Unveil (9 page)

“Hello.” His tone was impatient. He waited a beat and then said, “Yeah. I have what you want. We’re on our way.”

I froze.

“What was that about?” I asked, finding it nearly impossible to breathe. It felt like someone sat on my windpipe.

“Nothing. Don’t worry about it.” He tucked the phone back into his pocket.

We were on the freeway now, driving out of town. Dread descended on me.

What had I done?

“Kenzie,” a familiar voice hissed from the backseat. It made my blood run cold.

I glanced in the rearview mirror. The man in the back grinned. As he did, his face went black. His eyes, mouth and nose disappeared into the inkiness. Pretty soon it was nothing but a black hole.

A shadow.

Wesley.

Mentally kicking myself, I remembered all the times Wesley told me of his relationship with my dad. I should have known the demon still had a hold on him. Hadn’t Wesley warned me about this when he possessed my mom? It was just that when Dad told me he was going to church I believed God had changed him.

I wanted to believe he had been transformed the same way I had.

Only now I knew the truth. I just hoped it wasn’t too late.

“Well, well,” Wesley spoke in his animal- like voice. “We meet again. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were stalking me.” He chuckled.

I stiffened. My back went rigid against the torn vinyl seat. Glancing out the window, I thought back over my escape plan.

As if reading my mind, Wesley said. “Do it. See if you can survive the landing.”

Memories of the bridge taunted me - the icy evening air, the water rushing under my feet, Wesley goading me to jump. I whispered prayers under my breath, wishing Isaac could rescue me like he had that awful summer night.

“You never learn, do you?” Wesley continued. “You think you can get free from me, but I always reel you back in. I know you so well, Kenzie. You’ll never be rid of me.”

He was right. It was like being trapped in a nightmare, or like a hamster running on a wheel. No matter how hard I fought or how far I ran, he continually caught up to me and infiltrated himself back into my life.

It had been like this since childhood. He was the sadness and anger I felt, the self-loathing and hatred. He was the temptation, the evil voice, the nightmares that filled my dreams. He told me lies I wanted to believe and seduced me with things I never should have desired. I hated him and yet found him attractive at the same time. My head spun, my stomach lurched.

Would I ever be free?

The car stopped and I took in my surroundings. I had no idea where we were. Frantic, I scanned the area for a landmark I recognized. Unfortunately, nothing looked familiar. In fact, we seemed to be out in the middle of nowhere. We were surrounded by farmland, parked in front of the only house for miles.

How would I ever get away? Where could I run where I wouldn’t be found?

“Wait here,” Dad’s voice was gruff. “I’ll be right back.” He got out of the car.

“Don’t even think of running. You won’t get far,” Wesley said.

I glared at him, hatred radiating from my eyes. Then I said the one word that would make him cower. “Jesus.”

Smoke filled the back seat. The interior of the car smelled like charcoal. I could hear Dad talking to another man outside. The passenger door was still unlocked, and for that I was grateful. Dad probably thought I was naïve enough to stay put and act like an obedient daughter.

Without waiting around to find out what my big surprise was, I bolted from the car. I ran as fast as I could to get away from the house. Desperate voices rose behind me.

“Kenzie,” Dad hollered.

“You owe us, David. You better grab her.” Another man said.

I felt sick. Bile rose in my throat, but I kept running. Moisture slicked my forehead, my legs tired. Footsteps bounded behind me but I didn’t turn. I kept my face forward, ran through tall weeds and open fields of dead grass. There was a road up ahead but no sign of life. How far would I have to run to find help? The prospect seemed daunting. Impossible.

But I couldn’t stop. Clearly, whatever Dad had planned for me was bad. Shaking my head, I tried to clear my thoughts. I couldn’t think of that right now, because it would only mess with my mind and slow me down.

My legs burned and my arms tired. I wasn’t really a runner. I usually complained when we had to run the mile in PE. If I ever got the chance again, I’d take it more seriously. My lungs felt like they would burst and my breath puffed out in shallow bursts.

A car shot in front of me. I jumped back, realizing they had me surrounded. I jerked like a trapped animal, trying to figure out my next move. That’s when I recognized the car. A person rushed out, beckoned me.

