Dead End: Midnight Hollow by Penn Cassidy (free novel 24 TXT) 📗

“Oh, luv, what happened to her?” Damon asked, reaching down to stroke Jessica’s fuzzy spine, his brows lowered over yellow eyes. I could see the concern in those eyes that momentarily flickered back to grey.

“Payton had her! That crazy ass clown did this! I’ve failed Jessica. I didn’t know, but I should have!” I sobbed, watching the aunties grind up herbs in a bowl as they silently worked together. I choked as I added, “She was gone for three days, and I should have known something was wrong!”

“Oh dear… The clown girl will see consequences, I promise you that. We’ll try everything we can to save Jessica,” Auntie Fe muttered and exchanged a quick glance with her sister before applying a mushy substance to Jessica’s wound.

I felt her pulse flutter under my palm, and I snuggled my face against hers as we waited with our breath held. I already knew I was too late. Jessica’s eyes blinked open, her gaze unfocused as she lay her head down into the palm of my hand, staring up at me.

“It’ll be okay, Toby. It’s still me, yo girl, Jessica… I love you…” She said the words so softly, it was nearly a whisper.

Her squeaky voice was broken, and I could feel the numbness in every word. Her eyes slid shut just as her pulse stopped thudding on my palm.

“No, no, no, Jessica!” I cried out, sobbing so hard, my shoulders shook and my tears soaked into her fur as I cradled her close to my chest.

My tears just kept falling, and I could hear Maddie crying off to the side. Jessica’s body was limp, her legs uncurling against my skin.

Norman’s cold fingers caressed my neck as he pulled me close and let me cry into his collarbone. “I’m going to kill that clown and drain her dry,” Norman hissed, his voice low and deadly. He stood, as if to carry out that promise.

“I’m sorry child,” Fe said sadly. “We’ll give her a proper burial.” Auntie Pip tried to grab Jessica but my heart was too raw and broken. I couldn’t let go.

“No! She’s my familiar, and she’s coming back no matter what!” I shouted, pulling her closer to my chest. “No more pain…no more loss…” I stared down at her lifeless body, feeling my throat close up, and tried to concentrate with everything I had inside me.

“Toby, she’s gone. Let her rest.” Maddie knelt down, grabbed my shoulders, and placed her forehead against mine as tears streamed down her cheeks.

“She’s not completely gone yet…” I said desperately. “I need to try first because it’s all I have to give. I have to try.”

She nodded and hovered her hand over mine as it rested on Jessica. The guys gathered around me, each of them touching me, surrounding our crouched position to offer support, while the aunties started swaying in place with their eyes closed and their heads tilted back to the moons. I closed my own eyes, praying I knew what the hell I was doing so I could bring my girl back.

“Love you too, Jessica,” I whispered softly.

I thought about my parents, what I’d lost and what more I could lose. I thought about the love I’d gained in return after I thought I’d lose the guys too. I could do this. I did it before without knowing what I was doing. It was in my blood…

“Please just come back!” I shouted, feeling something sharp and static pump through my veins, like a defibrillator just shocked my nervous system.

“Something’s happening, October, keep going,” Michael said in excitement, his hands sliding through my hair, and I could feel him like his soul was somehow completely attached to mine.

A feeling built inside me, and it was like I could feel each of their individual energies as they laid their palms on my body. My four men who I brought back from the grave funneled something into me, a power I’d never felt before and it made me hopeful. In that moment, I could feel her.

“Idcirco praecipio tibi ut vivere! Pertinent es ad me, et ego dominus mortis!” The words flowed from my lips before I knew what I was saying, but somehow, I knew they were the right words. I could feel it in my bones, my connection to the earth…my connection to life and death itself. It was working.

Thunder crashed and lightning swirled. The black sky flashed green, and the moons disappeared behind the clouds. It felt as if the earth was shaking with every one of my tears that dripped into the soil next to my little spider.

Then suddenly, a shock rippled through me, and I felt the faint pulse of her heart beating into the palm of my hands, so I squeezed my eyes tighter. I pulled power from the guys, my soul absorbing straight to the heart. I suddenly knew Jessica would come back, because I demanded it.

Thump, thump, thump…

“October…” came a broken voice from below. “That you?” Jessica rasped, and I felt my whole body slump in relief as soon I opened my eyes to see her staring up at me.

I couldn’t begin to describe the pure joy that bloomed in my chest at the sight of all those beady little eyes. Tears streamed down my face as the lightning and thunder began to dissipate around us.

“That’s my girl!” Jason smacked a pleased kiss on my temple as the guys shouted, whooped, and knocked knuckles.

“Our girl, dumbass,” Freddy growled out as he shoved everyone aside. He picked me up, swinging Jessica and I around as she let out a peel of laughter. It was a balm to my heart to hear that laughter, and I couldn't help but join her.

“This calls for a celebration! I’ll get the cider!” Auntie Pip declared, slapping Cal on the shoulder as she strode by.

He was standing there awkwardly, and when my eyes connected with his, he offered a smile