Don't Wake the Dead Read online

  “It is. I hope you’ll be happy, Hank.”

  He smiled at me, his eyes twinkling. “You too, Zoe. I’ll see you on the other side. Hopefully, it will be many, many years in the future.”

  “Good-bye, Hank. Be at peace.”

  He lifted a hand and turned to walk away from us. I couldn’t hear the voices calling him or the light he spoke of, but the air around me buzzed with energy. I knew that the veil between the living and the dead had been lifted to allow him through. I could even sense its general location.

  As I watched Hank disappear, something dark began pushing against the veil. I shivered as it tried to shove through.

  “No,” I whispered, but it was too late.

  The presence slammed against the veil once more and I almost fell to my knees as it shot through, escaping the grasp of the portal.

  Hank turned and gave us one last wave before he vanished completely, unaware of the darkness that had brushed by him.

  I swayed on my feet from the burst of energy that accompanied the closing of the veil. Mal took my arm, keeping me on my feet.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Hank’s gone,” I replied. “But something else is here.”

  I felt the dark entity hovering nearby. Without addressing it, I knew that we were being watched. Before I could ask the specter any questions, it disappeared, zipping through the trees around us.

  Unease settled over me. Whatever that was, it wasn’t a regular ghost. Its presence was darker, heavier, almost like a physical touch. I hoped to God that it couldn’t harm anyone, because it seemed almost…corporeal.

  “It’s gone,” I told Mal.

  “What’s gone?”

  “The dark spirit that came through the same portal Hank used to leave. I think it escaped from the other side.”

  “I don’t understand,” Mal stated.

  “Me either. But whatever it is, I don’t think it’s here to spread cheer and joy.”

  “What should we do?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t think there’s anything we can do, Mal. It left and I have no idea where it’s going.”

  Somehow I knew that it wouldn’t be last time I saw the spirit. I only hoped that I would know how to deal with it when I did come across the entity again.

  Chapter

  Over the next week, I healed quickly. My doctor commented on how fast I recovered from my concussion. The bruising was still there, but it was no longer purple and black, but shifting from blue toward green. In another two weeks, it would be gone completely.

  I managed to convince Mal that I would be fine in my house alone as soon as the doctor gave me the all clear to drive. It was a difficult task, but I needed to put some space between us. I was beginning to get used to having him around and looking forward to seeing him in the morning. He had rapidly become someone I considered a close friend. I felt I could share anything with him and loved talking to him about nearly everything.

  The problem was that I was beginning to get attached, and not in a platonic way. Mal didn’t hug me or hold my hand anymore and I realized I missed it. Which in turn scared the shit out of me. Not just because he was my boss but because now he was my friend. I didn’t want to lose him in either capacity if a romantic entanglement didn’t work out.

  Once I convinced Mal that I would be fine alone, I read everything I could about evil spirits. I devoured book after book on spells, potions, exorcisms, and necromancy. Nothing I found seemed to describe what I’d felt and seen.

  When I came across that evil presence again, I wanted to be able to deal with it. Instinct told me that I shouldn’t face it unprepared.

  I also invited everyone over for another episode watching party. We ate pizza and brownies and I found that I was getting used to seeing myself on camera.

  Although Jonelle was still insisting that I wear more make-up. That was the only problem with having a hair stylist-slash-makeup artist as a best friend. They were very determined that you should look your best when you were on a YouTube show.

  Teri even joined us, listening to our conversation and occasionally interjecting. I had to relay her statements to the others, but everyone seemed to take it in stride.

  As the episode ended, Mal got to his feet.

  “I have several announcements to make,” he stated, raising his voice so that he had our attention. As we fell silent, he grinned. “And they’re all good news. First of all, since Zoe Thorne has joined our ragtag group, our channel has increased to nearly one hundred and fifty thousand subscribers.”

  Stony and Blaine hooted and whistled, patting me on the back. “Good job, Zoe. You’re awesome!”

  I laughed and shook my head. “Whatever.”

  “I’m not done,” Mal said, lifting his hands. “Because of all this extra attention, we have several networks interested in picking up our show.”

  Stony, Blaine, and Jonelle jumped to their feet, hugging each other and yanking me off the sofa as well.

  “That’s amazing!” Jonelle laughed.

  Mal, Stony, and Blaine shared a man hug that included backslapping and handshakes all around. Then they dragged me into the circle, hugging me as well.

  Everyone was excited, but I couldn’t help feeling concerned. The idea of millions of people seeing me on television every week was daunting. Even more intimidating than hundreds of thousands of YouTube viewers. I wasn’t exactly starlet material.

  I smiled and laughed, congratulating Mal and the guys, but inside I was freaking out. I wasn’t sure how I felt about this new development.

  A couple of hours later, I was finally alone. I trudged upstairs and found Teri standing at my bedroom window, staring out into the backyard.

  “I hear you’re going to be a big television star,” she murmured, never taking her eyes off the landscape behind my house.

  “Yeah,” I replied, my voice quiet.

  Something in my tone must have garnered her full attention. She turned to face me. “You’re not happy?”

  I shrugged. “I’m not sure. Everything seems like it’s changing so fast.”

  Teri smiled. “You’re just used to your rut,” she responded.

  “Yeah, I guess I am,” I answered with a sigh. “Do you think I’m making a mistake?”

