Nine Lives (The Katran Legacy) Read online

  Lucy sped across the lush green lawn and jumped high in the air like an Olympic athlete. She caught the purple disc and landed on the ground with a cute little gazelle-like hop. Lucy raced back to me, eager for another toss. After several more rounds, we both collapsed on the ground exhausted. Time with Lucy was an amazing gift. Did Sabrina have the power to make such a wonderful moment happen?

  A group of puffy cumulus clouds crept across the sky. How did they know my favorite game in the world was tracing clouds? Lucy licked my face as my finger followed the outline of a cloud shaped like a hippopotamus. A stratus cloud drifted by shaped like a rabbit. I took particular pleasure in tracing the large ears. Just as I moved my finger around the cute fluffy tail, I stopped and blinked twice. A familiar face glared at me.

  Mr. X.

  Crap. I wasn’t on Earth. The amulet scum quickly multiplied as I tried to get control of my fear. I jumped to my feet. Lucy barked at the apparition in the fake sky as his voice rang out, “Playtime is over. You must return the dog at once!”

  “You don’t have the power to make her disappear?”

  “No.”

  Terrific news, but now what? I signaled Lucy to heel and ran blindly through the park toward the train museum. We could hide out in one of the cars. That hope quickly faded when a flurry of feathers filled the air. I stopped dead in my tracks—Sabrina.

  “You must do as Xavier says.”

  “Why should I? He’s just going to torture me again.”

  For the first time she frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  “That’s what happens at the Temple of Truth. They don’t just ask you questions. They torture you to get the answers.”

  She turned an even whiter shade of porcelain. “Xavier, is this true?”

  The face in the sky glowered. “The answer is above your security clearance.”

  Sabrina’s wings hung by her side. “Taylor, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

  The pain etched on her beautiful face made me feel bad I told her.

  “I never thought you did. I know you care about me. You created the park. I’m so grateful.”

  “I wish I did. I’m your guardian angel, but I don’t have the power to do such a thing.”

  I stared into the angel’s crystal blue eyes. “Who would do this for me?”

  “I don’t know. This has never been done before.”

  Now I was more confused than ever. Someone higher up than even Mr. X must have made the park. “Whoever it is, I wish I could thank them.”

  She patted my shoulder. “I’ll try to find out for you.”

  Mr. X cleared his throat. “It’s time.”

  Lucy sniffed Sabrina’s sandal-clad feet. “I’m sorry, but you must take Lucy to Xavier. Your dog needs to go back home where she belongs.”

  Home. A place I’d never see again. The amulet grew hot as I struggled to control myself. Mr. X’s face vanished from the sky. The walls quivered and my beautiful gift dissolved back into the empty warehouse. I snapped my fingers and Lucy followed me out of the storefront back onto the boulevard. Sabrina flew overhead.

  A group of kids about my age stopped and turned when I walked by. One of the guys shouted. “Hey, aren’t you Anderson?”

  Had I suddenly sprouted a nametag? “How’d you know my name?”

  The guy pointed to the building at the end of the block. There stood a huge billboard with a picture of me that took up the front of the two-story building. I had a big stupid grin on my face and a pimple the size of a dessert plate. My horror only grew when I read the electronic banner that scrolled under my face, Taylor Norberta Anderson. Wanted. Reward Offered. Eternity pass to the Pavilion.

  A guy wearing a biker jacket laughed. “Hey, TNA, I’m look’n for some action.”

  I fought the urge to cry. The scum in the amulet grew so fast it almost bubbled over.

  Two boys dressed in Boy Scout outfits pushed him aside. “She’s ours.” They tied me up with one of their belts. They paraded me in front of their friends, shouting, “We caught the prisoner. We get the reward.”

  Sabrina flew down next to me and the kids parted like the Red Sea. “Release her immediately.”

  The boys reluctantly let me go. Lucy barked like crazy as her enormous wings flapped.

  “It’s okay, Lucy. She’s our friend.”

  Mr. X floated out of the temple’s massive front doors. “Children, thank you for your service.”

  A collective gasp came from the kids.

  “You will each receive the handsome reward.”