“Tanner!” I raced to him.

“Did he hurt you?” Concern etched his face. “I’ll kill him.”

Dad and the other men neared us. Darkness flashed in Tanner’s eyes and he took a step toward them, his fist clenched.

“No, Tanner, c’mon. Please get me outta here.” My entire body shook.

Together, we got in his car. The engine was still on. He punched his foot down on the accelerator and we shot forward. It reminded me of a roller coaster I once rode. My back slammed against the seat.

Desperate prayers tumbled from my lips as Tanner drove. Neither of us dared to speak until we’d merged onto the freeway. Finally, I released the breath I had been holding.

“How did you find me?”

“I followed you from the coffee shop. I could tell something bad was going to happen when you got in that car, but I knew you wouldn’t listen if I tried to stop you.” He reached a hand over and placed it over one of mine. “I know how stubborn you are.”

I didn’t pull my hand away. It felt good to be comforted.

“Thank you. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t shown up when you did.” My voice cracked.

“Hey.” He squeezed my cold fingers. “You’re safe now.”

I nodded, swallowing hard.

“What was that place anyway?” Tanner asked.

Shaking my head, I thought back to the phone conversation and the strange man’s words. What did he owe that person? And what did I have to do with it?

“I have no idea.”

“Should we call the police?”

“And say what? That I went with my dad so he could show some surprise he had for me and I bolted before I got the chance to see it?”

“So he
is
your dad?”

I nodded. “And we don’t know for sure what he had planned, so I’d rather not involve the police.” The truth was that I wasn’t completely ready to believe the worst about him. Despite everything, there was still the little girl inside who wanted her daddy.

“Why is he here?”

“He said it was because he changed and he wanted to make things right between us.” The words hurt coming out. “I wanted it to be true.”

“I’m sorry, Kenzie.” After giving my hand one last squeeze, he returned his to the steering wheel. My fingers felt cold and longed for his warmth again.

“Why did you do it?” I asked softly.

“Do what?”

“Save me.”

“I’d do anything for you. Don’t you know that by now?”

“I knew it before, but after everything we’ve been through lately I wasn’t sure.”

“I’ve never stopped loving you, Kenzie. No matter what has happened, that hasn’t changed.” He kept his face forward. I studied the familiar contours of his face and my heart tugged.

Even after how much I’d hurt him he was so good to me. Tears filled my eyes and my lips quivered. I thought about how it was actually easier when he was being mean, then at least I could stop feeling so guilty.

“So, should I take you back to the coffee shop to get your car?”

I felt in my pocket and was grateful that my keys and wallet were tucked safely inside. Even though I had been angry about leaving my purse and cell behind, now I saw it as a silver lining. If I had brought them, they would have been left in Dad’s truck.

Tanner pulled into the coffee shop’s parking lot and guided his vehicle into an empty space. After cutting the engine, he faced me.

“Are you gonna be okay?” He reached a hand up and tucked an errant strand of hair behind my ear.

The gesture made me shiver. I leaned into his hand, my eyelids fluttering. His finger traced my jaw line and then he cupped my chin with his hand. My heart picked up speed. I held my breath. He lowered his face. I scooted toward him and parted my lips. His mouth covered mine, soft and warm.

When he stopped kissing me, I felt dizzy. I reached up and grabbed the back of his head, pulling him back towards me. His lips met mine again. I knew it was reckless, but I didn’t care. At that moment I needed to feel loved.

He pulled away from me, his eyes sad. I searched his face trying to decipher what had happened.

“I can’t do this.” He moved away from me.

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“I love you, Kenzie, but I need to be the one you choose.”

“I can’t change what happened before, Tanner. But in this moment I can honestly say that I want to be here with you.”

“I know.”

“Then I don’t understand.”

“You only want me when I save you. The rest of the time you choose him.”

I shook my head in denial of his words.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I know you’ve had a really tough day. I’m being a total jerk.”

I sighed. “No, don’t say that. You’re not a jerk.”

Tanner bit his lip. I wrung my hands in my lap, causing them to turn bright red.

