by Mary Abshire
“Yes.”
“Why would…” She glanced up. “Why would they send you back without any clothes?”
“The guard told me they don’t monitor the current styles when they send people back.”
“A guard told you that?” Her tone indicated she didn’t believe him.
“I realize it all sounds…”
“Crazy,” she said.
“It’s the truth. I promise, I’m not going to hurt you. But if you kick me out here, I have no money, no clothes, and no food. I have to get to.” He paused to glance at his arm. “Pennsylvania to kill this demon. I need help.” He looked down at his body. “Obviously.”
Lips pressed tight, she shifted her gaze to the front window. “Well, I can say this… The last twenty-four hours have been unbelievable. This is the icing on the cake.”
“Emily, you seem nice. I can’t repay you with what I don’t have. But if you can find it in your heart to help me get to Pittsburgh, I would be forever grateful.”
He gave his best effort to persuade her. Although she had a colored aura, he hoped she had enough goodness left within her to at least drive him to a town. And if not, he’d probably freeze his balls before he’d make it to a house.
She looked at his chest and then lowered her gaze to his lap. He wondered what she was thinking. Realization came to him in a flash. He did have something to offer her, but he couldn’t. He shouldn’t. He’d have to stay an extra year if he had sex with her. For the love of all things holy, he couldn’t even utilize his best skill. The council must have wanted him to fail at his task.
Emily’s silence worried him. He wanted to fulfill the terms of his sentence so he could return to heaven, but his chances of that seemed slim. His current options seemed limited. If she kicked him to the curb, he’d freeze, and have to try again with some other person. But if he proposed sex in exchange for her help, maybe he could complete his tasks. He’d have to stay on Earth longer, but at least he could get to Pennsylvania to kill the first demon. He quickly weighed his options.
“There is one thing I can offer … if you would take me to Pittsburgh,” he said hesitantly.
“What?”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but if you’re interested, I could…” He lifted a shoulder. “We could have sex.”
She scrunched her nose. “Ew, no way. Are you kidding?” She shook her head in disgust.
Her response startled him. Women didn’t reject him unless they preferred their own kind.
“I’m not some amateur. I think you would be quite pleased. I’d make sure of it,” he said, trying to sway her.
“Good God no. I’m not having sex with some stranger.” She shifted the gear before she pressed her foot on the accelerator.
He was at a loss for words as the car sped. He’d proposed the only thing he could and she’d turned him down. Yet, she hadn’t forced him to leave. He didn’t know what to think of her.
“Look, you seem like an intelligent…” She glanced at him. “Person. I don’t care what you are. If you promise not to hurt me, steal from me, or fuck me, then I’ll take you to Pittsburgh.”
His heart gained extra beats as elation flooded him. He would’ve kissed her if she weren’t driving. Since he couldn’t, he gave her a wide smile. “I can’t thank you enough. Same for my balls.”
“Excuse me?”
“Well, they would’ve froze if you had thrown me out of your car because it doesn’t look like there’s any shelter nearby.”
Her cute pink lips curved. He enjoyed looking at them.
“I have to get to Columbus first. I’ll stop somewhere after Indy and buy you some clothes,” she said.
“That would be wonderful. Somehow, I will find a way to pay you back.”
He held a grateful grin as relief and awe filled him. Her willingness to assist him impressed and surprised him. She seemed pretty unsure and frustrated with him earlier. He couldn’t figure out why she’d changed, but he was beyond glad she had. The fact she didn’t want to have sex with him bothered him a little, but he understood her reasoning. Some women weren’t into one-night flings. He couldn’t fault her for that. In fact, her stance was a blessing for him. By avoiding sex, he didn’t have to stay an extra year. But he also saw her refusal as a challenge. Damn his hormones.
Regardless of her colored aura, he had a good vibe about Emily. If he could find a means to repay her for helping him, he would. And he’d try his best to have clean thoughts about the beautiful woman sitting next to him.
Chapter Four
Emily decided she’d lost her mind. She gripped the wheel tight and tried to focus on the dark road. But she couldn’t stop thinking about him. He claimed he was an angel. Yeah, right. His story sounded bogus. If God existed, why would he send angels to Earth naked? The story about not keeping up with current fashions almost made her laugh. She had to give him some credit for his wild imagination.
The strange tattoo on his arm boggled her mind. She was certain it hadn’t been there when she’d first found him on the road. The writing was real. How could a name and address appear? The answer remained a mystery.
Emily had stopped believing in heaven and hell years ago. She’d hadn’t been to church since she was fourteen. If there was a God, she couldn’t understand why he let people kill, or allow abuse and rape. Why would there be war or famine? He made the rules with the commandments. Why didn’t he enforce them? Because it was all bullshit. Words were written to discourage people. There was no heaven and the only hell that existed was on Earth.
She reduced her speed as she rounded a curve. Andrew turned on the radio, breaking the silence. Although he had a fairytale of an excuse, he seemed like an educated man. His sense of humor and good looks won him favors. He’d said he was from Chicago and had died in a car crash in 1989. She’d have to search on Google later to confirm his story. Since she had a first name, she hoped she could locate information. And if not, she could have Troy research the matter. He had access to resources she couldn’t get to. Regardless of what she’d find, the man was in need help. Lucky for him, she was a sucker for people in need.
