Entwined

His eyes narrow. “As if there was an empty space where their thoughts should have been?”

I smile, thrilled to be talking to someone who understands. “Exactly! What does it mean?”

“I don’t want to jump to conclusions,” he replies, stroking his chin.

“I was thinking about it last night, and I suspect they might be on drugs or something.” I peer into his face. “Is that possible?”

He frowns. “Even someone intoxicated has the ability to function on some level. No, I don’t think it’s drugs, my girl. I think it’s worse.”

I know what that means, and suddenly the atmosphere shifts. “Are they in danger?”

“Let me look into it,” he says, his voice calm. “But if you see them again, pay attention. Look for signs.”

I swallow hard. Signs. Amulets, strange marks on their bodies, even stranger vibes in the ether. Anything that might indicate that those girls are messing with things way over their heads.

“You spoke to Rakwena again,” my grandfather says softly.

Oops. “I… well…”

“Didn’t I tell you to stay away from him?”

“Yes, but…”

He looks at me with an expression that tells me he’s not going to buy whatever excuse I cook up. “But what, Connie?”

I fiddle with the strap of my bag. “He understands. You know how hard it is to talk to people about these things. He gets it, like you.”

He bristles at the comparison. “Don’t make that mistake, my girl – that boy is nothing like us.”

“That’s what he said, but I don’t believe it.” I hold up my hands in apology. “I don’t want to disobey you, Ntatemogolo, but I like having someone my age to talk to.”

He’s quiet for a while, looking at me with those ancient, jaded eyes. “You’re stubborn, like your parents.” He shrugs. “Maybe there is a lesson here for you; I don’t know. But when the time comes, you can’t say I didn’t warn you.”

His tone sends a chill up the back of my neck. Part of me wants to take his advice because he’s never been wrong, but another part isn’t willing to let go of the link I’ve discovered. I know Rakwena can teach me things about my abilities that no one else can, maybe not even my grandfather. That has to be worth the risk.

Ntatemogolo stares at me with a strange light in his eyes until I can’t bear it any longer. “Why did this happen to me?” I blurt out. “Why now? Where has it been all this time?”

“Waiting for you to grow up,” he replies. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his cigarette pack and lighter. “Now you can take care of yourself, or at least that’s what you think.” He lights the cigarette, takes a long drag and squints at me. “Not so?”

I hesitate. “I know more than I used to, but I still have a lot to learn.”

He blows a smoke ring. There was a time, not too long ago, when that trick impressed me. “Time marches on, my girl,” he muses. “And there is nothing we can do to stop it. You will make your mistakes, and we who are older and wiser and have seen so much will still be here to pick up the pieces.”

OK, now he’s starting to freak me out. What exactly does he think is going to happen? I’m not planning to run off with Rakwena and have creepy tattooed babies! I shift uncomfortably on the floor. “Ntatemogolo…”

“Come, let’s see what you’ve learned. I’m going to let you in. Ready?”

I’m not expecting what happens next. My head fills with numbers, lots and lots of them, coming at me full force. I wince. Before I can make sense of anything, the numbers stop and all is quiet again.

“Well?” He looks much too smug.

I scowl. “I need more time.”

He grins and starts again. This time I’m better prepared. I close my eyes and rub my temples.

“Dates!” I exclaim. “Dates, times… important events… historical events!”

“Good girl. You’re learning fast.”

I open my eyes to find him smiling. “Can I try planting a thought in your head?” I ask eagerly. “I’m sure I can do it if I practise.”

He chuckles. “Master the basics first. Come, let’s try again.”

I heave a little disappointed sigh, then close my eyes.

It’s late Sunday afternoon and the cinema is packed. Lebz, Wiki and I are here to watch the new sci-fi flick for different reasons. Lebz wants to perve over the hot hero, Wiki’s here to satisfy his science fiction craving and I’m hoping to catch another glimpse of those eerie girls with the empty heads.

I haven’t seen them yet, though I’m pretty sure they’re around here somewhere. I’m convinced they’re up to mischief of the supernatural kind, and I’ve made it my mission to stop them. As for how I’m going to do it – I haven’t thought that far yet.

“Popcorn?” asks Wiki, peering over his shoulder at me.

“Huh? Oh, sure.” I study the faces around us. It’s amazing how many kids there are here. All these impressionable minds…

“Connie!” Lebz frowns at me. “Are you eavesdropping on people’s thoughts again?”

“Actually, I was looking for Ma-fourteen.”

Lebz shivers melodramatically. “Maybe the brats are at home for once, doing their homework.” She grabs my arm and pulls me towards Cine 2. “Come on, I want to see the attractions.”

I follow her, but my eyes are still scanning the area, searching for something… and there it is. It’s not what I expected, but the little flutter in my chest lets me know that this is what I was looking for all along. Black Lizard, in dark jeans and an even darker T-shirt, disappearing into Cine 2. My stomach flips over. I’ve been thinking about that boy all weekend, and now we’re about to spend two hours in the same dark cinema. Coincidence? The hand of fate? Or… telepathy?

By the time Wiki, Lebz and I get inside, it’s already dark and Lizard could be any of the figures in any of the chairs. Lebz pulls me into my seat and hands me my popcorn. I try to pay attention to the screen, but every time the cinema lights up even a little I scan the seats. After a while I’m forced to give up and focus on the film. The storyline is ridiculous, but there’s enough cheesy dialogue, gratuitous destruction and sexual tension to keep us happy.

Halfway through the movie I get a sudden urge to turn my head. I know better than to ignore it, so I swivel round and see someone get up two rows behind me and walk out of the cinema. It’s Lizard, I know it. I lean over to tell Lebz I’m going to the toilet, then follow him. This is becoming a bad habit.

He’s sitting on one of the chairs in the waiting area. The minute he sees me his lips curl into a smug smile. Cocky little snake. “You just can’t help yourself, can you?”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I snap, dropping gracelessly onto the seat beside him.

“I move, you follow.” His eyes twinkle. “Like a dance.”

“Stop being impossible.” I glare at him. “We need to talk, and we both know that’s why you’re here.”

“I thought I was here to watch a movie.”

“Then why are you sitting out here? You wanted me to follow you, and there’s no point in pretending otherwise.”

He chuckles and says nothing.