Backwards Moon by Mary Losure Page B

back and forth along the heavy ceiling beams.
    â€œI told you it was nothing,” said the man.
    â€œI saw it,” said the boy. “I swear to God I saw it.”
    The light played around the barn, casting crazy shadows. Then it shone straight into Bracken’s eyes.
    â€œA witch!” screamed the boy. He stepped closer. “It’s right there! See it?”
    â€œNo,” said the man.
    â€œHold the light!” cried the boy. “Shine it right there in the corner.” He took his gun in both hands. He was lifting it to his shoulder when Bracken clutched her necklace and whispered the spell.

chapter twelve

    The next instant, someone was standing behind the man and the boy. He was an old man, but big and strong-looking.
    â€œWhat the hell is all this
ruckus
?” he asked. He wasn’t carrying a gun.
    â€œIt’s a witch,” cried the boy. “Right there! In the corner! See her?”
    â€œStop waving that gun around,” he said, striding toward Bracken. “It’s a little
girl
,” he said suddenly. He whirled around. “What the
hell
do you think you two are doing, cornering some little girl?”
    â€œLittle girl?” said the other man.
    â€œGet off my place, and never come back. Go!” said the old man, dismissing him with a wave of one big arm. “Get out of here or I’ll wrap that gun around your neck.”
    The man yanked the boy toward him. “Come on,” he said, and shoved him toward the trap door. “Move it. This better not be some dumb joke,” came the man’s voice from below.
    â€œIt
wasn’t
,” said the boy. “I swear. It was a witch.”
    â€œYeah, right,” said the man. The voices faded. A door slammed. The pickup truck whined and roared into the night.
    Crickets chimed, filling the silence.
    â€œLittle girl?” said the old man softly. “Are you there?”
    â€œI’m here,” said Bracken. “My leg . . . I hurt my leg. . . .”
    â€œI’ll get a light. I’ll be right back,” said the man, hurrying down the ladder.
    â€œWhat
happened
?” asked the raccoon.
    â€œHe’s a Witchfriend,” said Bracken slowly. “This special kind of grownup human who can see witches. I have a magic necklace that called him.”
    â€œBut is he a
raccoon
friend?” said the raccoon, not moving. “That’s the question.”
    â€œHe won’t hurt you. You can come out,” said Bracken. But the raccoon stayed in the hay.
    A few minutes later the farmer reappeared, a light shining from his hand. He stepped toward her and kneeled down. “Oh my God,” he said, shining the light on her leg. “Can you walk?” He helped her up. “Lean on my shoulder. Can you make it down the ladder?”
    The farmer went first, then helped Bracken. “My broom . . .” she said suddenly, but the farmer just scooped her up in his arms and carried her toward the house.
    â€œI’ve got it,” called the raccoon. Bracken heard him scurrying behind.
    The farmer pushed the door open with his shoulder and shoved it closed behind him. “Just rest here on the couch. I’ll bring the pickup around,” he said, setting Bracken down. “We’ll get you to the hospital before you know it.”
    â€œWait,” said Bracken. A wave of fear swept over her.
    â€œIt will be okay,” said the farmer. “No one likes the hospital, but you’ll be okay.” He walked to a low table, picked up asmall box with numbers on it, and began jabbing it with his finger.
    â€œNo!” said Bracken. “Don’t. Please!”
    He paused.
    â€œI can’t go there. Can’t you see? I’m a witch!”
    â€œYou’re a little girl, wearing a witch costume.”
    â€œI cast a spell on you,” said Bracken. “That’s how you got there so quickly.”
    â€œIt