The Soul Healer

by B. Groves

  Kyle stepped out of the shower and was drying himself off in front of her.

  His facial expressions seemed pinched from doubt.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Alison asked.

  Kyle turned to her in surprise. His facial expression changed to embarrassment as a blush crept up his cheeks.

  “Is it weird I’m more worried about running into my congregation but not fighting a bunch of demons?” His mouth turned down. “I used to look forward to this every year. We’d set up our booth, give out cookies and juice for free. We’d hand out flyers, and the congregation would buy us food and drinks. I’d meet new people and counsel anyone who needed it. It didn’t matter what religion they practiced. Now… I’ll be a stranger looking in.”

  Kyle’s shoulders slumped.

  Alison knew those emotions all too well but they came from within her own family. She didn’t say it out loud because she didn’t want to take away from Kyle’s pain.

  She stood up from the bed and snuggled into his neck. “Is there anything I can do?”

  Kyle turned to face her. “You being here is enough for me.” He managed a small smile. “I still need your help with my shoes.”

  “Sure thing.” She checked his bruises. They were fading fast, but he still complained of pain. “They look much better.”

  “I wish they felt better.”

  Alison waited until Kyle dressed. He tried to put his sneakers on by himself but he became frustrated when he couldn’t tie them.

  Alison did it for him and that’s when the knock at the door came.

  She glanced at the clock.

  They were ready to rid this town of its evil infestation. Wolfpine, the small mountain town near the edge of The Great Smoky Mountains needed cleansing so they wouldn’t witness pure evil once it came out of the shadows.

  Most residents didn’t know about the evil or who led them into this darkened abyss but those that knew would fight so they never had to deal with another case like Olivia. The child who killed her mother unintentionally.

  Alison thought of Olivia. She’d hoped the little girl would never remember, but she did and had to deal with the aftermath.

  She saw it in Olivia’s eyes when they drove over to Emma’s. The haunted stare told the whole story. The possession affected Olivia more than she’d let on and Alison hoped that Dr. Rodriquez could help her once they started therapy.

  Alison opened the front door for Miguel and Olivia. Kyle had talked with Chief Carter the night before and told him a different story than what they had planned. Kyle didn’t enjoy lying to Carter, but Alison pointed out that Carter would be too busy controlling the crowds of people to notice or help them anyway.

  “By the time he realizes what’s going on, we’ll be hunting the real victims,” Alison said.

  Miguel and Olivia entered the house. Alison could tell Miguel was ready for a fight and she had to remind him to keep his cool and do what John told him to do or their plans could blow up in their face.

  “Did you do it?” Alison asked Miguel.

  Miguel’s dark eyes were sharp. “It’s done. No one suspected anything because I’m the school custodian and they trust me.”

  Alison nodded and Kyle grinned.

  The late afternoon sun had dipped behind the trees and Alison grabbed Simon’s leash.

  “Are we ready?”

  “We’re ready,” Kyle answered.

  “Let’s go.”

  The four of them took separate cars and they planned to fight for parking since they were arriving late in the day when the festival was at its busiest.

  Alison kept watching her rearview mirror while Kyle kept his eyes on other cars.

  “Do you think we’re being followed?” Kyle asked.

  Alison noticed that Simon kept gazing out of the rear window and pacing around the back seat with his ear pointing forward.

  “He’s restless,” Alison commented.

  Kyle turned around to pet Simon but the dog ignored him. “I’ve noticed he loves a good scratch behind the ears but he’s not wanting one now,” he said.

  Alison nodded in agreement. Her dog never turned down a good scratch no matter where he was unless he sensed danger.

  She gazed into her rear-view mirror with her own senses heightened, but she didn’t hear the familiar whispers or voices that came with the demons once they were on her radar. Driving may have been distracting her and it was Simon who picked up on the evil around them.

  “We’ll keep vigilant,” Alison said as she turned onto one of the main roads that led into downtown.

  “Make another right at Paula Lane, there’s a parking lot there,” Kyle said.

  Alison nodded and made the right. She’d already spotted the guards blocking traffic from Main Street. She turned the radio down and heard loud music from a short distance away. People were walking on the sidewalks and crossing the street heading to the festival.

  She spotted a Ferris Wheel spinning over to her right and a small roller coaster behind it.

  “They set up fast,” Alison said.

  “I know,” Kyle said. “It’s amazing how fast the city workers turn the streets into a festival every year.”

  As Alison drove down the street, Kyle pointed to the yellow flashing sign that said, “Park Here.”

  She turned into an otherwise vacant lot that had been converted into a parking lot for the festival.

