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

“We made great progress!” Amelia answered.

“Progress? Did you find out why I’m having these dreams and visions?”

“I would expect you to continue to have both, but I hope they will be a little less taxing for you. I’d like to see you again, perhaps Thursday. Let’s skip a day to let your mind settle.”

“What? That’s it? No solid answers? I don’t feel much different, I mean I feel okay, but I didn’t learn any more than I did before.”

“Josie, we need to let your mind come to its own understanding. But I’d like to push your mind to do that faster, I recognize the toll it’s taking on you. I think you may find that you do feel different overall, particularly with respect to the visions.”

Josie sighed. “Okay, okay, I’ll trust you for now. Thanks, Millie.” Josie paused a moment before looking at Amelia, surprise on her face. “Where did that come from? I’m sorry, Dr. Gresham.”

“It’s ok, Josie. It’s my nickname.”

“Yeah, but you never told me that. How did I know it?”

“I told you things would be different. The memories you have of me are starting to integrate into your mind.”

“I’ll take your word for that.” She shook her head in disbelief.

“I’ll take that and see you again Thursday to help you remember more.” Amelia clicked off the tape recorder, standing and putting it in her purse.

“You said I could get a copy of that?” Josie said, also standing.

“I’d be happy to share it with you after I’ve had the chance to write my notes on the session. I can share it with you on Thursday.”

“Okay. Well, thanks. What time Thursday?”

“Anytime that works for you, Josie.”

“Can we do it around noon?”

“Sure. I will come by Thursday at noon.”

“Great. I’ll walk you down.”

Josie unlocked the door and took Amelia downstairs. Both men stood as they walked down the stairs. “Thanks again, Dr. Gresham.” Amelia left, retrieving her umbrella from the porch. Josie closed the door, turning to find both Damien and Michael staring at her.

“Well?” Michael prompted.

“She said it was a productive session. She said I would be more settled and see improvement. And I feel better, since I woke up I feel decent. She said I might still have the dreams and stuff but she said we made good progress. She said we’ll have another session on Thursday.”

“What, that’s it?” Michael asked.

“Yep. I am, however, starving, so let’s go make dinner.”

“Did she give you a copy of the tape?” Damien asked.

“Ah, no, she said she would bring one on Thursday, she wanted to make notes.”

“So, you don’t know what happened in the session?”

“No, I don’t. Maybe that’s for the best though. Maybe knowing what happened last time was worse for me. Now can we please go eat?”

“Sure,” Damien said, glancing at Michael.

After dinner, Josie suggested they settle in to watch some T.V. and try to relax for the rest of the evening. As they settled down, she checked her phone, noticing a text from Grayson: How are you?

Josie answered: Fine, not much different, but no worse so far

Gray answered her immediately: I’d like to see you

Josie considered it for a moment before answering. She wanted to see him, too. She couldn’t explain it but the reluctance she had experienced before seemed to be diminishing. She texted back: Ok, tomorrow morning… mid-jog?

He answered quickly: See you then, Josie

Josie put her phone down and settled into the couch next to Damien. For the first time in weeks, she felt relaxed; she hoped that translated to a more pleasant night’s sleep.

Amelia unlocked the motel room door. “Well?” Grayson demanded, jumping off the bed as soon as she entered the room.

“Well…” She sighed. “You were right, Celine is still there.”

“I knew it!” he exclaimed. “Did you get through to her? Does she remember?”

“I talked to Celine, but she wasn’t very helpful, so no, Josie doesn’t remember yet.”

“You talked to Celine? What did she say?”

“That she couldn’t return and that Josie needed to be protected. I think in the end she may have agreed to allow Josie to share more of her memories. I told her that Josie was being tormented by the snippets she was getting. I’m hoping that works. I see her again Thursday.”

“Thursday? Why not tomorrow?”

“Give her mind a chance to relax, Gray. We’ll find out more Thursday.”

He nodded his head. “Okay. Okay, sorry, Millie, I’m just impatient.”

“I know, Gray, I know. But we’re getting there, this is real progress.”

Progress, finally, Gray thought, or at least he hoped so. He wanted to see her, needed to see her, needed to observe if the progress was real. He sent her a text and waited for a response. It seemed like lately all he was doing was waiting.

Chapter 13

The next morning Josie’s alarm woke her. For the first time in weeks, she had slept, experiencing no nightmares. She basked in the sleep she had gotten for a moment before rising from her bed. Getting up, she opened the music box. As she started to dress for her jog, she remembered that she was meeting Grayson this morning. The idea brought a smile to her face.

She hit the road with a spring in her step. She had almost forgotten how revitalizing a good night’s sleep could be. As she approached the end of the road she saw Gray, leaning against his car. She continued toward him when a pain shot across her head. She slowed to a stop, shutting her eyes for a moment. As she did so, a memory formed in her mind. It was Gray; he stood in a large room, a glass of brandy in his hand. He turned to face her. “There you are, darling,” he said, smiling. As quickly as it came, it passed.

Opening her eyes, Gray stood in front of her, having rushed toward her when she stopped. “Josie,” he called, grabbing hold of her, “Josie, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she answered, looking