“I wasn’t supposed to live?” I asked.
“No. You were supposed to die, but I couldn’t let you. I loved you so much, I just couldn’t hand your body and soul over to the demons. They beat the archangels to the scene. You are too good, too pure to be sent to hell.”
“Those men, they are after us. The want revenge. They want to take what they believe is theirs; you,” shaking his head, Liam sucked in a breath and I could feel his body growing tense. “I won’t let them have you, you are mine.”
“Liam, you have to tell me…”
Before I could finish my sentence, Liam cut me off and refused to allow me to speak.
“I have a plan, this will all end soon,” he said, as he placed his head on my shoulder and sighed.
Offering a slight laugh, I smiled. “You know, I guess we could count this as a date,” I mused.
Shaking his head, Liam held up his hands to stop me from saying any more. “No, this is not how our first date is supposed to go,” he sighed. “I promise, once this is all taken care of, I will make it up to you.”
Neither of us said anything else. We didn’t have the answers we needed. Maybe we never would. All we could do was hope that Liam was given this opportunity to free himself from his otherworldly obligations and that he could somehow stay with me.
***
That night after Liam left my house, he made me promise I wouldn’t leave my house unless he was by my side. I promised because I didn’t want to be anywhere without him anyway. News reporters were all over the double murders in our town and school hand been canceled for the following week as well. Everyone was on high alert, looking for creepy men with a hatred for prep-school teachers. However, I knew better. I knew that what they should be looking for were evil demons sent from hell to get yours truly. I doubt they knew that though!
The next afternoon I was still on a heavenly high from Liam’s confession that he loved me and the swirling possibilities that we could figure this all out. Ronnie stopped by my house to visit with me. She was visibly shaken by all of the excitement and fear floating throughout our town. Telling me to lock the doors, my dad took Victoria on a vacation to Florida. I guess she was just too startled with all of the deadly events taking place to stay here. Glad they thought to take me too. Not.
Sitting in my living room, Ronnie and I were enjoying a pepperoni pizza we had ordered from a local pizzeria. After the delivery boy delivered our food, we sat down with Netflix and decided to enjoy our day off of school.
After we were finished eating, Ronnie wiped her hands and then turned off the television.
“Hey, we were almost to the best part!” I called, as she stopped the movie just as the couple was about to get back together in the romantic comedy we were watching. I knew it was cheesy, but I couldn’t help it.
“Nora, I want to talk to you about something,” she said, her voice hesitant.
I cringed internally as she turned our light-hearted afternoon into something more serious. With evil demons on my mind, I really didn’t want to focus on anything but a stupid romantic comedy and of course; Liam.
“Okay,” I said, waiting for what she had to say.
“I just want to know what is going on with you and Liam,” she asked, her eyes refusing to look at mine.
“What do you mean?” I asked. “I told you we were dating. We have a strong chemistry and we really like each other.”
“I know that’s what you told me, but what do you really know about him?” she asked, finally turning to face me. She eyed me carefully like I would go crazy at any second.
“I know he is a great guy who cares about me. I know that he wants to protect me. I know that he has a troubled past, but he is the sweetest guy I know,” I stated as I heard my voice growing defensive. “Look, I already have to go see a therapist and talk about stuff like this. You are my friend, Ronnie. I need you to support my relationship, not treat me like a child,” I scolded.
Shaking her head, Ronnie jumped off the couch startling me. “Look, we all have been talking. Teddy said you leave with him in the morning and don’t return back until late at night. People say he lives somewhere in the woods, but no one knows where. Have you met his parents? Does he have parents?” she threw her words at me with a vengeance and I felt like I needed protective armor to defend myself. “Plus, you almost were accused of murder. This is going beyond just a high school crush. This is serious, don’t you understand that? When is this going to end?” she cried out.
“First of all, Teddy needs to come to me first if he has a problem. I barely see him anymore, so I don’t know why he thinks he can talk about me behind my back. I am free to do whatever I want and that includes leaving with Liam anytime I want. Secondly, if anyone wants to know anything about Liam, they should just ask him. His personal life is his business, not a topic of gossip,” I shouted at her. I couldn’t believe that Ronnie was doing this to me. She knew how much turmoil I had been through over the last few years. “I know this is serious,” I continued. My face was growing hot and I could feel anger building inside of me, the blaze about to erupt. “I am the one who was almost accused of murder. I am the one who lost my mother and have been trying to find myself ever since. Now, I am the one about to lose my best friend because she can’t see that I am finally starting to be happy again. Liam has brought me out of my own darkness and you want to judge him?” I shouted as I sat back and tried to regain my break.
“Nora, you have to calm down,” Ronnie cried out as she watched my chest heaving rapidly as I struggled to calm my anger. “Don’t you think it is odd that once he arrived, bad things started to happen? I just want you to open your eyes and look at the situation through logical eyes. Don’t you think he may have a secret to hide?” she asked.
“No. That is not true,” I practically screamed back at my best friend. “He had been here much longer than you think,” I said, crossing my arms across and chest.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Ronnie asked.
“Nothing. It’s not important,” I seethed.
“Yes, it is,” Ronnie seethed. “Liam shows up at our school. The new kid. Then, just a few days later our principal is murdered and the entire town is shaken up. Who are his parents? Where did he come from? Why is he here?” she asked again as she stared daggers at me.
I couldn’t believe my best friend was acting this way. I was finally happy and finding myself and she couldn’t find a way to be happy for me?
“Get out, Ronnie!” I screamed.
I ran up to my bedroom and slammed my door shut. I refused to leave my room again until I heard the front door open and then finally close again. After Ronnie left I was seething. The nerve of my so-called best friend to question my relationship with Liam. Even though I knew she had a right to ask, I hated that she did.
It was only a matter of time before people began asking questions about Liam’s family and his past. My fear told me that was probably the point when Liam decided to leave a town. He wasn’t going to do that this time. He finally found me and I was his. I wouldn’t let him leave me now.
Shoving my blankets over my head, I heard my phone buzz. Angry, I didn’t want to talk to anyone but I had to see if it might be Liam. Glancing at my phone, I saw Ronnie’s number on the screen.
Ronnie: I understand you are mad. I am sorry. I am just worried about you. I love you.
I paused before typing a response. I was livid, beyond furious at her, but I understood her concern for me. I didn’t have the best track record with making the best decisions and Liam was so private, I knew she wanted to know about him. Even though I wanted to remain angry with her, I just couldn’t.
Me: I’m mad at you… but I love you too. Liam is a good guy, you just have to trust me. I promise you will see.
Ronnie: Give me time, I believe you.
Me: Come over tomorrow, I have something to tell you.
Ronnie: Okay.
I shut off my phone and cried myself to sleep. Even though
I knew I shouldn’t, I decided to tell Ronnie about Liam. This could ultimately end badly, or she could understand. Either way, I couldn’t keep this secret for much longer if I wanted to keep Ronnie in my life.
***
The next afternoon, Ronnie’s dad drove her to my house. We both waved as he drove away, reminding us that he would be back to get her in a few hours. Taking her by the hand, I led Ronnie up to my room where we could be alone. As my uncle had promised, my dad and step-mom had returned and showed no signs of leaving anytime soon. I wasn’t used to having my house filled with my family and I was annoyed with the lack of privacy that gave me.
As Ronnie walked over and sat on the edge of my bed, I closed my bedroom door and checked the lock. Noticing my strange behavior, Ronnie’s eyes grew wide and her brows arched.
“Nora, what is going on? You are starting to scare me,” she said, as she crossed her legs and waited for me to respond.
Slowly walking to the bed, I sat down next to her. Taking a deep breath, I exhaled calmly as I prepared myself to tell her the entire truth.
“Ronnie, I’m sorry that we fought yesterday. I have something big to tell you, but I need you to promise me that you will remain calm and just hear me out until I am finished.”
Watching her carefully, Ronnie nervously tucked a loose strand of her red hair behind her ear. “Okay, I will listen,” she said with a sigh.
As I began to tell her my secret, I found the words spilling out of me like lava. I began with the night of the car wreck that destroyed my family. I explained the blue eyes and the men arguing. I moved down the timeline of events to all the times I felt I had been watched and the night not so long ago, when I almost met my demise again. The events continued to pour out of me as I gave her every detail. Every fear and worry. I shared my love for Liam, his protection over me. I confided in her that Liam destroyed the course of actions set out for me, that I was supposed to die along with my mother but he couldn’t let me. I told her how the murders and vandalism happening throughout our town were warnings to me and Liam. I finally ended with sharing with her that Liam planned to take care of these men on his own, but I wasn’t going to let him do this by himself.
I finished spilling my secrets and sat back and waited for a reaction from Ronnie. I half expected her to scream and run out of my room. I had just told her that every monster and supernatural being we thought were just make believe, really existed in Shady Oaks. She should have called me crazy. But she didn’t. Instead, Ronnie threw her arms around me and began crying, loud sobs escaping from her pink lips.
Unsure of what to do, I patted her back and comforted her. I knew the information I had just thrown at her was a lot to handle, I mean, I was still trying to decipher it all myself.
Leaning back, Ronnie wiped away her tears and smiled at me. “Nora, I don’t know what to say. All of that… it’s just awful.”
“You believe me?” I asked in bewilderment.
“Of course, I do!” she exclaimed. “Nora, you may be crazy at times and make stupid decisions, but you are not a liar. Plus, somehow everything you just told me makes sense. It is a little wild, but it pieces all of the missing pieces of the puzzle together.”
“Ronnie, this makes me so happy. At first, I wanted to keep Liam and these events, my own little secret, but now as things are getting deadlier, I just had to tell you. I didn’t want to lose your friendship.”
Hugging me again, Ronnie and I cried together as we accepted that my fate was no longer in my hands. I was supposed to die two years ago, but I didn’t. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen to me now, but I knew Liam would rise from the ashes of the destruction we caused and find a way to save us both.
“Nora,” Ronnie said through tears. “I have something to tell you. But, for now, my secret can wait.”
I wanted to press her, but knew better of it. I could only handle one life altering event right now.
CHAPTER 13
After a month-long investigation and no more signs that the killers were going to act out again, our town was taken off high alert. The school reopened and everyone went back to their lives as normal; except for me and Liam.
I spent my Thursday afternoons in detention with Sammy. On the bright side, I was getting my homework done so when I got home I had more time to talk with Liam. My therapy sessions were turning out to be sort of helpful. Even though I was sharing my feelings with Ms. Allan, my hippie-looking therapist, I still had to keep parts of my life a secret. Liam drove me to my therapy sessions and waited outside until our time was up.
Neither of us believed that the demons had just vanished and decided to leave us alone. They were waiting. They were intricately weaving a web, devising a plan to catch us off guard so they could finish their job for good. However, Liam was always one step ahead and kept his eyes open and stayed vigilant.
With school back in session again, graduation and prom buzz became the new topic of conversations. No longer did people talk about the murders or the fire. Now it was ordering caps and gowns and deciding on the perfect theme for prom.
“So…” I began as Liam and I walked down the hall toward our American Literature class. “Prom and graduation are coming up,” I hinted, hoping he would take the bait.
“Yes, so I have heard,” he said, keeping a straight face.
Huffing, I felt like crossing my arms and stomping like a toddler. “Well, I know you have probably been to several proms and graduations throughout the years, but I haven’t.”
