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

she was free to dress and leave. Within about an hour, they retrieved Josie’s car from the mall and had Josie home on the couch, feet up, relaxing as promised. She watched the boys buzzing around her like busy bees trying to be as attentive as possible after her “emergency” earlier. Once they got her as settled as they could, they joined her to watch movies, allowing her to have her choice. While she wasn’t physically sick, she didn’t complain about having free rein on viewing choices and took full advantage. They ordered in for dinner and kept their movie marathon going until Josie yawned and stretched, telling them she was ready to go to bed.

“Want me to bunk with you again?” Damien asked as she prepared to head upstairs.

“Yeah, if you don’t mind the air mattress again.” Josie winced.

“Nope, don’t mind at all.”

Michael listened to the exchange, seeming to want to join in but deciding it might be best not to. “I’ll be in the guest room if you need anything. I hope you sleep, Josie.”

“Thanks,” Josie said.

They all headed up the stairs, parting ways outside of the guest room door with Josie and Damien continuing to her room. Within a few minutes they were both settled and Josie turned out the lights after exchanging good nights with Damien.

The man watched the lights go out at the house one by one, plunging the surrounding area into darkness. She had seemed so close to remembering earlier today; before she fainted, he thought there had been a glimmer of recognition in her eyes. He did not know what her medical condition was after they wheeled her away on the stretcher, but he couldn’t imagine anything being gravely wrong with her. Not Celine. Instead, he had come back here and waited, spying two men returning with her earlier this afternoon. Since then the house had been quiet. Another day was coming to a close. It might be time to enact phase two of his plan. Tomorrow was a new day. He’d hold on to the hope that the faintest glimmer of recognition had crossed her face and that she’d soon be the Celine that he knew. Hope, it was all he had.

Chapter 5

Josie sat on the edge of the bed, still shaking. She sniffled, wiping tears from her face. The latest version of the nightmare seemed more real, bringing her to tears. The commotion had awoken Damien; he sat next to her, rubbing her back. “I’m okay,” she said, still sniffling. “But it was way more intense this time.”

Damien remained quiet, offering silent support while she continued to recover. After a few moments, Josie grabbed his hand. “Thanks,” she whispered. “Guess we better try to go back to sleep.”

“Do you think you can sleep?” Damien asked her.

“Probably not. I don’t sleep well even when I’m not having nightmares. But, at least I’ll try.”

“Want me to stay here ‘til you fall asleep?”

She nodded, still ill at ease. She laid back on the pillow; he held her hand, remaining on the edge of the bed. After a few moments, she said, “Okay, I’m okay now, you can go back to sleep. Thanks, D.”

“You sure? I can stay here ‘til you’re out.”

She smiled and squeezed his hand. “I’m sure, yep.” She was much calmer, although no closer to sleep. Damien squeezed her hand back and headed back to the air mattress. Josie lay awake for another hour before dozing off. Within the first hour of sleep, though, she was startled awake again, the nightmare making its second appearance that night. Although not as rattled as the first time she experienced it, she still startled awake, bolting upright in bed. This time she was quiet enough not to wake Damien, who was snoring quietly at the foot of the bed.

She checked her clock; it was 3:28 a.m. With a 4 a.m. alarm looming she would never sleep now. She got up and tiptoed around, grabbing her jogging clothes and sneaking out of the room so as not to disturb Damien’s sleep. A few minutes after four, she hit the road. Feeling a little sleepy, she was hoping the jog would clear her mind. Josie was too stubborn to miss it.

She returned home to find two concerned faces sipping coffee in the kitchen. “Do you think that was wise? Jogging alone in the middle of the night?” Michael chided.

“I wanted to clear my mind, I couldn’t sleep anymore.”

“Why didn’t you wake me? You said you were okay to go back to sleep,” Damien said.

“I was, I did, but I had the dream a second time. It takes me a while to go back to sleep after it and it was already three thirty, so I got up. It wasn’t that early.”

“You could have woken me up. I would have gone jogging with you at least,” Michael chimed in.

“I’m fine, guys, honest.”

“You had the dream a second time you said?” Damien asked.

Josie started a kettle of water heating on the stove to make some tea. “Yeah, twice last night, lucky me.” Michael and Damien shared a glance, one that didn’t escape Josie. “What?” Neither answered. “Oh, come on, what was that look?”

Damien shrugged. “Nothing, just… well…” He stammered.

Josie crossed her arms. “Yeah?”

“Well, perhaps you should try a therapist. I mean, this nightmare is starting to affect more than your sleep. Perhaps it’s smart to see someone and try to get a handle on this,” Damien answered.

“I don’t understand how a therapist can help, but…” Josie paused. “It is getting really aggravating. This limited sleep is going to lead to more problems.”

“So, you’ll make an appointment?” Michael asked.

“Yeah, I will make an appointment with someone from the list. I’ll try it, can’t hurt, right?”

“Good, I’m glad you’re doing that,” Michael said. “I’m going to work here today, that way I’ll be here if you need me.”

“I’m glad you’re going to see someone, Jos,” Damien chimed in. “Unfortunately, I can’t work from home today so I’m