Free Conjuring Sight (Becky Jo Chronicles Book 1) by Teresa Rae Page B

to the next section of the cluster of small cemeteries. Unfortunately, I can’t lift it over a fence.  My mind races. I’m not sure what course of action I should take. I could go for Sunny, but I have no idea where she is, and it might take all night to find her. Or I could find a stick or something to use as a lever. I decide to try the second option. It’s better than wandering around forever.
    After some searching, I find a pathetic branch. Still, I hope it will do. I place it under the bucket and push down. It snaps it half. The bucket doesn’t move at all.
    “Becky Jo!” a voice calls in the distance.
    “Clara, I’m here!” I yell with return. I’ve never been so happy to hear her voice.
    She comes running into the light of the flashlight, throwing her arms around me. “I’ve been so worried! When you didn’t show up for our walk, I came looking for you!”
    I can’t believe I forgot to tell Clara I was going to help Sunny! I mentally berate myself.
    “I’m so sorry,” I apologize. “I forgot to tell you I was helping Sunny tonight.”
    She lets go of me. There is a fierce look on her face. “Never do that again! I knew Marina was working late, so I was worried you were hurt! And you shouldn’t be in the cemeteries after dark!”
    “I’m helping Sunny with a project,” I say vaguely, hoping she’ll let it pass.
    Like a good friend, she doesn’t. “What kind of project brings you to the cemeteries after dark?”
    It’s time to see if our friendship can survive the insanity of my life. I take a deep breath.
    “I was attacked by a zombie, and Sunny is seeing if she can stop him from attacking someone else.” I sound completely nuts and fear her reaction.
    Her face grows very sober. “It has been many years since Virginia City was plagued with the Cursed. This is grave news.”
    “I know it sounds crazy,” I try to explain.
    She shakes her head. “My people are well aware of the dark forces. How can I help?”
    I am relieved by her reaction. I gesture to the bucket. “You can help me lift the bucket over this fence.”
    The work goes a lot faster, and it is a lot less frightening with Clara’s help.  She’s incredibly strong and hauls the bucket around like it’s nothing. I continue to throw the salt mixture while we talk about shoes. Even though we’re both on the short side, neither of us likes a high heel. Comfort beats out fashion in this aspect. We’re so busy talking that I barely notice we’ve returned to the place where I started.
    “That’s it. We got them all.” I dust salt off my hands.
    Clara puts down the bucket. “Do you think Sunny would mind if I took the leftovers to my family burial grounds?”
    “No, she would be happy to have it protected. I’m sure she’ll want to take care of all the local cemeteries.”
    I’m shining the light around the cemeteries, wondering where Sunny went when the light dims and then turns off. We’re thrust into darkness. I laugh fearfully.
    “Beck Jo, are you all right?” Clara asks in the shadows.
    Before I can answer, I am knocked to the ground. I hit my back on one of the gravestones.
    “Squaw, you will regret that!” booms a voice I’ve heard before. It causes chills to run up and down my spine. The zombie has found us.
    I blink my eyes, wishing they would adjust to the darkness quicker.
    “Clara, are you hurt?” I call.
    “Stay down!” she replies.
    I blink my eyes some more as two silhouettes become discernible before me. With her small build, Clara is no match for such a creature. I watch in horror as the zombie attacks her. I’m just as surprised as he is when she moves out of his way, grabbing his head as he passes. She uses his momentum to push him into a cast-iron fence post. He disappears.
    I blink several more times. “Where did he go?” I ask.
    “I destroyed him,” she answers like it’s the most normal thing in the world. “The Cursed are strong, but they are not smart.”
    “How do you destroy