Braden ' Power of 3' Read online

CHAPTER 1

  JOURNEY TO BRADEN

  SEVENTEEN DAYS AGO

  FRIDAY 26/2

  STACEY

  Braden! A magical town if you listen to my son Jamie. Only it won't be so magical if Mag breaks down and we don't get there. I thought as our little red car began to groan.

  Poor old Mag, she was trying her best but as cars go she was getting a bit long in the tooth!

  Mag groaned louder looking for sympathy. Please not now Mag! I pleaded. The thought of being stranded on this desolate mountain road was not something that filled me with joy.

  "Come on old girl! Look, it's just a few more miles. Can't you see Braden down there? Uh Oh, I don't like the sound of that splutter. Come on you old wreck please don't break down now. Just get us there, and I promise I'll give you a rest."

  "Mum, you're always talking to that heap of metal. You know it can't answer you! You'd better be careful; talking to yourself is the first sign of madness you know."

  "Okay smarty pants...you know what they say! Like mother...!"

  "Yeah right! Like son! I know..."

  Jamie as his father had done loved annoying me by finishing my sentences. And for some reason today it really irritated me more than usual. However I found it hard to stay mad at him, his excitement at seeing the town of Braden sprawling below us was infectious and I playfully tugged at his shirt as he hung out the window.

  "Hey...look what flew into my hair...isn't great?" declared Jamie as he slumped back into his seat.

  His innocent look of wonder as he carefully untangled a beautiful yellow butterfly from the unruly mess of his curly red hair tugged at my heart. How fleeting that innocence is I thought as I looked at my son gently cradling the fragile creature in the palm of his big strong hands. My budding teenager was growing up way to fast for my liking.

  "What do you reckon? Is it a sign from the gods like in the stories of the 'Ancients' Dad had told us about?"

  "No, it's just that it couldn't resist you, gorgeous son of mine... by the way, have I ever told you that you have the best grin in the whole world?"

  "Geez, don't start that soppy stuff!"

  "Pardon me Mr. nearly Thirteen year old, I forgot myself. What was I thinking? Compliments are naturally out of the question for someone as cool as you."

  "Yeah, right!" Jamie replied sarcastically as he sullenly withdrew back into his seat.

  Here we go again! My son had that look on his face that I had come to hate. These days he was a minefield of contradictions. One minute he was my beautiful sweet boy, the next... a moody stranger. Lately I was discovering what it was like to have a teenager on my hands. And I wasn't sure that I liked it.

  I drove on in silence hoping that the decision to move to Braden wasn't going to be a huge mistake. Jamie's moodiness was troubling me; he'd been like this ever since his father had died. It was as though he was carrying some terrible secret that was consuming him, taking him from me. I sighed with frustration not knowing how to appease him any more.

  "Sorry" Jamie said apologetically as he reached for my hand and kissed my cheek.

  My son's act of contrition made everything right with the world again. Happily I accepted his apology and turned Mag's radio on humming along with him as he sang.

  I looked at the rooftops of Braden below and thought how miniscule and serene it seemed from this height. Like life, I suspected, it too, belied its veracity.

  "Mum, look... the ancient city!" Jamie's insistent voice cut through my miniseries as he pointed frantically at its ruins perched high on a sheer precipice overlooking the sea.

  "Don't scream like that Jamie! I nearly drove off the side of the mountain." My heart raced as I felt the wheels of our car spin dangerously in the loose gravel on the edge of the road.

  Saying a prayer I hastily steered Mag back onto the bitumen. Feeling that lovely hard surface under my wheels again I told myself that sending our car into that bottomless gorge below wasn't the story that I was looking for.

  Breathing a sigh of relief I looked at the ruins of the ancient city that had nearly caused our demise. However I was only awarded a tantalizing glimpse before it disappeared behind mountainous terrain. Mystified by its incongruous architecture I found myself wondering who'd orchestrated such a feat and why.

  Now that definitely had the prospects of a good story I thought, reacting like a journalist as usual. Was that timing or what? I guess the old saying 'Ask and you shall receive' really has some truth in it.

  "Wow look at those wild seas! How did they ever get boats to navigate around those cliffs? There's no way that they could have transported those huge stones by sea, it would have been impossible to get them up those sheer cliffs...sooo... how did they build that city?"

  Taken back by Jamie's question I looked down at the enormous seas that had just revealed themselves as the road twisted around the perimeter of the ancient city's walls. I had to agree with my son's astute observation, even the most intrepid seaman would have bowed to their supremacy and kept well away.

  "Stop the car! Quick!" Jamie yelled. "Look, there's the entrance."

  Automatically I pulled over to the side of the road and before I could say a word Jamie jumped out. His long red hair streamed behind him as he ran like a wild wolf to where enormous beast-like like statues stood, guarding the mysterious cities monolithic wooden gates.

