Cheating Heart, A Lost Souls Novel: A Lost Souls Novel (15 page)

Chapter
9

Jack entered the dark woods and right away spied Vienna stumbling ahead of him.  He watched as she reached for a tree trunk to steady herself.  He was relieved to see that she was okay.  He was tempted to make himself visible to her, but held off for the moment.  He wanted James to be the one to help her.  He needed to bring the two of them together like their charts had been written.  It was because of James seeing him in the garage that had caused
the problem.  He’d changed their life charts with his appearance.  If he didn’t get their relationship back on track where it was supposed to be, he’d screw both their lives up.  And he wasn’t quite sure what would happen to him.  Would he lose his position as Vienna’s primary spirit guide?  Vienna had a secondary spirit guide, Clarisse, who also knew Vienna’s chart inside and out, but she was basically a stand in.  Vienna also had five angels assigned to her, too.  So even though she didn’t know it, she was well protected.  Clarisse and the angels kept themselves hidden and protected her the traditional way; out of sight.   

Recently, Clarisse had
spoken with Jack about stepping in and taking over the role as Vienna’s primary spirit guide. But he told her there was no need for that and had explained how he had everything under control.  He could see that Clarisse was concerned with his actions and he knew she had every right to be.  His physical feelings for Vienna were overpowering and needed to be contained in order to guide her through her life chart.      

Jack watched as Vienna turned around and carefully made her way through the woods.  She stopped and looked around, listening. 
She began walking again and then held out her hands and studied the palms.  He knew what she was looking for.  Blood.

If he needed to, he’d jump in.  But right now, he’d do his best to protect her without her knowledge.
  Jack wanted so badly to let Vienna know that she wasn’t alone.  Holding back was the hardest thing he’d had to do in a long time.  Jack continued to follow her silently.

***

“I don’t know where she went,” Kim said, her voice bordering on hysterical.  “She wasn’t feeling very well and said she needed some air.  She said she’d be back in a minute.  But…but…she hasn’t returned.”

Steve put his arm around her.  They were standing in the motel room.

“How long has she been gone?” James asked.

Kim shrugged.  “I, um, I don’t know.  Forty five minutes, maybe an hour.”
 

“And you said the car is still here?” James asked.  His heart sank at the information Kim was giving them.  He felt it was his fault for
Vienna’s late night walk that has caused her to go missing.  If anything had happened to her, he’d never be able to forgive himself.  He shouldn’t have been so harsh with her at the beach, but he couldn’t control himself.  He’d been hurt and angry.  He really needed to try to be more understanding of Vienna’s situation.  It wasn’t her fault she had a stalker.  She’d probably been afraid to tell him.  But still, he hated to be lied to regardless of the circumstances.  He was still feeling rather perturbed that she’d make up a story about a crazy stalker being some sort of spiritual guide.  The story had been so farfetched. But, at the same time, the more he thought about it, the more he understood.  She’d probably been afraid to tell anyone about her problem.  Not many men would want to chance a relationship with a woman who had a stalker.  When he found her, he was going to put things straight.  They needed to be straight forward and honest with each other if they were going to continue to see each other.  Relationships were based on trust. 

“The key’s right here,” Kim said, scooping it up from the table next to the TV.  “She didn’t drive anywhere.  And her purse is here
, too.  So it’s not like she has any cash on her or anything.”

“What about her phone?”
James asked.  “Where’s her phone?”

“Um,” Kim said.  “I tried calling
it and she’s not answering.  I don’t know if she has it with her or if it’s here somewhere.  I tried looking for it and I can’t find it.  If it’s here it’s either off or on silent.”

“Okay.  I’m going to go looking for her.  You stay here.”
  He pulled his phone out of the inside pocket of his leather jacket and searched for her number. 

“What?” Kim asked, shaking her head.  “No way
! I’m not staying here.  I’m going with you.”

“Stay here in case she comes back.”
  He pushed
send
and pressed the phone to his ear.

“But…”  Kim bit her bottom lip
to keep it from trembling.  She knew James had a point.  Her eyes clouded up with tears. 

