A Shadow's Light BK 2 (11 page)

“Chance, please let me in. I need to see you.”

He reached for the handle and opened the door. Alyssa was waiting in the rain with a sweat shirt on; the hood up and covering her head. She was wearing no makeup and looked as though she’d been crying for days. She stared at him nervously with crossed arms.

“I need to talk to you.” There was a silent pause as the two of them stared through the doorway. “Can I come in?”

Confused, Test replied. “Yeah, sure. I’m sorry, please come in.”

He backed away from the doorway and let her pass. As she walked into the room, he closed the door behind her and turned on the lights. With a mild amount of stammering he spoke. “Uh…sorry about the mess.”

Alyssa pulled the hood off of her head and turned to him without a reply. She carried a serious look on her face, one that Test had never seen before.

He couldn’t look at her. He opened and closed his mouth several times, the words trapped between his mind and his tongue. “I…um…you…how?”

“Please be honest with me.”

Test took a seat on the foot of the bed and Alyssa stood beside him, looking down on him patiently. “How do you know that name?” he asked.

“You answer my question first. Who is he?”

His stomach was wrecked with nerves and the sweat on his forehead had begun to soak into his hair. “He’s an old friend of mine.” He looked up to her and could see that his answer didn’t satisfy her, but at the moment that was all he was willing to give. “Are you going to tell me how you know that name?”

Alyssa turned away from him and walked towards the washroom. She stared at the shattered mirror and tried to keep herself composed. Wiping a tear from her eye, she turned back to him. “I saw him today.”

Test looked at her in disbelief. He backed away from her slowly and ran his hands through his hair. Out of breath, he sat back down at the foot of the bed. “When?”

“Today,” she replied. She stared silently at the floor.

Test rocked back and forth; confused, exhausted, and agitated. “I…I had a message from him when I got back tonight. I haven’t talked to him in almost a year.” He leaned over as he gripped his hands together, tapping his thumbs on his forehead neurotically. “What, was he just walking along the road?”

“Sort of,” she replied.

Test sat up with his elbows on his knees. “
Sort of
? What is that supposed to mean?” he asked. Alyssa began to sob and turned away from him. Realizing that he was out of line, he walked to her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. It’s just that…a lot has happened today and I’m a little stressed out. Can you understand?”

Alyssa remained facing the shattered mirror, statuesque and silent.

“Did he give you a phone number or an address to where he’s staying?” asked Test calmly. Slowly she turned to him, her eyes filled with fear. The pain on her face was overwhelming. “Alyssa, what is it?”

She stared at him blankly and let the words fall out of her mouth. “He’s gone.”

Test heard the words, but their meaning escaped him. “What, already?” he asked as he shook his head. “I got a phone message from him today? What was he doing in Saratoga?”

Her entire body was now trembling. She reached out and touched his hand softly. “He’s dead, Chance.”

He felt sick. This was like a nightmare. “So if he’s dead…” he hesitated to finish his sentence. “If he’s dead…how did you see him today?”

Her tanned skin became two shades lighter as her body continued to tremble. She looked wildly around the room, trying desperately to answer the question. Suddenly she felt his hands on her jaw, and her face was slowly brought to his.

“Alyssa,” he said her name dramatically. “If he’s dead, how did you see him?”

She opened her mouth and a clicking sound came from her throat as she tried to speak. The intensity of the moment was beyond her experience, and as she closed her eyes, she could feel her mind letting go. Then she felt Test’s palm rest on her cheek, his thumb gently wiping the tear from her eye. A wave of comfort rushed through her body. His palm felt intensely warm and seemed to pulse in rhythm with her heart, both of them slowing to a more relaxed pace. She found herself swaying to the rhythm, and in moment, had lost most of her anxiety. She opened her eyes to see his only inches from her.

“Tell me, Alyssa,” he requested softly.

Filled with a comfort that she had never felt with anyone before, she let her secret go. “I…I can talk to spirits.” She looked to the floor shamefully.

Test placed his index finger under her chin and lifted gently, replying tearfully. “That’s an amazing thing Alyssa.”

She looked at him with a confused expression. That wasn’t the response that she’d ever envisioned him giving her. She watched as he backed away from her and leaned on the dresser. “Are you okay?” she asked. Test lifted his head, his somber face melting into her soul.

“So he’s really gone?” he asked.

Only then did she realize the weight of what he was dealing with. She replied in a soft and loving voice. “I’m so sorry.” She walked to him and took his hands into hers. Gently, she leaned into him and kissed his forehead.

He stood and took her into his arms, burying his face in her hair. He was comforted as she held him and kissed his neck tenderly. In a timeless moment they stood, holding each other in the dimly lit room. From the silence, Alyssa spoke.

“Chance, who is Test?”

Chapter 13

Julie rolled over in bed and spooned Enrique tightly. Neither of them could fall asleep after the day’s events. In the darkness, the two of them breathed in unison, silently staring into the black of the room.

Shattering any chance of calm, the phone rang. Though only a standard ring, it was as if a train was blowing off steam in their bedroom. Julie quickly rolled over and frantically grabbed at the phone.

“Hello?” she answered loudly. “Yes, he is. Can I ask who’s calling?” She rolled over to see Enrique sitting up in bed. “It’s for you,” she said. “It’s a Detective Simmons.”

Enrique quickly grabbed the phone. “This is Enrique.”

“Mr. Franco, I’m sorry for calling at this hour,” the Detective spoke briskly. “I just received some information that makes it urgent for me to speak with Chance Johnston. Might you know where he can be located?”

Enrique fell silent. “Yes, what’s this all about?” he asked gruffly.

“I’m not at liberty to say, Mr. Franco. Please just tell me where I can locate Mr. Johnston.”

“He’s staying at the Silvan Motel on First Street.”