  The Boy Scouts pumped their fists in the air. “Eternity passes to the Pavilion. Totally awesome!”

  A guy dressed in a Taco Hut uniform held his hand up. “I helped catch her too. Can I get special privileges at the Pavilion too?”

  What was the big deal about the Pavilion? Could it be some kind of amusement park?

  Mr. X held his elongated hand up like a stop sign. “Enough. Leave us!”

  The kids scurried away like roaches. I had no chance of escape with the facilitator floating next to me. “Ms. Anderson, you’ve broken several Junior Heaven rules. Escaping from the temple is a capital offense.”

  The ground seemed to give way underneath me. Capital offense? I clutched the amulet like it could save me. Instead, the scum turned a dark khaki and burned my hand. A lump formed in my throat. “What are you going to do to me?”

  He pointed at Lucy. “I gave you a wonderful gift, which you abused.”

  I threw my arms around my beautiful collie. The amulet turned translucent mint green as my eyes filled with tears. “Please don’t hurt her. It’s all my fault.”

  Mr. X floated over next to me and reached out for Lucy.

  She snarled at him.

  Sabrina gave me an encouraging smile. “Let her go. Lucy’s only here because your will to keep her is strong.” She put her hand on my shoulder. “It’s time.”

  I hugged my best friend one last time. Tears pelted Lucy’s fur as the amulet almost turned clear. “I guess this is good-bye, girl.”

  Mr. X floated back toward the giant pyramid with Lucy gliding right behind him. Soon my dog’s fluffy tail disappeared behind the large temple doors.

  “I’m going to miss you, girl.”

  Could I ever learn to show my true feelings with someone I loved? It had been so easy with Lucy. Now she was gone.

  Sabrina held a small object in her hand. “Please take this.”

  A ceramic collie dog stared back at me. “Thanks, but I don’t think this will make up for losing Lucy.”

  Sabrina gave me one of her celebrity smiles. “It’s special. Pet it.”

  I stared down at the figurine. Why did she act like I was twelve? “What’s this supposed to do?”

  “Concentrate on Lucy.”

  It seemed a strange request, but I stroked the miniature collie like a real dog. My hand grew warm and tingly. The hard porcelain transformed into real fur. “Wow! How’d you do that?”

  “Whenever you miss Lucy, you can pet the figurine. Lucy will feel it back on Earth. You’ll never lose her again.”

  Could this figurine help me learn to be a whole person? Then I could win the contest and go back to Earth and be with Lucy. We’d never be separated again. “Thank you. What an awesome gift.”

  “I know how important Lucy is to you.”

  I wrapped my arms around her tiny waist. “You’re the best guardian angel ever.”

  Sabrina’s wings covered me in a giant hug. “The feeling is mutual.”

  Our wonderful moment didn’t last long when a familiar voice rang out.

  “Time to pay for what you’ve done.”

  Sabrina stepped away.

  I sucked in a breath. “No. It can’t be.”

  Schwartz stood in front of me with her hands on her hips. “Taylor, you’ve been a very bad student. I have no choice but to put you in detention.”

  My heart beat against my chest. “Where?”

  “My house.”
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  Chapter Four

  Detention Blues

  Many times when Schwartz was alive, I wondered what her home would look like, but I never thought it would be this bad. The manila-colored tract house stood surrounded by more of the same on a cul-de-sac. Manicured lawns greeted me in a large semicircle, like a huge green smile. Suburbia in Junior Heaven? Where were the mansions sitting on big, puffy clouds?

  Inside, every tacky piece of furniture in the living room stood cocooned in plastic, even the coffee table. Schwartz took her detention job seriously by the looks of the security measures. Motion detectors’ red lights glowed from every corner of the room.

  My nose twitched, assaulted by the overwhelming fragrance of gardenia tinged with mothballs. The whole space had a 1980s vibe with its salmon-colored walls and brass and glass lamps with neon green and blue accents. Schwartz walked to the garish floral-covered couch and sat. A loud squeak of the plastic-covered cushions punctuated her every move. She motioned for me to join her.

  “We need to talk.”

