Free The Crystal Visions: A Families Journey into the Paranormal Volume 2 by Bonnie Somerville

right here Shaley.” Emma reassured her. “Storm, come here!” Shaley called out to him.
              Sona didn’t like dogs on the bed but when he was called by his beloved Shaley he would walk through fire… or jump up to cuddle with her on her nice comfy duvet. His loyalty had no boundaries. Shaley patted the bed beside her and when he inched his way up until he was almost laying his head on her pillow she threw her arms around him and buried her face in his mottled grey fur. Pippi for her part slept through the entire episode. Emma watched as Shaley settled down and went back to sleep. Emma was grateful for the weathered stray that had become such an important part of their family and had brought such comfort to Shaley. She returned to her own room hoping she would be able to get some sleep herself. ~

Chapter Seven
     
              Shaley exited the side door of the house not knowing exactly where she was going. She stood momentarily wondering in which direction she should go. The day was overcast and cool with the slightest bit of fog still lingering over the water and as far as the road. She heard the sound of water lapping on the shore as the wind blew westward across the Megnetewan. As she rounded the house she was confronted by an unfamiliar figure coming toward her wearing a navy blue pea coat and a black watch cap. The man had his hand buried deep into his pocket; the other held a walking stick. He seemed to brace himself against the weather in spite of the spring like temperatures they were presently experiencing. In his haste he almost knocked her down and she had to scramble not to be trampled. He stomped right through a mud puddle splashing stagnant mold smelling muddy water up onto Shaley’s clean white socks and sneakers. “Shit!” Shaley cursed under her breath.
              She heard that sound again like a steam engine chugging along the river and she turned her attention in that direction. As she walked she made her way through the meadow and because of the dense fog closer to the water she almost stepped on a small red furred creature. Shaley was on top of it before she realized and saw it was a small puppy hiding among the red clover and tall stalks of Queen Anne’s Lace. As she approached Shaley saw that it was holding its right paw up off the ground. She knelt to examine her closer and noticed blood on its snout.
              The puppy cowered in fear and pain as she reached out her hand. Shaley looked back over her shoulder in the direction of the strange man but he had already disappeared. She looked around in surprise. Where had he gone? There hadn’t been enough time for him to have made himself hidden from her line of sight. A whimper drew her attention back to the whelp. She drew the pitiful creature into her arms as it shivered and whined in fear and pain. “What the hell happened to you girl?” Shaley said to the pup not expecting an answer.
              She stood and carried the poor creature toward the house. Who would hurt a poor defenseless animal? “Aunt Sona Help Me!” Shaley called as loudly as she could. “Auntie Help!!” Sona came out the back door. “Shaley what ’s all the shouting?” She asked. “Please Auntie she needs help.” Shaley begged. Sona took a closer look at the pup and concluded that a trip to the vet was in order. “I’ll get my keys.” Sona said slipping back into the house. Markie showed up at the same time. “What happened?” She said after seeing the blood on the pups face. “I think the man in the blue coat and hat hurt her.” Shaley replied. “Man? What man?” Markie asked looking around suspiciously. “When I went down by the river a man passed me. Kinda ticked me off too because he splashed muck on my shoes stomping through that puddle over there.” Shaley pointed toward the mudhole.
              Markie didn’t much like the idea of some stranger lurking a round the property, especially