Atonement (Heaven Sent Book 1) Read online

  The night of the accident Becky was speeding to get home. Gen could feel the demon lulling Becky back into the past with images of that horrible night.

  “That’s right, Becky, let’s spend some time reminiscing back to that fateful day. I want you good and distraught by the time I finish you off tonight.” Schlosser rapidly rubbed his hands together. He was delighting in the moment of demonic interference he was preparing to unleash on Becky.

  Gen used her powers of influence to bring Becky’s focus around to the present. Becky’s eyes shifted from the dashboard to the side window, through which she saw Ron staring back at her. He got in the car and as he closed the door, she questioned, “What was that all about? How long have you been standing there watching me?”

  Ron put his hand behind Becky’s head and pulled her toward him for a kiss. Meeting in the middle they locked lips perfectly. She cooed, “Even after all this time you can still make me feel warm all over with one kiss.”

  Ron smiled “You amaze me Beck, I don’t deserve you.”

  Gen heard Schlosser groan. “You two make me want to vomit.”

  “We deserve each other.” Becky turned back to the wheel. “Now hunker down and get some sleep, no co-piloting tonight.”

  Gen’s chest swelled with a tidal wave of Becky’s emotions. The love and passion she held for her husband were both wonderful and heart wrenching to experience.

  “Thank you for driving. I love you.” Ron grabbed a sweatshirt from the back and rolled it up to use as a pillow. He pulled the lever on the side of the seat, reclined, and fell asleep instantly. Ron began lightly snoring immediately, and Gen knew Schlosser must have used his powers to put Ron into a deep sleep, but Becky was all smiles as she drove away.

  “Oh, isn’t this just all rainbows and lollipops in here!” The demon clapped giddily seeming to thoroughly enjoy the moment. “I can’t have Ron interrupting us. We have important matters to attend to, you and I.” Schlosser went to work immediately with his mind games. “Let’s see how you deal with this one, Becky.” The radio station went out, no static, no fading, nothing, just dead air. As Becky moved her hand to change stations on the wheel, the radio started scanning on its own. One at a time the stations flashed by until it stopped on one playing her wedding song.

  Gen could feel Schlosser tugging Becky’s memories around like pieces of a puzzle he was attempting to rip apart and reorder. Gen resisted the urge to push back, she was going to have to allow him some leeway if she wanted to learn what buttons he was going to push. As Becky’s mind wandered Gen meandered alongside her. Becky was a new charge; Gen had spent only the past couple of months with her. Gen was eager to learn about her new charge’s past, knowing what the demon might be targeting would help Gen mount a defense.

  Memories of various people and places quickly flashed by until visions of the accident three years ago surfaced and became clear. Becky was trapped replaying her worst nightmare for Gen to witness. The afternoon of the accident Becky had been driving too fast on a quiet narrow road. Gen guessed it was springtime, she could smell the air filled with the scent of flowers and fresh cut grass. Gen could feel Becky struggle to free her mind from the onslaught, but Becky couldn’t stop the images. On that late afternoon the darkness hadn’t quite taken hold. The last of the sun cloaked everything Becky could see in a yellow haze that seemed to glow.

  Gen nudged back against Schlosser’s influence with some of her own. Before the accident, Becky began to fear that pregnancy was not in the cards for them. She remembered Ron’s reaction and it made her smile. “Try not to worry, luv. In the end, we’ll always have each other and that’s how we’ll get through whatever comes.”

  Gen knew that Schlosser was reading Becky’s mind as she drifted in and out of the many years of her life. He could sense that the mantra she was repeating from her therapy sessions was working to keep her calm. It helped that Becky was thinking of Ron instead of the haunting memories of her past.

  Gen could feel Becky’s tension fade while her breathing steadied. She was helping her charge let go and enjoy the drive, but then her wedding song came out of the radio again. Gen quivered from the goose bumps Becky had running up and down her arms. She watched as Becky moved her hand to change the dial.

