Path Less Taken Excerpt from Chapter 3

 

“So, no magic whatsoever is involved?” Jane asked. Gabriel glanced at Maria, then he turned his attention to Jane. “Katy is just an everyday woman, a devoted Lutheran who cherishes her family deeply,” he said. MK reached out with her abilities, feeling the unmistakable pulse of life within Katy. "She is still alive," MK declared confidently. In that moment, Maria realized that MK possessed similar powers to her own, a revelation that brought a smile to her face as she considered the possibility that MK might be a witch too.

MK's striking sky blue eyes met Maria's gaze, and with a warm smile and a subtle nod, she acknowledged their shared connection. Maria took it as an acknowledgement that MK is a witch. She feels comforted.

“The increasing number of missing people is a cause for concern. A woman who miraculously reappeared after a year shared a bizarre story of getting lost, stumbling into a cave, and emerging in either Utah or Arizona. She claimed to have spent time with a Native American tribe, leading her to believe she had possibly traveled through time.” Sean recounted this tale as he casually sipped his beer. Jane expressed her apprehension by sighing and questioning, “Well, I hope we have the proper weapons to take with us.” Gabriel reassured the group that they were prepared, citing information from Father Patrick about a portal that supposedly transports individuals to a realm inhabited by the mysterious "Ant People." The mention of these beings piqued MK's curiosity, prompting her to inquire further about them.

“Ant People? What do you mean?”

 “Yeah, supposedly the creatures look like giant ants. The woman who came back said they look like giant praying mantises,” he said. MK gulped. She remembers the creatures she and Jane dealt with in the Backrooms. She took a hard gulp from her beer and cleared her throat. Maria sensed that Jane and MK must’ve been through a great ordeal that still haunts them. After finishing their meal, they made their way back to their respective rooms. "Jane, it's a shame we can't share a room," Sean joked. Jane, feeling unimpressed by his comment, was clearly irritated by his lack of awareness of her sexual orientation.

She scoffed and shook her head, making it clear that she was not amused. "I'm perfectly fine staying with the girls," she chuckled, trying to brush off the awkwardness. Once they reached their rooms, they parted ways, each going to their own separate accommodations.

"Sean seems to have a crush on you," MK teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"Sorry, but I'm not interested," Jane replied firmly, making her stance clear. Maria beamed as she stepped into the bathroom, preparing to freshen up before slipping into her pajamas for the night. Meanwhile, MK leaned closer to Jane, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

“You do realize that Maria is a witch, right?” Jane's eyes widened in disbelief, her jaw dropping in shock. “Are you serious?” MK affirmed with a nod, prompting Jane to exhale sharply as she sank onto the bed, her hand covering her face in disbelief as she fixated on the bathroom door.

“Look, she’s not malevolent; she’s a white witch, which is precisely why Father Patrick brought her on board. I have a strong feeling she’s been on the organization’s payroll for quite a while now.” Jane let out a scoff, shaking her head in confusion. “How is that even possible?”

“Maybe he felt that we could use her insight. Please give her a chance. I have abilities and you don’t see me as a witch, right? Look at her as a person with abilities and not a witch. It will be easier to accept her presence,” MK urged.

 Jane nodded. “For you,” she put her arm around her friend and kissed her head. Maria walked out and noticed a tender exchange between them, she smiled.

 "The bathroom is available now," she announced as she made her way to her bed. "I understand what you are," Jane remarked, her tone laced with suspicion. 

"Please don’t," MK interjected, directing a warning look at Jane.

 "I regret that you harbor such negative feelings towards witches, but not all of us are malevolent," Maria defended herself, her voice steady.

 "She’s aware," MK shot Jane a glance that clearly conveyed a message to keep quiet.

"Could you please explain how you know Father Patrick?" Jane pressed; her curiosity piqued. Maria nodded in response, a hint of surprise crossing her face. "I’m actually surprised he hasn’t mentioned me, especially since he wanted me to join this mission with the team."

"No, he didn’t," Jane replied, her skepticism evident as she scrutinized Maria. With a resigned sigh, Maria continued, "Well, he discovered me and recognized my potential, offering me a chance to contribute positively. My parents are devoted Catholics and have been since I was a child and they noticed that I had,” she paused. “Certain abilities. They thought that maybe I was possessed but it was the father who gave me a chance and I was trained by the organization to serve and protect people who encounter magic. I sense magic and guide the Hunters. I am also psychic.”

Maria looked at MK. “I know that you have abilities too,” she paused. “Are you also a witch?” 

