Sacrificial Lamb (The Other Angels Book 1)

by Ashley Nicole

  SACRIFICIAL LAMB

  The Other Angels Book One

  By Ashley Nicole

  ©2020 Ashley Nicole

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, contact the publisher listed below.

  Published by

  Dark and Twisted Press

  P. O. Box 1064

  Moorefield, WV 26836

  ISBN 978-1-7347191-0-9

  Library of Congress Control Number 2020906905

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Cover designed by Ryan Rinsler

  Edited by Michele Sagan

  First Edition

  Visit www.ashleynicolewrites.com to learn more.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue – Kathryn

  Part One – Kathryn

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Part Two – Scott

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Part Three – Kathryn

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Epilogue – Scott

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Prologue – Kathryn

  His light fingers leave a trail of warmth along my cheek. My eyes meet his blue ones and we begin to lean in. The meaning behind this kiss feels heavy as if this moment has always existed and been waiting here for us, building up intensity in anticipation. The electric between us charges the air into something almost tangible. His breath mixes with mine in the closing gap between our lips.

  The vision that encompasses my mind rips away and leaves me standing with my hands in cold dishwater. How long had I been standing here? And why do I keep having these powerful daydreams?

  No, not daydreams. They’re stronger and more vivid than simply getting lost in thought. They capture my entire being and take me on a trip far away. But where? And with who?

  I never see his full face or hear his name. But he knows mine. He’s called me Katie in countless dreams, the longing of being with me clear in his voice.

  I pull the plug in the sink and dry my hands. The soft carpet in the living room welcomes my bare feet. I draw back the curtain screening the window on my front door. The darkness swallows the houses on my street, and the path into town is empty except for two angels leading a girl toward the forest. Their hands are clamped around her arms and it appears she is struggling to break free of their hold.

  But that wouldn’t make any sense. Not here anyways.

  PART ONE: KATHRYN

  CHAPTER ONE

  My head is spinning. The black spotted vision of the world around me comes in and out of focus making the nausea harder to ignore. But I must ignore it before he notices I’m not okay. One deep breath. Two. My mind whirls as I grasp for words.

  “Today was gorgeous!” Sitting in the grass next to the picnic Scotty put together, I lean back on my hands and close my eyes as the evening sun warms my face.

  “Not as gorgeous as you.” Scotty stands up and offers me his hand.

  “Do you ever get tired of being a cheeseball?” I ask as I take his hand and let him pull me into his embrace, thankful for the stability his arms offer. I inhale his woodsy based cologne.

  “Not at all. I’m surprised you still put with me.” He pulls away enough to look at my face. I stare into his eyes. Their shade is such a delicate blue resembling ice crystals forming when the sun hits them just right. I trace the shape of his clean-shaven face with my eyes, all the way from his chin to the top of his head where his black hair hangs a little more unruly than usual.

  We gather our crumpled chip bags and half empty jars of peanut butter and jelly. I neatly fold the red checked blanket while mentally grounding my dizzy self before returning to Scotty’s side. He grabs the picnic basket in one hand and my hand in the other as we walk around the lake that sits in the middle of the seemingly endless green fields of the town park. Ducks glide across the glossy water, their distant honks mixed in with the soft tweets of small robins perched in the trees above my head. When the path narrows, a fluffy white rabbit scampers away from us, disappearing over the hill.

  “Have you been okay lately? You seem a little distracted today.” Scotty pulls me out of my daydreaming, stopping our stroll and making me look at him.

  “What do you mean?” I bite my lip and avert my gaze from his worried expression, hiding behind a curtain of light blonde hair.

  “You know what I mean, Katie.” He lifts my chin, so I have to look at him. “Is the medicine helping? Are you still feeling overwhelmed and anxious?”

  My stomach starts to turn again. “I’m alright, Scotty. No need to make a fuss out of this.”

  “I’m not. I just care about you and want to make sure you’re happy, which is harder to do when we’re apart.”

  I sigh. “I know, but I’m fine. I’ve been happy today with you, haven’t I? It’s better when I don’t think about it.” Most of the time.

  “Okay, just know that I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  We start walking again. I know he’s worried about me. My family is too, but they shouldn’t be. Whatever has put me into this slump will pass and I will be okay again.

  Feeling overwhelmed, my heart begins racing again. My mind returns to just two months ago during the semester’s move-in weekend. The college prepares a big meal on the quad for students and their families every year. I had my parents and Scotty with me but somehow in the mass chaos of hungry bodies, I’d become separated from them. I remember the sharp jabs of panic in my stomach and the tightness in my chest as I struggled to get enough air into my lungs. It felt like it was never going to end, until it did, with me blacking out. I’ve grown up with mild social anxiety and don’t like being around a lot of people, but it’s never felt that intense. The doctors said it was a panic attack and put me on some medication.