  The words I’d been dreading. I tried to will the amulet clear to make Schwartz happy. Instead, it turned khaki green.

  Schwartz smiled. “Of course, you know your behavior was outrageous. To receive such a wonderful reward from Mr. Xavier and then insult him by stealing Lucy. It’s beyond bad form. You acted like a spoiled child.”

  Squeak, squeak, squeak went the cushion as I fidgeted my legs. “I know it was childish. Seeing Lucy again, I just couldn’t help my…”

  She held up her hand. “Enough excuses. This is what’s going to happen from now on.” Schwartz picked up a book from the coffee table and handed it to me. I could barely make out the print due to the glaring yellow cover: Afterlife For Idiots Handbook.

  I leafed through the pages. The book contained at least twenty tests. The contest better be worth it.

  Schwartz sat ramrod straight. “You’ll go to your room and work on chapters one through five of the handbook. Then you’ll have a modest meal and return to your room to continue your studies on chapters six through twenty. When you finish, I’ll let you out. That should be in two days.”

  I bit my lip. “Two days?”

  “Yes. Now, follow me.”

  More squeaking ensued as we both got off the couch. My black skirt stuck to my thighs from the moist sweaty contact with the plastic cover. I yanked at the skirt as I followed her down a long corridor covered in hideous pink and yellow Laura Ashley floral wallpaper. Thankfully, the offensive paper was camouflaged by dozens of award certificates. Maybe I’d win some points if I made a big deal about them. “Wow, you sure have won a lot of awards.”

  “I’m particularly proud of this one.” Schwartz stopped in front of a certificate for exemplary conduct. Then she moved a bit farther down the hall. “And this one for the highest achievements in a Junior Heaven graduating class.” She puffed out her enormous bust. “They were the winners of the last contest.”

  Could I ever be lucky enough to be chosen? My chances were slim with Schwartz in charge of the picking. I continued to follow her down the hall and counted over thirty awards plastered on the walls. “Truly impressive.” Schwartz had finally found a place where kissing ass was handsomely rewarded.

  A huge grin spread across my afterlife coach’s face. “Why, thank you. I hope you’ll follow my lead.”

  I did just that until I came to the end of the hallway and suddenly stopped dead. I let out a gasp when I faced a long wall punctuated by ten numbered doors—only four feet of wall space between them. Could this be a tract house prison?

  Schwartz led me to room number five. “This is your new home.” She opened the door. “Enjoy your studies.” A loud slam was her good-bye. Then she locked the door behind her.

  I stood in the middle of a space smaller than my walk-in closet at home. The ceiling vent pumped hot air into the room. I didn’t do well in small places. Looking around the room, I tried to catch my breath.

  My new home—a prison cell.

  A cot with a plain grey blanket stood against one wall. I didn’t need a blanket in this sauna. Against the other wall stood a desk. I couldn’t believe it when I spotted a big glass jar of pond scum sitting on the corner. Schwartz must think the amulet wasn’t enough of a reminder that I had more homework to do than reading chapters in the Afterlife For Idiots Handbook.

  A toilet and a small sink took up the back wall. The room smelled like a mixture of urine and tropical-scented air freshener. Detention for two days? More like a life sentence.

  The graffiti-covered eraser boards on the walls rivaled the girls’ bathroom at Piedmont High. Strange. Schwartz seemed like such a disciplinarian, yet she’d allowed kids to draw on the boards?

  Then I noticed a sign posted above the cot.

  Mrs. Schwartz’s House Rules

  1. You must make your bed every day.

  2. Cleaning your toilet is of the utmost importance.

  3. Homework assignments must be completed by the deadline given. No exceptions.

  4. Use the board to express your frustrations. No back talk will be tolerated.

  5. All meals are graciously provided and will be consumed.

  6. Lights out at 10:00. You will be locked in your room until morning.

  The above rules will be strictly enforced and the punishment for any violation will be swift and merciless.

