Prelude (An Alec Winters Series, Book 1)

by Chariss K. Walker

  Although he felt completely and utterly alone, he made a decision to hope for a miracle. Surely, the night’s incident had happened for a reason. Even though he wasn’t privy to the motives, he had to hope that there was something bigger at play here.

  Alec was understandably confused. The events that had transpired that evening happened very quickly. And yet, in some ways, the entire incident had moved in distressfully, slow and painful motion. Once again, the terrible scene replayed in his mind. He recalled both his father’s terror and his sister’s joy as each looked on his face. Although Cat was there as Buck prayed and called his son a demon, it was as if she wasn’t aware or affected by that conversation. Addled by the experience, the only thing he knew for sure was that the occurrence had drastically changed each of their lives forever.

  In the meantime, Danaé risked a lot to alert Alec’s friends to his situation. As late as it was, she first climbed the balcony of Sabrina’s home and tapped on her bedroom window to awaken her. “Come on…Alec has been arrested for the murder of his father. We have to help him if we can,” Danaé urged. Then, while Sabrina waited on the lawn, she did the same to Chaz. Together, they hurried to the Winters’ home, but as teens, they weren’t allowed to enter.

  “This is a crime scene. Get back and stay back,” an officer gruffly ordered.

  “We’re here to see Mrs. Winters,” Danaé explained.

  “They’re at the hospital. Go home. This is no place for you youngsters. Now, clear the area.”

  The three teenagers went across the street, but they refused to leave. The officer on duty didn’t have an extra patrolman he could order to take them home so he simply ignored them. From the sidelines, they held vigil. Huddled together, they waited for either the police to finish and clear out or for Cassidy and Catalina to return from the hospital. They wanted answers, but since they were only kids, no one would give them any.

  The cops finally turned off their blue flashing lights. Then, they went about the business of photographing the home and collecting evidence. A few neighbors were still outside determined to watch the catastrophe to its conclusion, but otherwise, things were quiet on Carrollton Avenue.

  “Danaé, are you sure you heard this right?” Chaz worried as he looked across at the Winters’ home. “Who else is hurt? Why are the others at the hospital? Is Buck Winters really dead? Maybe they’re at the hospital because he’s still alive.”

  “I was at the precinct to pick up my father from the drunk-tank. I saw Alec after he was arrested and I heard the charges against him. Some of the police officers insisted that he killed his father, although, I did hear several others comment that he was only protecting his sister. That’s all I know.”

  “Protecting her from what? From whom?” Chaz anxiously questioned.

  “But are they really accusing him of killing his father?” Sabrina tearfully asked.

  “They are,” Danaé solemnly reported. “They really are. No one would tell me anything else. I suppose I could go to the hospital to check on Mrs. Winters and Catalina, but it’s been hours now and I expect them home very soon. Maybe I’ll talk to those neighbors over there.” As she was about to leave, Martin Saguache appeared.

  “They’re on their way now,” he advised.

  Danaé turned back to continue waiting with Chaz and Sabrina, but she didn’t add anything else to the conversation. She couldn’t admit that she had seen the long-dead Martin Saguache at the precinct where they held Alec. She could never reveal that Alec’s grandfather had told her the entire sorry story. She couldn’t acknowledge that the Saguache elder now stood only a few feet away either. The others would have to wait to hear the rest of the story from Cassidy.

  Chapter 9

  When the police took her son away that night, Cassidy was shocked out of her stupor. She finally awakened from the depths of her personal hell. Much to her credit, she was never anesthetized again. After flushing the sedatives down the toilet, she rushed to the hospital to stay with Catalina.

  The examination was complete. It revealed that there was evidence of past sexual traumas and scarring. There was also current evidence of attempted rape. Feeling overwhelmed by her own neglectful actions that had allowed Cat to suffer such abuse, Cassidy held her daughter close while they cried together.