James listened as Vienna’s phone rang.  After several rings it went to voicemail.  James hung up and made eye contact with Kim who’d been watching him. 
“Call me if she returns.”

Kim
couldn’t hold back any longer and began to cry.  “Do you think I should call the police?” 

“They’ll tell us she hasn’t been gone long enough to file a missing person’s report.  If I can’t find her and she doesn’t come back soon, we’ll call.  For all we know, she’s just gone for a long walk to clear her head.”

“Okay.”  Kim nodded while sniffling.

“Steve, you stay here with her,”
James instructed.

Steve nodded his understanding.  “Sure,” he said, pulling Kim closer to him.

“And call me if you hear from Vienna.”  James opened the door and stepped outside.  “I’m worried that
stalker
of hers might be behind this.”

“
Stalker?” Kim gasped.  “You mean, Jack?”  Kim pulled away from Steve who was trying to comfort her and caught the door before James could shut it.  James turned his back to her, ignoring Kim’s reference to Jack.  The last thing he wanted to hear was more about this Jack guy.

“I know you don’t want to hear this
,” Kim said loudly while she peeked around the doorway. The cold air made her shiver.  “But what Vienna told you about Jack is true.”

James stopped dead in his tracks
.  A fresh wave of anger encompassed him.  He spun around and stared at her in disbelief.  He couldn’t fathom Kim trying to protect this lunatic.  Was she so devoted to her friendship with Vienna that she’d keep up a lie about her stalker?

“I know it’s hard to believe, but you’ve got to trust me
when I say she didn’t make it up,” Kim continued.  “Jack’s not of this world…I mean, he is, but not in physical human form.  He’s from the other side.”

“The o
ther side?” Steve asked, coming up behind Kim and wrapping his arms around her waist.  “Are you going all spiritual on me again?”

Kim ignored Steve’s comment and pulled out of his embrace.  She stepped outside, but
held the door open a crack.

“I don’t want to hear this…” James spat, shaking his head.  “Vienna’s missing.  This isn’t the time for fairytales… ”

“I know how you’re feeling,” Kim said.  “It’s a lot to take in.  That’s why I’m telling you this.  I know it’s hard for you to believe, but please listen to what I have to say.” 

“Go on!” James said, impatiently.  “
Make it quick!  Every second we stand here, I’m wasting time.”

Kim frowned.  She knew she wasn’t getting through to him.  “All I’m saying is, i
f you need to, ask Jack for help.  I’m sure he’ll do his best to lead you to her.  I’ve tried, but he hasn’t been answering me.  And…and…that’s not a good sign.  But I’ll keep trying.  Okay?”

James growled, and muttered something beneath his breath.  He walked toward the parking lot to see what he could find.

***

Vienna was getting tired of wandering around the woods.  She longed to wake up from this horrible
nightmare.  That is, if she
was
really asleep.  She still wasn’t sure.  The not knowing what was happening to her was making her antsy.  What was this place?  Why was she here? 

Maybe I should try a different tactic,
she thought.  If she happened to be in some sort of dream state brought on by the ghost, maybe she should confront him.  Or maybe she could just change what was happening.  After all, the dream was partially hers, right?  It was taking place in her head.  So, she should be able to have some sort of control over it.  And if she confronted the ghost, and got an answer, it could possibly give her some leverage.  Or at least she hoped it would.  At the very least, it would be something to work with.  Anything was better than wandering around, lost.  Is that how the ghost felt?  Was he wandering around lost?  Maybe that’s why he needed her.  Maybe he was trapped here, unable to leave.  But the thought of confronting the creepy darkness, didn’t make her feel at ease.  Instead, it sent a new wave of shivers down her spine.  She had bad feelings about him.  She could feel his negativity wanting to seep into her being, but she wouldn’t let it.  She’d fight his dark energy.  She tried to do a technique that Jack had taught her.  He’d told her that protecting herself was as easy as picturing a white bubble of energy around her being.  She shut her eyes and tried to see white light.  She then pictured the warmth of the light surrounding her body.  Opening her eyes she looked around and sighed.  She was still surrounded by darkness and was cold.  She truly hoped that there was a circle of protective light around her, even if she couldn’t see it.  Taking in a deep breath, Vienna gathered her thoughts.  There was only one thing to do and that was to confront the ghost.  As much as she dreaded it, the alternative decision would be to keep wandering around lost until something happened.  It was best that she took control of things now and made something happen.  Or at least she hoped that was best.