  A man in his forties with gray flecking his beard came over to greet her. Alison didn’t pick up the darkness in him and felt relieved that she wouldn’t have to start her job sooner.

  “Hello,” she said rolling down the window.

  “Evenin,’” he said without a smile. “Price is $10 per hour and $50 until midnight when the festival shuts down.”

  Alison turned to Kyle in surprise. “Wow. That’s robbery.”

  The parking attendant’s expression never changed. “We’re the closest with spaces still available.”

  Kyle handed Alison the ten and twenties. She’d noticed he hadn’t shown his face to the attendant.

  “If you say so,” Alison said handing him the cash.

  The man put a receipt on her dashboard and wished them a fun night. She found a parking space and pulled into it, waiting on Miguel and Olivia.

  “That went way up from last year,” Kyle said with a shake of his head. “I was here all day and only paid thirty.”

  “Remind me to never come here again, “Alison said as she got out of the car.

  “Don’t worry, we won’t,” Kyle answered.

  Alison and Kyle waited for Miguel and Olivia. Miguel cursed the price of the parking too as they waited for Alison to adjust Simon’s leash.

  “That’s insane,” Miguel commented.

  “That’s our mayor,” Kyle answered.

  Alison was ready to take on this mission. She gazed around and memorized her surroundings, like the street they parked on, what buildings were close by and an escape route in case their plans went south.

  She sent a quick text to John to let him know they’d arrived and were waiting for the mayor to speak.

  Other festival goers were walking by which were mostly young families with children or groups of teenagers laughing and joking.

  Alison could feel the growing darkness within her as she straightened her shoulders. The demons may not have been close to them now, but she felt their presence all around the group.

  The sun would dip behind the Smoky Mountains soon, and Alison made sure she checked every shadowy corner before they walked towards the festival.

  The music became louder with each step, and Alison got a whiff of sweet and savory food as they crossed the last street and crept closer to the police barriers.

  She heard the loud chatter of people, the laughter of children, and sounds of carnival games along with the music.

  She turned to see the roller coaster coming down from its highest peak.

  But, on the outskirts of all the fun going on, the evil withi
n this town was cloaking itself over the fun and activities.

  It rippled through Alison as they stepped closer to the festival making her feel almost dizzy from the power emanating around her.

  Alison tried to clear her mind. She needed to stay focused on their plan and for the first time, she’d have another life to protect.

  Alison would have Olivia with her because if Olivia stayed with her then it would throw off the demons from their plans. She and Olivia would stay in plain sight because the demons didn’t know where the hunters may have set up shop.

  Samuel’s speech was fast approaching and so was his unveiling of the Vietnam War statue. Samuel was in for a big surprise.

  The group stepped into the crowd of people.

  She turned to see Kyle keeping his head down. She could tell he was embarrassed about being there.

  “Keep your head up,” she scolded.

  Kyle’s mouth turned down. “I know.”

  “Before we separate, Olivia wants a drink,” Miguel said checking his watch. “We have a few minutes.”

  Alison nodded as Miguel walked off with his daughter to a nearby booth.

  “You have to stay strong,” Alison said to Kyle after Miguel and Olivia walked away.

  “I’m trying. I saw Mrs. Turner and if she had a gun, I’d be dead,” Kyle responded.

  “It’ll be much worse after you cause your scene,” Alison commented.

  Kyle was about to respond when some unexpected company approached them.

  Preston Hazard made his way through the crowd. Although he was tall and lanky he still commanded a presence through the crowd.

  Alison scoffed. This was the last thing she needed right now. She only hoped that Kyle could maintain his cool around Samuel’s attorney.

  Kyle had spotted him too and his eyes widened behind his glasses.

  Alison turned to him and gave him a look that said, keep your cool.

  “Reverend Ellis,” Preston said with a grin that could make a linebacker cry. “I’m surprised you had the balls to show your face here.”

  Preston’s grin turned into a sneer. “I’m convincing Samuel to press charges.”

  “You do that, Preston. Don’t you have an ambulance to chase?” Kyle asked.

  Preston turned to Alison and said, “Hello, Miss… Stark, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “You should try controlling your cousin. A man of God shouldn’t hit innocent people and break their noses.”

  Preston’s sarcasm made Alison want to grab her switchblade and teach Preston a lesson, but she held back. Now was not the time for fights with humans.

  “Reverend Ellis did nothing wrong. I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” Alison answered sweetly.

  Preston laughed and took a sip of the drink he held in his hand. “Try using that line in court, ma’am.”