  “What do I know?” Teri asked with a shrug.

  “Teri.”

  “Zoe, how long have I been telling you that you should get off your ass and start living your life?”

  “Good point,” I admitted.

  “It’s okay to freak out about it, sweetie. Your entire life has changed in just a few months. The important thing is that you’re changing and growing. I’m stuck in this house forever. You have a chance to see the world and you should take it.”

  At her words, there was a pang in the vicinity of my heart.

  “Do you want to leave, Teri?” I asked.

  She smiled ruefully. “Your story about Hank Murphy got me thinking. I’ve been in this house for thirty years. I’m beginning to believe that’s long enough. I’m curious about what’s on the other side.”

  Though it hurt to think about Teri leaving, I couldn’t blame her. “I understand.”

  She moved toward me. “Zoe, will you help me? Will you find out who killed me?”

  I nodded. “Of course.” I paused. “Do you think that’s the only way you’ll be able to move on?”

  “I don’t know,” Teri answered with a shrug, “But I’d like to try.”

  “Then we’ll try,” I promised.

  “Thank you, Zoe.” She moved to the other window in the bedroom and looked toward Preston’s house. “Though I do have to say that I’ll miss watching Preston work out shirtless.”

  “Maybe there will be lots of shirtless firefighters on the other side,” I suggested.

  “I don’t know,” she demurred. “I wasn’t on my best behavior all those years ago. I don’t think I’ll be allowed in Heaven.”

  I burst into laughter. “Well, you did save Mal’
s life just a week ago. That should count for something.”

  “That’s true.”

  I could sense her sadness. “Teri, I will do everything I can to help you,” I promised.

  “I know you will, Zoe. It’s just…” she trailed off. “You’re not the only one who’s scared of change.”

  Not for the first time, I wished I could touch her. However, it wasn’t for the usual reason of wanting to throttle her. I could tell she needed comfort and I wasn’t sure what to say. A hug would have conveyed that a lot more easily.

  “Maybe a change will do you good,” I offered.

  She snorted. “I may have been dead for thirty years, but even I can recognize a line from a Sheryl Crow song.”

  “Sorry, I’m not very good at this.”

  Teri shook her head. “You’re better than you think.”

  “You know what, I’m not so tired after all,” I stated. “Wanna go watch something with hot guys in it?”

  “Definitely,” Teri replied.

  “Great, I’ll meet you downstairs in a few minutes. I’m going to put on my pajamas.”

  She laughed. “Some things will never change.”

  “Hey, I wear real pants when I have to. It’s just that right now, I don’t have to.”

  Still laughing, Teri disappeared.

  Epilogue

  He watched from the shadows as the two women moved away from the window, and he couldn’t believe his luck.

  She was still here.

  Of the myriad of women he’d known all those years ago, she was his favorite. She’d fought the noose fiercely, even with the drugs he’d pumped into her system. Just thinking about it now made him hard.

  It had been so long since he’d tasted death and the accompanying release. He was starving for the rush.

  Now, he could watch her again, savoring the hunt. While he couldn’t experience her death once more, there was always her friend.

  The woman was younger and slimmer, but still gorgeous. As he watched her strip off her shirt, he palmed his cock. He’d never tried to fuck a human in this form. He wondered if it would be possible. He couldn’t believe his luck. Where he was before, he couldn’t touch anything. His fingers would pass right through. Now, he had a body; a big, strong body that could easily overpower a woman her size.

  She shimmied out of her jeans and he groaned softly. He intended to find out exactly what his new body could do to her.

  But not yet.

  Though his blood leapt, he chose to wait and watch. While the hunt wasn’t as enjoyable as the kill, he hadn’t experienced this thrill in thirty years.

  And he had nothing but time.

  The End

  Sign Up for C.C.’s Monthly Newsletter

  www.ccwood.net/subscribe

  Contact C.C.

  C.C. loves to hear from her readers!

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorccwood

  Twitter: www.twitter.com/cc_wood

  Instagram: www.instagram.com/authorccwood

  Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/ccwood01

  Email: [email protected]

  You can also sign up for blog updates and C.C.’s monthly newsletter on her website!

  www.ccwood.net

  About C.C.

  A native Texan, C.C. grew up either reading or playing the piano. Years later, she’s still not grown up and doing the same things. Since the voices in her head never shut up, C.C. decided to share their crazy stories and started writing books.

  Now that she has a baby girl at home, C.C.’s non-writing time is usually spent cleaning up poopy diapers or feeding the poop machine. Sometimes she teaches piano, cooks, or spends time bugging her hubby and two beagles.

  Titles by C.C. Wood

  Novellas:

  Girl Next Door Series:

  Friends with Benefits

  Frenemies

  Drive Me Crazy

  Girl Next Door-The Complete Series

  Kiss Series:

  A Kiss for Christmas

  Kiss Me

  Novels:

  Seasons of Sorrow

  NSFW Series:

  In Love With Lucy

  Earning Yancy

  Westfall Brothers Series:

  Texas with a Twist

  Wicked Games Series:

  All or Nothing

  Paranormal Romance:

  Bitten Series:

  Bite Me

  Once Bitten, Twice Shy

  Bewitched, Bothered, and Bitten

  One Little Bite

  Love Bites

  Bite the Bullet

  The Wraith Files:

  Don’t Wake the Dead