Midnight Guardian

by Tamara White

  Midnight Guardian

  Midnight Chronices

  Tamara White

  This is dedicated to my little surprise bundle who decided to surprise us all. I know the journey is gonna be tough but I can’t wait to meet you. I promise to cherish you for the rest of my life.

  Contents

  Trigger Warning

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Epilogue

  Stalker Links

  Afterword

  About the Author

  © 2020 Tamara

  All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  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.

  Created with Vellum

  Trigger Warning

  Hi guys, thank you for deciding to give my book a read. For safety’s sake, I wanted to just warn that there are some themes in here and topics that may be triggering to some people.

  Subjects of triggers are miscarriage, depression, anxiety, and death of family members, including a child. I’ve tried to downplay a lot of these simply as I have been through a lot of these and didn’t want people to be forced to put the book down because of how intense the scenes were. I hope that you are still able to enjoy the book despite these mentions.

  Prologue

  Isobel

  Crickets sound loudly from the woods around us as my younger brother and I trudge our way up a small, grassy incline to the rustic picnic table that sits on top of the hill.

  Every year our family comes out here, taking a much-needed vacation away from the modern world. My parents insist that everyone needs a break from civilization and technology.

  It’s a yearly tradition for our family, since before I was born, and it’s continued to this day.

  Jarrod sighs loudly and glances back at our parents, who are still by the trunk of the car. They’re unloading the bags we packed for the weekend, along with the cooler full of food and the other things we would need for our stay. I offered to help them, but they shooed me away, telling me to take Jarrod ahead because we’d been in the car for hours. Frankly, I think they were just growing annoyed with his complaining.

  As if to prove my internal point, Jarrod stops walking to stomp his foot angrily. “Mom! Dad! Hurry up! You guys are taking forever!” he calls to them in the annoyingly whining way he does. He’s only ten, but he’s already becoming a major pain in the ass.

  I don’t remember being this much of a spoiled brat at his age. Sure, I was a bit snippy, but who wouldn’t be? I had spent the first years of my life being spoiled rotten by the most amazing parents a girl could ask for. I was convinced that a sibling would never be part of my family dynamic.

  But that all changed not long after my tenth birthday. My parents chose that moment in life to drop a bombshell on me. I was going to have a brother in nine months’ time.

  For a long while, I was hurt and angry that my life would be changing and I’d have to share my parents’ love.

  Though when my brother was born, and I first got to hold him, it changed everything for me. No longer was I an angry child. I had a purpose in life.

  Now, not only am I his big sister, I’m his best friend and protector. I would do anything for him, anything to make him happy. Even if he’s a little turd ninety percent of the time.

  My parents just ignore Jarrod with a roll of their eyes. They are so used to his complaints that it doesn’t even bother them.

  Since his protests aren’t getting him any attention, he turns to me with an exaggerated sigh. “Izzyyyyyyy,” he whines, drawing out my name. “This sucks!” He pouts and kicks the ground in frustration as we continue to walk up the hill. “Why couldn’t we just stay at home? We come to the lake every year. We could have just gone to the beach or the waterpark. Not camping in that gross old cabin.” He shudders in revulsion and I almost echo it.

  The cabin itself is actually quite nice, with its two simple bedrooms, large living area, and bathroom that actually has running water. It’s better than going camping in a tent, I suppose, but me and the wilderness just don’t agree.

  No matter how much we whine and complain, though, this trip is non-negotiable.

  I understand that they want to spend quality time with us, but this year the timing is just not perfect. I’m waiting for the results of my final exams, and without my laptop or phone, I’m a ball of anxiety. How the hell am I going to check my grades when they come in? Even though my parents have tried to remind me that I won’t fail on the last exams alone, I can’t help the doubt that is swirling in my mind. A curse of the anxiety that riddles me.

  I should have got the results yesterday, but there was some kind of mix up in the administration office which resulted in at least half this year’s students left without any grades.

  I know I did well in all my classes, but anxiety is a very strong emotion. It messes with your head, and even if you know you aced those damn exams, you can’t help but wonder.

  When we finally reach the top of the hill, I turn and crouch down in front of my brother, and place my hands on his shoulders so he has no choice but to look me in the eyes. “Trust me, Jarrod, I know you hate this because it used to bug the hell out of me too. But Mom and Dad love us and just want us to spend time together as a family. Besides, next year I may not be able to visit you guys if I get a job in a different city. Do you really want to lose the chance to spend time with me before I leave?”

