by B. Groves
Alison sighed and said, “I became an outsider. I finished school and distanced myself from all my former friends.”
“Do you regret doing that? I mean, you might have found some kind of support system before you found other hunters.”
Alison shrugged. “Now that I look back on it, I don’t regret leaving that life behind at all. I never wanted what I have now, but the accident itself changed my perspective and I don’t regret that.”
Alison listened as Kyle said he felt the same way after his time in Iraq.
There were things he couldn’t talk about with his time in the military, but what he could say lifted a burden off his shoulders as he explained to Alison about his doubts as he preached to the men and women who were fighting on the front lines.
Then their conversation turned to going to bed when Kyle yawned. Although Kyle had other thoughts, he knew he was too sore and too tired for anything else and the smirk on Alison’s face told him she knew the same thing.
“You take the bed,” he insisted.
Alison looked incredulous. “Are you kidding me? You’ve been sitting here squirming in the chair for a half hour.”
“I know, but I’m trying to be a gentleman here.”
Alison blinked and burst out laughing. She then reached for Kyle’s hand and helped him to his feet.
She touched her lips to his and said, “Who says I need a gentleman?”
Kyle grinned. “You know I’m hurting. You’re teasing me.”
Alison pulled away slightly. Her face turned serious. “I think we could both use each other’s company tonight.”
Feeling Alison pressed against him made the rest of Kyle’s body awaken but his bruised ribs were screaming in protest.
He agreed with her although he didn’t want to. The night’s memories came flooding back to him and all he needed was her company tonight.
This was the first time Kyle had a person beside him in a long time and although nothing happened, it was nice having the company and the support after what they've been through.
Kyle gazed down at Simon as his thoughts turned back to the present. He decided against the leash. “Promise you won’t run away, dog. Your mother will kill me and I’m already in enough trouble.”
Kyle opened the door and said a small prayer that Simon wouldn’t run off. He may have been well trained but he was still a dog.
Simon ran outside and started sniffing around the property looking for a place to do his business.
Kyle stood at the back door, with the church in full view. He didn’t pray last night. He didn’t pray for answers to why his life took such a sharp turn. He didn’t need to. He already knew the answers and the evil being responsible for ruining his career.
The only one he whispered a few words for was Clara Reid. He prayed she had enough of her soul left on her human side to move beyond to the afterlife and rest peacefully.
He thought if this were the last thing he would pray for, it would be to save Clara’s soul.
Kyle turned and hit the button the coffee pot. Alison had set up the coffee the night before.
Kyle then stepped back outside and kept his eye on Simon while he lit a cigarette. He coughed a few times and flinched from the pain but welcomed the morning nicotine hit.
Why didn’t Samuel Manes press charges? He didn’t have to. He knew how Kyle would react and he knew that Kyle would play right into his game.
Kyle shook his head in shame. He fell for it, hook, line, and sinker.
Kyle was disappointed in Emma. He knew she was selfish and shallow. The only reason she ever attended church was the attention it gave her when she made a huge donation and everyone fawned over her. She liked to think of herself as a generous person, but in reality, she was a narcissist. However, Kyle never thought she’d run with the devil, so to speak. Alison mentioned that Samuel made her promises he never intended to keep and that’s why she fell in line with Samuel and his plans.
Kyle breathed a sigh of relief when Simon came trotting back to the door, ready to come in.
“Good boy,” Kyle whispered and moved out of the dog’s way.
He stayed at the door watching the sky turn from lavender to orange, and the mountains reflecting the morning sunlight in the distance. Birds chirped near the forest and the world was awakening to a new day. A new beginning, but as Kyle finished his cigarette he didn’t feel the same way.
A sudden feeling of emptiness came over him. He tried to shake it off, but as he poured his coffee, the feeling became more intense as he sipped the bitter black liquid.
Anxiety and other emotions he couldn’t pinpoint coursed through him and he didn’t know why he felt the way he did. The night before, he’d been angry, upset, and a little depressed. That wasn’t anything unusual. He’d punched Samuel Manes, lost his job, and felt the wrath of his father. Those were emotions anyone would feel after the events the night before.
Kyle tried to shake it the feeling again when he heard movement on the other side of the house. He heard Alison’s feminine voice talking down the hallway.
She must have been the phone, he thought and decided to wait for her to make an appearance.
Simon had been relaxing on his bed and perked up when he heard Alison’s voice. The dog rose from his sitting position and ambled down the hallway to greet his mistress.
Kyle felt a smile play at his lips as he listened to her light voice filled with authority as she gave some kind of instructions.