  I seem to be doing better now. I don’t have those attacks anymore if I take the meds, but when I think about it my heart beats a little harder and my mind clouds. I need to work harder to stay in control.

  I turn my attention back to the unseasonably warm March day. The fresh air cradles the exposed skin peeking out from my white and yellow sundress. The weather hints at an early return of spring, evident by
the horizontal lines that cut across the freshly mowed grass. A pleasant light breeze rustles the rainbow of colored feathers intertwined with my long hair.

  “I have one more surprise for you.” Scotty again pulls me from my thoughts.

  “How can there possibly be more? You’ve outdone yourself this time.” Warmth radiates through my body.

  Scotty leads me to the weathered, wooden dock and we sit on its edge. I unstrap my white sandals and dip my toes into the chilly water.

  “Close your eyes,” he instructs.

  I obey and feel the cool metal of a necklace as he hooks it around my neck. My eyes fly open and I look down to see a heart-shaped silver locket with my blue Sapphire and his yellow Topaz birthstones on the outside. I open it to see a black and white picture of Scotty and I from our senior prom and a quote that says, “Love never dies.”

  “A locket?”

  “I know you like classics.” His triumphant smile lights up like a fourth of July sky.

  “It’s perfect. Thank you.” I lean in and kiss his lips softly, savoring the warmth of his face so close to mine.

  “Happy three-year anniversary sweetheart.” He kisses my forehead then I rest against his shoulder and watch the sun sink lower into the glittering lake. My internal storm calms and I welcome the peaceful silence that hangs between us.

  As the last traces of light disappear below the horizon, we wander back up the streetlamp lit path. I watch moths flock to the murky yellow lights and hover as if trapped in an invisible fence. I wrap my arms around myself as the dropping temperature brings goosebumps onto my skin. Scotty’s truck sits in the parking lot that has emptied with the setting of the sun. The beaten older model white Ford may not look impressive, but Scotty is proud of it. The summer after he got his license, he worked every odd job the neighbors offered to make enough money to buy it himself.

  The door squeaks in protest as he opens it for me. My bare legs rub against the ripped fabric as I slide into my seat. I click the seatbelt into place smiling to myself recalling the first time I rode in this truck.

  Our first date during our Junior year of high school, we went to the movies and had dinner at the local diner. Scotty drove me home and worked up the courage to kiss me, but as he leaned in his seatbelt locked up leaving his face inches from mine. I giggled and told him his truck must be jealous and left him kiss-less. A little cruel maybe but as soon as he got home, he texted asking when he could see me again.

  Now, as he pulls the truck over in front of my house, I turn to face him, a playful smile dancing on my lips. “Is your truck jealous tonight?”

  In the dim lighting offered by the dashboard lights, I watch Scotty cringe. “I’m never going to live that down, am I?”

  “Not if I have anything to say about it.” I slide to the middle seat and unhook his seatbelt. He caresses my cheek with his hand before bringing his lips to mine. I slide even closer and intertwine my fingers into his hair. This whole day has made me realize how much I’ve missed the closeness of him. We fall into a heavier kiss and the windows start to fog. I break away and sigh. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you too. Try not to stay away so long this time, okay? A month is a long time to make my lips wait for yours.”

  I feel a sliver of guilt seep in. “I’ll try. I’ll have to see how my work schedule is. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  I steal one more kiss before slipping out of the truck. Automatic porchlights flick on and illuminate the stone walkway that leads to the white front door of my small brick home. Once inside, I shut the door and lean against it, sliding down to the light brown hardwood floor. How lucky can one person be?

  Anna’s old ears finally hear me. Her toenails click on the floor as she races toward me, the wag of her fluffy tail only outdone by her ecstatic barking. Her being fifteen and myself twenty, most of my memorable childhood years include her. The tinges of grey that touch her golden face in no way diminishes the twinkle of affection in her amber eyes. I truly miss her when I’m away.

  “Kathryn? Is that you?’

  “Yeah, Mom.” I kick off my shoes and skip to the kitchen, giddy as a schoolgirl who got kissed on the bus. Mom stands at the sink doing dishes in the faded yellow kitchen. Her graying blonde hair is swept up in a bun with a few loose strands hanging over her shoulders. She’s wearing the sunflower apron I got her this past Christmas. The warm smell of the roast she made for dinner still lingers in the air. I slide in next to her and begin drying the clean cups and plates.

  “So, what did you and boy wonder do today?”

  “You would think after three years you’d warm up to him. I’ve never understood why you call him that.”

  My mother smiles. “It’s not an insult if that’s what you’re asking. I just remember a few short years ago you didn’t have much interest in dating and then this young man shows up and sweeps you off your feet. I just think he must be some great guy to love you the way he does.”