  “Wait, you’re not coming home next year?” His eyes widen in horror and I see the glisten of unshed tears. Shit.

  Most little brothers would be over the moon that I would be gone, but our connection is stronger than most. He always wants me close, and was ecstatic when I chose a college nearby.

  “I may be able to come next year, but I just don’t know yet, buddy. If my new boss says I can’t take time off, then I won’t be able to leave, but I will do everything in my power to try and visit as often as I can.”

  He’s silent for a moment, processing my words—a habit he picked up from me. He knows I don’t make any decisions without thinking them through
completely.

  “It won’t be as fun without you,” he finally says with a very dramatic pout, giving me his best puppy dog eyes look.

  That may have worked for him in the past, but I’m not falling for that again. He tried it on me last year and I gave in.

  Turns out my boyfriend had been bullying my little brother for months, and Jarrod wanted me to see it, so he concocted a way in which I would be forced to witness my ex’s horrible personality that he kept hidden. So he convinced me to bring him on a date with Miles and me, and by the end of it, I saw the true person Miles was hiding underneath all his charm.

  He will never hurt another person now, and the satisfaction in putting him in prison was like the ultimate adrenaline rush. Hence my strong desire to pursue a career in law enforcement.

  Shaking myself from the memory, I grin down at my brother. “It may not be as fun without me, but you can always milk it with Mom and Dad. You can do the ‘I miss Isobel’ with that innocent little pout of yours and who knows, you may even get out of the whole trip. Maybe with enough begging, they will take you to the waterpark instead!” I wink down at him.

  His eyes widen in disbelief like the thought didn’t occur to him that he could use my absence to get out of this little trip.

  My lips twitch with a small smile. “I mean, it’s not a family trip if I’m not here, is it?”

  “Isobel!” my father chides, sneaking up on Jarrod and me. I rise to my feet, plastering an innocent expression on my face before turning to meet the stern, blue-eyed glare aimed my way. He shakes his head to get his hair out of his eyes before setting everything down and turning to meet my gaze head-on, his hands on his hips in a disapproving stance.

  “What?” I ask innocently, though the small, playful smirk never leaves my lips.

  He stares at me a little longer, trying to intimidate me with his size, but that’s never worked. I know deep inside he’s a big wimp. Finally, he lets out a defeated sigh. “I swear to the heavens above, you will be the death of me, girl. We thought after the way you reacted when you found out about Jarrod that the two of you would have the rivalry to end all rivalries, but you two minions from hell tag teamed us. Gotta say, Iz, I’ll be glad when you aren’t here to influence your brother any longer.”

  I pout at him and stick out my tongue. “You’ll never stop us from teaming up against you. I guess that’s what you get for having children,” I tease, just as my mother reaches the table.

  “Alright, that’s enough, you three. Isobel, take these bags down to the cabin.” She gestures at the lonely cabin by the lake and holds out a key for me. “Your father and I will set up dinner, then we can settle in for the night around the fire.”

  I take the key from her, knowing not to argue. My mom may be smaller than me at only five foot six, but if she wants you to do something, you better do it.

  So rather than complain, I pick up the bags and start walking down the hill and onto the gravel by the lake. Jarrod doesn’t waste any time running to catch up with me as we walk alongside the water until we reach our cabin.

  It may only be small compared to our house, but the cabin has become a home away from home, and while it looks cramped from the outside, it’s actually pretty cozy.

  Our parents bought it before I was born, and when we don’t use it, they rent it out to tourists who like to camp. Some rent it and never use it, preferring to be out in the woods, at one with nature, but they like to have access to the facilities.

  Jarrod follows me until I stop at the cabin’s entrance. He waits as I unlock the door before he rushes in. The scent of stale pine greets me as I trail after him into the cabin.

  While Jarrod runs around flicking on the lights, I dump our bags in the middle of the living room floor and sink onto the dusty loveseat, feeling exhausted. I close my eyes, needing a moment to rest my muscles because, let’s face it, I’m so unfit these days. The next thing I know, sleep pulls at me and I let my body relax. A little nap couldn’t hurt.

  I startle awake with a gasp, my skin soaked in sweat and every inch of my clothing stuck to my body. The cabin is bathed in darkness, apart from a small glow coming from the back, most likely the bathroom. We leave it on for Jarrod because he’s afraid of the dark.