She didn’t want to face that she was at her most lively when she was hunting. That boring accountant life was not her, no matter how much she tried to deny it.
He sipped his coffee as he listened to her bark instructions to whoever was on the other line.
He understood she lost her sister to evil and that would make anyone question their path in life, but Alison had to go on and fight the good fight and Kyle hoped this would give her the kick in the ass she needed to realize this was her fate and she couldn’t control it. This made her come alive no matter how much she lived in denial.
Forgetting the pain in his ribs for a minute, Kyle lowered himself into a dining table seat and opened his laptop.
Alison finally made an appearance in the kitchen and Kyle grinned. She stopped and brought her eyebrows together in question at this smile.
Alison walked over to the coffee maker in gray leggings and a black t-shirt. The leggings accentuated her tight ass and muscular legs nicely. Her blonde hair was tied into a loose bun at the top of her head with straggles of hair hanging out around her ears.
She looked relieved that the coffee was ready and poured herself a cup.
The person she spoke to was named John. From what Kyle could interpret, he was some sort of team leader and a private investigator.
Alison sat down across from Kyle at the table and opened her laptop. She gave Kyle a smile and continued to talk on her cell phone.
“Yes, that’s the one.”
“We’re moving in during the festival. Is that enough time to gather a team?”
“According to her ex, that barn was never used for horses like she originally intended.”
“I know. I suspected it too, but we need to confirm. They are onto me, so they could move them at any time and have plenty of time to do it.”
Alison gave the coordinates to what Kyle assumed was Emma’s barn. She said yes a few times and hung up the phone.
As Alison was talking, Kyle had logged onto his Facebook page and his heart sank. He made the local news that he would no longer oversee the church.
Kyle’s mouth turned into a thin line as he stared at the small article. He didn’t bother to click on the comments. It wasn’t worth it.
“Hey.” He heard Alison say. “Are you okay?”
Kyle took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, laughing lowly. “It seems I’ve made the morning news already.”
Alison tilted her head in sympathy. “I saw that. Did you read it?”
“Why bother?”
“Emma always has to be front and center of everything,” Kyle said.
Alison typed a few words into her laptop. “My favorite line is, ‘Reverend Ellis has been nothing but an asset to our community. I hope he will continue to do great things for Wolfpine, but the church elders decided to move into the future with another pastor. Our wonderful Mayor has volunteered to help us in our search. In the meantime, Mayor Manes has kindly volunteered to oversee Sunday services until a replacement is found. I’m so excited because I never knew our Mayor was ordained. What can’t our mayor do?”
Kyle scoffed. “What can’t the mayor do? Oh, I don’t know… inhabit a body, take down a human soul, bring evil into the human world. You know, things like that.”
Alison read another line that made Kyle groan. “Mayor Manes will be dedicating a statue on Founder’s Day in honor of our fallen heroes in Vietnam to be placed in a park, and before that, he will fill double duty by leading the gathering crowd in prayer for those fallen.”
Alison looked up from her laptop in thought. Then she typed in more words.
“When are these speeches?”
Kyle ran a hand over his face as he continued to read the article. “Usually, his speech is around noon on Saturday. The dedication is later.”
“It’s at seven,” Alison said.
Kyle had his doubts about the festival. He wondered what rumors the church elders would spread about him. Well… he did punch Mayor Manes and broke his nose. That wasn’t a lie.
Kyle sighed and Alison noticed his doubts.
“You’re coming.”
“Should I? I might be a distraction.”
Alison pushed her laptop away from her and leaned her elbows on the table and placed her head on her hand. “Your impulsiveness will prove useful. You’re right about the distraction part.”
Alison grinned and Kyle bristled. He hated to admit that part of him. He did tend to be impulsive, however, he was never an angry person. It was only in recent months that his frustration with his failed exorcisms turned to anger.
“I was never like this before, Alison,” Kyle felt he needed to explain. “I’ve always been impulsive, but never showing anger.”
“After you fell asleep last night, I watched some of your tapes,” Alison explained tilting her head.
Kyle exhaled and grabbed his cigarette pack. “Great.”
“Kyle don’t get upset. It’s okay. You tried to save lives when no one else cared. I could see your frustration as time passed. I get it.”
Kyle gazed at Alison and saw the sympathy in her beautiful green eyes. At least, it wasn’t pity.
Kyle decided to change the subject. “What are your plans?”
“I’ll explain everything later.”
“Why later? Why not now? Are you waiting for Carter and Miguel to arrive?”