MK shook her head. “I really don’t know what I am, but Jane accepted me as I am and she’ll accept you too, right Jane,” MK raised an eyebrow and gave her a nod. Jane sighed and nodded. “I will try that’s all I can say.”

“I know why you feel the way you do about witches and maybe after this assignment is over, I can help you find who you are looking for,” said Maria, she gave her a nod. Jane smiled and stood up, grabbed her clothes, and walked into the bathroom to shower.

“I believe Jane will accept your help. She just needs time to get to know you,” said MK.

“This case is more than what it seems,” Maria said as she pulled back the sheets on her bed. She wore a white night shirt that had gold printed stars on it with matching pajama pants.

“What do you mean?” asked MK.

“Well, there are forces that control space and time. It’s possible that these creatures are in possession of something very ancient that can manipulate the laws of time, maybe reality itself.” 

MK pondered, “Maybe this is what I’ve been sensing.” She slipped into her pajamas in the bedroom, deciding to skip the shower. Her slim figure was adorned with a cute red nightshirt, which was actually an oversized tee shirt she had picked up at a thrift store, featuring the BJ Winery logo. Feeling a slight chill in the air, she pulled on her black leggings before climbing into bed. Just as MK settled in, Jane emerged from the bathroom, ready to unwind for the evening. “You’re not gonna use the bathroom?”

 “Well, maybe to pee,” MK chuckled. She got out of bed and walked to the bathroom. Maria was brushing her hair, and she took off her glasses, setting them down on the nightstand. “Goodnight Jane, pleasant dreams,” she said.

“You too,” Jane responded and took off her blouse, threw a grey tee-shirt over her head and unstrapped her bra from behind before pulling the shirt all the way down. Maria was lying on her side and noticed a scar on Jane’s back, it’s not that prominent but a moderate size. She wondered where Jane got it. Jane noticed her stare and her eyebrows furrowed.

 “I got the scar during a hunt for a velociraptor in Utah. It attacked me but another hunter neutralized it before it sank its teeth into my neck.”

 “Oh,” Maria said. She made the decision to shut her eyes and attempted to drift off to sleep. The concept of dinosaurs roaming the Earth was something she never entertained, yet the world is full of surprises, and she had witnessed her fair share of peculiar occurrences. After MK emerged from the bathroom, all three women were soon fast asleep.

"Have you had the chance to peruse my letter?" The man who professed to be MK's father communicated with her telepathically. Glancing around, she suddenly realized she was in a different room altogether. "Please let me be. I will read it in due time, but I do not wish to remain here."

"But this is where you truly belong. Return, Little Princess, come back home." Maria found herself in MK's dream by mistake. As she looked around, she saw MK talking to a mysterious man whose face was hidden. Curious, Maria approached the man to get a closer look. Suddenly, the enigmatic man turned to her and demanded, “Who are you?” Maria's heart pounded in her chest as she laid eyes on the figure with three eyes, grayish skin, and a menacingly wide mouth. As the third eye began to open, she felt a sense of impending doom, prompting her to hastily wake herself from the nightmare by whispering an incantation. Gasping for breath, she sat up in bed, relieved to be free from the terrifying vision. MK was mumbling in her sleep. Maria sighed and quietly stood up, and stepped toward MK. She gently placed her hand on MK’s forehead and said a prayer. MK’s pulse eased, and her mind became calm. Maria crawled back into her bed, pulling the bed covers over her head, and laid in a fetal position. The next morning, Jane, MK, and Maria joined Sean, and Gabriel at the restaurant adjacent to the hotel where they were staying. 

The Church arranged their accommodations and provided transportation to Yosemite National Park. While the Hunters reflected on past missions, Maria's curiosity sparked as she asked, “What was your experience in the Backrooms like?” Jane and MK shared a knowing look, while Sean cast a disapproving glare at Maria. “Did I say something wrong?” Maria questioned, puzzled.

 Jane reassured her with a shake of her head, "No, everything's okay," she replied, swallowing nervously.

“I have a confession to make," Maria began, "I've been having strange dreams about the Backrooms. I often see the inhabitants and wander among them, invisible," she revealed. 

The air was heavy with silence until Gabriel shattered it, “Explain,” he demanded. 

"I possess the power to astral project and journey into alternate dimensions. During my time in the notorious Backrooms, I stumbled upon small communities of individuals residing in various corners of that eerie realm. The Backrooms stretch far beyond what you might have witnessed during your own visit," she gazed at MK, her expression filled with solemnity. “The dimension has expanded so much that it feels like a new world,” Maria said. Jane nodded in agreement, yet her expression made it clear she preferred not to discuss it further.