AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He leans forward and whispers in my ear. “Before you contemplate any other answer than thank you, I have something of yours you may want back.”
An icy sensation crawls through my entire body as his meaning hits home. The demons scream and cackle in glee as they fly around my soul, dragging it into their evil hands as they prepare to deliver me to evil.
The rage inside me burns fiercer than the pit of hell as I understand his meaning and as he drops my face, he says to my father. “Don’t be late.”
He moves past and I step back as if his touch burned, longing to tear off my clothes and jump into the shower to rid myself of his touch. I make to flee, to run, to escape, but his parting shot was the door to my cage crashing shut.
Mom reaches for my hand and says in a low whisper, “It’s for the best, Faith.”
“You knew?”
My voice is tearful, destroyed even, and she nods, the sadness in her eyes the only indication she has any emotion left inside her.
My father growls, “You are being given a second chance, Faith. Don’t ruin this one.”
“Daddy, please.” I say in a voice that sounds weak and pathetic and he says icily, “You heard him. Seven o’clock Faith. Go home and pack.”
“Pack?”
It’s as if a storm came out of nowhere and is carrying me off and as the line of mourners passes, I wish I could run the other way. I don’t miss their curious glances and the distaste on their faces as they pass. I half expect them to spit on me. I wouldn’t put it past them because of what I did.
My parents act as the harshest prison guards as they escort me from the grave and we follow the line of mourners heading to the church to pray for Agatha’s soul. There will be no wake. No party to celebrate her life. Just more prayers and lamenting for the sinners we are.
The church stands on the edge of the cemetery and as we head inside the white wooden building, I wish I could run. I already know I can’t because of what I did. My secret that in Heaven’s eyes is my cross to bear and as we step into the cold church, it’s as if I am dragging my sin behind me like a ball and chain.
Rather than take our usual seats, we head toward the front. The curious stares of the congregation watching us as we make our silent journey. Our usual seats have been filled already and the only person I register is my best friend Purity, and her look of horror matches my own.
We reach the front of the church and I regard the empty pew in the direct view of a tyrant, who is standing in his pulpit watching our progression with a hard, contemplative expression.
As we shuffle into the row, he says loudly, “It is done. Today we lament the passing of my wife Agatha Peters. A woman who strove to be the perfect wife and was assured of her ascendency to Heaven. Now my work continues, and I am needed to cleanse a wicked soul. To bring light into darkness and right the wrongs of the past.”
He stares at the congregation and says in a voice that seals my death sentence.
“After ten days of mourning, I will marry again. My chosen is Faith Monroe, who fell into wickedness. I will take the burden on and drive her demons away in honor of Agatha’s memory. She will be my biggest success and will benefit from my understanding. It is settled. Praise be to the lord.”
I don’t even register the opening bars of the closing hymn because my mind is racing faster than a rocket to the moon. Marry him!
Like hell I will, and I have ten days to figure a way out of this nightmare or else I may as well go and lie on top of his poor departed wife and cut out the middle man. If I have done the math right, Reverend Peters has just buried wife number four and I’m almost certain they will be already preparing the ground beside her for the next in line.
Me.
CHAPTER2
JONNY
The scent of leather and diesel reminds me of home, and I take a deep breath and wish I was there.
Like a fool, I made a decision that is probably a bad one and am taking a few days to head to my former home.
I grew up in Heaven. A small town lost among rugged terrain with the neighboring town a day’s drive away.
I couldn’t wait to get out and was never intending on going back except for unfinished business that, as hard as I try, just won’t remain the past.
“She’s ready.”
The gruff tones of the mechanic make me look up and he stands back with an expression of pride as he reveals his latest masterpiece.
I stand, the pull of the machine too great as I cast my eyes over the gleaning chrome of the Harley who is soon to become my girl.