Good thoughts,
she told herself. 
Keep thinking good, positive thoughts.  Soon Jack will be here to help me.  Until then, keep positive.  I can do this! 

Stopping, Vienna briskly rubbed her hands together
, trying to dredge up some courage, when something out of the ordinary happened.  Her phone in the pocket of her polar fleece began to vibrate.  It meant she was getting a phone call.  Who could call her here?  It had to be Jack.  The buzzing noise was breaking the otherwise muted world.  Reaching into her pocket, Vienna grabbed her phone.  The screen was lighting up and she immediately recognized the number and it wasn’t Jack. 

“I guess my phone
is
working,” she said, smiling at James’ number.  She touched the screen trying to answer his call, but it was frozen.  She touched the call button again.  Nothing happened.  Frustrated she began tapping the screen repetitively.  Still no response.  She wanted so badly to answer his call.  She wanted to tell him she needed help, but whatever it was that was holding her here wouldn’t let her.  Then the phone stopped vibrating.  James had hung up and her heart felt like it had dropped into her belly, making her feel queasy.  Tears immediately clouded her eyes.  And for the first time since she arrived in this place, she felt completely helpless.  Maybe she really didn’t have any control over this dream state.  

After a moment or two of trying to hold back her tears and put her emotions in check, s
he finally got the courage to speak.  “Hey!” she yelled with more bravery than she felt. “Who are you?” Her voice sounded funny and muffled by the thick fog.  She spun around, examining her surroundings for any signs of the ghost.  Nothing moved.  Then she asked the dreaded question.  The one she was afraid to ask.  “What do you want from me?” 

She thought she heard something
coming from the trees ahead.  It was the first sound she’d heard that she, herself, wasn’t making.  Listening intently, she followed the sound to some thick foliage.  Vienna parted the plants to see through them.  There was something there.  She could hear it.  It sounded like water. 
Yes, that’s what it is,
she thought.  She was positive that she was hearing running water.  The vegetation surrounding her was so thick.  She pushed her way forward and felt her moccasins sticking to the ground.  Lifting her foot up and down, she realized the ground was muddy.  The water sound was getting louder. 

Vienna pushed through the t
all green grass-like plants and sloshed through the marsh.  Her feet were becoming cold and wet, but she felt the need to forage on.  Something was calling to her, telling her she needed to get to the water.  It was important.  She didn’t understand the need to do this, but it wasn’t up to her.  Forces that she didn’t understand were compelling her to move forward.  To her relief, the plants she’d been struggling with began to thin out the more she
walked.  The last of the tall grass whipped back and snapped against her right cheek.  She placed a frozen hand to her stinging face and winced. 

Finally she’d made it to the water’s edge. 
Even though she couldn’t see it beneath the thick fog, she knew she was standing on the edge of a creek or stream.  She looked around her and listened to the water trickling through rocks. It was a familiar sound she’d heard many times before.  It reminded her of the American River in Sacramento.  Growing up, there were many times that she and her friends went down to Ghetti Park.  They would search out a small offshoot of the river where the water was shallow and stagnant in search of tadpoles. 

Vienna
took a few steps further and ice cold water filled her moccasins.  There was something there she needed to see.  Kneeling down, the water splashed against her ankles and soaked the bottoms of her sweatpants.  Vienna studied the water that she knew was there, but couldn’t see it.  With her hands she tried to fan the fog away.  She dipped her fingers into the water and felt around.  Her fingertips grazed several smooth flat rocks.  Just as she thought, she was standing in a stream or creek.  Heck, for all she knew it could be a river.  However, the sound of rushing water would be louder.  Or at least in reality it would.  Vienna looked out ahead of her.  It was hard to tell just how large the body of water in front of her was.  She didn’t see any plants directly in front of her.  So she figured whatever it was, it was pretty wide.  But then again, the fog was so dense, so it was hard to judge the width.