“By the way, how did you guys find me?” I asked them.
“Well, after racking my brain day after day, hour after hour, I remembered the dream you had the day Alastor came along. It seemed strange that you dreamed of a man with golden hair, and suddenly someone with the same features appears out of nowhere after months of not seeing anyone around town. It got me thinking about where he would have taken you. I described the place in your nightmare to them and something clicked with your mom. She told us when she was a young girl that the kids in class used to gossip about an old mansion in the forest. The locals claimed it was haunted. She was convinced the house in your nightmare sounded like the old Ketchum mansion she heard tales about. Problem was, she never saw it, only remembered it was deep in the forest outside of town. So we all came up with the idea to let Daisy try to track you. I held up one of the gloves you lost during the fire to her snout, and she took off like a bat out of hell. We followed in my car until she led us to you. I’m sorry we didn’t figure it out sooner. I can only imagine what you have been through.” Leland said, dropping his eyes to the floor in shame.
I rose to meet him at the base of the stairs, gently transferring the kids over to Mom’s embrace. My hand caressed his cheek and his eyes captured mine. As his enchanting gaze reached into my soul, I whispered to him.
“The only thing that matters is you came. You figured it out and now you all are with me. That is more than I had ever hoped for. I decided if I ever had the opportunity to escape, I would search the world forever just to find you guys. But you found me instead. I’ll forever be grateful for that.” I stood on tiptoe and pressed my lips against his. He held me close in a heart-wrenching embrace and poured his love into me.
Jess cleared her throat behind us and we broke apart from our little bubble to acknowledge her. She looked embarrassed, brushing her boot across the floor and wringing her hands. Then she locked eyes with me and I ran to her. A whimper escaped her lips as I threw my arms around her. Jess had been my best friend for so long, she was more like a sister to me. I swept her faded pink hair away from her bright blue eyes and grinned.
“You have no idea how happy I am that you are here. That you are all here. These past few days dragged on for what seemed like an eternity. I discovered so much about Alastor that I would rather not know. He was a terrible person… actually he wasn’t even human,” I proceeded to tell them all about what he revealed in my time trapped under his watchful eyes.
Chapter 18
We determined it best to wait for sunrise until we journeyed back out to find a safe refuge. The group had traveled from place to place until they found me. Never settling down. Jess mentioned us staying in the estate for a while, but I continued to be rather adamant in my decision to move on. I suffered enough heartbreak and torture inside of it to last a lifetime, and I contained no desire to be trapped yet again. So we settled for the night in the house’s library I never found during my stay. Leland stumbled upon it when he and Jess searched for me. Two glorious stories of intricately carved wood gleamed in the moonlight. Book shelves stretched from polished wood floors to vaulted cathedral ceilings. They presented a remarkable collection of the classics. I quickly established an appreciation for the perfect condition they had stayed in.
Leland built a fire in the large ornate fireplace to keep the chill at bay. Jess and I barricaded the double doors and windows to ensure nothing with intentions of harming us would get in. Mom and the kids snuggled up beside the fire wrapped in wooly blankets we found in a closet. A velvet fainting sofa rested in the corner of the library while two reading chairs were positioned fireside. It wasn’t comfortable by any means for sleeping accommodations, but we refused to split up. It just wasn’t safe. We thought all the biters were dead, but couldn’t be certain. In theory, killing Alastor should have released the undead from his control and allow them a peaceful death. Problem was, Andrew didn’t die when Alastor did. So that leaves us wondering what it indicated for the rest of the corpses wandering around. Would they eventually fall to their ultimate death? Or proceed to roam aimlessly across the earth in pursuit of their next meal? Only time will tell.
I decided to ignore the daunting world that awaited us outside and focus on what was next. My family was with me once again and I needed to celebrate our reunion. Losing Andrew in the midst of that had produced a mixed reaction from us all. Could we be happy to be together again? Or should we be drowning in our grief and mourning for our fallen loved one? After all the destruction I’ve witnessed since the beginning of the apocalypse, you would assume it would get easier to accept, but that remains to be unseen.