  I watched mystified as Jamie knelt before those grotesque statues and made a peculiar symbolic sign before kissing their stony feet. Rising to his feet he released the butterfly, which he'd kept all the while cradled in his hand.

  "What was that all about?" I laughed trying to make light of Jamie's peculiar actions as minutes later he climbed into the passenger seat.

  "Nothing, I was just fooling around. Can we not talk about it?" Jamie replied churlishly.

  "Of course your majesty.' I replied flippantly, taking my cue from the tone of his voice.

  Disturbed by Jamie's odd behavior I studied his ashen face with concern. Something inexplicable was happening to my son that was beyond my understanding and I was loathed to address it. Instead I concentrated on the road ahead as it edged dangerously around the sheer cliffs.

  Chillingly the lengthening shadows of the ancient ruins embraced our little car willfully asserting its claim. Transfixed I watched as the sinister shadows spread afar over the rooftops of Braden below, spinning their web like a master spider encapsulating its helpless prey.

  Overwhelmed by the intensity of my emotions I was thankful that the road had begun its steep descent to Braden.

  "Look Jamie! There's the river that your Dad always spoke of." I voiced casually trying to disguise my anxiety.

  "That reminds me, did you pack the fishing rods?" I asked wanting to bridge the silence between us.

  "Yeah, yeah ...can you be quiet for a while?" Jamie answered sullenly.

  "Okay I'll shut up then!" I replied obligingly not having the will to reprimand him for his rude rebuff.

  I tried not to allow my sons moodiness detract from the comforting warmth of the last evening rays of the sun penetrating Mag's windscreen. And as they worked their magic on me I began to appreciate the unparalleled beauty that was Braden unfolding before me.

  There, bordered by mountain and sea it stood. A world unto itself that was as mysterious as the murky river meandering leisurely through the lush rolling plains on its endless journey to the sea.

  Mesmerized I watched the heat of the day rise from its gentle swollen waters, making rainbows in the early evening sky. It was truly breathtaking!

  Thankfully Braden's magic was not lost on my son and his grumpiness soon turned to excitement.

  "Yay, look... across the other side of the river it's the fishing village!" Jamie exclaimed enthusiastically as we began the last lap of our journey alongside the river.

  Enchanted I heard the happy sounds of children's laughter caught on the evening breeze as they eagerly cast their fishing lines along the banks of the river. Wistfully I thought of
the many times my husband Eric must have sat there fishing with his father and was saddened that Jamie would never share those same precious memories.

  Brushing a tear away I realized that it must be late, shadows were deepening and the sun was beginning to set. Entranced I watched its warm glow hover, reluctant to leave as it kissed the deep brown waters of the river goodbye, turning them gold with a sigh.

  My heart began to beat in zinc with the rivers undulating pulse as it gently rolled to meet the timeless energy of the sea. In awe I watched its gentle swell surrender to the turbulence of the incoming tide...like two lovers entwined fulfilling their destiny. I mused pensively.

  "Hey mum! You're off in la la land again." My son's disapproving tone spoilt my pleasant daydreaming and I was not amused.

  "Jamie I really wish that you wouldn't say that! You know that I'm a writer and it stops my artistic thought process."

  "Sorry" Jamie replied sounding suitably contrite.

  "Well you can make up for it by looking out for the turn-off to the fishing village. If we miss it we'll end up in the town, and I haven't the energy to drive all the way back again"

  "In a minute, cool, there it is... Apogee Mountain High School." yelled Jamie gleefully.

  "Far out, there's only a creek separating the girls and boys school from each other."

  Despite myself I couldn't help but grin at my son's growing astuteness whenever anything was remotely connected to girls. Feeling guilty for my grumpiness I lent over and rumpled his unruly mop of curly red hair. It was obvious that my son's hormones were delighted that both the girls and boys would be sharing the same school grounds.

  Thank God for small mercies, I thought encouraged by my son's positive reaction to the school. My feelings of guilt at Jamie starting mid term in his first year of high school due to our prolonged sale of our home in Sydney slowly abated.

  Now if only he would work out this ridiculous map for me. I swear it's been printed upside down!

  "Wow! Quick, look at that old creepy mansion on the cliff above the school." Jamie nearly jumped out of his seat with excitement.

  "I can't take my eyes off the road Jamie or we'll miss the turn-off. According to this silly map we're heading back to Sydney!"

  Jamie grabbed the map from my hot little hands and roared with laughter. "Mum, you're hopeless! Try reading the map the right way up.

  "Yes, well... I knew that! I was just testing you. After all reading maps is a man thing and you should have been doing your job!"

  Tired and crabby I was in no mood for my son mocking me.

  "It's not funny Jamie!" I declared angrily as a car honked impatiently behind me and a motorbike went speeding past.

