by Garza, Amber
I threw glances over at Grandma’s house wishing either she or Mom would notice me missing and come looking for me. Who was I kidding? They both were pretty sound sleepers.
“You’ll never be rid of me. I’ll torment you forever.”
“Why?”
“Because I hate you.” His voice held an evil darkness I’d never encountered before and it sent a wave of cold dread through me. He continued to drag me and by now we were out of the court. I flailed and kicked, tried to wrestle my way out of his arms but it was no use.
“Although there is one way.”
My ears perked at this.
“I can show you the only way to get rid of me. Do you want to see it?”
I nodded and stopped struggling. He scooped me up, held me in the crook of his arm and ran with lightening speed. I remembered when I was a little girl Mom would hold me like this and pretend I was a flying airplane. I definitely felt like an airplane now as we zoomed so fast I could scarcely catch my breath. Only I wasn’t giggling the way I had as a child. Instead I was filled with a terror so intense I thought I would throw up. Where was he taking me? Would anyone know I was gone? Would they be able to find me?
When he stopped, I was grateful. I could catch my breath and maybe if he let go of me I could come up with a plan to get away. If only. Hope sparked like a lit match until reality breathed on it, snuffing it out. We stood suspended over Folsom Lake on the Truss Bridge. We were alone. There wasn’t a person in sight. Darkness swallowed us. When he let go of me momentarily, I took off running but I wasn’t fast enough. He tackled me to the ground. My lip banged against the wooden bridge, the metal taste of blood filled my mouth.
“Stupid girl. You can’t outrun me.”
I knew there was only one way off this bridge for me, and that was to plunge into the dark water below. I suspected that was what Wesley was counting on.
“Why are you doing this to me?”
“Are you hard of hearing? I told you earlier. I hate you.”
“But why? What have I ever done to you? ”
“You’re one of His creations. That’s reason enough.”
“What are you talking about?”
“God created you and I hate God. Therefore, I hate His creation. I’ve come to destroy all of you.”
“But I thought you were my friend.”
He threw his head back and laughed his bone-chilling cackle. “I was never your friend, you gullible piece of trash. My goal has always been the same. To seek and destroy.”
Where had I heard this before? I felt like I’d read it somewhere. My body tingled with terror when I realized it had been in the Bible.
“W-w-who are you?”
“You haven’t figured that out yet? I’m the devil.”
My knees softened, buckled. The world spun on its axis. I thought about my dream and realized I’d known this all along. Why had I let it get this far? He would surely destroy me. I could never fight him and win. Defeated, my shoulders slumped. I heard a car in the distance and looked over at the road, praying someone would spot me. But the car sped past. I’m sure no one could see me. The bridge was tucked away from the road, blanketed in darkness.
“As long as you’re alive I will chase you and torment you. The only way to be free of me is to kill yourself.”
He was right. I had no choice but to jump. It was the only way out.
I staggered to the railing, grabbed on. The thought of jumping, sinking into the water, allowing it to envelope me until I floated into nothingness actually sounded inviting at this point. I couldn’t live my life like this anymore.
“There you go. Now you’re finally seeing reason,” Wesley prompted me.
The air was hot and sticky. My hair stuck to my forehead. I wiped sweat from my brow before hoisting myself up. My fingers were slick. I climbed up until I stood on the ledge, holding tight to the rails. Staring down into the water, my feet tingled and my stomach rolled. Water rushed under me. The rocks seemed to taunt me, mock me. I envisioned my head split open like a melon below, blood spilling from it, blanketing the earth in red.
“Mackenzie!” A dark figure raced toward the bridge. “Mackenzie, no!”
“Isaac?”
He came closer and I could clearly see him. I couldn’t believe he came for me.
“Isaac,” I said again, tears filling my eyes.
“No.” Wesley bounded up to me, pried my fingers from the rails. “He’s too late.”
My body swayed, my arms flailed. I latched on to Wesley.
“Do it. Jump. Make him watch. See if he can survive it again,” Wesley pushed me. I grappled for the railing.
“Mackenzie! Don’t jump!” Isaac stood below me now on the bridge.
“I can’t get down. He won’t let me go, Isaac!”
“Call on Jesus. Rebuke him. It’s the only way.”
“No!” Wesley clutched his head with his hands.
In his momentary distraction I was able to grab hold of the rail, hold myself steady.
“Do it, Kenzie. Call on Jesus. Only he can save you.”
I thought of all the things Wesley said. I remembered the Bible verses, the preacher’s message at church, and Sandy’s words. She knew Wesley was trying to destroy me, and she told me I couldn’t fight him on my own. Was Jesus the one person who could save me?
Wesley regained composure and reached out to shove me.
I didn’t want to die. Please Jesus, save me.
“Jesus!” I hollered at the top of my lungs, my battle cry.
Wesley’s screams pierced the air. He cowered, his head in his hands.
“Rebuke him! Say it! Say, I rebuke you in Jesus name.” Isaac instructed me.
“I rebuke you in Jesus name!” I yelled.
Wesley’s screams intensified. So loud it burned my eardrums. In a plume of smoke, Wesley disintegrated into thin air. Just as he did, my feet slipped.