  “I’m so sorry, Catalina. I’m so sorry. Please, forgive me,” Cassidy cried. “I let my own misery block out the wretched things you suffered. I’m so sorry.”

  Sometimes, too little is simply too little…too late is certainly too late. In this case, the acceptance of her part in the troubling present circumstances seared Cassidy’s resolve to move forward. It mended the rift with her daughter to some degree. Right then, she determined to do whatever it took for the good of both of her children. She got busy to right the wrongs.

  Next, she used the family home as collateral to post bail and secure a reputable attorney for her son. She brought Catalina home from the hospital, moving her to the sunroom so that the memories of what had previously happened in her own bedroom were less haunting. She comforted Alec and Catalina as only a mother can do.

  The following week, Alec returned to school, Cassidy stayed alert and sober, and Catalina sketched furiously during her waking hours. Nothing would ever be the same for their family, but for all practical purposes, it was as normal as the Winters’ home would get. There was one exception: Cat refused to return to school.

  “Catalina, you must continue your education,” Cassidy argued with exasperation. “Tell her, Alec. Life without an education is simply unacceptable.”

  “I tell you I won’t go back and that’s the end of it,” Cat nearly screamed. “Everyone knows what happened to me, they know what my father did to me,” Cat haltingly explained her reasoning to Alec and Cassidy. “The terrible story of our family is in all the newspapers. Didn’t you read what Mrs. Anders had to say when interviewed? I can’t go back to school. I won’t!”

  Cassidy glanced at the Times Picayune lying on the breakfast table. It was true—the gossip and stories circulating about the Winters family was all anyone discussed. Even Mrs. Anders, the teacher from Cat’s middle school, had gone on record stating that she knew something was wrong. Her direct quote read, “I saw signs of the little girl’s abuse and confronted the older brother quite some time ago. He did nothing to protect her then.”

  Remarks such as that didn’t help anyone, especially the Winters family. They were dragged through the mud on a daily basis. In addition, there were reporters outside the Carrollton Avenue home more often than not. It was all Alec could do to push his way through the mob. Cassidy realized that tiny Catalina wouldn’t stand a chance against the horde of vultures.

  Cassidy nodded thoughtfully as she considered that aspect of their troubles. She studied Catalina’s determined face. “I understand how you feel, but you need to complete your education.”

  “No, mother. I can’t face the embarrassment and shame that will follow me to school. I’m not a victim and I hate the way the media calls me ‘a victim of incest.’ I will not return to school.”

  Realizing there was little she could do to force her daughter to suffer more heartache and trauma, Cassidy reluctantly accepted Cat’s decision, “All right, but you must complete your education by taking correspondence and home-study courses.”

  To offset those mundane worries, the angel of her rescue consumed Catalina’s mind and heart. Returning to her love of art, calluses formed on her fingers as she drew amazing depictions of the redeemer who had saved her. The angelic images came to life on paper, sketched by her gifted hand—angels everywhere. Angels of white surrounded by light…angels with soft, smiling countenances…angels with eyes blazing in fury. Her drawings always captured the essence of the one who had freed her. Each sketch revealed a benevolent being with startling blue eyes and huge white wings that sheltered lost and helpless victims from their tormentors.

  Over the course of the next few months, Cassidy pulled her life together and bec
ame the role model she was meant to be, returning once again to the woman and spiritual teacher of the past. All the previous understanding and knowledge about metaphysical concepts and the way the universe worked weren’t lost. The insight returned to her as if she had never put it aside.

  Chapter 10

  One evening, as the family and Sabrina gathered in the living room, Alec opened up by sharing new information about that fateful night, “When I found Dad in Cat’s room, I saw something strange.”

  “What did you see?” Cassidy curiously asked.

  “I saw clouds of energy,” he said and then waited for that to sink in. Sabrina, sensing his discomfort, took his hand.

  “I’ve heard of such things, but I’ve never seen it. Please, describe it…tell us more,” Cassidy eagerly encouraged.

