Sacrificial Lamb (The Other Angels Book 1)

by Ashley Nicole

  I take a deep inhale. “I’m very sorry. I’m not myself for some reason today. I keep going off into space.”

  “It’s ok, but I think you should go get some rest. You’re starting to worry me.” She stands and grabs her drink and candy. “Have a good day, Scotty.”

  As I watch Katie walk away, I ponder the name choice she made. Scotty. That’s what the girl on the phone in my last vision called me. Was there a connection? Or was it only a coincidence using a convenient nickname? If so, then who was the girl in the visions? The one who loves rainbows and likes Skittles in Dr. Pepper? It has to be Katie, doesn’t it?

  The more I try to piece it together, the more confused I became. Why would Michael push me? And why am I having flashbacks? What does it mean? My head hurts. I guess I can ask Michael for answers if I ever see him around. But right now, I shove all the visions to the back of my mind. I’ll figure it out later.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  With Katie gone, I don’t know what to do with myself. There’s a wooden sign next to the umbrella tables pointing me in the direction of town. I look down. I’m in a suit. It’s the same suit mom made me wear for graduation. I should try to find some other clothes. I wonder how money works here. I know I don’t have any but maybe I can trade my suit.

  I follow the dirt path, shaded by colorful blossoming trees. A couple of girls wave as they pass by. Smiles illuminate their faces and I find it effortless to smile back. In a few minutes some shops come into view. Their single-story stone structures create the simplistic vision of the village.

  I walk into a clothing shop and begin browsing through some t-shirts hanging on the racks. The brands range from Hollister to Walmart and everything in between. “Howdy stranger.” The clerk approaches me and says with a thick Southern accent. She’s in her mid-twenties and has strawberry blonde hair tied into a loose braid hanging over her left shoulder and freckles on her cheeks. “My name’s AJ. Is there anything I can help you with?” Her pale green eyes sparkle with excitement.

  “I need some new clothes. This suit isn’t very comfortable.” I flex my arms in the constricting fabric for emphasis.

  “Well, that’s understandable. Most newcomers stop in here for a change. Take anything you like.” AJ gestures around the shop.

  “Take it? You mean it’s free?”

  “Why of course! Money doesn’t have any purpose here. That’s why it’s always so peaceful-like.” She gives me a soft smile and walks back to her counter to talk to some other people.

  I turn back to the clothes rack. With everything always free I can pick out a change of clothes now and come back tomorrow for more. Then it hits me. It hadn’t crossed my mind until now, but I don’t know where I’m supposed to stay.

  I walk up to the counter with my clothes. “Excuse me AJ. I have a question to ask you.”

  AJ looks back over at me and smiles. “Sure, what do you need?”

  “How do I go about getting a place to stay for the night? Is there a hotel or something around here?”

  “Oh, that’s easy! No hotels, but if you ask any of the angels walking around, they will show you to your new home.” She points out the shop’s open front door to the path outside.

  “Oh, thanks. And thanks for the clothes.” I turn to leave.

  “Anytime sugar. Come back when you need more.”

  I nod and head back outside. It doesn’t take long to find an angel. He’s dressed in similar clothes as Michael and the impressive wings are hard to miss. When I approach him he smiles. “Hello, child.”

  “Hi. I was told if I asked one of you angels, you’d take me to my house?” Do I really get my own house?

  “Certainly. I didn’t realize you were new. Welcome to the Kingdom, I’m Jeremiah.”

  “I’m Scott.”

  “Nice to meet you. If you’ll follow me.” He begins walking. “Your house is down this street here, six houses down. I hope everything will be to your liking.”

  “I’m sure it will be perfect.” We walk in silence past five other houses. Their structures are similar, but their unique styles widely vary. One has a large impressive stone entrance, while another is mostly made of glass and looks more modern. It doesn’t take long to reach my house. Jeremiah hands me a key. The picture-perfect log home is surrounded by a small yard. Nestled beside it is a pond with a stone bench placed on its bank.