Lost inside my thoughts, I walked the perimeter of the library, passing my fingers along each binding of the immaculate books. All of my favorites existed there. The Great Gatsby, Pride and Prejudice, Moby Dick, To Kill a Mockingbird, Wuthering Heights, Dracula and many more. It was like I had struck the novel jackpot. After touring the main floor several times, I climbed the narrow staircase to the next level of books and began browsing. Mom’s voice carried up to meet my ears with a lullaby she used to sing to me when I was a child.
“The sun has gone from the shining skies.
Bye, baby, bye.
The dandelions have closed their eyes.
Bye, baby, bye.
The stars are lighting their lamps to see.
The babes and squirrels and birds and bees.
Are sound asleep as they ought to be.
Bye, baby, bye….”
I murmured the lyrics as she sang them to the kids. A wistful smile graced my lips as the memory of her and Dad tucking me into bed played through my mind. Mom always knew how to soothe a child in the worst of circumstances, even when she was broken inside with sorrow. I prayed one day I would be the amazing and courageous woman she is. She continued to sing to the kids as their little eyes fell closed and they snuggled into her lap beside the fire. My hands resumed grazing the titles one by one until I came across one that captured my eyes. An ancient book bound in gold. The title revealed only one small word.
Teufel.
I had no clue what it signified, but I was quite curious, so I slipped it from the shelf and examined the cover. Two latches secured both edges and required keys to unlock. The surface from front to back was forged out of solid gold, causing it to weigh more than the average book should. An indescribable emblem engraved the front. It looked German, but I couldn’t be certain. I was more than intrigued with the mystery of it, especially by the fact it was locked and about five pounds worth of gold. There had to be a key to it somewhere.
Tucking the book under my arm, I headed for the lower level while contemplating on how to open the locks. As I descended the stairs, a sharp jab in my side surprised me. It was underneath my clothing though so I realized it couldn’t be the golden book I carried. When I reached the landing, I lay the golden book on a small table and reached under my borrowed sweater to tug the small grimoire, I had forgotten all about, from my bra strap. Leland spotted me while I had my shirt up around my chest and raised his eyebrows in surprise. I smiled and showed him the book I had pulled out. He walked over to me and started asking questions.
“Why in the world did you have a book in your bra exactly? Or do I even want to know?” he questioned with a puzzled grin. God, how I missed his smile.
“Well, I was desperate to battle Alastor and escape this place. When he gave in and allowed me to use the bathroom just once, I found this book and decided to study it when free from the invasive eyes of him and his minions. It revealed spells and magic to use against him. I understood deep down it was bad, and perhaps evil, but I was prepared to do anything to break away from him. The book is the reason that dagger did what it did when I stabbed him with it. A spell in here caused the blade to send him back to Hell where he belongs. Otherwise, he would still be alive, unleashing his Hell on earth once again,” I explained.
“Wow…” he replied, brushing a hand through his sexy disheveled hair. “I ca
n’t believe all you went through, Autumn. I regret more than ever for not finding you sooner.”
“That’s not all. The estate used to be the meeting grounds for a witch’s coven, The Summoner’s. The book belonged to them. Luna, the leader of the coven, revealed herself in a vision and advised me to use the book to defeat Alastor. It appeared to be the only advantage I had,” I told him.
“I don’t blame you one bit for using whatever force necessary against that monster. He was the epitome of evil and you saved us all from his wrath. For that, we owe you, love.”
“Like hell you do. I would've never had the chance to drive that knife in his cold black heart had it not been for you guys coming when you did. He would probably leave me to rot in that room after he finished torturing me,” I dropped my head in dismay.
Leland wrapped his muscular arms around me and whispered in my ear, “I would not let that happen. I searched this earth far and wide to find you. Through all the carnage and struggle, I would have never given up until you were in my arms again. I love you, Autumn.”
