'll keep him at a trot in familiar areas until you girls are more comfortable in the saddle. I trust you'll keep him in check, Serena." She walked over to a palomino gelding with a white mane and tail. "This is Sancho. He's very friendly and affectionate. He likes to be around people and other horses. He's a little stubborn when he's hungry. Come on over, Aria." She stroked Sancho's snout and handed his lead to Aria. "Follow me, girls."
She led them to a shed where the saddles and other equipment were stored.
She picked up a saddle and said, "This is a western saddle. It has a horn in the front, which you can hold on to for balance or to tie something to." She walked over to Ginger, placed the saddle on her back, and said, "When you saddle a horse, the saddle pad goes first. It needs to be smooth and clean so that no wrinkles or dirt can irritate the horse's skin." She adjusted the saddle and the pad until they were positioned correctly. She said, "Then you have to tighten the cinch, which is the strap that goes under the horse's belly and holds the saddle in place. You have to tighten it enough so the saddle doesn't slip or move, but not too much that it hurts or restricts the horse's breathing." She gestured to Aria to pull the cinch and buckled it.
She said, "Check it with two fingers." She demonstrated, and the girls followed suit. "After that, put the bit in the horse's mouth by placing it against the front of her teeth, move the headstall around the horse's head, and place the reins at the horn."
She walked to Ginger, gently slid the bit into her mouth, and positioned the bridle in a single fluid motion. Ginger obliged unblinkingly. "Then, fasten the throatlatch. And you're ready to ride."
She smiled at Dahlia and handed her the reins.
"Here you go, Dahlia. Ginger's a sweetheart. She'll take good care of you."
Dahlia took the reins and tentatively patted Ginger's neck. Ginger snorted.
Serena and Aria caught up on Lucy's instructions with little assistance. Lucy announced, "When you mount a horse, you have to stand on the left side, called the near side. Put your left foot in the stirrup, and then you gotta swing your right leg over the horse's back, sit down in the saddle, and get your right foot firmly in the other stirrup. You have to do this smoothly and quickly. Don't kick the poor horse."
She gave Dahlia a boost as she swung her right leg over Ginger's back and sat down in the saddle. Dahlia felt the warmth of Ginger's big back and grabbed the reins. She gave Aria and Serena a grin. They were mounted and ready.
Midnight snorted loudly and tossed his head.
Lucy mounted a white horse, directed it wordlessly to pace in front of the girls on their horses, and said, "You girls follow Marshmallow here, and we'll head out on the trail to the pond."
"When you ride a horse, you have to communicate with them using your voice, your hands, and your body. YOU are in charge, not them."
Sancho was grazing, and Aria looked sheepish as Lucy's gaze settled on her. She explained to them how to use their voice commands, such as "whoa" to stop, "walk" to walk, "easy" to slow down, "good boy" or "good girl" to praise. She demonstrated how to pull gently on one rein or both reins to turn or stop, releasing pressure on the reins to go forward or faster, keeping steady contact with the bit without pulling or jerking. She showed them how to squeeze lightly with their legs to go faster, tap with both heels to cue for trot, and relax their legs to slow down or stop. She told them to sit upright with their shoulders back and their head up, lean forward slightly when going faster or uphill, lean back slightly when going slower or downhill, and move with the horse's rhythm.
Serena looked so calm, composed, and cool on Midnight. Dahlia was excited to see the camp's hidden beauty and become best friends with Ginger, but her nerves were on edge. She pushed through her fear of falling by clinging to the saddle horn. Dahlia admired the vast open flower meadow. Ginger's steady pace lulled her into ease as they trekked further away from the stable.
The scent of rain-soaked earth brought a wave of grief to the surface of Dahlia's mind. For a moment, she was back at her dad's graveside, holding a black umbrella as the rain fell on his casket. The memory of her mom's face as she spoke to Dahlia's uncle that day made her heart ache. They may never understand the freak accident that took him before his time. It was just the family curse, they said. She tried to shake off the heavy feeling so she could try to enjoy this beautiful day.
