Invisible Terror Collection (19 page)

Then she went limp.

As she lay there, stunned, struggling to understand what had happened, one thing became glaringly clear: Something was inside her. Something more powerful than herself.

She was no longer in control.

Chapter 7

       Becka hung up the pay phone outside the school’s office.

“Nobody home?” Ryan asked.

Rebecca frowned and shook her head. “She should be there.

She said she’d be there.”

As they turned and joined the swarm of students heading down the hall and out the door, Becka sighed. It had been a rough day.

Fortunately, Philip had only a few bruises and a sprained hand to show for her stupidity, but that didn’t stop the rumors from spreading. And it didn’t stop Becka’s own self-doubts from growing.

Why had the ladder fallen? Was it really an accident? Or was Krissi right? Maybe she had done something unconsciously, something stemming from her jealousy. But was she really jealous?

The thoughts tortured and chewed at Becka throughout the day. And they were only made worse by her worries over Julie.

Becka followed Ryan out of the school and down the steps toward the parking lot. “Something’s up, Ryan. Something’s wrong with Julie. I know it.” 

Ryan took a deep breath but said nothing. He didn’t have to.

“You don’t believe me, do you?”

“I just think … well, that you’re overreacting a little, that’s all.”

“Hey, Ry,” a jock in a letterman’s coat called out, “I’m rooting for you, man.”

“Thanks.” Ryan flashed a grin. “Just make sure you vote …

and your friends too.”

“Count on it.”

Before he could turn, two freshman girls approached. It was obvious they were trying to flirt with Ryan. It was equally obvious they were way out of their league.

“Hi, Ryan.”

“Ladies.”

Unable to think of anything else to say, they quickly scurried off in whispers.

“Don’t forget to vote,” he called after them.

They giggled and disappeared.

Becka watched Ryan smile. All day he had played the crowd, going for the votes. It didn’t really bother Becka, but she did notice a certain insincerity in him that she had never seen before. He was using his smile to win votes and his killer charm to impress everyone. Was there anything wrong with that? She wasn’t sure. At the moment there were too many other things to think about.

“How can you say I’m overreacting?” she asked. As her intensity increased so did her volume. “You’ve seen what demons can do. You’ve read about them in the Bible.” Ryan cringed and glanced at the passing kids. “Easy, Beck, the whole world doesn’t have to hear.”

She stared at him. “You’re more concerned about what people think than about Julie?”

He kept his voice quiet and low. “I think Julie will be just fine.”

“How can you say that?” 

Ryan was getting angry. She could tell by the way he fought to keep his voice even. “I can say that because I can see the situation clearly. Because my thinking’s not clouded with some com-petition thing.”

“Competition!”

“Yeah, you know … jealousy.”

It was Becka’s turn to get angry. The two had never had an official fight before, but there was a first time for everything.

“Ryan, she’s in danger! She could get hurt.”

“Not any worse than Philip.”

“What’s
that
supposed to mean?”

They arrived at the Mustang, and he crossed over to unlock and open her door. “Nothing, I … I’m just glad he’s okay, that’s all.”

Becka stared at him, her mouth slightly open. “You think I did that on purpose?”

“No, of course you didn’t — ” He ran his hands through his hair in frustration.

“Ryan?”

“I don’t — ” He started toward his side, then stopped and turned. “All I know is that there’s a heaven and that Julie was there, but you wouldn’t believe her. You thought she should go to hell.”

Becka started to protest, but he continued. “What’s more, she had an angel guiding her. And now there’s another angel guiding her, but
he’s
demonic … and it’s all because you say so.” He shook his head and continued toward his door.

Hot tears sprang to Becka’s eyes. She hated crying and gave her eyes a swipe. “Ryan — ” her voice grew thicker by the second — “you were in the mansion. You saw the demons.”

“Julie’s not seeing demons!” He unlocked his side and opened the door. “It’s an angel, Becka. She’s seeing a real, honest-to-goodness angel. Why can’t you admit it?”