  "Hey lady! Go back to the city!" An uncouth looking young lout yelled over his shoulder as he revved the motorbike to illustrate his point.

  "Humph! Some things are the same no matter where you go." I grunted, annoyed by his rudeness. I put my foot down on the accelerator pedal determined to show him a thing or two. However Mag had other ideas and groaned in response before slowing to a crawl.

  Mortified, I heard laughter as the motorbike roared ahead and adding insult to injury Mag began to clang loudly.

  "Keep going old girl, just another kilometer please," I begged.

  "Don't worry mum it's nothing serious"

  However Jamie's attempt to console me wasn't working, Mag was groaning louder than ever.

  "Oh so now you're a mechanic Jamie? I'd prefer it if you were a Wizard! Then you'd be able to get this old scrap of metal to work properly."

  Irritably I turned the wheel sharply into the harbour road and Mag complained loudly in protest. It would take a miracle to get us there; I thought grumpily as I drove across the rickety bridge spanning the river. Thankfully at that moment I saw the village shops just ahead and to my surprise Mag stopped whining, her tyres now bumping along nicely on the old cobblestone road.

  Strangely as I drove through the village I couldn't shake the feeling that I had been there before. I shook my head telling myself that I was just tired after the long drive from Sydney and needed to stop. Sixteen hours of travelling to the sunshine state of Queensland certainly hadn't been the relaxing trip I'd envisaged.

  Impatiently I looked for a coffee shop unhappy that the street was overflowing with people. Disenchanted with the hustle and bustle I felt cheated of my dream. So much for a Sea Change I thought cynically. This certainly wasn't the sleepy fishing village I'd expected. Still the village's charm didn't escape me; the rows of picturesque stone cottages nestling in the hillside nearby were like something out of a storybook.

  Captivated I breathed in the headiness of the salty evening breeze as swarms of seagulls flying overhead came to roost on an old sailing ship moored alongside an ancient wharf nearby. I looked curiously at the crowds of people gathered there wondering if it was a tourist attraction when I heard Jamie's cry of disgust.

  "Yuck ...Gross! Shitheads!"

  I turned to look at my son; his head was covered in bird's poo, disgustingly trickling down his nose.

  "That's a great look! Trying to be one of the locals hey?" I laughed as I handed him the box of tissues from the glove box.

  "That's what you get for sticking your head out the window smarty pants."

  "Yeah, right! You try it some time; see how you'd like a head of poo!" Jamie snarled.

  "Well you could call it an early dinner Jamie." I ducked as the box of tissues went flying past missing my nose by a hair.

  "Such a lovely boy" I laughed. "Loves his mother so..oo much!"

  "Yeah, well if you'd been listening, you would have heard me asking you to pull over so that I could read that sign about the old ship" Jamie replied sarcastically.

  "Well how about I promise tomorrow we'll investigate, by the look of that old wreck it's not going anywhere in a hurry."

  "Yeah, yeah, whatever!" Jamie replied disgruntled as he turned his attention to the old curio shops lining the street.

  My son was not a happy camper; however his mood soon changed as he spotted banners advertising the forthcoming Festival of 'Moon Harvest' commencing on his birthday.

  Squealing with delight he declared jokingly that the town must be celebrating his birthday.

  "Hey, I'm a 'Moon Harvest' baby!"

  A chill coursed through my body at those words. My husband's solicitor had used the exact same phrase when warning me not to move to Braden.

  To this very day the memory of that meeting in his dark forbidding office still filled me with dread. Immersed in shadows he'd been indistinguishable from the heavy drawn curtains behind his oversized desk as his secretary seated me. Unaware of his presence his deep raspy voice had startled me as his small black-cloaked figure emerged from the shadows.

  Involuntarily I'd gasped as he'd extended his wasted bony hand to greet me. Shuddering as his cold hand clasped mine I'd wondered why on earth Eric had chosen such a man for his solicitor. Hastily I'd ended the weird conversation he'd tried to engage me in and taking the keys of my husbands childhood home from his desk which I'd come to collect fled to the sanctuary of my car.

  Now as I stare at those banners I regret shrugging off what he'd said so flippantly. Jamie a 'Moon Harvest baby'...what did that mean? Was it just a coincidence that Braden celebrated a festival called 'Moon Harvest'?

  Suddenly the old stone buildings lining the street with their antiquated shop fronts no longer seemed quaint, but sinister. Curiously I found myself searching the faces of the people lingering at their windows. They seemed odd somehow unlike the normal tourist you would expect.

  As I drove past a tall thin man dressed in strange black clothes turned to look at me. I gasped as our eyes locked. His piercing dark eyes veered to my son and my blood curdled. Instinctively I pressed hard on Mag's accelerator pedal and sped off much to Jamie's displeasure.

