I should walk away right now. I should go back to my spaghetti making. I've already heard way more than I was meant to, and it is so wrong to eavesdrop.
But Amanda starts speaking again and I can't bring my legs to move. "Anyways, after he hit me, Cory came running in. Apparently, he saw the whole thing and he punched that stupid asshole so hard it knocked him out. We dragged him out to his chair and figured when he woke up, he wouldn't remember anything."
"You mentioned before that you were looking for someone here in the Kingdom and didn't find them and that's how you knew this place was wrong. Who were you looking for? Your parents?" Scotty places his hand on Amanda's shoulder.
"I'm getting there!" She shrugs his hand off. "Cory told me that anyone who can stand up to someone bigger and stronger than them with no fear was alright by him. He and I became real close over the next two years. We took care of each other. We had this little hut that he built out of logs in the woods. He taught me how to hunt and set traps. We didn't need the food or anything it was just fun. A reason to get out of that house and do something. We would spend hours talking. He had a younger sister, Cassidy, who was sent to a different foster home. He always said he would find her one day."
"Did he?"
"You're so impatient."
"I'm sorry."
"No, he didn't find her.” Amanda flicks open a pocketknife and shuts it a few times absentmindedly as she talks. “He and I were coming back to the house late one evening. It was getting dark and out Dad comes crashing through the woods with a gun, firing a few shots off into the air, yelling and cussing about his missing alcohol. Cory ran up to him and tried to take the gun away, but it fired, and Cory hit the ground."
"Amanda..."
She ignores him and continues. Every few words her voice cracks. "I went to his side. His breathing was so shallow, but he looked at me and clutched my hand and said, 'Mandy, you find my sister and take care of her for me. I know she will be safe with you.' I promised him I would, and he smiled but then his arm went limp and I watched the light go out of his eyes.
“I got up and rushed at our Dad, but he brought the butt of the gun forward and knocked me down. He mumbled about how all this was my fault and half carried half dragged me back to the house. He threw me in a closet and locked it. I beat on that door for hours. Finally, police were called when mom got home, and I was taken away."
"Amanda, that's awful. You've been through more terrible things than any one person ever should." He places his hand on hers and this time she allows it to stay.
The timer for the oven goes off and I almost jump through the ceiling. My eyes sting with tears, so I rub my hands over my face and hurry away from the doorway.
I put out spaghetti, sauce, and garlic bread onto two plates and carry them into the living room. Amanda looks up as I approach. Scotty follows her gaze and jerks his hand away from hers when he sees me. I set the plates down on the coffee table and take a seat in the recliner.
"You're not eating, Katie? Spaghetti is one of your favorites," Scotty asks as he twirls a bite of pasta on his fork.
"Oh, I ate some in the kitchen," I lie. But there's no way I could eat after hearing a story like that. My stomach is in knots.
Scotty accepts my answer and begins eating. Amanda plays with her food for a few more minutes but eventually takes a bite. She must like it pretty well because she starts eating faster than she needs to, pushing manners aside.
I've never seen anyone die except in movies, let alone someone that I was close to. I can't imagine what that must have been like...
My thoughts drift back to Mom and Dad again and I wonder how they felt when they learned I killed myself. The guilt sits heavy on my shoulders. How could I have put them through that? And for what? Control? How could I have had it so wrong? I wonder if Anna is still waiting for me to come home. How did Scotty feel? I wonder who came to my funeral? Did Cassie go? Did Marie? Did she have to move out of our dorm room? My mind shoots off into a hundred different directions.
"I’ve got to say, Katie." Amanda's voice causes my attention to snap back to the present. "I don't really like spaghetti all that much, but this is probably some of the best I've ever had."
"Why would it be in your cabinet if you didn't like it?"
"I ate spaghetti a lot at home. The angels must have noticed that. My brother, Cory, loved it and he was usually the one to cook dinner."
At the mention of Cory's name, I feel the color drain from my face. "Oh Amanda, I'm sorry. I didn't know. If I had I wouldn't have..." A small sob cuts off my words.
"What are you getting so worked up for?" Amanda looks concerned but then realization hits her. "Were you eavesdropping on us?" Amanda stands red faced with her fists clenched.
"I didn't hear the whole story I heard you from the doorway when I was listening to see if you had come up with a plan. I didn't mean to hear what I did.”
“I can’t believe you!” Amanda raises to her feet.
I should probably be afraid. I don’t know this girl, what’s she done or capable of. She could punch me right now, and even though I’m dead, it would probably still hurt. But I’m not afraid. I look at her and I see Cassie. I see her lashing out because she’s hurting. Losing Cory cut Amanda and I can see her putting on her armor and putting up her wall. But just like with Cassie, I know deep down she just wants love and acceptance.
And also, just like with Cassie, sometimes it has to be tough love.
“Amanda, I was one room over. You know I didn’t purposefully lean in and listen to your conversation. You don’t need to get so angry with me when there’s bigger things going on around us.” I keep my voice stern but internally hope she doesn’t decide to punch me anyway.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
I let out a breath as Amanda backs off. I knew she wasn’t as angry as she seemed. She unclenches her fists and her shoulders slump. “Ugh. You’re right. Can I have a minute?” Without waiting for my answer, she stalks off to the bathroom. She’ll collect herself, then we can stop the angels. All is okay.
