Wicked Cries (The Wicked Cries Series Book 1)

by Michelle Areaux

  After running up to my room and staring at my closet for what seemed like forever, I decided on a pair of tight, dark blue jeans, and a form-fitting lavender sweater.

  When I'd finished putting on my tennis shoes and a light coating of perfume, I presented myself to my mom, who smiled and told me I looked wonderful. Her eyes had begun to glaze over, a heavy stream of tears threatening to escape at any moment and run down her face.

  A car pulled into the driveway, and I knew it must be Noah.

  "Mom, get the door. I forgot my jacket." I ran back up to my room to get my jacket, as the temperature had dropped considerably, back down to Salem's typically frigid cold, and it truly was freezing outside.

  After gathering my jacket, I rushed back down the stairs. What I saw when I reached the bottom stair, will be etched in my memory forever: Noah was standing in the foyer in a black tuxedo, carrying a single red rose. His hair had been gelled back, and he'd exchanged his trademark tennis shoes for a pair of black dress shoes.

  I gasped‒I couldn’t believe how dashing he looked. My pulse raced, and my heart seemed to flutter down into my stomach. My mouth gaped open as I tried to speak. "Noah…you look…amazing," I finally managed, eyeing him as if he were a delicious piece of candy.

  He looked down at himself. "Yeah, I guess I clean up pretty good." He flashed his irresistible grin, causing me to go weak in the knees.

  "I'm not dressed for wherever you're taking me," I stated, looking at my jeans and casual sweater.

  "You look breathtaking," he said, smiling back at me.

  My mom stood watching us, her back resting against the wall next to the kitchen. She blinked, and a tear ran down her cheek. My dad rolled his eyes and then his lips formed a small smile.

  "Shall we?" Noah asked, extending his arm.

  I took hold of it, glancing one last time at my mom before we walked out into the cold, night air. She waved, tears filling her eyes.

  "I can’t believe you," I smirked at Noah. "You look so handsome."

  He walked me to the passenger's side of the car and opened the door for me. Once inside, he turned the ignition, and pressed play on the stereo; Amazed by The Beatles was playing. "Sometimes I'm not very good with words, but I think this song about sums it up." He turned to me briefly, to gauge my reaction. I put my hands over my chest, unable to speak as I listened to the meaningful lyrics.

  We were driving through town, listening to the song over and over, when I noticed we were heading toward the marina. I couldn’t imagine why he'd want to take me there‒it was freezing outside, not exactly appropriate boating weather.

  To my astonishment, he parked in the empty marina lot, got out, rushed over to open my door and help me out of the car.

  "Noah, what are we doing here?" I asked, nodding toward the deserted marina.

  "You'll see." He led me to the end of the dock where his boat had been securely tied. I held my arms tightly against my body as we walked down the dock, which was slick, as a thin coating of ice had frozen over the once wet surface. Noah grabbed my hand, securely to help me keep my balance.

  "Take my hand." He insisted, and then helped me into the boat where we'd our first date, where I'd succumbed to an animalistic lust, given up my desire to remain alone, and given in to someone else.

  I held my breath at the sight before me. White Christmas lights had been strung all around the boat, providing a romantic glow. I glanced up to observe the lights and saw a sparkling sky, blanketed with millions of shining stars, each of them winking at us, watching as we stood, holding one another.

  "This is incredible," I managed to say between gasps.

  "It doesn’t compare to what I wish I could do for you, to make up for the wretched life you led before you came into mine." He held tightly onto my hands. They fit securely in his fists, something I loved.

  "Noah, you don’t owe me anything. I owe you my life after you showed me what it meant to really live. Before you and Lucy came into my life, I'd spent my time not being able to trust anyone. I was so afraid to let my wall down, and let others see the real me. I was ashamed of who I was, but you showed me that I'm not some hopeless freak, that I'm worthy of love and acceptance." I tried to reason with him, persuade him, but as normal, he failed to listen to me.

  "I just felt it was appropriate to celebrate the end of our hectic crusade." As he spoke, a spark fluttered in his eyes, causing me to smile. "Never in a million years did I ever believe that in a few weeks’ time I'd meet someone as incredibly insane as you, no offense."

  I nodded. "None taken."

  He continued, "Nor that I'd uncover such a strange and uncanny secret lurking in my hometown. I feel like we just stepped out of an action film that was meant to be a mystery horror flick." He laughed, making the only sound in the otherwise silent night. The only sound other than Noah’s infectious laughter was the lap of the small waves as they broke against the side of the small boat.

  "I hope we have this much fun next year," he whispered, holding me close. The warmth that seeped from his thin body was like the extra blanket I desperately needed.

  Next year; that sounded nice.

  "Well, if you still want me around next year, I can assure you we can concoct something to keep you entertained." I nuzzled my head against his chest and smiled, trying to catch a whiff of his sweet aroma, and the moment we were in. I never wanted to forget it.