A lone tear formed in my eye and trickled down my cheek to land on his shirt. The love he embraced me with was overwhelming after the sick and terrifying shit I had been through. He made me feel so lucky to be alive. The chance to spend more time with him and my family was better than I could have ever hoped for.
“I love you, too. More than you know, Leland.”
We all gathered around the hearth and talked about all that transpired since we were separated. Daisy stayed right next to me, no matter where I went. She missed me as much as I did her. The touch of her soft golden fur under my hands was my comfort blanket. Her warmth radiated up my arms and thawed my frozen body. Leland made us a bed out of chair cushions and blankets in the corner beside the fire. Jess grabbed the fainting sofa while Mom and the kids stayed in their makeshift bed of blankets in front of the warming blaze.
While I lay between Leland and Daisy, thinking of how fortunate I was to have them back, a flash of lightning illuminated the entire room. Daisy and I jumped when the thunder crash followed a few seconds after. The rain began pouring outside, streaming down the window panes surrounding us. After the initial surprise of the unpredictable storm, I relaxed to the melody of rain and thunder lulling me into a slumber. Daisy’s heart rate slowed, and she eventually fell asleep with her head on my chest and my hand over her heart. Leland had one arm resting across my waist as our heads lay side by side. The love surrounding me was all I needed to calm down, and my anxiety soon diminished.
Before too long, the whole room was snoring softly while the storm raged on outside. I listened to Leland breathing in my ear, his scent wrapped around me like a warm fuzzy blanket. As I drifted off, my imagination ran away with me. A scenario of Alastor breaking through our barricade and killing us all played continuously in my mind. I woke up screaming several times but Leland was there to comfort me after every nightmare. A fitful night of horrible thoughts held me in that exhausting state between a deep sleep and lucidity. The ghost of Alastor haunted me already, and I was convinced it wouldn’t be the last restless night I would have.
Chapter 19
Cries pierced the atmosphere. The measure of hopelessness echoed off the encompassing walls. My body seemed restricted from moving anywhere. Tight restraints confined my wrists and ankles. I opened my eyes to discover I was tied to a chair. But I wasn’t the only one tied up, my family had been individually bound to a chair and positioned in a circle beside the fireplace. I scanned the room to determine a way to get free. My eyes fell upon our captor, Alastor, and widened when the reality struck me that he was still alive. He gazed at me with a dangerous grin plastered across his face. The look of triumph oozed from his pores. A deep red stain decorated the front of his shirt around the area the dagger would have pierced through. But he appeared to be in full health once again, which was not a comforting revelation at all. He read my reaction to the sight of him and finally spoke.
“Yes, my love. Your useless blade could not slay me. Although, it did leave a small wound, and a lasting impression of your true feelings for me. Not to worry though. I intend to return the favor. I shall destroy you all, one by one. Saving you for the grand finale, my queen,” he bellowed out in the voice of an evil dictator. While speaking, he leisurely strolled in between each of our chairs, stroking his hand down the children’s hair as he passed by. The sight of him touching Benji and Vicki conjured a fury from deep inside of me. I yanked at my bonds and screamed out in anger.
“Don’t you touch them you son of a bitch! It’s me you want, not them. I will kill you, for good this time, if you harm a fucking hair on any of their heads!” I shrieked at him, spittle flying from my mouth. I could feel my blood pressure skyrocket as my heart threatened to explode from my chest.
“Now, now. Let us not speak ill words in front of the children, my sweet. Where are your manners?” Alastor chided. If I could stop his black heart from beating and force him to drop dead with a look, I would have done it right then and there. I gave it my best and glared holes through him with the rage that filled my sight. Red hot rage.
“Please, let us go, Alastor. You don’t have to do this,” my mom cried. She would attempt to contact the softer side of him. Problem was, he didn’t have one. “You have already taken my brother from us. It can end here. Nobody else needs to die.”