For a brief moment when she’d been gazing at his scrumptious hard body, she had considered having sex with him. The last man she’d had relations with was Ethan over three years ago. She’d dated and fooled around with several guys since then, but she couldn’t bring herself to do the naughty with any of them. Needless to say, she was horny. But she sure as hell didn’t want the stranger claiming to be an angel to know about her wild hormones.
Emily came to a three way stop. In the distance to her left she saw the interstate. She glanced at the clock on the dashboard and frowned. Stopping to pick up Andrew and then chatting with him had cost her too much time. She had to meet Raymond at midnight and if she stayed on the back roads, the odds of her getting to Columbus by the deadline were slim. She turned in the direction leading toward the highway. Although she disliked taking the main route, at least she would get to her destination on time. Besides, she didn’t want to have to explain to Andrew why they were on the back roads or why she’d left Chicago. If she could avoid sharing information about herself, she would.
A classic rock tune from Billy Idol came on the radio as she reached the exit for the interstate. Andrew turned the volume up.
“You don’t mind do you?” he asked.
“It’s fine.” Whatever it took to keep him occupied worked well for her.
She increased her speed after she merged on the highway, but she kept checking the speedometer to make sure she didn’t go over the limit. Enjoying the song, Andrew tapped his thigh and rocked his head. She couldn’t help but grin at how easily entertained he seemed.
He’d fed her a load of crap to gain her assistance, but as far as she could tell he wasn’t inebriated or on drugs. He had the prettiest bluish-gray eyes she’d ever seen and his pupils were normal in size. His words were clear, never slurred. And he seemed focused. Emily had been around enough drunks and
drug users to know the signs of one. So why did he give her some crazy story?
A headache emerged as her list of questions about Andrew grew. She was determined to get answers, even if they proved he was lying. He’d claimed he had to kill demons. If he could, she had to see it with her own eyes. The more she thought about him, the more she wondered if he was some wacko from a mental hospital who had escaped and couldn’t remember anything. If such were the case, she’d have to be careful around him.
Her heavy eyelids wanted to close, but she fought to keep them open. She looped around the city and then exited a few miles south near a Walmart. He watched as she pumped gas into the car. She’d considered not fueling it since she was about to hand it over to Troy’s contact, but she decided to be generous. After she finished at the station, she headed to the store.
The lot had maybe twenty cars parked on it. She dreaded walking into Wally World at such a late hour, but at least it wouldn’t be crowded with customers.
She pulled into a spot near the grocery entrance. After she cut the ignition, she removed her key. She was willing to help Andrew, but she wasn’t foolish enough to leave him with the means to steal her vehicle.
“What size do you wear?” she asked as she reached behind his seat for her purse.
“Usually a thirty-two, but go with a thirty-four just to be safe. Medium shirt and boxers. Size eleven in shoes.”
She dragged her purse up and onto her lap. Fortunately, she’d stuffed several large bills in her wallet earlier. She had to pay for everything with cash now that she was on the run.
“I’ll get some snacks too,” she said before she pushed her door open.
“Thanks, Emily,” he said.
Carrying the purse close, she headed to the store. The night air gave her a chill, but it refreshed her. She glanced back at her car. Andrew waved, so she did the same back to him. He seemed nice, even if he was a crazy man from a mental hospital. And to think she’d considered having sex with him. She shivered at the thought.
The store was quiet and traffic free. Pushing a cart, she headed for the men’s department. Finding the clothes, she picked out two pairs of jeans, a bag of socks, a bag of boxers, and two long-sleeved shirts, one gray and one black. She even picked out a light cotton jacket for him. Then she traveled to the shoe department. She looked for a plain pair of sneakers and gathered a box matching his size. They weren’t the nice Nikes, but at least they’d serve their purpose.
After she finished selecting attire for Andrew, she headed to the electronics department. Troy expected to hear from her after she swapped out her car. Since she couldn’t use a pay phone or one from a hotel, she needed to get a prepaid cell. She found a wealth of them in one of the aisles. She snatched two before she headed to the grocery side of the store.
Twenty minutes later, she walked out of Wally World, ready to curse and beat up someone. She’d spent most of the time waiting in line at the only available cashier. Why was everyone trying to check out when she was ready? And why didn’t the manager open another lane? Oh right, that’s how things always worked at Walmart.
Andrew opened the door as she approached. He had a warm smile on his face. Seeing it calmed her.
“Sorry, they only had one lane open,” she said.
“I’m not complaining.”
She handed him two bags containing clothes.
“I’d help you, but—”
“It’s okay,” she said and collected the bag with the shoebox. She handed it to him. “If you don’t mind, can you wait until we get back on the highway?”
“Sure.” He took the bag and put it on the floor near his feet.
She put the rest of the items in the backseat, including her purse. She left the cart in front of her car.
“I really appreciate the clothes,” Andrew said as she settled into her seat.
“No problem.”