  I walk up to the front door and unlock it. When the front room comes into view, I am speechless. Every piece of furniture in the room looks to be vintage art pieces. All the tables are even crafted out of sculpting clay. The walls are swirls of blue and yellow, replicating Van Gogh’s “Starry Night”. It’s an artist’s fantasy.

  Over by the window is an easel and a wide variety of art materials. I walk over to it and run my fingers over the assortment of paint brushes. “All this is mine?”

  Jeremiah chuckles. “Of course. It’s a standard house but we try to design them around each individual’s own personality and interests. I assume you approve of the choices we have made for you?”

  “Oh, I approve alright!” My face stretches into a wide smile as I feel like a child on Christmas morning.

  “That’s good to hear. I’ll leave you to yourself then. If there’s anything you need, we have left some instructions in the kitchen for you and if there’s something you no longer want just leave it outside your door.” I nod and he turns to leave. “Have a good day, Scott.”

  “Thank you.”

  Ten minutes after I hear the door shut behind Jeremiah, I still cannot believe what I am seeing. This room is amazing. Then I remember I still have the rest of the house to see.

  I walk through every room. I have the living room I came into that also has a large map on one wall, a bedroom with a king-sized canopy bed, bathroom, kitchen with a small table and two chairs, and two spare rooms that have not been decorated. I guess I can choose what to do with those.

  In the kitchen I look in the refrigerator. It is fully stocked with my favorites from chocolate milk to blueberries to butterscotch pudding. It’s a bit creepy that someone knows so much about me down to these small details but then again, they are angels. I look in the cabinets and find a box of snack cakes. I grab a pack and sit down at the table.

  There’s a white envelope with a golden seal. I open it to find a welcome letter along with instruction on how the magic works here. It says all I have to do is think about what I want, say it aloud, and it will appear. I can order about anything, including pets. Pets, huh? I’ve always wanted a pit bull. I conjure the image of a black terrier with a white chest and little white toes. And I say it? I look around and then back at the letter. “I would like an adult male pit bull.” After I say it, I feel a bit silly but then there’s a knock at my door. Did Jeremiah forget something?

  I walk over and open it. There on my front step sits the dog I just ordered. I look around but there’s no one in sight. This place is amazing! I lead my new dog into the house. He’s a handsome boy with the iconic blocky head and big expressive brown eyes. I wonder if he belonged to someone in the living world.

  “What am I going to call you?” He looks at me and wags his nub of a tail. I head to my bedroom and change into the black shorts and blue t-shirt I just got at AJ’s store. “How about Lobo? I think it means wolf in Latin or something.” Lobo jumps up on my bed and curls up. “Yeah, I’m ready to get some sleep too.”

  I crawl into bed and flip out the lights. I start to think about what all I’ve been through today, at least what I’m allowed to remember of it. I haven’t had one of those visions since Katie left. I wonder if there’s a reason for that. I try to piece it together, but exhaustion wins out and I’m soon asleep.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  I remember everything.

  This morning when I wake up, I don’t have foggy memories that are out of reach. I have it all. Crystal clear. I remember crashing my truck, I remember talking to Michael and what a jerk he was, I remember my last phone call with Katie.
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  Katie…

  I remember her. I remember everything about her and everything we had and everything I lost.

  Does she remember me?

  Better yet, does she hate me for being so angry that night?

  I have to find her. If our memories are coming back to us, I need to talk to her before she thinks about it too much. I don’t want her to be alone and upset.

  I go to the large map on my living room wall. It has the whole town on it and streets twisting around its borders, but I can’t find names on any of the houses.

  In the corner there is a plaque that says, “Say the name of who you are searching for and picture them clearly in your mind.”

  My eyebrows scrunch together. I sigh. “Kathryn Taylor.” Right before my eyes a street leading from the small square representing my house lights up. I trace along it with my finger until it stops in front of another square.

  That must be Katie’s. The magic here is weird like it’s in my mind.

  I copy down the directions on a piece of paper and walk out the door.

