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Chapter 37: Control
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2022-04-14 14:01:42Related chapters
Atticus Chapter 38: The Emory History
He walks over to the fireplace and stares at the flame with a faraway look in his eyes. "I was born in this very room in the year 1868." He turns his head so he can look me in the eyes and I can actually feel his anger. "Twenty years later, I also died here." His tone immediately changes my mood. I look away, hoping he doesn't suspect I'm starting to freak out again. I need to keep my head clear even though I'm asleep.This is crazy."You do understand that you must keep me a secret?" His eyes glow slightly, as if revealing the severity of his request."Of course. There are lots of rumors but nobody would believe me anyway," I say, trying to take breaths between my words.He notices and narrows his eyes. "Is there something you are not telling me?" If this is a dream it's insane how real this feels. I can smell the wax dripping from the candles and hear his voice echo in the room."When I was twenty, I fell in love. She was the love of my life..." He pauses. "But I lost he
Last Updated : 2022-04-14Atticus Chapter 39: Captive
I toss the covers all the way back and sit on the side of the bed, hoping it will snap me out of this nightmare. I need to wake up. I need to stop this craziness."You are not leaving, I will not allow it! We are not finished!" he growls."Oh, so now I'm your prisoner?" My anger overrides the fact that I should probably be scared shitless right now. I know what he's capable of."Do not make me force you to stay," he says in a much calmer voice.Do I have a choice?" I snap back."You always have a choice. The question is, will you make the right one." "What the hell is that supposed to mean?""How do you feel about your mother?" he shoots back.Stay calm, Candice.I shrug. "She's an angry alcoholic who has deep issues with abandonment. Is that what you want to hear?""I only want the truth.""Well, that's the sad truth. But she wasn't always like this. We used to be closer but..." I stop, wondering why I'm babbling about her.
Last Updated : 2022-04-14Atticus Chapter 40: Insanity
"Go on," he encourages me."Why do you want to know?" I ask, somehow dreading his answer."I can make her go away. Would you like that?" His lips curl into a smile as if he expects this to make me happy."Wait...what? Make her go away? What are you talking about?""Would you like her out of your life?" "Uh, no." I can hear my disbelief before it leaves my mouth. "I do not understand. She has been hurting you for a long time. I think she should pay for her actions.""She's messed up but that doesn't mean I want her gone.""Why not? Do you think she will suddenly stop drinking and get her life in order?"This is insane. He can't play with people's lives like this. I need to do something, anything to wake up from this nightmare!"Well, no. But, I'll be graduating soon and getting my own pla-" "Your place is here. With me," he says, fading out of sight.I wake up screaming on a floor, but this time, I can move more freely. I know exactly where I am because this is reality. T
Last Updated : 2022-04-14Atticus Chapter 41
**Brad**I've been banging on Candice's door for the past ten minutes my knuckles are starting to bleed. I'm not even trying to be subtle about it and I'm pretty sure if her neighbors are watching, they think I'm some kind of obsessed boyfriend. I've checked her apartment twice already, hoping she would finally open the door. I don't want to believe it was really her running up to the Emory house but now, I'm questioning everything. What made her crazy and why would she run to that house? I barely give myself time to process my next thought before sprinting back to my car. Digging for my keys, a rush of adrenaline surges through my body, making me slightly dizzy. The thought of going to the Emory house is starting to mess with my head. I know the rumors aren't true, but it doesn't make it any easier to go back. But no matter what, something wasn't right with Candice, something made her nuts in class. She had a look in her eyes that I haven't seen before on anyone. It was as if she
Last Updated : 2022-04-14Atticus Chapter 42
** Brad **Candice is still a little out of it or in shock, I'm not sure which, when we get to her place. We climb the stairs to her apartment in total silence. I don't even ask if I can come in because she doesn't have a choice, I'm staying with her. God knows what she might do if I leave. What if she goes back to that crazy house? What if she tries to kill herself again? The thought makes me almost nauseated. I keep a close eye on her as she blindly walks over to the answering machine, like it's always the first thing she does, and hits the flashing red button. She bristles at the sound of the voice."Candice? This is Mrs. Stephens, the counselor at Parkview High. Um, honey, I have some bad news. Your mother has been in a car accident and is at Alliance Memorial Hospital. I'm already here and hope you get this soon."Candice looks like she's just been punched in the gut. I reach out to offer a hug or whatever someone does when they get this kind of news. "C'mon, I'll take yo
Last Updated : 2022-04-14Atticus Chapter 43
** Candice **Brad pulls up to the front of the hospital and I get out and walk toward the double doors. He was right; I am still a little out of it. Everything feels like it's going in slow motion. Or maybe it's me, I can't tell anymore. I hate that he's been dragged into my mess of a life. I feel like I'm seriously losing my mind. A ghost, who can control me inside and outside of my dreams, apparently drove me to attempt suicide. Somehow, I was stopped by a guy I met at school, a guy I've kissed twice and am already starting to have feelings for. And now my mother has been in an accident. It's as if I've been living an unconscious existence for the past twenty-four hours, holding on to a truth I no longer understand. Ghosts are real. Ghosts can hurt you.I'm not sure I can to do this by myself so I just stand here, staring through the glass of the door until I hear footsteps approaching. I don't have to look back; I know they're Brad's. His cadence is easy to detect-strong, yet c
Last Updated : 2022-04-14Atticus Chapter 44: ICU