He had good manners for a mental patient. Why did she keep thinking he was coo-coo? Because it seemed like the only logical excuse for him, said the right side of her brain to the left. She really needed to get some sleep soon.
Within a few minutes she was back on the interstate. She had to speed to get to Columbus since her trip into the store had taken so long. Her pulse raced while her eyes kept jumping from mirror to mirror, checking for cops. She was so close to dumping her car. If the universe were working against her, a policeman would likely stop her.
Plastic bags swished together as Andrew began digging inside them. He ripped the tag off the gray shirt before he pulled it over his head. Emily tried to stay focused on the road, but once he pushed the blanket aside, her eyes had a different agenda. With a set of boxers in hand, he slid them up his legs as far as he could. She gazed at his abs, the curve of his bones above his hips, and the thin line of dark hair extending from his belly button to his groin. He pushed his body up, off the seat, and then brought the shorts up higher. Unable to view his prized jewel any longer, she returned her focus to driving.
“What’s in Columbus?” he asked as he wiggled into a pair of jeans.
“I’m meeting someone to exchange cars.” She checked each mirror again.
“This one seems nice. Is there a problem with it? I’m good with cars. If there’s a problem, I might be able to fix it.”
“Uh, no. No problem.”
“Then why get rid of it?” He tugged open the bag of socks.
“I need a different car. That’s why,” she said with a touch of irritation in her tone.
For someone mentally unstable, he seemed to ask a lot of good questions. He also appeared to be in good physical shape. When did people at mental health facilities get access to weights?
The ache in her head started to pain her more.
He paused after he’d slid socks on his feet. “I don’t mean to pry. I just thought if I could help in anyway … well, I can. I’m not some worthless bum.”
His willingness to help gave her some peace of mind. From her experience, people were eager to take what they could and not give anything in return, especially those who were less fortunate. He seemed different.
“You said you were from Chicago…” she said. “Did you go to college there?”
“Yeah, I went to Loyola University. I was working toward a medical degree when I died.”
“Really?” she asked, surprised.
“Yep.” He removed the shoes from the box. “My dad wanted me to follow in his footsteps.” He twisted and set the bags of clothes in the back seat.
“Where did you intern at?”
“Cook County Hospital.”
He’d worked at the same place her mom had worked. How strange was that? Emily had also been born there.
“How old are you? I mean, were you?” She shook her head as she tried to figure out the correct words to say.
“I was twenty-six when I died, so I’m still the same age,” he said bent over while he tied his shoestrings.
“You don’t age after death?”
“No. You don’t change once you’re there.” He straightened and let out a big sigh. “Now I’m hungry.”
“There’s snacks in the back.”
He wedged between the seats and ruffled through the bags. In little time, he settled back in his seat with a Pringles container and protein bar. “Would you like any?”
“No, I’m not hungry.” She should’ve been since she’d only had a cup of yogurt all day long, but her stomach had been edgy since dealing with Libby.
“Would you like me to take over driving after you change cars?”
She briefly veered her attention to him. “Do you have a license?”
He lowered his gaze to the can of food. “No, I don’t.”
She hadn’t thought so, but she asked anyway.
“It’s fine. I’ll drive for an hour after I exchange cars, and then look for a place to stay the night. Can I trust you won’t steal any of my belongings?”
“Absolutely,” he said as he tore off the paper seal to the can.
“That has to be some kind of punishment if you do, right?”
An angel taking off with her money had to cause some frowns in heaven. The thought made her chuckle. There was no way the man sitting next to her was an angel.
He chomped on a chip. “Mm hmm.” He swallowed. “Probably.” He shoved a couple of whole chips in his mouth. It didn’t take him long to devour the entire can of Pringles.
She reached the exit for Columbus fifteen minutes before her meeting deadline. From the ramp, she tried to recall the directions Troy had given her earlier in the day. She drove down the main road in search of a small dealership with an old yellow building. All the businesses were shut down and the lots vacant, except for McDonalds. She continued into the downtown area. Red stoplights flashed, so she had to pause at each. When she noticed she had seven minutes left, she began to wonder if she’d ever find the place to meet Raymond. She drove a few more blocks before she spotted a small lot with idle cars next to a bank. A small yellow building sat in the back. She slowed her car and found an alley next to the lot.
“Is this it?” he asked as she turned down the small side street.
“I think so.”
She looked for Raymond and a way to access the lot. Lights illuminated the area, helping her search, but she quickly reached the back where another street crossed the one she was on. To her left, she spotted a man leaning against a car. She hoped he was Raymond as she steered toward him.
“You can stay here, if you want,” she said after she parked a few feet from the man. Her headlights shined on the back of the vehicle he was leaning on. The symbol for Toyota and the word Prius in silver etching reflected from her beams.
“Friend of yours?” Andrew asked, staring at the guy dressed in a black jacket and blue jeans. He had an average build with short dark hair. He stepped away from the Toyota.
She reached behind her seat for her purse. “No. I’ve never met him before.” After she’d set her bag on her lap, she twisted to claim the envelope Troy had given her.
“Do you know his name?”
“Raymond.” She pointed to the glove compartment. “Can you open that?”