“Oh but you are mistaken, Grace. All of mankind must die. It is my sole purpose here on earth. To ensure nobody is forgotten. Then my kind will reign over every realm. We will be indestructible,” he insisted as he hovered over my mother with a darkness gleaming in those golden eyes.
Mom didn’t back down though. A part of her she passed onto me stepped forward into the light. The part that makes us stubborn and demanding. She narrowed her eyes at his arrogance. “We will not go down without a fight. God’s power lives within his children and we are strong through him. He will right the wrong you have done. You can rest assured of it.”
Alastor doubled over as a throaty cackle burst from his mouth. He roared with laughter until his eyes glistened with tears. Mom pulled at her ropes, testing their strength, and one of them loosened a bit. Maybe if we keep him occupied, she could break free and snag one of our weapons leaned up against the wall. A light of hope flickered within me as I watched her wiggle, gradually freeing the ropes.
“I do apologize for my outburst, but you are amusing. God, huh? So while I have been unleashing my plague of zombies across the earth, precisely where did God step in and save you all? Can you clarify that for me?” he questioned us all with a hint of condescension.
“He will intervene. When the moment arrives, you will be very sorry,” Mom retorted with a newfound hatred. I looked at her and it was like staring at my own reflection. She taught me so much about being a strong independent woman, and if we expect to be respected and heard, then you have to say what you believe in. Mom believed God would save us, and she stood behind that one hundred percent. I admired her more than ever in moment.
Alastor pulled out the dagger I stabbed him with from his waistband and pointed it at Mom, mere inches from her cheek. “That will be enough nonsense about God. Now, where should I begin? With mommy dearest here? Or perhaps the cute little blond lad, Benji?”
Benji erupted in tears and a dark stain appeared on the front of his pants. I wanted to shred Alastor into tiny pieces in that instant. Only someone of sheer evil intent would taunt a small child and gain satisfaction from it. Vicki was sobbing, as well. A vision of both kids being brutally murdered in front of me was worse than my sanity could bear. It was hanging on by a thread as it was. I would not allow this to happen.
“Benji. Vicki. Look at me,” I called out to them. Innocent eyes found mine as tears glided down their reddened cheeks. “I will not let anything happen to you. I promise. We will get out of here. Just stay calm, okay?”
They both nodded their heads in agreement and struggled to reel in their emotions. Which was better than I exp
ected for two small children with the situation occurring. They were growing up in a savage world of monsters and had lost their childhood because of it. In an instant they understood what needed to be done and how to react to bad circumstances. The poor kids didn’t deserve to go through the rest of their lives in fear of being murdered by a demon or eaten by a zombie. But that was the hand we were dealt, and they remained remarkable at surviving this new world.
“That is charming, Autumn. But I would suggest not offering them false hope. It only makes the outcome more devastating,” Alastor said.
“I’m not giving them false hope. What I say is true,” I told him with daring speculation. I needed to keep him talking as Mom worked her way out of the ropes. Just a little longer and we would have the upper hand on him.
“Say what you will, my love. But you shall see the real consequence. Because I have marvelous plans to make you watch as I carve into every one of them. Ironically, I will employ the dagger you attempted to kill me with,” he warned as the blade grazed the curve of my shoulder. I twitched at his delicate touch, wishing I could get my hands coiled around his windpipe and crush the life from him.
In my peripheral vision, I noticed Mom break free from her restraints and began untying her ankles from the chair legs. Alastor had moved away and aimed for Jess, which would bring Mom directly in his line of sight. I didn’t want him near any of them. I had to keep him occupied.
“Hey, asshole! Why don’t you explain what the hell kind of vision you showed me yesterday? You remember, a peek at the wretched underworld you came from. You just left me there to die a torturous death,” I shouted in the nick of time as he turned toward me and a split second from seeing Mom breaking out of her ropes. She slithered from her chair like a snake and crouched behind Leland. She slid a knife from his pocket and cut at his ropes. My pulse raced with fear of them getting caught.
Autumn's Calling (Book 2): The Battle Page 16