Shadows of the Past: A Supernatural Suspense Mystery (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 1) by Nellie Steele (best books for 7th graders .TXT) 📕

“Boyfriend? I doubt that.”

“What else explains it?”

Damien pondered it for a moment. “Nah, it doesn’t add up. Josie isn’t that sneaky, why would she lie about seeing someone new? And it’s not her style to meet him at some cheap motel.”

“Who is he, I wonder? I have half a mind to go ask him.”

“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.”

“Probably right. Whoa, there she goes. We should follow her.” Michael started the car, throwing it into gear and heading after Josie.

“Yeah, wow, whoever he is she sure is mad at him. Don’t get too close, I can still track her phone so we’ll see where she’s going.”

Josie drove down the road, trying to remain calm and not drive erratically but she was a ball of emotions. She couldn’t even pinpoint what emotion she was experiencing. Was it anger, shock, upset, sadness, disbelief? Was it some combination of them all? It had been one shock after another today. The day had started off well and tumbled from there. She was glad she had gotten a good night’s sleep or else the day may have proven too much for her sanity. As it was, she had no idea where to go or what to do right now. She considered driving herself to her parents’ house but she didn’t want to alarm her mother. She had no desire to go home and deal with her roommates nor did she want to deal with Gray.

Josie drove without direction for a while, eventually ending up at the local park. Josie parked the car and made her way down the closest path. She had no particular destination in mind but the walking helped her focus on something other than the insanity that she had heard earlier today. She came to a bench shaded by a large oak tree. She sat down on it and watched the others in the park, laying out on the large grassy area or playing with their dogs. This had been her a year ago, carefree, happy, living life without thinking too much. Now her life was a wreck. She was on the verge of a mental breakdown and it seemed the man she invited into her life had already had one.

She took some deep breaths, trying to calm down and focus her energy on creating a plan to get herself back together. She watched life pass by her for a good while until she gathered enough strength to return home. She still had no interest in discussing anything with anyone but she needed to be home.

As she stood to leave, pain shot across her head from temple to temple, forcing her to sit down again. She gasped, grabbing her head and squeezing her eyes shut. Visions shot across her mind, all pouring in at once. Gardens outside of a large white house, swimming in salty water near the beach she had seen before, Grayson smiling at her, holding her hands as they sat in front of a large fireplace, a dark haired man with white streaks at both temples handing her a drink, a blonde woman, her hair in an up-do laughing with her. Some visions she barely had time to process they all came so fast. Her brain pounded as though it was ready to explode out of her head. As quickly as it had began, it passed. The pain subsided; the thoughts stopped spilling into her head at lightning speed.

She didn’t grasp what was going on, but the experience left her shaken and wanting to go home. She hurried back up the path to her car and turned toward home.

When she reached her road, she glanced in the rearview mirror. There was a car following her. As it came closer, she recognized it. It was Michael’s car. They both pulled into the driveway.

Josie jumped out of her car. “Were you following me?” she asked, her voice loud and shrill.

“Who is he, Josie?” Michael said, slamming his door and approaching her.

“So you were?”

“Who is he, Josie?” He persisted with his question. “New boyfriend? Is he the guy that set you up with the new doctor? Is this why you’ve been sneaking around?”

“I’m not doing this with you. It’s none of your business,” Josie shouted as she began to head to the house.

Michael wasn’t giving up. He followed her into the house, continuing the argument. “Is this the reason you broke it off with me? Were you already seeing him?” Michael was livid with jealousy, still raw from the one-sided end to their relationship.

“I said I’m not discussing this with you, not after what you did calling my mother, following me, and not when you’re in this mood.”

“Oh, I’m sorry if I’m in a mood. I’m sorry that I’m wondering if the guy you just met in a motel room was the reason our relationship ended so abruptly. And I’m sorry I was concerned about some crazy person stalking you so I followed you to make sure you were okay.”

“You are a real piece of work, you know that? You insisted on staying here because you had to be the hero and save me from this so-called stalker. Then you call my mother to come 'handle me’ and then you follow me to spy on me. Are you serious? And the real reason has nothing to do with keeping me safe, it’s all about whether or not this guy is competition for you.”

“Yeah, I love how you keep avoiding answering that question. Is he?”

“Guys, maybe let’s take it down a notch? It’s been a really stressful day for everyone,” Damien interjected.

Michael sighed, placing his hands on his hips and shaking his head. Lowering his voice, trying to remain calm, he said, “Look, Josie, I’m sorry. I’m trying to understand what is going on. You know I still care about you and yeah, I’m jealous if you’re seeing him but mostly I just want you to be okay.”

“He’s not the reason we broke up.