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

remembering, aren’t you?” the man said again, smiling at her. Josie recognized him, it was the man from the mall and the office supply store. It was obvious now that he was following her.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Josie lied, “I told you to leave me alone.” She turned to leave; he wouldn’t dare follow her to the table with her friends unless he planned on getting into a world of trouble.

“I can help you when you’re ready, Celine!” he called after her.

Josie returned to the table. “Everything okay?” Michael asked, as she sat down.

“Yep,” she lied. “Even better now that the appetizer is here,” she said, helping herself. Neither Michael nor Damien were convinced, but neither wanted to push it.

“Excuse me, miss? I believe you dropped this.” Josie looked up as someone placed something on the table near her. It was the man who had been following her. He left as quickly as he came, turning slightly, giving her a half-smile as he walked away.

Although astounded, Josie said nothing to either of her companions. Instead, she called a ‘thank you’ after him and reached to put what he left into her purse. She glanced at it as she shoved the card in. It was the manager’s card for the restaurant. On the back was scrawled ‘Call me when you’re ready’ along with a phone number. Josie didn’t understand why she didn’t tell anyone else who the man was nor that he had left his phone number with her, but for reasons unknown, she decided it was the best course of action. Instead, she acted nonchalant and returned to eating and conversing as if nothing happened.

The man walked from the restaurant. For the first time he sensed progress. She was beginning to remember; he could see it in her eyes. She knew there was something more and she would soon be ready to accept that along with his help. She now possessed the means to contact him. He hoped she would do so soon. If not, he’d have to push her a little further. Time was of the essence. But even if time wasn’t on their side, he couldn’t help but leave the restaurant with a smile. She would soon be his Celine again.

Chapter 9

Josie sat on the edge of her bed, turning the card over and over in her hands. Questions raced through her mind once again. Why had the man given the card to her? Why did he insist she was someone else? Why had she not said anything to her companions? She let the man who had been following her, who had grabbed her while raving like a madman, walk out of the restaurant without mentioning even a word to them. Josie’s own behavior was scaring her as much as the dreams and the recent visions she had been experiencing.

She heard a noise at the door and shoved the card under her leg. Damien knocked on the door. “Ready for bed?” he asked.

“Yep, I was just about to turn in.”

“You sure you’re okay sleeping alone tonight?”

“Yeah, I’m sure, thanks for checking though. I’m exhausted and I think getting out for that movie did me some good. I’m sure I’ll sleep fine.”

“Are you going to play the music box to put you to sleep?”

“No, don’t even think I need it,” she said, climbing under the covers, keeping the business card hidden.

Damien smiled. “Okay, good night, Jos, sleep tight.”

“Good night.” She smiled back. She closed her eyes, relaxing into her pillow. As soon as she heard the door click closed, she snapped her eyes open. She pulled the card from under the covers where she had hidden it. The same questions poured back into her mind. She was becoming concerned about her judgement yet she couldn’t bring herself to tell anyone about it. She hoped her therapy appointment next week would help. Five days until her next appointment seemed like an eternity. She considered calling the doctor, but even if she did, she would have to wait until Monday. This didn’t qualify as an emergency in her opinion; she would not disturb him over the weekend. She would have to do her best to remain calm before that appointment, as he had suggested.

She cracked the music box open enough to slide the card into it. Closing her eyes, she tried to push everything from her mind and drift to sleep. She willed herself to be strong. She had never been a quitter; she came from stronger stock than that. She would be fine. She kept repeating that to herself until she dozed off.

Despite her best efforts, Josie had a restless night, full of concern about the man following her and her lack of alarm over the situation and her refusal to tell anyone that he had approached her again. It seemed as though she was drawn to him. She had also found herself drawn to the music box again in the middle of the night. She opened it and left it play, finding it the only thing that helped her to get any sleep.

She dragged herself out of bed for her morning jog, afterwards slogging into the kitchen on autopilot to make a cup of tea.

“Bad night?” Michael asked, already up and heading to the gym.

“Not terrible but yeah, the lack of sleep is starting to be an issue.”

“Why don’t you try to go back to sleep now?” he suggested.

“I’m afraid that’ll ruin any chance of sleeping tonight. I’ll be okay,” she said, yawning, “I just need some tea.”

“Okay, if you say so. I’ll be back later.” Josie heard him leaving through the front door. She made it all the way to the porch with her tea before hearing Damien stirring in the house. He soon appeared with a cup of coffee in hand.

“Did you sleep?” he asked.

Josie knew everyone was concerned about her, but the constant conversation about her sleeping habits played on her last tired nerve. “Not really, no nightmares, but