  My nose crinkles with laughter. “He didn’t sweep me off my feet!”

  “No? Tell me about your day then?”

  I take a handful of clean silverware from the dish strainer and begin sorting it in the drawer behind Mom. “He took me on a picnic at the park and we went walking around the lake and sat on the dock to watch the sunset.”

  Mom clatters some plates into my side of the sink. “That sounds very nice. Most boys just want to take you to their bedroom.”

  “Scott’s not like that. He wants to take care of me not sleep with me.” I watch Mom scrub at a spot on a skillet. We’ve always been close and open about everything, but since she’s right about me not being interested in boys prior to Scotty, these kinds of conversations didn’t come up much. After a few moments I break the silence. “He thinks you don’t like him.”

  Mom puts the skillet down and looks directly at me with a hand on her hip. “Well, you need to tell that boy he’s crazy.”

  I can’t hold back the smile that forces its way onto my face. “I love you, Mom.” I throw my arms around her neck and hold her tight. “Thank you.”

  “Where’s my hug?” I turn around and see Dad’s broad frame standing in the kitchen doorway. I rush to him and throw my arms around his neck. He squeezes me tight. “I haven’t seen you for four weeks, kiddo.”

  “Sorry, Dad. I came in late last night and you were already asleep in your chair, then Scotty and I were out all day for our third anniversary.” I pull away and look at his balding head and the laugh crinkles around his warm brown eyes.

  “Your mom told me. How was it?”

  “It was great.” I walk back over to the sink and finish putting away the dishes. He disappears into the living room. I smile to myself betting he’ll be asleep in his recliner by the time I head upstairs to go to bed. He’s one of the hardest working men I know. Owning his own construction business, he sometimes words fifteen to sixteen hours a day, weekends too. Although he makes a point to never miss a birthday or any other special occasion, he is gone a lot of the time.

  Mom glances at me as if she wants to say something but is unsure if she should. I wait patiently until she speaks. “I ordered a refill for your medicine yesterday. You can stop and pick it up tomorrow on your way back to college.”

  I stiffen. “I could have done that back in Keyser.”

  “I know, but I thought you were probably getting low and I know you’re busy through the week, so I was trying to help.” She fiddles with her dishcloth as she tries to sound nonchalant.

  “Thanks.” My mood drops as I think about my anxiety governing my life.

  “Have you been doing okay on them? You haven’t had any of those attacks at college, have you? You know the doctor said if they don’t work, we can see about changing to a different kind.”

  “Mom, they’re working fine. I wish everyone would stop asking about it.” I try not to sound snappy, so my voice comes out as a forced calm.

  “I’m just worried sweetheart. I was
really scared that day you passed out from your anxiety.” She places a hand on my shoulder, and I feel myself melt. It’s not her fault I feel like this.

  I sigh. “I know, but I’m alright. Really. I’m going to bed now, okay?”

  “Alright, Kathryn. Goodnight. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Night.” I walk through the living room placing a quick kiss on my sleeping dad’s forehead. Anna follows me up the carpeted stairs, passing collages of family pictures on the way to my room. I plug in a strand of lights inside the doorway. The rainbow bulbs wrap around the room and light up the dozens of photographs attached to the pale blue walls with decorative tape. In my small connecting bathroom, I only flip my nightlight on, enjoying the relaxing ambience of the dim lighting. I splash cool water on my face and allow myself to breathe vowing to myself that this anxiety isn’t going to control me anymore. After brushing my teeth, I wander back into my bedroom.

  I flop down on my bed and rub the silky pink comforter. Anna hoists herself up beside me and lays down. It’s been a long day. I start to think about my trip back to Riverside tomorrow and the upcoming Calculus midterm looming in the near future.

  I groan and roll over, too tired to change into pajamas. It doesn’t take long for me to drift off to sleep.

  CHAPTER TWO

  “Now Cain offered some of the fruits of the land to the Lord, but his brother Abel offered a burnt sacrifice of one of his sheep. The Lord accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s, which made Cain angry and bitter toward his brother.” Mrs. Barren strolls around the small young adult Sunday school room with her message Bible spread open in her wrinkled hands.

  “I’d be angry too… fresh fruit beats burnt sheep any day.” Cassie sits with one foot propped up on her metal chair with her phone in her hand. I occasionally throw questioning glances at her slouched position and lack of interest.

  Mrs. Barren glares at her overtop the large round glasses perched at the end of her nose but keeps a calm voice. “Not to the Lord. A blood sacrifice is much more pleasing because of its similarity to the sacrifice of Jesus later. Abel had faith of what God wanted where Cain did not. The Lord warned Cain that jealousy is the threshold to sin, but Cain didn’t listen. Instead, he lured his brother out into the field, picked up a rock, and killed him.”