  Soon we'd left the village behind and drove along the bumpy harbour road that led to our new home. Evening was upon us and dark clouds raced ac
ross the full moon overhead casting eerie shadows in our path. I sped on hoping to out run the heavy fog beginning to roll across the swelling incoming tide lapping against the harbour walls.

  However before long we were engulfed in its midst and without warning enormous iron gates suddenly loomed in our path. Terrified, I slammed hard on Mag's brakes.

  "Awesome!" Jamie exclaimed breathlessly as we came to a screeching halt within centimeters of those impenetrable gates. "Thought you were going to hit them!"

  Before I could manage a feeble reply Jamie had jumped out of the car and was valiantly attempting to open those mysterious gates blocking our path.

  Struggling to regain my composure I watched my son lovingly run his fingers over the huge golden letters blazoned across the gates spelling out the name 'Braden Rest'.

  I watched the letters glisten in the intense light of Mag's headlights wondering if I'd taken a wrong turn. The name 'Braden Rest' hadn't appeared anywhere in my husband's will, the private property ahead was clearly not our destination.

  Impatiently I beeped at Jamie to get back in the car. Turning he scowled menacingly, waving me on as he opened the gates. Disturbed by his manner I did as he demanded and drove slowly through observing him all the while in my rear mirror.

  I watched Jamie's stumbling gait as he walked haltingly through the thinning fog toward Mag, his stooped shoulders and demeanor that of an old man. Shocked I stared at his twisted hands as he struggled to open the car door, his youth a distant memory as he feebly struggled into the passenger seat.

  Wheezing profoundly my son stared straight ahead, his face glazed over with a sinister scowl. I heard a deep guttural growl escape from his lips and he began to speak with a voice that was not my sons.

  Frozen, I listened to the gibberish he was exuding, powerless to do anything else as a fierce wind rocked us back and forth. Terrified I grabbed Jamie's hand willing him back to me, praying for sanity to rule once again.

  Incredulously everything became calm and still. I turned to Jamie and stared at his sweet animated face as he pointed to the outline of derelict stables rising through the mist.

  Grabbing him I looked intently for any trace of the fiend that had just moments before sat by my side. However there was none, and I began to question my sanity.

  Shrugging me off Jamie continued his lively prattle. It took a moment for me to realize that he had no recollection of what had just transpired. My mind in a turmoil I forced myself to drive on hoping that whoever lived on this estate could direct us to our new home. Concerned for Jamie I couldn't get there quick enough.

  Rays of light filtered through the thinning fog revealing the spooky outline of an old manor house through the trees; its daunting profile sent a chill down my spine. Alarmed I slowed down; the road was leading us into its huge circular driveway.

  "Cool hey mum!" Jamie exclaimed as I stopped. However before I had time to decide whether to turn around and head back to the village Jamie jumped out of the car, running hell for leather up the deserted driveway.

  Jamie ignored my calls to come back and I hauled myself angrily out of the car. Slowly I walked under the umbrella of the huge trees lining the graveled driveway listening to the hypnotic sound of waves relentlessly fighting for supremacy against the impenetrable stonewall guarding the cove where the old manor stood.

  Strangely I found myself being drawn into its distant past. The old manor was capturing me, bending me to its will, intoxicating me like the sweet scent of jasmine filling the night air.

  Like an old sea captain it stood all weathered and worn, arrogantly facing the ravages of the sea whilst shackled by it's past. This mystifying edifice of stone and mortar spoke of its loneliness, its scars of battle reflected in the tattered flag hoisted high on its belfry tower standing proudly, paying homage to a ghostly master.

  Lured by its subterfuge my eyes wistfully drank in the sadness of its neglect. The once proud turrets home to squabbling seagulls, were now just a shabby reminder of a splendid past.

  Heavyhearted I watched soft rain begin to fall like teardrops down its many window panes washing away the care of yesteryear, blinding me to what went before.

  Lost in its world I'd failed to notice Jamie standing by my side until he impatiently shoved a Real Estate sign in my face.

  "Far out, it's ours!" Jamie exclaimed excitedly.

  "What are you talking about Jamie? What's ours?" However Jamie didn't stop to reply but ran off dumping the sign at my feet.

  "See you later, won't be long! Aren't you glad I persuaded you not to sell?" Jamie yelled as he ran back to the front porch. "I now dub thee...The Jamie and Stacey Peters Mansion!" He proclaimed proudly as he pranced about.

  I stared in disbelief at the address printed on the Real Estate Sign refusing to believe that this old manor had been my husband's childhood home. There had to be a mistake, it belied everything that I'd believed of my husbands past.

  However there was no denying those words printed on the sign. 'Deceased Estate of the late Eric Peters.'

  I stood staring at the mausoleum before me as Jamie peered in its somber windows. Nothing had prepared me for this; I'd always believed that Eric's childhood home had been a humble cottage.