Devil and Disciple
Page 30
Amanda listened and with every word he spoke she grew in strength and conviction. His words redeemed and renewed her faith in herself and her future. She saw that she still had choice and she still had a future. They had not deserted her. She had deserted herself and lost her self-belief. But then Amanda was hit with the burning memory of the manuscript, the pact that was unbreakable and refused to free her of her vow.
“The manuscript,” she flustered, pointing wildly in the direction of his residence. “I swore on it. The pact was sealed in blood. I threw it on the fire. I tried to destroy it but it wouldn’t burn. I couldn’t destroy it.”
Koroviev reached into his inner pocket and pulled out the accursed manuscript. Amanda recoiled. There wasn’t a scorch mark on it. It was perfectly intact, in pristine condition. She couldn’t help but panic when she heard him proclaim.
“Manuscripts don’t burn.”
For a second she thought she had been tricked again. She half expected Alexander to appear and drag her, kicking and screaming back to her prison, laughing at the cruel joke he had played on her.
“The eternal story of mankind never changes. Over and over again, man gives into temptation and takes the easiest path. But it is not too late for your manuscript. The ending has yet to be written. It is your choice and you must strive to make the right choice.”
Koroviev handed Amanda the manuscript. She took it, no longer fearing it. She felt hope and joy for the future and the ending that she was yet to write. She looked across the waters to the city and knew that there was still so much more to explore there. She knew that soon she would be back there, changed, enlightened by her experience, resolved to learn from her mistakes and compelled to continue to strive. She had faith that Koroviev would guide her safely back and lead her away from her despairing hell.
CHAPTER 27
She was back home – safe. Amanda felt as though she had been given a second chance and for that she would be eternally grateful to Koroviev but know she had to redeem herself. She had to prove what she was truly capable of, not just to herself, but also to Koroviev. His parting promise to her as she impatiently waited to board her homeward bound flight, had been to continue to protect and guide her. With Koroviev watching over her, Amanda had faith that she would fulfill her true potential.
Her experiences, though harrowing and torturous, had changed her completely. She no longer feared her weaknesses enticing her down the wrong path and tempting her to surrender with ease to superficial vanity. She had been to her nadir and stared her weaknesses in the face. She had chosen to embrace them, using them to drive her on to greater fulfillment and success. With her renewed faith and resolve in herself, Amanda knew she could turn her weaknesses to her advantage. She was more determined and resolute than ever before. She was determined to learn from her mistakes, determined to strive continuously forward with courage and conviction and she was determined never to lose her way again.
But she had a long way to go. She still felt dark shadows round every corner, watching, waiting for an opportune moment of weakness. It would be a long and difficult road to redemption, littered with hazards and obstacles, all lurking with malicious intent along the way. It would be a lonely and joyless journey to have to face alone and that was why Amanda knew she had to start her journey here.
The instance Amanda stepped through the door of her old gym she was embraced by the comfortingly familiar sounds and smells. She took in a deep breath and smiled as the musty combination of Ralgex and chalk hit the back of her throat. Her muscles tensed with their accustomed excitement at hearing the crash of weights and the grunts of exertion. But there was only one reason why she had come back to the gym and that reason wasn’t to train.
She scanned the gym, expectantly hoping to see Steve hunched under a bent bar, swearing and sweating in an effort to shift the weight, as had always been his style. But he was nowhere to be seen. The gym was quiet. Strangely quiet. Amanda had never seen it this deserted before.
“Hello. Can I help you?”
Amanda jumped, surprised at hearing a voice in the otherwise empty gym.
‘Hi. I’m looking for Steve. Steve Adams. He works here.”
As she spoke she took in the owner of the voice. She had never seen him in the gym before and yet there was something strangely familiar about him. Amanda couldn’t bring herself to turn away from his gaze, although it penetrated, unnervingly so.
“I’m sorry but he doesn’t work here anymore.”
There it was again. That familiarity. That voice that commanded your attention despite making the hair on the back of your neck stand on end.
“Oh!” was all that Amanda could manage. Her heart felt heavy with a burden that she needed to off load. She needed to find Steve and explain. She fervently needed to apologise and ask for his forgiveness. She hadn’t expected this unforeseen obstacle that stood before her.
“Does Bob not own the gym anymore?” was all that she could think to ask.
“No. He sold it several months ago. I gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse.”
Amanda shivered at that vacuous half smile, that unsettled rather than endeared.
“Oh!”
Amanda felt confused and disturbed by this strange turn of events.
“I don’t suppose you have any contact details for either of them?’
“I am afraid I don’t. I am sorry I can’t be of any more help,” replied the voice insincerely. Still that gaze penetrated and probed unblinkingly.
“Can I ask who you are? Just in case I hear from either of them,” he offered indifferently.
“Of course,” replied a bewildered Amanda as she fumbled in her bag for pen and paper. She hastily scribbled down her contact details and handed them over, desperate to get away.
“Amanda Hearst,” read the voice reflectively. “ Well it is a delight to meet you Miss Hearst.”
Amanda tentatively shook the proffered hand. It was as cold and unsettling as its owner.
“I must compliment you on your beautiful necklace. A most beautiful necklace for a most beautiful lady.”
Amanda hadn’t realized that she had been tensely twisting it round her fingers. The lascivious smile repulsed her back towards the door.
“Thank you,” she stuttered, stepping out the door.” If you could please pass on my contact details to either Steve or Bob if you see them, I would be most grateful.”
She shouted her good bye over her shoulder not wanting to stop and look back.
If she had stopped to look back she would have seen that menacing mouth move. If she had heard the words that chased after her she would have run away even faster. Maybe those words, uttered in such low and treacherous tones, would forever chase her.
“Remember Amanda. Manuscripts don’t burn!”
This eBook is published by
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Copyright © L.J.K Cross, 2014
The right of L.J.K Cross to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with Section 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
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ISBN 978-1-78148-262-9 in electronic format
ISBN 978-1-78148-695-5 in printed format
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