  “Dad had an ugly reddish-orange cloud surrounding him…but Cat’s cloud was a light golden yellow. It was beautiful”

  “I’m not surprised to hear that description, especially about your father. What impression did you get from seeing that?” Cassidy nervously inquired, feeling a little out of her depth. She knew that her son had some kind of spiritual awakening the night Buck died because she had also experienced a renewal when she was of a similar age. Apparently, it was something that all members of the Saguache family experienced in their late teens.

  “It seemed to me that the two energies were fighting for control,” he haltingly continued. “His cloud was so much bigger and stronger than Cat’s that it frightened me. I felt as if I witnessed spiritual warfare…I was terrified that his energy would kill hers, snuff it out. Cat’s seemed so fragile and delicate while his seemed angry and destructive…I thought his energy or cloud would devour hers.”

  “You know,” Cassidy thoughtfully responded, “halos and other emanations of light were often depicted in the paintings of great spiritual teachers.”

  “That’s right,” Sabrina added. “When looking at the ancients’ pictures, these teachers were shown with a halo or ring of light. Sometimes, their portraits were painted with a golden plate or disc behind their heads. Is that what you mean, Mrs. Winters?” Sabrina asked.

  “Yes,” Cassidy agreed. “It represents the aura.”

  “What is an aura?” Alec and Catalina asked in unison.

  “The aura is the essence or energy of each living thing. Although typically thought to be the soul, it is my belief that it is the energy of the soul. The body cannot contain the fullness of it. In fact, it is so powerful that it stretches out around the body. Sometimes, it is only a few inches. Other times, it stretches out a few feet depending on the person.”

  “Can you see the auras, mama?” Catalina asked.

  “Yes, but not easily,” Cassidy admitted. “I can only see auras in a very white room with the person standing against a white wall. Then, by squinting my eyes, I can see the color on the wall behind them.”

  “Can you teach us to see them?” Cat asked.

  “Yes, we can practice that,” Cassidy agreed.

  Cassidy continued to explain what she could to her children and Sabrina while they waited for Alec’s trial. She taught them about auras and a myriad of other useful topics. Alec was a natural and excelled at the hurried lessons. However, he had to learn the meanings of the colors and develop a gift of people-reading on his own.

  Chapter 11

  Sabrina was always by Alec’s side and witnessed the family’s revolution from timid and unsure to a united front. She observed as Cassidy put away the alcohol and sleeping aids. She watched Alec and Catalina come to terms with the death of their father. Each family member blamed their self for Buck Winters death, and as heartbreaking as that was, Sabrina also perceived their reconciliation of that guilt.

  Moreover, she witnessed the changes in Alec and relished the power she felt beneath her fingertips. Throughout every aspect of those manifestations, she was a soothing balm for each of them, a true goddess who blessed each one with the light of her soul. She was often the most stable one of them and held the rest of the family together during the uncertainties they faced before and throughout Alec’s trial.

  Detective Boudreaux visited the family on many occasions, looking for more information…for anything that would save Alec Winters from the mob that was out for the young man’s blood. Alec, having already explained the events of Buck’s death, didn’t have much to add, but Catalina eagerly told the story of her redeemer, her savior. She shared pictures of the angel with the detective, constantly claiming that the angelic being had saved her from Buck’s torment.

  “I prayed for God to send a redeemer and He did,” Cat reverently avowed. “He heard my prayers and saved me. You have to believe me…Alec didn’t do this. He didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “Yes, Catalina, God sent His redeemer to save you, but did that being kill your father?” Detective Boudreaux solemnly asked as he looked deeply into Cat’s clear blue eyes.

  “Of course not!” Cat exclaimed in agitation. “Angels don’t kill. That’s absurd. An angel would never kill anyone, even someone as despicable as my father. No, my daddy died of fright just as Alec has said time and again.”