  Alison rolled her eyes. This guy didn’t know what Samuel was and what he was capable of.

  “Is there something else you need, Preston?” Kyle asked.

  Preston finished his drink and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Alison could tell he was getting drunk, fast.

  Good, that meant he wouldn’t be any more trouble.

  Preston pointed a thin bony finger at Kyle. “We’re not done, Reverend. I will see you sitting in jail.”

  Without waiting for Kyle’s response Preston turned around—more like stumbled—and walked away, almost tripping over his shoes.

  Alison shook her head in disgust at the lawyer, but no matter how shady Preston Hazard was, he was an innocent human. He didn’t know his client came from the darkest pits of Hell. If Alison were to take a guess, she’d say that Preston wasn’t the religious type.

  “Thank you,” Alison said turning to Kyle.

  “Oh, I wanted to knock him on his ass, but I know karma will bite him in the ass one day,” Kyle answered.

  His facial expressions were giving away his rage but Kyle held in his temper and Alison was proud of him.

  Miguel and Olivia came hurrying back after a minute. “I saw Preston. Is everything all right?”

  Both Alison and Kyle nodded. “He was drunk but I don’t think he knows anything. He didn’t give me that impression,” Alison answered.

  All four of them turned towards the stage when the band started playing. Kyle perked up and strained his neck through the crowd.

  “That’s Samuel’s introduction,” Kyle said.

  Alison checked the time on her phone. “It’s time. We better separate.” She looked at the other three. “Does everyone remember what we’re supposed to be doing?”

  All four agreed and Olivia stepped closer to Alison and Simon.

  Simon had been pacing around the whole time. He had never been good with large crowds, but he was obedient and she was sure he was sensing the evil around them.

  While Miguel gave his daughter a hug and a kiss, Kyle turned to Alison who leaned in for one of his own.

  Alison raised her hand and smiled. “You’re supposed to be my cousin.”

  Kyle scoffed and stepped back. “Very funny, but you’re going to make it up to me.”

  Alison leaned closer to Kyle and said, “I’ll do more than that after this is over.”

  Kyle grinned and started to walk away from Alison with Miguel. He turned around one last time and said something that Alison couldn’t hear because of kids laughing and shrieking nearby.

  “What?” Alison asked wishing the kids would go away.

  Kyle waved her off and said, “I’ll tell you later.”

  Chapter 48

  Kyle wished those kids hadn’t been screeching when he called out to Alison, but what he wanted to tell her could wait.

  Instead, he had Miguel next to him with a shit-eating grin on his face.

  “What?”

  “Good job, Amigo.”

  “Thanks.” Kyle turned away and scanned the crowd.

  “Are we ready?”

  Miguel nodded. “I have to go, but stay safe.”

  Kyle put out his hand for Miguel to shake it. “We’ll be fine. Alison and her team have it all taken care of.”

  Miguel nodded and said, “As long as she doesn’t forget her promise to me.”

  “She won’t. She knows what you want the most.”

  They shook hands and separated. Miguel disappeared into the crowd and around a corner. Kyle spotted Alison with Olivia and Simon admiring something in one booth, but her eyes were darting around and she gripped her phone in her hand.

  Kyle reluctantly turned away from Alison and Olivia and made his way through throngs of people. They were moving in the same direction as him and towards the stage.

  As Kyle moved, he spotted a few people from his congregation. He couldn’t let any of them distract him besides most pretended he no longer existed.

  His heart hurt over the cold shoulders of the people he preached to for many years. He admitted it stung that they turned on him so fast without hearing his side of the story.

  Kyle knew exactly where to find the church booth because he made the reservations for the space four months ago. It would be four tents away from the stage on the left.

  As he walked up to the booth, he spotted a flaming redhead and Miranda speaking with a bunch of people. They were laughing and one person placed a donation into the jar as Emma touched his shoulder and laughed at a joke.

  Kyle inhaled a shaky breath as he spotted the painted signs and remembered Clara Reid. After what he’d been through with Olivia and other demons, he’d never forgive himself for what he did to Clara. He’d have her death on his conscience for the rest of his life.

  Kyle checked his watch. He only had minutes before Samuel appeared.

  The music from the local high school marching band grated on his already frazzled nerves.

  He glanced at the stage and spotted Samuel speaking to Carter in hushed tones to the side.

  He wanted to ignore Emma and Miranda and march right up to the stage and beat the shit out of Samu
el, but he held back. He had to keep his temper in check.

  Kyle pulled a twenty from his pocket and walked over to the donation jar and placed it inside.