  “It’s a stupid thing to be superstitious about,” Becky whispered. “Just because it was playing the night of the accident doesn’t mean I can’t choose to remember our wedding day when I hear it.”

  “No Becky, it’s not stupid. It’s just what you need to help you remember that night. The fear, the sound of screeching tires, the smell of burning rubber, I need you to remember Becky. It’s not about you and Ron, it’s about the life you took.”

  Gen was losing ground. The strain of keeping up her shield to hide her presence from the demon while swaying Becky was starting to drain her. Gen wiped perspiration from her brow and stretched to relieve some of the achiness that was beginning to set in.

  Once again, Schlosser pulled Becky back to where he wanted her to go: the memory of the car accident where her wedding song billowed out the open car windows. Gen now understood that Becky hadn’t told anyone— not her husband, not even her therapist—that her wedding song was playing on the radio the very moment of the accident. Schlosser was using the song as some sort of mental trigger.

  “Now we’re getting somewhere. You know it’s ridiculous, but you can’t help it, can you? The trip over the edge starts with the wedding song! This is perfect, just when I thought the night was a bust.” Schlosser let out a roaring sinister laugh.

  Gen watched the nightmare come alive again: Becky was driving alone, smiling and happy when the wedding song came on. Gen could see Becky’s past-self turn up the volume and start to sing. With the windows down, Gen could even feel the damp air rush over them as if Schlosser were somehow able to make Becky relive the night of the accident all over again. Gen could sense Becky was driving too fast that night. The road was wet, the tires weren’t fully gripping. Gen watched in horror as she saw the memory of Becky losing control of the vehicle. The steering wheel spinning wildly out from underneath her small hands. Gen was surprised by how real the experience felt; she needed to influence Becky back to the present day.

  Schlosser reveled. “Now, every time you hear that song you don’t think of your wedding day, do you, Becky? You think of that horrific night, the one that nearly killed you and stole your unborn baby.”

  Gen focused her energy and pushed back hard against Schlosser’s barrage; the force sent Becky barreling back to the present. Reaching for the dial Becky changed the station.

  “No, no, no Becky.” Schlosser’s tone turned menacing. “You must remain in the memory of that night. I need you to continue reliving it. Why are you pulling away from it, from me?” Gen could see the demon’s scowl through Becky’s eyes as Schlosser came into focus in the rearview mirror. “How are you able to resist me, bitch?” He spit the words into her ear.

  A mile up ahead Becky slowed for the toll booth. As she opened the window Ron stirred, but didn’t wake.

  “He’s not waking up to help you, Becky. I have him knocked out. No one is coming to help you. Now let’s not waste any more time.” Schlosser sneered at her as she pulled away.

  Having turned the radio down to pay the toll, she was shocked to hear the sound of music slowly increasing inside the car. Just as she was about to turn it down again, she heard the melody and froze, it was the beginning of their wedding song.

  Becky instinctively pleaded, “Oh God, why does this keep playing? I need a little help here.” Pushing the on / off button didn’t shut the radio off. The song came in and out, riddled with static before clarifying and coming in normally.

  “What is going on?” Becky whispered. “Why won’t this shut off?”

  Gen could see Schlosser smirk. “Darling, there is no divine help coming for you tonight.” He let out a loud malevolent laugh. “Now, go ahead and sink back into despair.”

  Gen assumed Becky ha
d uttered the plea under her breath to keep from waking her husband, but it was enough. Gen felt a sweeping surge of energy wash over her. Becky’s plea to Heaven would temporarily strengthen Gen and weaken the demon’s hold. That was part of the bond between human and Guardian.

  Becky turned the dial and found some country music. “This station should be safe.”

  Schlosser was quick to disagree. “Oh Becky, how I wish you could understand, there is absolutely nothing safe about your situation.”

  This dance between good and evil continued for several more hours. Gen managed to keep herself quietly anchored to the roof of the car with her shield, but the effort was daunting. Her power allowed her to hear Becky’s thoughts and feel the weight of her emotions, but her view of Schlosser was limited to random images. The demon wasn’t giving up. Gen was thinking of getting off the car and facing him. Maybe he would back down if he knew it was pointless, that he wouldn’t win this one.