  In town people are everywhere doing everything: talking, shopping, eating, and walking to the meadow. The odd thing is everyone I see looks to be around my age except for the occasional older or younger person. Maybe the angels arranged us that way so we would be around people we were similar too. Perhaps there are towns with only babies or old people.

  When I turn up Katie’s road, I get a sick feeling in my stomach. What if she won’t talk to me? I was awful to her…

  I shake my head. I can’t think like that. I have to stay positive. We can fix this. I know we will have to talk about the guy in her room that night, but one obstacle at a time. This time, I’ll listen.

  When I reach the tenth house on the street I stop and stare at it. The yard is decorated with a vast array of flowers. Animals scamper through them uncaring of my presence. The pond beside her house is identical to mine except it is dotted with ducks, swans, and geese.

  The house itself is a mismatch of colors. The siding is sky blue, the roof is red, the door is pink, and the shutters are lime green.

  This is definitely Katie’s place.

  I take a deep breath to calm my nerves and walk up the porch steps to the front door. I knock lightly then step back to wait. It only takes a moment for the door to open and there’s Katie.

  She’s wearing a white sundress with a rainbow belt. Her hair hangs free in waves over her shoulders. Three black kittens romp with each other around her feet.

  She smiles warmly at me. “It’s nice to see you again, Scott. Is there something I can help you with?”

  That’s not quite the greeting I was expecting but nonetheless I’m happy to see her again. “No, I was just wondering if we could talk?”

  “Of course. Please come in.” She stands back and opens the door for me. As I walk into the house more animals come into view. Two German Shepherd pups are playing tug-of-war with a chew toy. A large orange tomcat stretches from a nap on the sofa. A few colorful birds fly in circles above my head. “Are you feeling better today?”

  “Yeah, much better, thanks…” My voice trails off as I watch a squirrel climb a tall floor lamp.

  I look back at Katie who is watching me take it all in. “I really like animals,” she says as if she needs to give an explanation.

  “I should bring Lobo over for a play date one day,” I say as Katie leads me to her kitchen and I sit at the small table. The room is bright with sunlight streaming through the windows and reflecting off the yellow walls and sunflower decor. It reminds me of her mother’s kitchen back when we were alive.

  “Lobo?” She asks as she reaches into a cabinet above the sink.

  “Yeah, he’s my pit bull.”

  “Oh, he’d probably love that.” She heats some water in a kettle and brings a plate of sugar cookies to the table. She takes the seat across from me and nibbles at a one of the baked goods. “What did you want to talk about?” She pushes the plate toward me, and I take a cookie.

  “Well I was wondering if you remembered me?” I hold my breath hoping all this casual politeness is a ploy until she knows that I remember her as well.

  “Of course, I remember you,” she says, and my eyes widen. “We spoke yesterday at my favorite café in the meadow.”

  My eyes close and I hang my head. “No, I mean before that. Do you remember me from when we were still alive?” I probe.

  She stands to pour the now hot water into the two mugs she got from the cabinet. She adds a teabag to each along with four spoonfuls of sugar. “I don’t think so. Should I?” She brings the mugs over to the table and sits one in front of me then returns to her seat sipping at hers. She pauses and her face reddens. “Oh, I’m sorry. I probably made that way too sweet for you. It’s a habit, I’m not sure why I did it to both mugs.”

  “No, it’s fine. You’ve always given me four spoonfuls because that’s how I like mine, the same as yours. I was your boyfriend, Katie.” Will she remember if I remind her?

  “Really? I’m sorry, I don’t remember you at all.” She looks apologetic but I’m not ready to give up.

  “We met in high school our junior year. I was new and when walking home one day I noticed you put Skittles in your Dr. Pepper and it made me curious enough to talk to you.”

  “Are you sure you’re not confusing the memory of meeting me yesterday with an old memory of someone else? With having suppressed memories here I’m sure that can happen.”