They rode for hours from the corral through roads and trails all over Camp Effigy, soaking in the warm summer air and the beautiful scenery. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves that seemed to dance in the air. The horses walked in a steady rhythm, with the girls enjoying the soothing cadence of their hoofbeats in silence for a long time. As they ventured further into the forested trail, the atmosphere shifted.
They forded a creek, and the cicadas hummed in the trees louder and louder. They reached a clearing with a low hill in the center. Without warning, Ginger halted abruptly, her ears perked and eyes wide with fear. Dahlia gripped the reins, trying to calm the spooked animal, but something was off. There was no apparent reason for Ginger's distress—no sudden movement, no loud noise, nothing.
"Dahlia, hold on!" Lucy shouted, realizing the impending danger.
Before anyone could react, Ginger reared up, panic in her eyes, and Dahlia was thrown off her back. She landed with a thud on the forest floor, the impact knocking the wind out of her. Aria and Serena shouted in alarm as they watched the scene unfold.
Lucy dismounted Marshmallow and ran toward the commotion.
"Ginger! What's gotten into you?" Lucy yelled, struggling to control the frightened horse.
Shadow came up from behind and started barking and growling so menacingly that he looked like a completely different dog than the friendly boy they met this morning. Lucy fought to keep control, her voice soothing as she tried to calm the horse. But something was amiss. Dahlia slowly picked herself up, her body aching but grateful that she hadn't sustained severe injuries. Aria watched Serena. She was as visibly shaken as Dahlia. Serena must have seen the flicker of darkness that had unnerved Ginger.
"What was that?" Aria asked Serena.
"How am I supposed to know?" Serena said defensively, but Aria could see fear in Serena's eyes.
Ginger broke free of Lucy. She let the horse gallop away, and Shadow followed, snarling and snapping his teeth until they both disappeared back toward the camp.
"Ladies, we're headin' back now. Move slowly, hun. Does anything hurt too much to move?" asked Lucy with genuine concern as she crouched next to Dahlia.
"No, I'm okay." Dahlia tried to stand, but Lucy scooped her up and placed her onto Marshmallow. Dahlia was afraid to get back on a horse, but she was too relieved not to have to walk. She slumped on the saddle as Lucy led them back toward camp. They rode in silence, the weight of what had just transpired lingering in the air like a thick fog. Dahlia felt the residual soreness from her fall. Serena, too, was lost in thought, her mind replaying the unsettling image of the shadowy figure.
Upon reaching the corral, Ginger greeted them. She gave Lucy a gentle nuzzle as if trying to offer an apology. Dr. de Roux was at the corral, too, with Shadow at her side. She approached Dahlia and Serena, her eyes reflecting worry as if she already knew. "Let's get the horses settled in the stable and then return to Hopewell," Dr. de Roux suggested. Lucy took charge, assisting the girls in dismounting and leading the horses to their stalls. Lucy assisted Dahlia in caring for Ginger, leaving Dahlia the job of admiring, petting, and nuzzling Ginger, who was calm and receptive to the attention. As they cared for the horses, Dahlia couldn't help but glance at Serena. Lucy and Dr. de Roux stepped outside to speak privately while the girls unsaddled Ginger, Midnight, and Sancho. Lucy used a pitchfork to unload hay bales for the horses, and then they walked to the Hopewell Manor. Aria wanted to say something, but struggled to find the right words so she walked in silence, trying to understand what had just happened. Dr. de Roux led them to the fire pit and gestured for the girls to sit on the Adirondack chairs around it. The smell of something delicious wafted around them, coming from a cast iron pot hanging over the bonfire, and Dahlia's stomach growled.
"Alright," Dr. de Roux began, breaking the silence, "we need to talk about what just happened on the trail."
They all looked at Serena. Her expression showed that she knew something she didn't want to say. Serena hesitated for a moment, then sighed, "I... I did see something. It was a shadow. It scared Ginger and Shadow," Serena explained, her voice filled with uncertainty.
Dr. de Roux nodded, absorbing this information. "Thank you for sharing, Serena. We need to understand what we're dealing with."