  “Did your brother kill your father, Catalina?” Boudreaux asked the question in a different way.

  “No, I’ve already told you that Alec didn’t kill our father either. Is that what you really think? Is that what the jury will think?”

  “The twelve men and women on the jury will weigh all the evidence presented, but I really need something that will help your brother. They will listen to all the testimonies from the medical examiner, the arresting officers, and neighbors, maybe even a few teachers. Then, they will decide if they believe your brother is guilty of murdering your father,” Boudreaux offered. “That’s why I’m searching for something to prove he didn’t do it. Anything…anything at all will help his case and perhaps keep him from prison.”

  “He only tried to stop him from hurting me. You have to believe me, Detective Boudreaux. Alec didn’t do this terrible thing. My daddy died because he was a wicked man. Once his wickedness was known, he died of fright and shame that his children and God could see beneath the façade he pretended to be. He certainly didn’t want mother to find out either. Maybe that played a part in it too.”

  “I need something to work with, Catalina,” Boudreaux continued to explain. “I don’t want Alec blamed for this anymore than you do. However, if I don’t find more evidence, your brother could go to prison for a very long time. Anything you can tell me might help with his chances.”

  Cat gave the detective one of her sketches and said, “This is the angel who saved me.”

  Boudreaux looked at the sketch closely and then put it in the folder along with everything else he had gathered in an attempt to help the young man. The file was thin and the detective was discouraged. He didn’t know what else to do to help the boy.

  Chapter 12

  During his trial, Catalina sat between Cassidy and Sabrina on the far side of the courtroom, while Alec sat with his attorney and faced the bench. The women comforted each other during the three-week long proceedings. Detective Boudreaux was right. The prosecutor persuaded every neighbor, teacher, student, and police officer they could corral to testify against Alec. An endless procession of folks who thought Alec was guilty quickly paraded to the witness stand.

  Alec’s defense attorney only called five witnesses. Three were character witnesses: Chaz Lambert, Sabrina Devereux, and Danaé Chisholm. The other two were family members, Cassidy and Catalina Winters. It didn’t bode well for Alec’s case, but it was all the lawyer could do since popular opinion was against the family. Even Catalina could see that the deck was stacked against her brother. She worried constantly and with good reason.

  Much later, after the jury had deliberated and were about to give their verdict, Catalina surprised everyone, including her family. She leaped to her feet and her wild, frenzied statements caused Alec to jump to his feet in protest. He wanted to stop her, but she was too
far away and he couldn’t reach her. The bailiffs held him back, threatening to take him to holding if he didn’t sit down and shut up.

  “I killed him,” Catalina yelled out. The courtroom grew deathly silent in order to hear this latest tidbit. “He violated me for the last time. I killed the sorry bastard! I’m glad I did it and I’d do it again!” She turned to face the courtroom of guests, reporters, and curious faces, “Gawd used me to punish him! Gawd gave me the strength to stop his heart. Gawd answered my prayers! Gawd Almighty ordained his death at my hand!” Catalina yelled as she outrageously emphasized the words of her confession like an old-time, country revival preacher.

  “Catalina, stop!” Alec yelled across to his sister, but she refused to stop.

  “No, they need to hear the truth!” she madly responded as she turned to look at Alec, then the judge, and finally all those gathered to hear. Her long, white-blonde hair wildly swirled around her with each movement. “They need to know what a wicked, evil man he was and that Gawd wanted him dead at my hand!”

  The courtroom erupted in chaos after Cat’s outburst stopped and the wooden gavel clattered noisily and repeatedly on the bench as Judge Yelverton yelled, “Bailiffs, clear the court immediately!” It was difficult to hear the judge over the loud clamoring, chattering and confusion by those present for the trial. “I said clear the courtroom now!” she screeched in an attempt to be heard. “I won’t have such mockery and nonsense disrupting any trial I oversee. Get them out of here! Everyone except the family…Out, now!”