  “No, Katie. It’s you. I know you. You love animals and you always wear at least one rainbow thing. And this kitchen,” I gesture all around me, “it’s decorated like your mom’s, right down to that sunflower apron hanging over there.” I am desperate to convince her.

  “You could know that simply by looking at me right now. My house is full of critters and I’m wearing a rainbow belt, and good guess about the kitchen.” She isn’t smiling anymore, and she eyes me cautiously over the rim of her mug with each drink she takes.

  “A few weeks before you… died, it was our third-year anniversary. I took you to the town park for a picnic and then we watched the sunset from the dock. You were so happy.” I recall the memory and try to project it into her mind.

  “That sounds really nice, but I still think you have me confused…”

  “Come on, Kathryn. Why can’t you remember me?” I look at her pleadingly.

  “I just don’t. Michael says I won’t remember anything that has to do with bad emotions so if I don’t remember you then you must be linked to something bad so maybe you shouldn’t be here.” She stands and takes my mug to the sink even though I hadn’t touched it yet.

  “Katie, no. I remember you. Everything about us was good. That Michael guy isn’t the saint you think he is. You need to trust me and remember!”

  “Michael is an angel! And I don’t know what kind of connection we had back on Earth but it’s not here. I think you should leave me alone please.” She’s trying to stay polite, but her words are stern. I try to remind myself that she doesn’t really know what she’s saying and that she doesn’t mean it, but her words still stab my heart.

  I slide out of my chair and look at her. “Look, Katie. I’m sorry I’m pushing you. I’ll give you some space, okay? See you around?” I walk to the front door but stop to wait for a response.

  “Thanks,” she says as she shuts the door behind me.

  I nod to myself and drop my head to stare at my feet that are walking away from the girl I love.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Bloop. Bloop. I sit on the bench outside my house and toss pebbles into the pond. Bloop.

  What am I going to do? Katie doesn’t remember anything about me, but I remember everything. I remember our relationship, our breakup, her death, and my death. I even remember Michael pushing me through that stupid gate when I got here. But what does it all mean? Why do I remember if I’m not supposed to?

  I throw my handful of rocks down in frustration and stand up. I need some answers
and I know who has them.

  Back inside my house I stare at the map on the wall. “Angel Michael.” Nothing happens. “Michael Angel.” Still no streets light up. “Where does Michael live?” My voice begins to raise. I shove my feet into my black dress shoes that I forgot to trade in and trudge out the door.

  I could probably ask an angel but am I allowed to know where Michael lives since the map won’t show me?

  AJ’s shop is bubbling with chattering happy people. It takes all my willpower not to make a U-turn back out. AJ herself stands at the counter sipping on a lemonade. “Back so soon Scott?”

  “Yeah, I need to trade my shoes.” I gesture to the stiff ones scrunching my feet.

  “No problem! If you don’t want those anymore, you can leave them here for someone else.”

  I pick out a pair of Nike sneakers that are a bit more practical to walk in and head back to the counter. “Do you happen to know where Michael lives? I need to talk to him.”

  Instead of complying immediately, AJ eyes me wearily only for a second but then her smile mask returns. “I overheard some folks yesterday say they stumbled upon his house while out walking. They said they went north outside of town and there was this big black mansion at the base of a mountain. They turned around and came back of course, but my guess is that’s Michael’s place.”

  Of course, he has a mansion. “Thanks.” I turn to leave.

  “I wouldn’t go snooping around. You should respect his privacy.” AJ eyes me again.

  “You’re right, I’ll catch him in town sometime.”

  “Sounds like a plan! See you around!” Her chipper voice follows me out the door.

  That was really odd. It was almost like there were two completely different people talking through her. Maybe her real self was shining through. Why is everyone still brainwashed but me?

  I start walking back through town, but I realize I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing, but I guess I have this whole walk to come up with what I’m going to say. Wait. Am I going to talk to him? Or am I going to spy on him? That option sounds better since I don’t even know where to begin on my ever-growing list of questions. He doesn’t seem interested in sharing information anyway.