I glance over at Mrs. Stephens, who looks like she's about to cry. She gives me a nod, encouraging me to go without her.And that's it. I'm on my own. No more safely nets. It's so quiet I can hear our shoes hitting the tile floor with each step. Even the nurses are whispering to each other. It's creepy and feels like I'm crossing into another dimension between here and death. Dr. Calloway stops just in front of a closed door. The room is almost entirely glass but he's blocking my view. "Don't let what you see shock you. I promise, your mother isn't in any pain." When he moves away and I see her and my hand goes directly to my mouth.Her entire head has been wrapped, only revealing her eyes, nose, and mouth, while tubes are taped to almost every part of her body. The steady pings and beeps from a collection of monitors nearly drown out what the doctor says to me next."Only thirty minute visits for now." I nod as he walks out, reaching for the chair next to her bed. I gentl
Last Updated : 2022-04-14Atticus Chapter 45: Warnings
I'm looking at her but can no longer speak. I see her, but I have nothing to say. My body is shaking like I'm in a sub-zero freezer without anything to keep me warm. Brad immediately squeezes my hand, rubbing his thumb gently over my fingers. The warmth from his hand feels good and I scoot closer.He puts his arm around me, stroking my arm like he's protecting me, and says, "C'mon, anyone who's lived in this town for even a little while knows about the Emory house." Mrs. Stephens takes her eyes off me and looks at Brad. "Listen, I don't talk about my abilities to many people, but you have to believe me." Then she locks eyes with me again and says, "You're in danger, honey."Brad looks down at me then back at Mrs. Stephens. "Are you seriously saying that house is haunted?" His tone drips with disbelief. "I'm saying that the visions I see are becoming volatile. And yes, the more time she spends there-with him-the more likely something tragic will happen."I can tell by the look on
Last Updated : 2022-04-14
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Atticus Chapter 57: Guilt
Brad sucks in a breath when the nurse yanks his arm to strap on the blood pressure cuff. Several layers of white compression bandages are around his ribs and I'm having a hard time believing she didn't notice. I give her a concerned glare. She looks at me then back to Brad. Apparently she finally realized she's been a little aggressive and apologizes, releasing his arm. Clearly, Brad's unscathed because he immediately reaches for my hand. I'm about to get on my knees and beg his forgiveness for putting him here in the first place when there's a knock on the door and we both look up.Two people walk in and it only takes one second for me to realize they're Brad's parents. The concerned looks on their faces pull at my heart. His mother instantly rushes over to him, gliding her palm over his face. Brad's dad follows her, standing behind, as if allowing his wife to have the first moment with their son. "Baby," is the only thing Mrs. Davis gets out before she starts to cry. "I'm okay
Atticus Chapter 56: A Reprieve
Mrs. Stephens starts the first cup and the heavy smell of coffee hits the air. A couple minutes later, she walks back and places two cups on the table before pulling out a chair. "Thanks," I say, taking a sip. She laughs when I make a face. It's the crappiest cup of anything I've ever had. "Yeah, it's pretty bad," she admits, pushing her cup away. Then she cocks her head as if she's sensing my emotions. And she probably is. I'm getting used to it, I think, her reading me."Well, at this rate, the hospital should probably set you up a cot." She laughs, trying to lighten my mood.I'm sure she knows I feel like shit for putting her and Brad through hell. I take another sip, glad it tastes terrible. It's exactly what I deserve.Mrs. Stephens reaches for my hand across the table and I look up to see the kindness in her eyes. I try not to lose it and bawl my eyes out again, so I look away. She squeezes tighter. "You've got to stop beating yourself up about this, Candice.""I can'
Atticus Chapter 55: A Change
When we stop at the front desk of the ICU to check in, the nurse asks us to wait for Dr. Calloway. Apparently, something new has developed with my mom and he wants to talk to me about it. To say I'm nervous would be an understatement. I'm sure she's gotten worse; I'll be an orphan by tomorrow, I just know it.Five minutes later he walks out of the double doors and sits down across from us. He looks at me, then to Mrs. Stephens, asking permission to talk freely in front of her. I tell him it's okay and he scratches his head like he's confused."I'm not sure how to tell you this, but..." He pauses, looking down at his clipboard as Mrs. Stephens takes my hand. Doctor Calloway looks back up at me and says, "Thirty minutes ago, your mother woke up from her coma." His brows push together like he's still in disbelief but then a smile slowly washes over his face. Mrs. Stephens instantly gives me a hug and whispers, "She's free of him, too." I smile back at her, wiping a tear from my ch
Atticus Chapter 54