"You're kidding. A shadow?" Aria laughed.
"Yes, a shadow. I've seen them since I can remember, but no one else does, and that's why I take the pills that Dr. de Roux won't freaking give me."
"Wait, so you see, like, dead people? No way... I've seen The Sixth Sense, and that kid sees gross rotting bodies and stuff." Aria laughed again and then trailed off as Dr. de Roux held up both hands.
"These phenomena are not always so clear as Hollywood portrays," said Dr. de Roux.
"You're kidding," Dahlia's voice cracked.
"I am not," replied Dr. de Roux, "Each of you is hardwired differently, a form of neurodivergence, I believe, in a way that may allow you to experience the energetic remnants left by interdimensional beings."
"Come again?" asked Aria.
"You can sense that which is not of this dimension. Possibly the dead. Certainly, the non-physical. It's not such a rare talent, really. It is my belief that all animals possess this skill."
"Even Shadow?" asked Dahlia.
"Especially our dear friend, Shadow," confirmed Dr. de Roux.
"Soup's ready!" Chef Marcella announced as she appeared from the kitchen door, bowls, spoons, and a large ladle in hand, her cheerful demeanor a balm for their unsettled souls.
Dahlia winced as she shifted in her seat, feeling the tender bruises on her back protest against the movement. Dr. de Roux noticed her discomfort and immediately approached, concern etched on her face.
"Dahlia, can you show me where you're hurt?" Dr. de Roux asked gently.
Dahlia hesitated but then slowly turned around, lifting the back of her shirt to reveal the developing bruises on her back. They were an ugly, mottled purple, stark against her dark skin. Dr. de Roux's brow furrowed as she inspected the bruises, noticing the distinct pattern of fingers. She lowered Dahlia's shirt, went into the kitchen, returned with ice wrapped in a damp cloth, and placed it on Dahlia's back. "This will reduce the swelling. I'm so sorry you're experiencing this, Dahlia," Valeria said softly. "I see some bruising from the fall, but these bruises on your back are consistent with a human hand. Has anyone hit you?"
Dahlia shook her head. Her mind raced. It was strange—usually, the marks happened when she was sleepwalking. Her mother accused Dahlia of hurting herself, even when Dahlia explained how they'd just appeared. Dr. de Roux, Serena, and Aria seemed worried, not blaming.
"This happens a lot," Dahlia murmured, pressing the ice pack gently against her bruises.
Dr. de Roux placed a comforting hand on Dahlia's shoulder, her gaze filled with compassion. "It is my belief that this is the work of interdimensional beings. You're not alone in this, Dahlia. We have protections in place here at camp, and I'm here to guide and support you through this journey."
Chef Marcella ladled chicken and noodles into a bowl and handed it to Dahlia. It smelled so good, and the steam rising from the bowl warmed her cheeks. She blew on her first spoonful.
It was delicious. Dahlia felt a sense of reassurance. Aria did not.
"So, you're telling me that I don't have hallucinations at all?"
Dr. de Roux looked across the fire at Aria with an attentive expression and slowly nodded, "Aria, what you're experiencing might not be what we traditionally label as hallucinations. Your sensitivity to sound might be beyond what science currently understands. Think of it like a radio picking up signals from different stations. You are tuned to frequencies that exist beyond the human ear's capacity. Sometimes, our brains can tune into frequencies that others can't. In your case, you might be tuning into a frequency not produced by conventional sound waves," Valeria explained.
Aria's eyes widened as she absorbed this. The thought that she had been right every time she tried to convince her father that what she heard was real was, in fact, real was simultaneously vindicating and infuriating.
"You mentioned hearing a voice telling you to 'follow the melody.' What if that voice was trying to guide you, communicating through a different medium we have yet to fully understand? You, my dear, have the precious ability to perceive and translate it in a way that no one else can."
"That was confidential between me and my therapist!" Aria shouted, blood rising in her cheeks.
"I conduct my research," Dr. de Roux paused, "thoroughly. Though I apologize, I do not intend to embarrass anybody."
"So what do they want? My soul?" asked Serena. She had not eaten. She set her bowl of soup on the ground and crossed her arms.
Dr. de Roux recognized Serena's distress and leaned in, her voice gentle yet firm. "I believe that we are dealing with beings that were once human souls themselves. They don't want yours. But nobody will force you to embrace your ability, Serena. You can return to normal life without mastering your talent."
"What if I don't want to see them?" Serena snapped, her tone laced with frustration.
"I only wish to empower you with knowledge. What you do with that is your prerogative, though I don't believe these beings wish to leave you alone, even if you ignore them."
Aria and Dahlia exchanged concerned glances.
"I've been seeing them for years." Serena's voice cracked as she said, "Everyone thought I was making it up. I quit telling them about it. And now that someone believes me, it's even scarier. I just want it to go away."
Valeria placed a reassuring hand on Serena's shoulder, her empathy evident in her eyes. "I understand, Serena. This is a lot to take in. However, I may be able to help you manage these visions. I want to teach you tonight how to focus your mind to gain mastery of your abilities. Finish eating, and we'll begin. When we complete the practice, we will celebrate with s'mores."
The vibrant sunset made its way to a velvety night sky with a nearly full moon as they ate.
"Wait... What about me?" Dahlia asked and looked up at Dr. de Roux with an expression of anxiety.
"Oh, we may yet need to pinpoint your perceptions, Dahlia," Dr. de Roux said, "Let's try an exercise to find out. Close your eyes and breathe deeply through your nose, feeling your belly rise. Now exhale slowly, feeling your chest sink."
"Breathing exercises? For real?" said Serena incredulously, but Dr. de Roux only demonstrated silently. The girls followed her instructions, focusing on their breath.
"Inhale... And exhale," Dr. de Roux guided, "Clear your mind of any thoughts or worries. Let go of the outside world. Imagine a peaceful, inviting space within you, ready to welcome any visitors who might join us. Visualize a warm and welcoming environment, preparing the mental and emotional space for potential interactions to be positive ones, free of judgment or fear. Now, let's gently open our eyes and relax our minds as we gaze at the fire in the fire pit," Dr. de Roux instructed. The crackling fire danced before them, its flames flickering and casting a mesmerizing glow. "Look into the flames," Dr. de Roux urged. "Listen to the fire. Feel its warmth. Let its gentle energy guide you."
As the girls focused on the fire, Serena began to see figures forming within the flames, their shapes and movements moving constantly. She chuckled as the little shadows performed a jig in the flickering fire. Aria heard a faint melody as if a distant voice was singing. It was unbelievable. It was working. She closed her eyes. The voice grew slightly louder. It was beautiful, like a father singing a lullaby.
Dahlia, however, had drifted off to sleep during the meditation, snoring. Aria and Serena looked at each other and broke into giggles.
"Hey, look! All my besties showed up to the party!" Dahlia mumbled in her sleep. The unexpected comment drew further chuckles from the older girls.
Serena's eyes refocused on the woods just behind Dahlia, where she discovered, to her horror, hundreds of shadowy figures between the trees, standing and watching.
Serena wanted to say something or scream, but when Dahlia woke up, every single figure vanished.
"You're screwing with us," Serena scowled at Dr. de Roux.
"Tell me what you saw," Dr. de Roux replied.
"Those woods have hundreds of them."
"Yes," replied Dr. de Roux, "Swift progress. Great job everyone, really."
"S'mores, anyone?" interrupted Chef Marcella as she brought a platter with candies, cookies, and marshmallows.
"Yes!" Dahlia waved her hands in the air until Marcella approached. She took the stick from Marcella's hand and grabbed a jumbo marshmallow from the platter. She stuck it directly into the heart of the fire and extracted it only after it had combusted into a crisp, flaming, molten mess. She blew out the flame and ate it in one giant sticky bite. "Best summer ever!" she declared. The other two girls raised their sticks and tapped them together, saying, "Cheers!" and laughed.
Serena felt lingering dread and glanced back to the dark tree line repeatedly. She saw no more sign of shadowed figures. Whatever they had opened with their mind was closed again, for now.