“Because it’s not true.” 

He turned and leveled a look at her. “We only have your word on that.”

“It’s evil.”

He held her gaze, refusing to back down. “So
you
say.” Becka bit her lip. She was trembling, and she hated that more than the tears. She gave her eyes another swipe.

“Come on,” he said. Was it to lighten things up, or because people were staring? Becka couldn’t tell. “Let’s go.” She stood there, looking at him. How could he think that?

After being together all this time, how could he think she was just being paranoid? Or worse yet, that she was hurting people out of jealousy?

Another guy called from a passing car, “Hey, Ryan, good luck Friday.”

Ryan cranked up that instant grin of his. “Thanks, man.

Don’t forget to vote.”

“Deal.”

Becka could stand no more. She shut the door and turned.

“Beck?”

She began walking away.

“Beck, come on. Becka, come back.”

She wasn’t sure where she was going, but she had to get away.

“Becka, come on now.”

Her pace quickened. She didn’t know if he was coming after her or not. She didn’t care. The tears spilled onto her cheeks and streamed down her face.

“Becka … Rebecca!”

She began running.

**********

Julie was glad to have Philip and Krissi stop over. There was so much she wanted to tell them. So much she’d learned. Unfortunately, with her guardian in control, she wasn’t allowed to talk. 

Not a word. At least for now. Each time she tried to speak, she felt herself being pushed down to someplace deep inside herself.

The guardian insisted on running the show. He wanted to do all the talking.

Of course, he never told Philip and Krissi who he was.

Why don’t you tell them?
she had questioned.

In good time. But right now they are not prepared for such
information.

He did his best imitation of Julie. He spoke with her voice and mannerisms as he explained the great calling on Philip and Krissi, and how they would help change the world. Part of Julie was frustrated at having to remain silent, pushed underneath.

After all, it was
her
body. But part of her knew the guardian would be able to teach them far better than she.

So Julie let him have his way.

At the moment, they were talking about Krissi’s favorite subject.

“I really am special, then?” Krissi squeaked. “I mean, this handwriting, these messages, they really are coming from somebody else?”

“Were they signed?” Julie heard her voice ask.

Once again Krissi dug into her handbag. “You bet they were.

But the name is, like, really weird.” She pulled out the tablet and flipped through the pages until she found her latest message.

“Here it is. His name is … Xandrak.” Philip smirked. “Sounds like some alien from outer space.” Julie could feel the guardian turning her lips into a smile.

“You’re not too far wrong,” her voice said.

“It’s a real person then?” Krissi exclaimed. “You know who it is?”

“Julie,” Philip repeated, “do you really know who this guy is?” Julie could feel a surge of pride running through her body — a pride that came from having others wait for information only she possessed — but it wasn’t
her
pride, it was the guardian’s. She felt her throat being cleared and then heard her voice. It wasn’t exactly arrogant or haughty. But pretty close.

“Who it is, my friends, isn’t nearly as important as what it says.”

“You know what it says?” Krissi asked in amazement. “You know about its warning for us to stay away from Rebecca?” Julie’s body took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

“I’m afraid so,” her voice said. “The truth of the matter is, we all owe Rebecca Williams a great deal. She is the one who introduced us to the supernatural. But from now on, her selfish ambition and childish jealousy will only stand in our way.”

“I knew it,” Philip said. “That’s exactly what I was telling her.”

Julie barely heard. She was too startled at the guardian’s lie.

She
knew
Becka. She knew there wasn’t a selfish bone in the girl’s body. Why would he say there was? She tried to surface, to interrupt and correct him, but suddenly she felt herself being thrown down, hurled back underneath.

STAY THERE!
The guardian’s thought roared in her head.

Julie was shocked. She knew this creature had a temper, but she couldn’t imagine it directed toward her. Quickly, she answered him.
That’s not true, what you’re saying about Becka.