  The last hour ticked by and the sun broke through to warm the morning. Gen knew Schlosser would be able to feel Becky’s confidence gaining by the mile. Her plea had carried them through most of the trip. It wouldn’t be long now; they were close to the exit Becky needed to take. Gen took the opportunity to update Xavier on where she was and told him she would need her full shield for the remainder of the ride. She needed to reserve some energy in case there was a physical altercation with the demon.

  Gen could hear Schlosser begin again. “Oh how I love playing with my food.” The demon snarled. “Now that I have you primed and know what buttons to push, let’s start again, shall we? It seems you are once again pregnant; that is fantastic news. I thrive off the energy new mommies have.” Gen felt Becky’s nausea and cravings, but knew Becky had no idea she was once again pregnant.

  “That baby inside of you is but a speck, you don’t even know it’s there, but I …” Schlosser paused to take a deep breath. “It’s such a high for me when that life force leaves you, I’m just gonna eat it up.” Gen was repulsed and it threw her off balance. The strain to regain control and remain unseen meant she had to temporarily let go of Becky, leaving her vulnerable.

  Becky had pulled off to get gas and as she drove toward the onramp, she noticed a broken-down car, its yellow flashing lights beamed through her windshield. She couldn’t tell what was wrong, but she rolled her window down to ask if they needed assistance. When the man behind the wheel rolled down his window, she could see the couple in the car were much older than her and Ron.

  “Are you okay? Do you need help?” Becky asked.

  Becky felt Ron stir and assumed she’d just woken him.

  The man leaned out to speak to her. “No thank you, my wife is just a little car sick. I’m waiting to see if she’s okay before I start driving again.” He smiled and waved at Becky.

  “Listen closely, Becky.” Schlosser ordered malevolently.

  The older couples side window began to ascend, but not before the song from their radio could be heard playing; it was Becky and Ron’s wedding song.

  Pulling out and onto the highway Gen felt the power inside the car grow darker and Gen knew things had taken a turn for the worse.

  “How are you still asleep Ron?” Becky mumbled “What’s happening to me? Am I losing my mind?” Tears ran hot and swift down her cheeks. Gen could feel Becky break a little inside and knew she was losing.

  CHAPTER TWO

  “There it is, the weeping! This is going so well, Becky. Now, I just need you to drive off the road and die!” Gen could hear Schlosser’s jovial tone turn threatening. His prodding and memory placement had Becky vulnerable to his suggestion.

  Gen had recovered from her momentary lapse. The image of Schlosser eating the soul of Becky’s unborn child was more than a little unnerving. She needed to counter his attacks and fast.

  Becky wiped her tears and turned the radio up, hoping it would wake up Ron. Schlosser had her confused, but she always felt better after talking with her husband, her partner. Gen experienced Becky’s muddled racing thoughts over what the world was trying to tell her. Becky began reciting her mantra but couldn’t seem to make it all the way through. She kept getting stuck in the middle and would start over. She thought about work, but that only confused her more. Becky was remembering the past several weeks when she’d been sick several mornings in a row, and how when she heard her favorite client was leaving to go to a competitor, she cried openly.

  “They must have thought I was crazy,” she said aloud, denouncing her own behavior.

  Moving her arm over to Ron, she nudged him. “Honey, you okay?” Ron mumbled something incoherent in return and rolled over.

  “Great, he chose tonight to sleep like the dead.” Becky huffed. “No one to talk me down from the ledge, guess I’m on my own in crazy town.”

  “That’s it, Becky, keep thinking you’re crazy. You’re no good to anyone. Work thinks you’re crazy, Ron thinks you’re weak. Maybe that’s because you are!” Gen could see in the rearview mirror that Schlosser was on the edge of his seat, he was leaning over the driver’s side, whispering the words into Becky’s ear, a lullaby of lies.