“Yes and no,” Alison said. She moved and pulled her laptop in front of her again. She took a sip of her coffee.
She suddenly became sheepish and Kyle didn’t understand why.
“When?” He asked.
Alison smiled lightly. “In a little while.”
Kyle realized he wouldn’t get anywhere with her right now, so he changed the subject.
“I have a question.”
“Yes?”
“So, what happens when someone like you has children of their own? Do you pass the powers to that child?”
Alison looked back at Kyle with a grin. “Great question. The short answer is no. I’ve never known hunters who passed our powers onto their children, but it doesn’t mean that it couldn’t happen in the future.”
Kyle nodded. He had so many other questions, but Simon jumped from the floor and started barking and wagging his tail.
Kyle heard a car. He rose from the dining room chair to peer out the window and recognized Miguel’s car.
Chapter 41
Journal Entry, Present Day
I’ll update the date later once we resolve this issue. I’m sitting here watching the tapes Kyle made when he tried to help those that were possessed.
He never gave up, he never wavered. Even with each failure, he kept trying to save their souls.
How can one not admire that? It’s more than I’ve done in four years. I’ve been told repeatedly, that I need to accept the powers handed to me no matter what happens in my personal life.
Maybe one day I can find peace with it. I’m still not quite ready to accept what I am.
How do I feel about the Reverend?
I’m sitting here smiling. Happy? Such a rare emotion for me. Is that okay? Should I let myself give an inch?
A half-inch… Maybe?
Chapter 42
Alison stood from her chair and watched as Kyle greeted Miguel and Olivia. Alison had wanted Miguel to bring Olivia. She would play a role in the plan, and after talking to Miguel about it—reassuring him that Olivia would never face danger—he agreed to let his young daughter in on the plan.
Alison let Simon out and walked outside behind him. He ran right to Olivia and greeted her much to the little girl’s delight.
“How’s it feel to be jobless and homeless?” Miguel asked Kyle.
Kyle rolled his eyes and said, “Not for long, I hope.”
Alison agreed. “It won’t be for long.”
Miguel lifted an eyebrow. “Oh?”
Kyle turned and smiled at Alison, who smiled back. “I’ll find the good Reverend some work in The Network.”
Kyle nodded. “God set me on this path and I won’t argue or deny it.”
Miguel patted him on the shoulder. “Good for you.” He turned and pointed at the locked down church. “This is place was holding you back, amigo. I told you that when we first met.”
Kyle smiled. “And you were right.”
Kyle glanced at his phone. “Carter’s on his way.”
“How long?” Alison asked.
“About 20 minutes, why?”
Alison turned to Miguel and said, “I don’t want you to worry. We’re planning on freeing those people during the festival. You and Olivia will play important roles for distraction.”
Miguel looked skeptical. He wrapped an arm around his daughter. “You promised, Alison. You promised Samuel would be mine.”
Alison smiled. “The hunters are aware and that’s why we’re saving the best for last.”
Miguel seemed satisfied and nodded.
Alison turned back to Kyle and said, “Take some painkillers.”
“Why?”
“Because after Carter gets here, the four of us are taking a ride,” Alison answered.
“The four of us? You mean Carter too?” Kyle asked.
“No, we’re going to Emma’s, ” Alison answered.
Kyle and Miguel raised both their eyebrows.
Kyle looked so confused he stuttered a few times before saying, “Alison, I doubt Emma wants me there—”
“What are we going to do there?” Miguel asked.
Alison’s smiled widened. “It’s not what I will do. It’s what you will do.” Alison nodded at Kyle. “I know Emma doesn’t want to see you. That’s why I’m taking Olivia with me to talk to her.” She turned to Miguel. “I’m going to convince Emma that what she’s doing to Kyle is a huge mistake. It won’t work, but I’ll try.”
Alison stepped back and raised her hands. “You two will break into the barn. I need evidence for my team. Kyle, if you go there and plead for your job, then she’ll get suspicious. Having me there with Olivia will throw her off.”
Miguel’s expression turned from surprise to worry. “Alison, I don’t want to put my daughter in danger.”
Olivia protested before Alison could speak up. “No, Daddy. I want to go.”
Alison kneeled in front of Olivia. “ I need you to do everything I say. Can you do that?”
Olivia lit up. “Yes.”
Alison stood back up. “Miguel, I will keep her safe. I swear it.”
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“I better take those painkillers. So, why aren’t we telling Carter?”
Alison hesitated. She didn’t want to tell either of the men her suspicions since they’d trusted Carter for a long time.