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

Gray pondered for a moment. “There may be a way. But you’re right; it’s best to let it sit for now. When she’s being stubborn, there is no convincing her of anything. Looks like we wait… again.”

“Okay, her phone is being tracked.”

“And?”

“Give it a minute, she’s barely out of the driveway.” Damien said, watching the dot moving on the map. “Turning left onto Highland Road.” He waited a few more moments. “Okay, looks like she’s headed back to the motel.”

“The stalker motel?”

“Yeah, the stalker motel. Yep, she’s stopped there.”

“Unbelievable. What is going on with that?”

“No idea, but I agree, it’s really strange for her.”

“Should we go over there? Confront them? Find out what’s going on?”

“Do you really think that’s a good idea? I mean, the last time we confronted Josie we almost killed her.”

“We didn’t almost kill her. I’m not happy about what happened, but we didn’t almost kill her.”

“Well I thought we had.”

“And you’re not worried about her being almost killed now? Or disappearing? Running around after a head injury with some crazy stalker.”

“Yes, I’m worried about her, but I think perhaps now that we have some new facts we can go about it differently, maybe get the information without causing her to, you know, be knocked unconscious in a fight,” Damien said, shrugging.

“I guess.”

“Oh, movement, look, she’s on the move again.”

“Where to now, I wonder? And is he with her?”

They watched the dot moving along the map for a few minutes. “Umm,” Damien said, pausing. “Looks like she’s coming home?”

“Looks like it.”

“Yep, she’s turning on Highland. Almost here.”

The two stared at the screen for a moment longer before Michael suggested, “Ah, yeah, maybe we should sit down, pretend we haven’t been spying on her.”

“Yeah, good idea.” They raced to sit down, Michael plopping onto the couch and grabbing the newspaper, quickly opening it, Damien threw himself into an arm chair, grabbing his iPad.

Within minutes, Josie came through the door. She eyed the scene in front of her, stopping herself just short of rolling her eyes. “Oh, hey, Jos,” Damien said, “still feeling okay?”

“Yeah, you sure you two are feeling okay?”

“Yeah, why do you ask?” Damien asked.

“Well, Michael is reading the paper upside-down and you are working with a blank screen on your iPad.”

Michael scowled. “Okay, you caught us. We are upset and worried about you. We weren’t concentrating on what we were doing. I still think we should have taken you to the emergency room.”

Josie looked at them both. How frustrated she had been with them earlier. The moment had passed, she was ready to move on. This was the life she was choosing. She could understand how upset they were. She walked over, joining Michael on the couch. She sighed. “I’m fine, I don’t need to go to the ER. And there is no reason to worry. I am fine. And to put your minds further at ease, I said goodbye to Gray. I told him to leave me alone.”

“Gray? The stalker guy?” Michael asked.

“Yeah, the stalker guy. Time to get back to normal.”

“That sounds great, Josie,” Damien said. “We can go to Dr. Reed’s with you tonight. We want to help you get back to normal.”

“I’m not going, I’m canceling the appointment.”

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Michael asked. “Sorry, I don’t mean to push you, I’m just asking.”

“I think it is. I can always go back if things don’t continue to improve but I think I’ve turned the corner.”

“Okay, well, that sounds like a plan then,” Michael said.

“All right, well, I’m going to cancel that appointment and then what do you say we order something to eat? Pizza?”

“Awesome, yes, please!” Damien said.

“Great.” Josie rose and disappeared upstairs.

“Wow, talk about a complete turnaround, huh?” Damien exclaimed.

“Yeah, I’m almost afraid to believe it. Seems too good to be true. You mind if I hang around another week or so just to be sure she’s okay?”

“Nope, I don’t mind at all. When you’re around, she’s so busy being mad at you she never gets mad at me.” He grinned.

“Glad that’s working out for you,” Michael joked back. “Hey, while I’m here, keep that phone tracker on. Just in case.”

“Sure thing,” Damien said.

Chapter 16

When Josie awoke early the next morning, she remembered experiencing the dream again, running through the cave, hands bloody. Now that she remembered everything about her past, the dream had made much more sense and felt much less overwhelming. Still, she had assumed once she remembered everything the dream would no longer trouble her. Why she had the dream again perplexed her. Was it a remnant of stress from remembering her past?

She laid in bed for a few moments before she got up to jog. She considered her day; there were a few work items to take care of this morning. She hoped everyone else in the household was going to the office today, leaving her time to embrace her newfound memories and begin to act like Josie again. She had acted very “un-Josie-like” yesterday; she had to be careful to continue to behave like Josie. She wanted things to return to normal. She didn’t have long before this could become permanent; she had to make it through.

After changing clothes, she checked her phone. A text message from Gray was waiting: Celine… need to see you… urgent

She rolled her eyes and sighed. This was not what she needed. Not only did she not want to continue involving herself with Gray, but she also did not want her roommates finding out that she was still involved with him. She texted back: Told you yesterday I can’t help you

The response was almost immediate: Celine, please… I heard what you said, but I need your help… just for a few minutes.

Perhaps the best way to deal with Gray was to meet with him and reinforce to him she could not help him. If she ignored him, he’d likely show up when she least expected him, probably at the worst possible moment. She texted back: Meet