Available Darkness Season 2

eyes, seeking a verdict.
    John shook his head no. “Tie her up.”

    * * * *

CHAPTER 3 — Abigail

    Abigail sat in an overstuffed strawberry-colored chair in Katya’s apartment, comfy as she watched “Gravity Falls.”. Katya stood outside talking on the phone to her boyfriend, Derek. Abigail didn’t even know she had a boyfriend. Apparently, her last-minute visit had derailed Katya and Derek’s date, meaning her newest friend had to soothe things over with him.
    Katya came back into the apartment, looking steamed.
    “What’s wrong?” Abigail asked.
    “Nothing,” Katya said, clearly lying. It was weird to see Katya annoyed; she was always so happy. Abigail couldn’t remember a time when Katya wasn’t bubbly and smiling, save for the scare Abigail gave her at the restaurant.
    It was weird to see her smile go missing.
    “Is Derek mad?”
    “He’ll get over it,” Katya said sinking deep into an almost matching red leather couch.
    “What are you watching?” Katya asked.
    “‘Gravity Falls.’ Ever see it?”
    “No,” Katya shook her head. “I don’t watch much TV. When I used to work for the Radleys, I didn’t see anything other than Nick Jr., Sprout, and Disney Jr. Honestly, I don’t even know why I have cable.”
    “What do you do if you don’t watch TV?”
    “Sometimes I try to draw clothing designs and stuff, but mostly, lately, I’ve been writing.”
    “Writing what? Books?”
    “I suppose they would be books if I ever made it past 10 pages,” Katya laughed. “They’re pretty awful.”
    “I doubt that,” Abigail said. “Could I read something?”
    “Oh, no, they’re truly, truly awful. I swear.”
    “They can’t be that bad.”
    “That bad and worse,” Katya smiled. “Guaranteed.”
    Abigail wondered if they were really that awful, or if maybe Katya’s stories were romantic, or something else that might embarrass her. Abigail changed the subject.
    “So, what else do you do?”
    “I play a little guitar.”
    “Really?” Abigail said. “I’ve never met anyone who plays guitar.”
    “I’m not very good at that, either,” Katya said.
    Abigail frowned.
    Katya pursed her lips, then stood from the sofa. “Want me to play something?”
    “Yeah!” Abigail said, smiling.
    Katya went to her bedroom then returned a few minutes later with a large, black leather-looking case with four large metal latches on the side. The case was covered with stickers of bands Abigail had never heard of.
    Katya set the guitar case on top of the coffee table then sat on the couch. Katya popped the four latches open and pulled the guitar from its home. Abigail watched, utterly fascinated as Katya started plucking at the strings and adjusting knobs at the guitar’s top. There was something almost magical in the ritualistic process that filled Abigail with a sense of awe.
    “Any requests?” Katya asked after a few minutes spent tuning her guitar.
    “I don’t know,” Abigail said. “Play your favorite song.”
    Katya thought for a moment, then said, “I don’t know what my favorite song is since there are too many good ones to choose from, but this is one I liked a lot a few years ago. It’s called ‘Elsewhere’ by Sarah McLachlan. Ever hear it?”
    “No,” Abigail said, leaning forward in the chair, hands folded in her lap as Katya began to play.
    Katya started to sing. Abigail immediately felt tears start to swell in her eyes. The music, lyrics, and Katya’s voice were all beautiful by themselves, but magical together. The song was so sad, yet uplifting. Abigail felt as if it were written just for her, and Katya was the first ever to sing it.
    As Katya finished, Abigail broke down in tears. “Oh, my God,” she said, wiping her eyes. “That’s so beautiful.”
    Katya’s cheeks turned salmon. “Really?”
    “Yeah, I love it. What was it called again?”
    Katya told her, and Abigail said, “I have to have Larry get that for me.”
    “Hold on.” Katya set the guitar back in its case and ran to her room. She took longer than last time, but returned, clutching a CD in her hands.
    “Here,” Katya said. “You can have my CD. I have, like, three copies!”
    Katya reached out to hand the CD to Abigail, who absentmindedly reached out to take it. Only as their fingers drew close, did Abigail remember the curse of her touch. A spark shot from her hand to Katya’s, causing the woman to jump back with a yelp as the CD fell to the carpet.
    Abigail yanked her hand back before