“Isaac!” I lost my balance, swayed back and forth. Thrusting my arm out, I reached for the railing but it was too late. I fell.
“No!” I heard Isaac’s voice as I plummeted to the water.
I closed my eyes. “Jesus,” I prayed. “I believe. I believe.”
Just when I braced myself for the cold water my body was propelled upward as if I was being carried. I opened my eyes, squinted against a harsh light. The arms of a man held me. I looked into the most beautiful, loving eyes I’d ever seen. The intensity in them was overwhelming and I found it hard to keep looking. My head swirled and spun. I leaned my head against the stranger’s shoulder and darkness enveloped me.
I was cradled in someone’s arms, rocked back and forth like an infant. I felt fingers in my hair, lips brushed against my forehead. The scent of the lake, flowers and night air filled my senses. The rush of the water rumbled beneath me and I felt the scratchiness of the bridge under my legs. Memories of how I got there returned and fear surfaced.
My eyelids popped open. I was in Isaac’s arms. His face was ravaged with pain and tears stained his cheeks.
“Oh, thank God you’re okay.” He pulled me to him, wept into my hair. “I thought I lost you, just like I lost him.”
“Who?”
“My brother.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. This reminded you of that, huh? Because he drowned?”
“Kenzie, he didn’t just drown. He jumped off a bridge just like you almost did tonight.”
I felt sick.
“You wanna know why I have such a problem with Rhiannon? It’s because witchcraft is what killed my brother. He got involved in the occult and ended up killing himself.”
I recalled Wesley’s words. Do it. Jump. Make him watch. See if he can survive it again.
“He knew. That’s why he wanted me to do it in front of you. Then it would destroy both of us. Oh, Isaac I’m so sorry.” A noise startled me. My gaze darted around. “Wesley?”
“It’s okay. He’s gone. He can’t hurt you now.”
“How did you find me?”
&n
bsp; “I followed you.”
I furrowed my brow, confused.
“I was watching you. I knew he’d come back to kill you and I couldn’t let that happen. When he took you last night I got in my car and followed.”
“Isaac, I’m sorry about everything. I made such a mess of things.”
“Shhh. It’s alright. We all make mistakes but it’s over now.”
“How can you say that? I’m an evil, awful person.”
“We were all evil sinners before we believed. But you’re a new creation now. You called on the greatest power of all tonight. You believed, Kenzie.”
I remembered the man carrying me. “Isaac, I saw an angel. He saved me.”
Isaac smiled. “I know. It’s pretty incredible, isn’t it?”
It’s amazing.”
“You know what else is amazing?”
“What?”
“You.”
My heart leapt in my chest.
“I love you, Mackenzie.”
Tears filled my eyes at the words I’d always wanted to hear. “I love you too, Isaac.” He stroked my cheek, leaned down and covered his mouth with mine.
18
“I can’t believe you’re coming home today,” Haley squealed through the line.
“I know. It’ll be so great to see you again.” I balanced the phone on my shoulder while I shoved the last few items of clothing into my suitcase. “I have so much to tell you.”
“So, you’ve been holding out on me, huh?”
“There was just no way to tell you everything over the phone. In order to hear all my stories we need to have an all night gab session.”
“Oooh, complete with popcorn and mint chip ice cream?”
“For sure.”
“I can’t wait! I also have some news to share with you too.”
“Let me guess. You and Derek are back together?”
“No. I don’t even want him. I’ve met someone new.”
“Anyone I know?”
“No. He’s new to the area.”
“I can’t wait to hear all about him.”
When we hung up, the familiar sound of a basketball dribbling drew my attention. I peeked out of the blinds and saw Isaac in his driveway shooting hoops. My heart tugged. I would miss him so much. How would I survive without him? Sure we’d made endless promises to stay in touch through email and phone, but it wouldn’t be the same.
“Ready?” Mom filled the doorway. She looked happier than ever before. This trip had been good for her. It had been good for all of us.
I nodded, hoisted up my suitcase.
“Grandma’s unlocked the car so you can throw your stuff in the trunk.
I walked past her, pulling my luggage behind me. While I shoved it in the trunk I saw Rhiannon approaching out of the corner of my eye.
“You weren’t gonna leave without saying good-bye, were you?”
“Of course not. I was just gonna head over to your house.”
“It was quite a summer, wasn’t it?”
I smiled warily. “I’m sorry about everything I put you through.”
She batted away my apology. “Please. You’ve apologized like a million times.”
“It’s just that I feel bad.”
“Well stop. I’m over it.” Her ruby red lips curved in a smile. “It was probably good anyway.”
“Oh yeah? Why’s that?”
“Well, for one thing I’ve stopped fooling around with magic. After seeing how dangerous it can be I don’t want anything to do with it anymore.”
“That’s probably smart.”
Mom stepped out on the porch. “Kenzie. We need to get going. Come inside and make sure you got everything.”
“I guess this is good-bye,” Rhiannon said.
“For now. We’ll be back for Christmas.”
“Cool.”
I hugged her tight. “I’ll miss you.”
“Okay, okay.” She shoved me away. “Let’s not get all mushy.”