I slip out onto the front porch to get some fresh air. I miss Cassie. Helping her felt like having a little sister. She acted out sometimes but once I put whatever the problem was in perspective for her, she always calmed down and apologized. Guiding her helped create a better me, and I’m starting to see that now. Finding my voice and stopping the argument with Amanda was way more control than I thought I had on the bridge the night I killed myself. Part of me wanted to slink away and cry, but that’s old Katie.
I sit and lean against the house. There's almost no one outside. They must all be in town. The few people who do pass by don't pay much mind to me. Luckily, I also don’t spot any angels. It does seem strange that none have checked on Amanda. Do they trust their gate and magic that much? Or is there something more important holding their attention?
I hear the water splash from the pond beside the house, probably from the ducks playing. A few rabbits scamper by. The door opens and Scotty takes a seat beside me.
For a minute he doesn’t say anything, and we let the gentle breeze be the only sound between us. As the time passes, my anxiety returns. We should be doing something.
“You reminded me of how you talk to Cassie sometimes in there,” Scotty says, echoing my own previous thoughts.
“I know. She reminds me of her in some ways.”
“I saw her at your funeral.” Scotty’s lips press into a hard line as if he wishes he had cut the words off sooner.
I bite my lip. “How was she?”
“She was taking it hard. I would have believed she’d been okay if I didn’t already know the angels were messing with her.” He watches me shutter. “Don’t worry, Katie. We’ll stop them before they get her.” He puts a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
“I know. And about stopping the angels, I have an idea about the gate.”
"What about it?"
"Well, when I first went into the kitchen you two were talking about tr
ying to get others to regain their memories, so while I was fixing the food, I was trying to think of ways that would be possible. It made me wonder what would happen if someone passed through the gate while their memories were already gone?"
Scotty looks ahead pondering over what I suggested. Seconds later. Amanda busts through the doorway and jumps off the porch. "Let's go, lovebirds!"
Scotty stands up and hops off the porch after her. I stare after them for a few more seconds but then clamber to my feet and trot down the steps to follow. "Where are we going?" I shout trying to catch up.
"You're not the only one who can eavesdrop." Amanda doesn't look at me. "We're going to push some zombies through the gate."
We walk quietly down Amanda's street. When we start nearing town I stop. "Wait, guys."
"What? Want to stop and listen to someone's conversation?" Amanda’s comments are snarky, but I can tell she isn’t saying them to be hateful. I guess it’s her way of trying to brush it off.
"There's always at least one angel in town and in the meadow. I think we should go off in different directions from here and meet at the gate. We won't draw attention that way, especially since they are already suspicious of you two being together."
Amanda studies me, I don't know what she's looking for, but she sighs. "I really hate to admit it but that's probably a good idea. We'll split up and make our way to the gate differently. Stop in a shop or two so you don't look like you're on a mission from God." She smirks.
"Got it." Scotty starts walking off. No see you later or anything?
My shoulders slump but I begin making my own path into the heart of town. I was right about all the people being here. I think there's more here than I've ever seen before. The angels must still be killing. I hope we fix this soon. I scan the faces, hoping not to see Cassie’s but knowing if I do, I’d immediately bring her with me.
I slip into the closest shop. Its aisles are filled with candy, chips, and soda. I grab a pack of Skittles and a bottle of Dr Pepper and find an empty booth.
I really don't remember when I started mixing the candy in the drink. Mom always said I was doing it before I was off the bottle. I always laughed and said, "Yeah right." I miss my mom. She's always been there for me. She was my best friend.
It’s strange. When I think about the fact that I'm dead I'm sad but not as much as I think I should be. I feel the guilt of hurting my loved ones but it’s almost a relief to be away from the stress and the fear in the world. Well, for the most part. Once we put things right here, I think the stress and fear will be gone forever.
I finish off my drink and thank the man behind the counter. I wonder why some people choose to work in these shops. There’s no incentive other than the sociability and maybe the feeling of being useful. Maybe it’s habit like a lot of things here are laid out to be. Back outside the sun is very warm. I make my way to the meadow.
When I get to the gate, Amanda and Scotty are there and Amanda has a hold of a guy by the back of his shirt collar. "Didn't think you would want to miss this seeing as how you like to know everything." Amanda has no trouble keeping her grip even though the guy is at least a foot taller and has started to struggle.
"Please, let go of me." He twists trying to remove Amanda's hand.
"Okay." She shrugs and shoves him forward and he tumbles through the gate landing on his hands and knees. When he sits up, his expression is blank but then light comes to his eyes and he appears to be recovering his memories.
I go to his side and sit on the ground. "Hey, it's okay. I know things are foggy right now, but it'll become clearer."
He looks at me with big eyes. They’re a soft brown, like his messy hair, and framed with bold black glasses. All of a sudden, he starts sobbing hysterically into his hands. I can't make out what he's saying but I rub his back in an attempt to comfort him.