“What room number?” asked the detective.

Enrique climbed from his bed and began to get dressed.

“Mr. Franco, I need to know the room number.” The detective’s voice was growing impatient.

“Nine,” replied Enrique as he walked out of the bedroom. The line immediately went dead.

Enrique threw the phone to the floor as he hurried down the hall to Alyssa’s room. He flung the door open to find that her bed was empty. “Julie!” he yelled aloud.

Julie rushed from the bedroom and down the hall. “What’s wrong? What’s going on?”

“Where’s Alyssa?” he asked frantically as he grabbed his wife’s arm.

“I don’t know!” cried Julie. And then a look of terror clouded her face. “She’s with Chance.” The words weren’t meant for his ears, but were spoken aloud.

Enrique dropped his arms and stared at his wife.

“
What’s going on, damn it
?” she asked feverishly.

“Something’s wrong. That was the detective. He’s looking for Chance.” His face was washed with panic as he processed the situation. “I’ve got to go.”

Without waiting for a response he rushed to the kitchen and grabbed his keys off of the table. The door to the garage slammed violently behind him, leaving Julie frozen in a state of panic in the hallway.

*****

Test felt an electricity surge through his body like he hadn’t felt in nearly a year. The hair on the back of his neck was standing on end. “What did you say?” he asked.

Alyssa pulled away from him, peered into his eyes, and asked the question once more. “Who is Test?”

Test’s mouth became dry. He couldn’t look at her. “How do you know that name?”

The mood in the room had shifted drastically, and the sudden intensity in his voice caused her to hesitate, but only for a moment.

“Cliff used it,” she replied.

Overcome with anger and frustration, the fire within him began to burn hot. The air became heavy and difficult to breathe. He could feel the heat in his hands increasing. “What did he say?” asked Test through clinched teeth.

“I know who you are, Chance,” she replied, her eyes once again welling with emotion. “I mean…Test.” She dropped her head, her eyes catching a faint blue light. “Your hands…it’s true. You really are Test Davis, aren’t you?”

Test looked down and opened his tightly clinched fists. The back side of his hands were emanating a brilliant electric blue glow, and as he rolled his hands over, his palms emitted a contrasting bright red light. He quickly glanced to her face, expecting to see a horrified angel standing before him. Instead, he witnessed a look of sadness and pity.

“It’s true.” He spoke with great effort and discomfort. Every syllable came measured and at a tremendous cost.

The two of them stood frozen in front of one another, the fear on Test’s face overwhelming. With the wonderment of a child, Alyssa reached for his left forearm. She took it into her right hand, and carefully running the fingers of her left hand over his palm, could feel the heat radiating from his skin. She could feel small waves of energy that made her fingers tingle with each touch.

“Say something,” requested Test.

She looked up to him with a mournful smile and replied. “I don’t know what to say Ch…,” she stopped herself. “Test.” She let his arm fall and rested her hand on his chest. “You could have told me.” Her words were like cotton.

Test stared at her with a contorted expression. “What?”

“I knew you were different, I just didn’t understand how.” She placed a hand on each shoulder. “This doesn’t scare me, Test. It’s actually somewhat of a relief.” A tiny smile graced her lips.

“How can this…,” he spoke as he raised a glowing hand to his face. “How can
this
be a relief?”

“Since the day I met you, I was worried, that because of my gift, you would be afraid of me.”

Unknown to himself, a grin appeared on his face. He glanced to his hand once more. The light was now beginning to fade. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His life’s history began to play in his mind, reminding him of everything that he was, and everything he’d been through. He opened his eyes and locked onto her face.

“This is so complicated. My life is so incredibly complicated.”

Alyssa put her index finger to his lips. “You’re right; life
is
complicated. We’ll figure it out…together.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

She leaned into him and rested her head on his chest. She could feel his muscles tense under the touch of her cheek, and smiled as she nuzzled firmly against them.

Test was hesitant to accept her fully. Suddenly, the words to the poem he had written for Nicole so long ago entered his thoughts.

Every time I see the light coming, I know the sunset’s not far behind
.

He could see the light, and didn’t know if he could take another sunset.

Suddenly Alyssa became rigid in his grasp. She snapped her head up and looked to the door.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” asked Test.

“Cliff is here,” she replied.

In the corner of the room next to the door, Test could make out a shadow. He strained as he tried to focus, attempting to make out the form. “Cliff?” he asked.

“Something’s wrong,” said Alyssa in a frantic tone.

Test took a step towards the shadow.

“He’s screaming.” Alyssa grabbed Test’s arm, her eyes suddenly blazing with intensity. “We have to go!”

The shadow figure in the doorway disappeared in a movement faster than Test’s mind could register. He could feel Alyssa gripping his arm, but couldn’t focus on anything. Then he felt a jolt as Alyssa pushed him forcefully. “Wake up!”

She ran past him to the door, dragging him behind her. “We have to go, now!”

“Will you please tell me what’s going on?” asked Test from behind the confusion.

“The police are on their way. We have to go!”

She opened the door and the two of them stepped out into the cold wet night. She hurriedly led Test down the sidewalk away from the street and towards an empty lot behind the motel. The lot was overgrown with vegetation, and provided some much needed cover.

As they rounded the corner, she looked back over her shoulder to see two unmarked cars, followed by a black and white patrol car, pulling into the parking lot. Her heart stopped for a moment as she watched them slide silently into the parking stalls in front of Test’s room.

Suddenly with great force she was lifted from the ground and found herself hidden behind the corner of the building. Startled, she turned to Test. She marveled at his form as he stood with muscles tensed. He looked menacing, and yet at the same time, majestic. His bare chest became washed with a red glow that seeped through his skin, the intensity increasing with each breath. As his eyes locked on hers, her breath became frozen with awe.