I giggled. “See you later.”
“Yeah. Later.”
I went inside, scoured the house one last time. Memories of Wesley lurked in every corner of every room. I would miss Grandma but it would be nice to be out of this house for a little while.
“Got everything?” Mom asked.
“Yep.”
She glanced at her watch. “We have a few minutes. You better go say good-bye to him now.”
My heart broke at the mere mention of it. I tore out of the house, raced next door. Tears were on my cheeks before I even saw him. He stood in the driveway, basketball in hand. This is where he was the first time I’d seen him and it’s exactly how I would remember him. Without saying a word he dropped the ball, bridged the gap between us and took me in his arms.
I wept into his shirt, soaking it with my salty tears. They lingered on my tongue, burned my eyes.
“Don’t cry,” he said.
“I can’t help it. I’m gonna miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too.”
I peered up at him, my hair falling in my face. He gently brushed it away from my eyes, leaned down to kiss me tenderly on the lips.
“Don’t forget about me, okay?” I said.
He shook his head. “That could never happen.”
“Promise?”
“Kenzie, I love you. You’ll be in my thoughts every moment of every day.”
The words made my body tingle from head to toe. How did I get so lucky?
“I have a present for you.” He pulled a tiny box out of his pocket.
Reaching for it, my heart raced with excitement. Inside was a silver cross necklace. “It’s beautiful.”
“Wear it to always remind you that you are a child of God.”
I smiled, fingering the piece of jewelry. “Thank you. It’s perfect.”
“Here, let me help you put it on.”
After he fastened it on my neck, Grandma hollered, “Mackenzie, It’s time to go.”
“It’s not too late for you to stow away in my luggage,” I teased.
“Or I can hide you in my basement. I’m sure no one will ever notice.” He chuckled.
“You don’t know how tempting that is.”
“Hey.” He stroked my cheek with the back of his hand. “It’s only until December. Then we’ll see each other again and it’ll be the best Christmas ever.”
“Yeah, just don’t go meet some gorgeous blonde who will steal you away from me.”
“I’m already dating a gorgeous blonde.” His eyes seared into mine.
“Mackenzie!” This time it was Mom. “We really have to go.”
“I love you, Isaac.” I pecked him lightly on the cheek and then turned away before he could see me crying again. I ran all the way to the car and never looked back until I was safely inside buckling my seat belt. As the car pulled out of the driveway I looked over at Isaac who stood at the curb waving. With tears spilling down my cheeks I waved until we turned the corner.
At the airport, Grandma dropped us at the curb. Cutting the engine she came around the car and helped us pull our luggage out of her trunk. Once everything was out, she faced us. Her eyes were shining.
“Well, this is it.” She spread out her palms in front of her. “Gosh, the time went by so fast. I can hardly believe you two are leaving.”
My emotions were raw from all the goodbyes. I lunged at Grandma, wrapping her in a huge embrace. She let out a pleased chuckle and patted my back.
“Thanks for everything, Grandma.”
“Don’t mention it. You’re welcome anytime.” She looked over at Mom. “Both of you.”
‘Thanks.” Mom hugged her swiftly, but I saw her eyes misting over. “I love you.”
“I love you both. Now go on. Get outta here.” She swiped at her wet cheeks. “I have to move my car.”
“See you soon,” I called as she got back in her vehicle.
The airport was a madhouse and I was so relieved when we finally boarded our flight. I tucked my carry on i
n the overhead compartment and slumped down into my seat as other passengers filed past me. Pulling my headphones out of my pocket I shoved them into my ears grateful for the distraction. I didn’t want to think about Isaac right now for fear that I’d end up bawling my eyes out in front of a plane full of strangers. Purposefully, I chose a play list that didn’t include any sappy love songs.
Mom busied herself by pulling out her latest mystery novel and burying her face in it. Leaning my head against the seat I let the loud rock beat fill my ears, dull my senses. Passengers were still boarding and a steady stream of people continued down the aisle.
Suddenly, my heart stopped. Walking toward me, wearing a large grotesque grin was Wesley dressed like my dad. His evil black eyes locked with mine.
I grabbed Mom’s arm. She looked up from her book, her eyebrows raised in a question.
“What?” she asked.
“Mom, it’s him. He’s here.”
“Who?”
“Wesley.”
“Not this again, Kenzie.”
She still didn’t believe my story, even after Isaac brought me home from the bridge that awful night.
“See, look. He’s right there!” I pointed at the man approaching me but it wasn’t Wesley. It was just a man who resembled him. I blinked. Could I have just been imagining it?
“He’s not there,” I whispered, confused.
Mom shot me an irritated look.
“Sorry,” I mumbled. Turning up the volume, I breathed deeply to slow my heart rate back down. I was sure that was Wesley. My mind was probably just playing tricks on me. I mean, it couldn’t have been him, right? I scanned the passengers. He was nowhere to be seen. So, I resolved to let it go. I was safe now. I had to believe that.
Reaching up to my neck, I touched the silver cross that Isaac gave me. No matter what happened I would be alright now. I had found a power far greater than any other and I could call on Him at any time.
Look for Book 2: