Shadows of the Past: A Supernatural Suspense Mystery (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 1) by Nellie Steele (read aloud .txt) 📗

as she swung, letting her gaze fall to her feet. She smiled, thinking how much she loved being barefoot in the summer. Without warning, another image dashed across her brain. It was fleeting but vivid. It seemed like a memory, yet she couldn’t place it. She was swinging, watching her bare feet in front of her. The scent of flowers hung heavy in the warm air. She leapt from the swing and splayed herself onto the lawn below, the grass cool beneath her. Her curls fell around her, her hair much longer than she ever remembered wearing it. She stared into the crisp blue sky, with white clouds dotting it here and there. The bright sun shone down upon her. She closed her eyes as it warmed her face. “C’est un jour parfait pour être heureux,” she murmured aloud.

Josie stopped the swing, snapping back to reality. Where did that come from? It seemed like a memory. But she did not recognize the place. And it was impossible for her to remember speaking in a language she didn’t know. The so-called memory confused her; her head began to ache. The pain drove the memory from her mind. The music still playing from the music box began to irritate her. She slammed it shut, rubbing her temples.

“Ready to pitch that thing yet?” Michael asked, leaning against the front door jamb, coffee in hand.

Josie sighed. “Please stop startling me like that.”

“Sorry,” he said, making his way over to join her on the swing. “Did you end up getting any sleep?”

“Yes,” she said, still irritated from the pain throbbing in her head.

“Doesn’t sound like enough.”

“I just have a headache. I need some aspirin and another cup of tea.”

“Okay. Hey, I was thinking, we should get out of the house today, take your mind off of things, you know? We could see a movie. Or take a trip to the park. Whatever you want.”

“Yeah, I’ll consider it,” Josie said, hovering in the door. “Let’s see if my headache goes away,” she said, disappearing to retrieve her aspirin and more tea.

She returned about fifteen minutes later, Damien in tow. “Look who I found,” she said, sitting on the swing.

“Did your headache pass?” Michael asked.

“Yes, the aspirin seems to be working already. I think we should go out today. What about a movie? It’ll be too hot for a hike today.”

“Right, yeah, what’s it going to hit over ninety today or something?” Damien asked, always willing to forego physical activity.

“Okay, I’ll even let you guys pick the movie, as long as you promise not to pick something boring,” she teased.

After having a lazy morning, the three selected a matinee showing of an action movie and planned to grab an early dinner after the movie before heading home. The darkened theater erased any traces of the headache Josie experienced earlier in the morning, leaving her relaxed. They left the theater, joking about a few scenes in the movie. Pushing through the exit doors, the heat and bright sun greeted them.

As Josie stepped out, the sunshine blinded her after being in the darkened theater. As soon as she pushed through the door, she felt like a brick struck her. She doubled over, clutching her head. Thoughts raced through her brain, but they made little sense to her. She heard her friends calling her but they sounded like they were miles away. The sensation, while intense, passed within seconds. She recovered, righting herself and taking a deep breath.

“Josie, are you okay? Get the car and bring it,” Damien said to Michael. Michael disappeared, keys in hand to bring the car around.

“I think so,” Josie said. “I got this intense pain in my head and my mind was so blurry. I guess from the sudden heat and sun,” she surmised.

“Yeah, I’d believe that if you didn’t just pass out and end up in the ER. I think you should revisit the hospital.

“No, no way, absolutely not. I’m fine!” Josie insisted.

“Okay, well, maybe we should head straight home, at least.”

“No, no, I’m fine, let’s go eat. I just need some food, my popcorn lunch may not have been a good idea.”

“Are you sure?” Damien asked as the car pulled around toward them.

“Yeah, I’m sure, I’m fine.” She smiled, trying to portray an air of confidence.

Damien opened the door for her and got her into the car, then hopped into the backseat. “Home?” Michael asked, pulling away from the curb.

“No way, I’m hungry, let’s go eat!”

“Really?” he questioned.

“Yes, really. I’m fine, the sun just blinded me, that’s all. I’m fine. I’m fine.”

Michael shot Damien a glance. He shrugged his shoulders. Josie rolled her eyes. “Oh stop it, you two, I’m fine. I won’t be fine if someone doesn’t take me to get something to eat soon though.”

“Okay, okay, we’ll go get something to eat,” Michael said, easing the car onto the road and heading for the restaurant they selected.

The three were seated quickly after arriving and ordered shortly after. Josie excused herself to use the ladies' room after ordering. She looked at herself in the mirror as she washed her hands. What had happened to her when she stepped out of the theater? Despite all her protestations, she wasn’t sure she was okay. The thoughts that spilled through her mind during her attack made no sense to her. They were akin to the image she experienced this morning while sitting on the porch. It seemed as though she was remembering someone else’s life. What was wrong with her? Perhaps she was overtired and her mind was playing tricks on her, she contemplated, as she dried her hands with a paper towel before exiting the bathroom.

No matter what it was, she decided, as she pushed through the door into the hallway, she would not let it ruin her dinner. She would do her best to push it from her mind.

“You’re remembering aren’t you?” a voice said from behind her as she entered the hall.

“What?” she said turning to face the person speaking.

“I said you’re