Trying to hide his laugh, Liam smiled down at me. Running a hand through his messy black hair, I almost became mesmerized by his enchanted looks. “I only went to one prom and one graduation,” he replied.
“Seriously?” I asked.
‘Yes, I think they are lame,” he finished.
Stopping in my tracks, my mouth shot open and fell to the ground. I couldn’t believe this. Here I was trying to hint for my boyfriend to take me to prom and he had the nerve to tell me prom was lame?
Finally allowing his laughter to escape, Liam held his stomach as he threw an arm around me. “Nah, I was just kidding.”
“I am going to kill you,” I pouted as I tried to escape from his embrace.
Holding me tighter, Liam placed a kiss on top of my head. “Sorry, but I am already dead,” he chuckled.
Nudging him in the stomach with my elbow, I began to pout. “Hey, not funny.”
“Seriously, I really did only go to one prom and one graduation. I never wanted to go to the others because I think those are special occasions that you should spend with someone you love and care about. I have waited a long time to have this moment to take you to prom,” he finished with a devilish smirk.
Raising my brows, I realized what he was saying. “Really? You want to take me to prom?” I almost yelled.
Students were shoving past us as we stopped in the hall. I jumped into his arms and kissed him as I laughed.
“What is going on?” Ronnie asked, as she appeared next to us. I never even saw her approach.
“Liam is taking me to prom,” I said with a smile.
“Great,” Ronnie gushed. “I guess we could all go together then,” she mused.
“All of us?” I questioned as I raised my eyes at her.
“Yes, Teddy asked me to prom,” she said with a smile.
In the back of my mind I was surprised that he hadn’t asked Aleece, but I didn’t dare voice that aloud.
“Since you have been busy lately,” she said, pointing to Liam, “Teddy and I have been spending a lot of time together.”
Stepping toward her, I giggled. “Does this mean you two are a couple?” I asked.
“Yes,” Ronnie shrieked.
“So, I guess Aleece is ok with it?” I asked, wanting to kick myself for allowing the words to escape.
Giving me a strange smile, Ronnie rolled her eyes. “I guess I saw that coming,” she began. “I totally thought Teddy and Aleece had a thing for each other, but I was wrong. They ar
e friends. Nothing more. Aleece is apparently into someone else, only she won’t tell who,” Ronnie finished with a shrug.
“That’s awesome, I am happy for you all,” I exclaimed.
Jumping, Ronnie and I hugged as we began planning our dresses and how we could order a limo to take us and where we should eat before prom. Liam followed us into class laughing at our excitement.
After school, I placed a blanket on my front lawn to enjoy the afternoon sun as I sifted through magazines trying to find the perfect prom dress. Ronnie and I were going to go shopping that weekend, but I wanted to have a few ideas in mind.
Just as I circled a beautiful green and silver floor length gown in the magazine, I heard Liam’s motorcycle roar into view.
“I was right!” Liam exclaimed as he rushed toward me. He had jumped off his bike and with his helmet still on.
“Hey,” I said sitting up and greeting him. “What is going on?”
Shoving a letter in my face, Liam forced me to read the words written in black on the stained, yellow paper. Each letter seemed to be etched into the paper, almost burned with fire.
Dear Liam,
We have tried several times to no avail to warn you to leave the girl and leave the town. Due to your inability to follow the plans set out in front of you, we have decided that a life will be lost each time you refuse to abide by our rules. A deal was made. Respect that or face the consequences. Meet us at Shady Oaks Park on May 15th at midnight. This will end peacefully or with more blood on your hands.
-Luther
I read and re-read the letter a million times before glancing up at Liam. “So, this means…” but I couldn’t finish my words.
“Yes, they confirmed my suspicions. It appears that Luther, the dark angel who wanted to steal your soul that night, is behind the murders in this town. I have to meet them. I have to end this,” he said, shaking his head in pure agony.
“I will go with you,” I said, as I stepped into him.
Shady Oaks Series: Out of Darkness Page 10