  Schwartz sure had an interesting way of making her detainees feel at home. Still, I had to admit it was nice of her to let us scribble on the boards. Something my uptight mother never allowed. I walked around the room, admiring my fellow students’ handiwork. Over the desk someone had written Tammy was here! A crazy quilt of illustrations and sayings covered the board next to the toilet. The inscription by the handle read, Schwartz stinks worse than my shit. In the corner next to the door was a sketch of a massive skyscraper with its windows broken out. The same one I noticed when I first arrived. Another person had realized something was wrong with Junior Heaven! I took a closer look at the drawing. An object caught my attention in one of the windows. A cat sat on the ledge with its tail curled around its paws. Under the window someone wrote: And you thought you had more than nine lives.

  I plopped down on the cot. Could the cat be a message for me? How could anyone here know my nickname? No, the stress must be getting to me. I checked the amulet. Sure enough it had turned moss green. Good to know someone else could see the imperfections of this place, but it didn’t make me feel any better. Somehow it made the mystery even more haunting.

  The cot sagged under my weight, causing my legs to lift up off the floor. Sleep would be impossible in this poor excuse for a bed. My chest tightened. More than ever, I wanted Junior Heaven to be the puffy cloud, angel-filled fantasy people told me about on Earth. Everything had been a lie. I sat stuck in a cell with only the familiarity of my birthmark. Somehow it didn’t give me the same comfort as when I was alive. The amulet’s scum bubbling like crazy might have something to do with it. Even when no one was around, I still fought the fear that lay just under the surface.

  Lucy! I’d totally forgotten about the ceramic dog Sabrina gave me. Petting Lucy always calmed me. The cool ceramic made me shiver when I first stroked the back of the dog’s head. After a few more times, the figurine warmed right up. The ceramic vanished and in its place, long luxurious fur—exactly like Lucy’s. How cool! Mesmerized by the amazing gift, I tried to send Lucy a message. “I love you, girl, always.

  A loud tap echoed through the paper-thin walls, breaking the moment. Leaning toward the noise coming from above my bed, I cupped my hand around my ear.

  A high voice said, “Is anyone there? Please tell me I finally have a neighbor.”

  I formed my hands into a cone. “I just got here. How long have you been stuck in your room?”

  The voice came through the wall even louder. “Feels like forever, but I’ve been checking off the days, and it’s only been three.”

  Three days? Schwartz better be right about my on
ly getting two. “What did you do to land in detention?”

  Silence. “I guess in JH you aren’t supposed to have sex.”

  Wow! I thought taking Lucy made me a bad student. This girl had me beat for sure. “I hope you had a good time.”

  The girl laughed. “Funny you should say that. The guy kissed great, but he stuffed his jeans with a sock. I figured what the hell. Tiny is better than nothing.”

  I laughed. “I’d give you a high-five if I could.”

  The girl smacked the wall. “So, now I’ve told you my secret, I feel like we’re best friends. What’s your name?”

  “Taylor.”

  “Mind if I call you T?”

  “No. One of my friends back home called me that.”

  “Don’t laugh, but my name’s Celery.”

  The laugh flew out of my mouth before I could stop it. “Guess your mom really loved her diet food.”

  “I wish. She weighs two hundred and fifty pounds. No. Believe it or not, it’s a family name.”

  And I thought my family was nutty. “Sorry.”

  “Enough about me. What are you here for?”

  “I took my dog Lucy from the Temple of Truth.”

  “They gave you a dog? Wow, you must be super special.”

  That word again. Special.

  Besides not remembering my death, could I really be so different from the other kids I’d met? Okay, there was the little problem of stuffing down my feelings. “I’m nothing great. Honest. Guess Mr. X must have liked me.”

  “Whoa. You had to see Mr. X?”

  “Why, you haven’t?”

  The distinctive sound of crepe soles hitting hard wood echoed outside my room. Then came a loud rap on the door. “You’re supposed to be studying! Stop talking right now or I’ll turn you into scum.”

  My butt sank into the cot. “Somehow that doesn’t sound so bad right now.”

  A strong wave of heat radiated through the door.

  “Are you sure? No turning back this time.”

  The familiar tingling started as the skin on my hands turned green. “Fine! I’ll be a model student.”

  Footsteps moved away from the door and another loud rap rang out from down the hall. “Celery, you better have chapter sixteen done in ten minutes or no dinner.”