**Candice**Mrs. Stephens called Brad's parents immediately after he was admitted, telling them what happened and to come to the hospital as soon as possible. I stood next to her at the pay phone, listening to her story, nervous and shaking and out of my mind with worry for him all at once. She glanced over at me for a split second and rubbed my arm as if she knew I was consumed with guilt. Then she cleared her throat and continued, telling Brad's parents that we'd been investigating the Emory house for a class project at school. She paused, I assume to listen to their concerns, before agreeing it was a really bad idea that we snuck into an abandoned house. She effortlessly described how Brad "lost his balance" at the top of the already dilapidated stairs. Fortunately, she was very convincing and never gave out too many details. Apparently, when parents find out their kids are hurt, how it happened isn't all that important. And the fact that she's an adult who works at the school de
Atticus Chapter 53
** Brad **BanishmentMrs. Stephens is walking the perimeter of the room, repeating her words as she tips the vile, allowing the black water to drop on the floor. Without warning, what sounds like hundreds of voices fill up the room, making it impossible to hear, while millions of black, dust-like specs swirl around the room.My eyes are drawn up when I realize the black shadow creatures are back, turning in circles above our heads. Bloodcurdling screams and horrific, demonic cries reverberate around us as if they're having a war with one another. Shrieks fade in and out until every last creature finally vanishes into midair, silent. I shift my eyes back and forth, looking for Atticus, but there's no sign of him.I don't know what the hell Mrs. Stephens is doing, but it's working. She's shouting her words, chanting them louder and louder, shaking the vile of black liquid in the air. I can actually feel the negativity being forced out of the room. The room is still smoky but it fe
Atticus Chapter 52
** Brad **Man to Man"You had a chance to leave, yet you chose to stay," Atticus says, looking genuinely curious. "Do you love her?"Ignoring him, I attempt to get back up but he stands over me, demanding my answer. I slowly look up at him, trying to keep his attention away from my hand, gathering some of the fallen salt."Answer me!" he shouts as animal-like shadows begin crawling along the ceiling.If I weren't in so much pain, the horrific show above my head would be terrifying, but I'm finally able to get a full breath and force my legs to pull me up. Immediately, my hand tosses the last bits of black salt in his face. He disappears again but this time, I'm ready for it. I know I only have a few seconds to get Candice down. "Brad, run!" Candice shrieks.I turn around to see Atticus flying straight toward me, both hands stretched out, aiming directly for my throat."Stop...I love him!" Candice cries out.Atticus whips his head at Candice and I watch her take what looks like a g
Atticus Chapter 51
** Brad **I check my pocket again, touching the small lump of black salt. It's my only defense. I have no idea if it will work but I have to do something. I just hope like hell I'm not too late. I'm instantly nauseated just thinking about it.I make a right on Oak Lawn, parking two houses down before cutting the engine. I sneak out, barely clicking the door shut as I duck and run, sneaking across the lawn like I'm about to rob the place.The house is quiet but as I get closer and slip through the broken out window, I can hear talking in the distance. I try to be as quiet I can, but my heart is practically bursting through my chest, requiring me to take quick breaths. If I'm not careful, I'm sure they'll hear me coming by that alone. I want so badly to call for her but force myself to stop and listen. A few seconds go by before I hear something. It's faint but it sounds like a male voice coming from upstairs.Atticus.Ducking behind the staircase, I close my eyes and stop to con
Atticus Chapter 50
** Brad ** The back door opens and I already know it's Mom. The Family Law office she manages closes at five thirty every day, even though most of the attorneys stick around longer. Sometimes Mom stays after too, picking their brains about class action suits and indictments. Especially if there's a case she's interested in. Even without going to law school, it wouldn't surprise me if she could pass the Bar exam."Hey," I call over my shoulder."Hi, honey. What are you making?""Mac and cheese." I pause because I think I hear Candice. Maybe she's awake? "How 'bout I make us a couple sandwiches to go with it?" Mom suggests, opening the pantry door.I better tell Mom what's going on before Candice beats me to it. If she walks out of the guest room looking like she just woke up, it might be a little bit of a shock. The good thing is, Mom prides herself on helping others, so there's a pretty decent chance she'll be okay with it."I need to talk to you." "Sure. What's up?" She s
Atticus Chapter 49: The Return
"Hello, Candice." His voice is still so beautiful and I reach out to him. "How did you find me?" I don't know why I asked; I already know the answer. He's part of me now."You must come with me." It feels like cool fingers are tapping on my cheek. When I push up on my elbows and look around, he's not there. I turn to look out the window and see the edge of the sun resting just above the horizon. I've been asleep for a couple of hours."Atticus?" I call out, but I he doesn't answer.Lifting the covers, I step out of bed to get a better look and I'm right, I'm alone. Instantly, my head begins to throb again and I hear his voice. But it's not coming from inside the room; he's in my thoughts. "If you want the pain to stop, you must return to me." Every time he speaks, the pain eases a bit, then returns with a vengeance-worse than before. I'm having a hard time trying to think, but I know I have to leave as soon as possible. I rush over to the window, hoping I can sneak out witho