“So, do you want me to follow you home to make sure you get there safely?”

“No, you don’t need to do that. I’m sure Mom will be there when I get home. She’s hardly left the house since Dad came back.”

“I don’t blame her.”

“Thanks again, Tanner.” I reached for the door handle.

His hand found mine. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

I nodded and slipped out into the cold. The parking lot had only a few cars scattered about. I raced to mine and got inside. On the drive home I thought about what Tanner had said. Was it true that I only wanted him when he was rescuing me? Was I really that selfish?

It began sprinkling. Raindrops splattered my windshield like translucent tears. I flicked on my wipers and watched them swish back and forth as I drove. Lights shone behind me. I glanced in the rearview mirror with a catch in my throat.

Glancing at the truck behind me, my heart picked up speed. On closer inspection I could see that it definitely wasn’t my dad’s battered pick-up. I breathed easier.

My heart dropped when I turned on my street. Mom’s car wasn’t parked in the driveway. The thought of being alone scared me. For a moment I thought of driving away. I contemplated going to Haley’s or dropping by Mom’s salon. Then I chastised myself. I was just being silly. There was nothing to fear. Dad wouldn’t chance coming by my house. He’d said so himself.

I parked the car in the driveway and ran to the house. Once safely inside, I locked the deadbolt. Then I flitted around the house, checking to make sure all the windows and doors were securely locked as well. When I finished, I sat on the couch and flipped on the TV. Not that I really wanted to watch it, but it would provide a welcome distraction.

Just as I settled in, there was a knock on the door.

I froze. When the knock rang out again, I crouched down. Maybe if I stayed still whoever it was would go away. A vision of my dad standing outside flashed into my mind and caused panic to set in. My hands shook, my chest burned.

Another knock. I jumped. Holding my breath, I sunk down even further. The TV blared and I cursed myself for turning it on. I was sure it could be heard outside, but I didn’t dare turn it off. I didn’t move a muscle.

“Kenzie.” A male voice called.

I tensed.

“Kenzie, are you okay?”

Heaving a sigh of relief, I ran to the door and threw it open. “Tanner, you scared me half to death.”

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t just let you go home by yourself. I was worried.”

I smiled, grateful that he was there. “Come in.”

Tanner and I watched TV and talked just like old times. Neither of us mentioned the incident in Thatcher’s parking lot. However, I found myself staring at his mouth when he spoke, remembering the way it felt against mine. A couple of times I caught him looking at my mouth as well and it made my cheeks warm. When the sun began to sink behind the clouds and pink streaked the sky, Mom came home.

“So, you’re back, huh?” She threw Tanner an amused look when she walked inside, bringing with her the scent of hair dye.

He nodded and grinned. “Yeah, I guess I am.”

Mom chuckled and flung her purse on the ground. “Well, then, welcome back.”

“Thanks, Ms. Smith. It’s good to be here.”

Mom gave me a funny look and then left the room, most likely to change out of her work clothes.

“I think that went well.” Tanner winked at me.

I nodded, remembering that the last time Tanner had seen my mom she was possessed by a demon.

Tanner stood. “I guess I’ll take off now that your mom’s home.”

I got up to walk him out. “Thanks again.” I opened the front door. Cold air rushed inside.

“Any time.” He winked.

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Tanner grinned at me before stepping outside into the night.

“Yoo-hoo. Earth to Kenzie.” Haley waved her hand in front of my face.

I blinked. “Sorry. I guess I was just zoning out.”

“You’ve been like this all day.”

“Like what?” Janna scooted into the bench across from us. Rick plopped down beside her, flinging his lunch bag on the cafeteria table.

“All spacey.” Haley rolled her eyes. “It’s like her head’s in the clouds.”

“Which boy are you daydreaming about?” Janna winked. “Tanner or Isaac?”

I sighed. Before I could answer, a shadow was cast over my shoulder. I tensed. Ever since the encounter with my dad two days prior, I’d been anxious.

“Hey. Can I sit here?”

My insides swirled. Janna’s mouth gaped, and Haley threw me a questioning look.