And then, as soon as it happened, he stops. He looks at me with eyes that are less bright and his brow furrows. "What happened?" he asks as he looks around. "How did I get to the meadow? And who are you?"
He begins to stand up, but Amanda puts her hand on his shoulder and pushes him back down to his knees.
"What just happened?" she demands.
"I don't know but I saw it. It worked but only for a few minutes." Scotty runs his hand back through his hair.
"Great. So now what?" Amanda scuffs the ground with her boot in frustration.
I look at the guy on the ground next to me then up at Amanda and Scotty. "What if it’s like what happened with you two?"
Scotty doesn't answer but Amanda looks right at me. "What are you talking about?"
"Well you two were pushed through the gate against your will and eventually regained your memories because of it. Then you pushed him," I point to the guy, "against his will and he went back to not remembering."
"So, what do we do? Ask him to go through?"
"That's what Michael did for me. And I didn't regain my memories without help."
"Hey! How about you get up and go through that gate?" Scotty walks up to the guy, his tone soaked in impatience.
"How about you let me go home instead? This doesn't seem right, and I would like to leave." The guy stands up and attempts to walk away but Scotty steps in his way.
"Just do it!"
"I don't want to." The man side steps.
Scotty grabs his arm. "If you don't, so help me, I will -"
"Scotty, stop!" I stand up in front of him and look him in the eyes. "What is wrong with you? This isn't like you. You've been so different for so long. I keep reminding myself that on Earth it was because of the angels but here you're free of that. What has you acting this way?"
I don't wait for an answer and I turn away without looking at his face again. I walk back to the guy and place my hand lightly on his shoulder. The scene before me echoes a memory of when I was living, and I stopped a bully from harassing a girl I barely knew. " Hey, what's your name?"
"It’s David. Can I go home please?"
"David, I'm Kathryn. I know you want to leave but I really need you to walk through this gate. I'll let you go home as soon as you do if that's what you want."
"You promise?" He looks at me and I smile warmly at him.
"Of course. I pinky promise."
He smiles back at me. "Okay." He takes slow steps to the gate. I hold my breath hoping neither Scotty nor Amanda say anything that would make him change his mind.
The moment he steps through, the gate lights up for just a split second but that's all it takes to show me that this has worked. David turns and looks at me. "Kathryn, I have all my old memories."
"I know. That's what we were trying to do."
"But why?"
"The angels here are not real angels. They manipulated you to kill yourself then brought you here and took your memories. My friends and I are trying to get to the bottom of this and put things right."
David puts a hand to his head. "This is all a bit too much. It’s like a whirlwind inside my head."
I take his hand and squeeze it. "I know. I felt the same way when they first woke me up." I release his hand and approach Scotty and Amanda. "If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it my way. We're not the angels and we're not going to use force like them. These people were used the same way as us and we’re not going to treat them like they’re any less than us."
Scotty nods. I think he's still speechless over my earlier outburst. Good, he should be. Maybe we'll get some time soon to talk. Amanda steps forward. "I just have one problem."
"What's that?"
"They're not angels. Can we please find something else to call them?"
"Okay, like what? Are they demons? Fallen angels?”
"I'll think on it. In the meantime, what are we going to do with him?" She tilts her head in David's direction. "We need to wake up more people, but we can't have a crowd forming here."
"Well, you and Scotty are both under watch and I'm probably questionable by this point too, so David? Would yo
u mind if we used your house to keep people?"
"What is your plan when you wake up everyone?" David asks.
I bite my lower lip. "Well... I'm not sure. But that doesn't change the fact that it’s the right thing to do to help these people."
"You're right. I'll let people stay at my house. I don't live too far out of town. But if this turns into a fight, I don't want any part of it."
"We're not going to force anyone to do anything."
"Can I go home now before you start gathering people?"
"I promised you could, but maybe you shouldn't go alone, just in case an angel stops you and asks you something." I start walking with David.
"I'm going with you." Amanda speaks up. "Lover Boy, we'll be back. Stay inconspicuous, will you?"
Scotty goes back to the lakeside bench we sat on yesterday. Was that really only yesterday? Amanda, David, and I start walking, choosing to stay on the outskirts of town, dipping behind the buildings, in and out of their shadows. Why did she insist on coming with us? Did she think I was incapable of taking David home myself?
"Where are you from Kathryn?" David sounds like he's trying not to think about everything he just learned. A distraction might settle his mind.
"A small town in West Virginia. How about you?"
"Paris, France."
"Really? That's amazing! But your English is very clear?" I can’t even detect much of an accent.
David raises an eyebrow. "No, I'm speaking French like you."
"Oh. It must be an afterlife thing. Everyone hears the language they know."
"I guess I never thought about how that would work. Seems a bit impossible.”
"You're dead and living in a world run by angel imposters. How can anything seem impossible anymore?" Amanda shakes her head.
"I suppose you're right." David goes back to being silent as we walk along the road his house is on. A few moments later he stops. "This is me."
We stand in front of an old white farmhouse with a wraparound porch. "You have these in France?" Amanda makes a face. "I thought everyone there lived in fancy houses."
Sacrificial Lamb (The Other Angels Book 1) Page 15