  I sit up and stretch my body, knowing with one glance out the window that night has well and truly fallen.

  When I get to my feet, the wood underneath me creaks, and I freeze. Shit, I hope I didn’t wake anyone up.

  After listening for a moment to ensure everyone in the cabin is still asleep, I let out a soft sigh of relief and grab my bag. Mom’s, Dad’s, and Jarrod’s have already been taken. They must have left me to nap while they went on with their night.

  Taking slow, measured steps, I do my best to silently make my way down to the bathroom, avoiding the known weak spots in the floor. I should have remembered about the one by the sofa, but my sleep muddled brain kept that information back.

  Walking down the hall, I notice my parents left their door open a crack, so I stop to sneak a peek.

  I shake my head with a smile at the way they are cuddled together, my father being the little spoon with my mom draping a leg over him like she’s larger than she is. You’d think after thirty years of marriage they would no longer cuddle together like teenage lovers, but they do, which always makes me smile. It shows me just how happy they are, and gives me hope that one day, I’ll find someone to love just as much as they love each other.

  I glance to my room across from theirs, groaning in annoyance. The door has been shut, which means Jarrod has most likely locked me out for the night. The little shit. We love to mess around with each other in annoying little ways that drive our parents nuts. I should just be glad he didn’t drag my ass outside and lock me from the cabin. He’s done it once before, in the dead of winter.

  Rather than pick the lock to my room straightaway, I decide to shower first and wash the car ride and the sweaty nap from me. At least then when I get in my room, I can just crawl right into my bed, nice and clean.

  In the bathroom, I set my bag on the counter and pull my toiletries case out. As I set my stuff up around the sink, I look out the window that rests over the vanity rather than a mirror.

  Tonight, I’m glad there’s no wall to block my view of the beautiful full moon that graces our skies. It’s hauntingly gorgeous. So much so that I wish I could take a photo of it, but no phone means no photo. Stupid no technology ban.

  Sighing in frustration, I reach into the shower to turn it on, pausing when I hear the sudden howling of wolves outside. I pull my hand back and return to the window. I step on my tippy toes to look for the wolves responsible for the howls. They sounded so close that they must be near the house somewhere. After a second, I hear something much worse than wolves—a human scream filled with such terror that it sends goosebumps racing down my arms. The sound suddenly dies, but it still echoes off the trees and lake.

  I’m moving before I even have a chance to think about it. I rush to my parents’ room, shaking them awake. “Mom! Dad!” Both of them open their eyes slowly, looking up at me in confusion. I don’t waste any time explaining. “I think there are wolves outside attacking someone. We’ve got to help!”

  Dad is the first to react to my words, instantly going on alert. He gets up, pulls a pair of pants on over his boxers, and moves to the closet which I know houses his hunting rifle.

  “Go stay with your brother,” my mom whispers, also getting dressed as she ushers me out to our shared room. She grabs a large meat cleaver from the kitchen and meets my father by the door.

  I go straight to our room and knock on it softly to wake Jarrod. He’s a light sleeper, so I don’t need to be loud.

  When he doesn’t make a sound, I wiggle the doorknob and find it unlocked. My heart starts to pound in my throat. When I peek into our room, my parents are just stepping out the door. Only instead of finding Jarrod in his bed, I’m met with an empty mattress. The sheets have been ripped off the bed and the win
dow is wide open.

  I stare, uncomprehending, my mind trying to make the logical connection of where my brother could be when a scream of agony echoes into the night and I turn tail and run. I push past my parents on the front porch, not caring when my father loses his hold on the rifle. I just keep running in the direction my brother’s screams came from.

  The closer I get to the trees, the more my heart pounds in fear. I freeze when I’m a few feet from the edge of the forest. There, at the edge of the woods, is a sight that causes me to quiver in pure, unadulterated fear. My parents have caught up to me as they, too, stare, unable to understand what we’re seeing.

  My brother is on the ground, squirming to get free of a massive wolf who holds Jarrod’s ankle in his jaw. The wolf’s teeth are clenched around his joint so tight, it’s drawn blood and has left a puddle under his leg.

  My brother’s eyes are wide in panic, his face paler than ever. As I take in the scene, I know I have no choice but to intervene. To distract the wolf from my brother, I have to make myself its target.

  The wolf must sense the change in me, because all of a sudden it practically bolts away, sprinting toward the tree line with my brother being dragged beneath it.