She’s done nothing that —

I am warning you, STAY DOWN!

The command outraged Julie. Who was he to tell her what to do? After all, this was
her
body. Outside, in her bedroom, she heard another voice join the group. Ryan had entered. He was asking if anyone had seen Becka. He was saying he thought she might show up here. But Julie barely noticed. Maybe she had made a mistake with the guardian. Maybe she shouldn’t have let him take charge. That would be simple enough to correct. She had given up control to let him in, she would regain control and force him to leave. Of course, it would mean giving up all his knowledge and power, but still …

He was preoccupied, talking more trash about Becka to the group. It was easy for Julie to slip up to the surface without him noticing. When she arrived, she started parting her lips, then she was thrown back down into the blackness. This time harder and fiercer than before. It took a moment to shake off the blow.

Now Julie was mad. Real mad. And if there was one thing you didn’t want to do, it was make Julie Mitchell mad. Too angry to be afraid, she rose and fought back toward the surface. It made no difference what he said or did, that was
her
mouth, and she would regain control of it.

I AM WARNING YOU!
the guardian shouted.

Julie didn’t stop. The fight of wills continued.
Let me up!
her thoughts screamed.
Let me back!

But it made no difference how hard she fought. She could only rise so far before being thrown back down. Whatever control she had given up, she could not regain it. The thought terrified her.

She’d been cut off from her own body.

Let me up!

No.

I want you out! You leave! Now!

You are mine!

Who do you think you are —

I have warned you.

This is my body, and I demand that —

Sleep!

A heaviness fell over Julie. Immediately she lost consciousness. Now the guardian had complete control.

**********

Becka entered her house through the garage’s back door.

“Mom?”

There was no answer.

“Scotty?” 

Repeat performance.

She sighed and dumped her books onto the kitchen table.

Typical,
she thought,
when I need them, they’re nowhere around.

It was an unfair thought, and she knew it. She knew Mom was still out looking for work. And Scott — well, who knew where Scott was. Ever since he got involved with that stupid computer game at Darryl’s cousin’s, he’d been practically nonexistent. But there was always Muttly. The puppy whined from outside and scratched at the sliding glass door. Becka opened it, and he bounded in with the typical barks and yelps of excitement. She knelt down, and he attacked her with a flurry of licking tongue and wet nose. As he whined and nuzzled, he forced himself onto her lap. Before she knew it, Becka was holding him, hugging him.

Muttly had been Ryan’s gift to her when she had returned from the hospital. Her friends had thrown her a welcome-home party. Back when she was everyone’s pal.

But now …

Becka hated self-pity, but the emotions were too much. Her eyes began to burn again. Muttly nuzzled and nudged until she tumbled backward onto the floor. And there, lying on the kitchen floor, holding her puppy, Rebecca Williams quietly sobbed.

She was so tired. So lonely. Cut off. And no one cared. Not even Ryan. Why had he turned on her? Why had they all? She could have kept her mouth shut, played along and been like everyone else. And if she’d had her way, that’s exactly what she would have done. But oh, no, she had to try and help. She had to be the know-it-all who tried to warn them.

Well, no more. She was through. If they wanted to mess around with that stuff, let them. If they liked playing with fire, fine. Who was she to stop them? She wouldn’t. She wouldn’t say another word.

Becka shoved Muttly away and, with a loud sniff, rose to her feet. She hadn’t asked for the job, and she didn’t have to take it. 

Let God find somebody else. Let him find another person to be the All-School Oddball. She was through.

Becka headed for the stairs when a sudden wave of compassion struck her.

What about your friends? What about Ryan?

“No!” she shouted at no one in particular. “They’re not my worry!”

They don’t understand …

“Stop it!” The tears were coming faster now. She headed up the steps.

They need you.

“They don’t need me!” she blurted. “They hate me!” She reached the top of the stairs as another set of sobs hit. She wrapped her arms around herself and leaned against the wall. It wasn’t fair. None of it!