  "Don’t worry about me not wanting you around--you’re the one who likes to throw the punches."

  I brought my face up to his, and he smirked. One thing I could always count on was for Noah to savor uncomfortably serious moments. There was a time when such a behavior would've irritated me to no end, but now I kind of craved those moments, felt as if I couldn’t live without them.

  I jabbed him lightly in the gut. "Hey," he said, and I frowned, pretending to be upset.

  Noah grabbed my arms and separated our embrace until I was inches from him, though it felt like miles. He opened his jacket, reached inside, and took out a small, blue velvet-covered box. I gasped, not sure what the box contained.

  He noticed my reaction and laughed. "Don’t worry; it’s not what you think."

  I loved how we were so in tune with each other that he always knew what I was thinking. I smiled, relieved, but still curious. He reached out and took my hand in his. The cold was beginning to take hold, and I began to shiver.

  "Sadie, I love you so much, I still can't believe I was lucky enough to find you, and that you were crazy enough to want me. Those days we fought were the most unbearable days of my life. I've agonized over the thought of losing you, of not being able to see you or your precious face again." He opened the box to reveal a small diamond ring‒a lone diamond set in the center of a silver band. It was simple and beautiful, much like I felt Noah believed me to be.

  "I want to give this to you as a promise ring. I want you to promise me that no matter what happens, we will always be together."

  I felt warm tears developing, smiled, and held out my hand so he could place the ring onto my finger. He struggled with it for a moment.

  Secretly, I wished the ring had a much larger and important significance, but for now, while I was still in high school, this one would suffice.

  "Um…which finger do I put it on?" he asked, staring down at my hand. I insisted on my pointer finger‒it didn’t have the same significance as the others might.

  He slid the ring onto my finger and I watched as the shiny diamond danced in the glimmer of the white lights hanging overhead.

  "How did you ever afford such a beautiful ring?" I asked, unable to divert my eyes from my hand.

  "I had some money saved from working last summer. I was going to blow the money on a trip somewhere next summer, but you're worth it." He smiled as he watched me admire the ring.

  I couldn’t believe he'd spent his savings on me. I looked at Noah standing in front of me, wearing a tuxedo. No one had ever gone out of their way to do anything as special for me. I knew the
ring only symbolized a promise, but if he'd have asked me to be with him longer‒say for eternity‒I would've gladly accepted.

  Noah reached out and pulled me tightly against his chest. My head nuzzled underneath his chin, where it felt like it was always meant to be. I reveled in the warmth seeping off of his body. No longer did I feel the cold air surrounding us, and I heard no sounds except for his steady breathing. The earth became still in that moment. I was wrapped in everything that was Noah, and nothing would keep me from remembering this feeling.

  "Promise?" he asked. "Promise," I replied.

  With that short exchange of words, we'd sealed ourselves to each another. I was his girlfriend‒more if we both agreed at a later time. The promise held more strength than any of our words could ever mean.

  Noah began to sway back and forth, with one hand on my waist and the other holding my hand in his. "What are you doing?" I asked when I noticed the movement.

  "I am dancing," he replied, without stopping. "But there's no music," I reminded him, peering

  up at him.

  "We don’t need any music," he stated, twirling me around.

  I smiled. "I guess not," I said as I moved my body in tune with his. My head rested on his shoulder and I felt a rush of emotion.

  I wanted to remember this moment forever.

  He held me tightly as he swayed our bodies to the rhythm of the rocking boat and his humming. I couldn’t make out what song it was, but that didn’t matter. I just shut my mouth and just enjoyed the moment.

  A cold droplet of moisture hit my forehead; the sky had opened up and began dropping tiny, white snowflakes, falling around us, lightly dusting the boat with a blanket of white powder. This was a night of firsts for me‒my first experience of the beauty of snow, and the comfort of knowing my life was moving forward.

  For that brief moment, everything was perfect. Even though I sensed the uneasy feeling that someone or something was watching me, I let the feeling pass. I knew all too well that soon enough my life would be complicated again.

  "So, Sadie, do you have any more adventures planned? Any more schemes you're working on?" Noah asked, still holding onto me tightly.

  Smiling up at him I placed my finger on his bottom lip. "You'll just have to wait and see.

  About the Author

  Michelle Areaux was born and raised in Nicholasville, Kentucky where she currently resides with her husband Anthony and two sons, Connor and Cooper. She attended the University of Kentucky where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education and Asbury University where she earned her Master’s Degree in English Literacy. Currently, Michelle is a middle school language arts teacher and avid reader. She writes a monthly blog for a Teaching website and has been featured on KET as a highlighted author. Her first novel, Wicked Cries motivated her to continue writing and publishing more novels for both young adult and new adult audiences.

  Extras

  Coming Soon!

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  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

  About the Author

  Extras