  Gen could hear Becky willing herself to concentrate on the road, but more disconcerting was feeling the sense of doom that Schlosser washed over her. When the GPS came on with instructions to exit the highway, she felt Becky jump, obviously startled.

  “I’m so close, I can do this, I can do this.”

  The sun was shining brightly and on this stretch of road the pavement was nearly dry. As the GPS began to direct more frequently, Ron stirred again.

  “No, you are not waking up to ruin it for me now.” Schlosser’s voice was low, but Gen heard the words clearly.

  “What was I so worried about? And the crying, what’s up with the crying?” Slowly Becky’s fingers released their grip on the steering wheel as she worked to calm herself.

  “It will all make sense soon, Becky.” Gen heard Schlosser’s taunt and knew he wasn’t done.

  “All you have to do is stay straight ahead and within a couple of miles your demise awaits.” Schlosser ceremoniously threw himself against the backseat with exaggerated effect, his long arms stretched the width of the window, cocky, overconfident.

  Gen closed her eyes and pulled Ron from his deep slumber. His voice raspy from sleep she heard him ask, “What time is it, honey?”

  “No, no, no.” Schlosser slammed the interior side wall with a closed fist. “What are you doing awake, Ron? I put you out, go back to sleep like the useless piece of crap you have been all night!” Schlosser’s anger vibrated through the car.

  Genevieve had alternated her position several times and was sitting cross legged once again, her shield forcing the wind to whip around her. Every move Schlosser made, Gen had countered. This was no small task as evidenced by her fatigue and his growing impatience. It had been a long night. If Gen could get them to the wedding in one piece, her strategy of staying out of sight will have been worth it.

  Gen could feel Becky’s hunger; it mirrored her own. Deciding at the last minute to stop at a nearby coffee shop, Becky pulled off the road and into the drive thru lane.

  “Hey, what, where are we?” Ron was still throwing off the remnants of deep sleep. “Are we here already, honey? What are you doing? Are you getting food? What time is it?”

  “I’m soooo hungry and I just have this mad craving for a donut. Do you want one?”

  Ron’s easy laugh rang through the car. “No thanks. I’ll wait until we get to my parents’ house. What’s gotten into you? You drove all night. I feel so much better. That might have been one of the best night’s sleep ever. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help with this, Beck.”

  “What is going on? Why did you pull over? He should not be awake! I knocked him out, why is he awake?” Confused, Schlosser’s anger grew. “This was not part of the plan, Becky! Stuff your fat face and get back on that road.” Schlosser was yelling at them. Gen had hoped he’d give up, but it was clear that was
not in the plan.

  The car edged its way through the line and Gen listened to the playful banter between Becky and Ron, flirtatious and loving. It made Gen’s entire chest ache with longing.

  So much like we used to be, Gabe. Gen sat with her head against her knees trying to stay focused. With unspoken words, she told Xavier what was going on. He’s not going away, I’m going to have to show myself, Xav. If I do that, he’ll know I’ve been countering every move all night. He’ll be pissed, but that should put the focus on me and away from Becky.

  “What is going on here? Eat your stupid donut while you’re driving. Why have you pulled over into a parking spot? And why are you so damn happy?” Schlosser was seething. “You didn’t beat me tonight, did you Becky? You had help, which means something else is here with us. Come out, come out wherever you are.”

  Gen hopped off the car and turned to face the demon in the back seat.

  Schlosser smirked. “If you think you can stop me, you’re wrong. I am in the vehicle and unless you want a confrontation, I’m staying right here with her. You can’t make me leave and I doubt you want to join me in the backseat.” Becky’s laughter redirected Schlosser’s attention back to the scene playing out in front of him.

  “Baby you’ll have to wait for tonight because we have ourselves a wedding to get ready for.” Becky was brushing off her husband’s romantic advances with a smile.

  Ron nodded in agreement. “And we aren’t even going to smell.” Gathering up the trash he put his hand on the door handle. “I got this, babe.” He jumped out of the car and walked toward the trash barrel.