Ruined Wings

by Ashley Fontainne

  Cover and Interior book design by One of a Kind Covers

  RUINED WINGS

  Copyright © by Ashley Fontainne 2016

  License Notes

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Ebook Published by RMSW Press, LLC

  OTHER BOOKS BY ASHLEY FONTAINNE

  CHAPTER ONE

  Three Years Ago

  CHAPTER TWO

  Two Weeks Later

  CHAPTER THREE

  Eight Months Later

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Five Weeks Later

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Graduation Night – Three Months Later

  CHAPTER SIX

  Three Weeks Later

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Six Weeks Later

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Present Day

  CHAPTER NINE

  Later That Night

  CHAPTER TEN

  The Next Afternoon

  EPILOGUE

  Seven Months Later

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  OTHER BOOKS BY ASHLEY FONTAINNE

  The Rememdium Series/Sci-fi/Post-Apocalyptic:

  Tainted Cure – Book 1

  Tainted Reality – Book 2

  Tainted Future – Book 3

  Tainted World – Book 4 (coming soon)

  The Magnolia Series (written with Lillian Hansen):

  Blood Ties

  Blood Loss (coming soon)

  Blood Stain (coming soon)

  Mystery/suspense novels:

  Night Court

  Whispered Pain

  Empty Shell

  Suicide Lake

  Number Seventy-Five – soon to be a feature film

  http://www.number75themovie.com

  Eviscerating the Snake Trilogy:

  Accountable to None

  Zero Balance

  Adjusting Journal Entries

  Paranormal/suspense:

  Growl

  The Lie – soon to be the feature film Foreseen

  http://www.foreseenmovie.com

  Dark Comedy:

  Suburbia Made Me Do It (coming soon)

  Poetry and Short Stories:

  Fine as Frog Hair

  Ramblings of a Mad Southern Woman

  Stay up to date with new releases, movie news, and more! Sign up for

  Ashley’s newsletter on her website at http://www.ashleyfontainne.com

  CHAPTER ONE

  Three Years Ago

  “Novak! Stop pacing! You’re using too much energy before the final race!”

  Callie Novak winced at Coach Patterson’s words yet didn’t stop moving. Somehow the sensation of the cleats clicking on the pavement gave her a sense of balance. Nervous energy thrummed throughout her body, which wasn’t unusual before a big meet. The unusual part was the heaviness in her legs, back, and chest. She continued pacing, sweat dripping down her brow and back. Callie wondered if she was having a panic attack or something similar. She’d seen her mother and brother suffer bouts of anxiety over the years. Did she inherit the trait too? No, the stress and strain was normal since Callie’s entire future was riding on her performance tonight in the final of the Women’s 1600.

  “Novak, did you hear me?” Coach Patterson barked, coming up behind his star athlete. He touched her shoulder and felt the dampness. “Okay, CeeCee. What’s wrong? Did you pull something in the last heat? I’ve never seen you so stressed out.”

  Sighing, Callie turned to face her coach. He was one of the few people other than her immediate family who called her by the quirky nickname. Coach Patterson looked jittery, his face flushed and smile fake. They both were antsy. It was the last meet of the year, and rumors tore through the school the entire week, spreading fast about the possibility of scouts from U of A, UALR, LSU, and other colleges in the stands. If Callie could shave just a few seconds from her usual time, she’d be a shoe-in for scholarships to the schools.

  Another rumor was Coach Patterson had been promised a huge raise by the school district if Callie signed with the Razorbacks. No pressure at all Callie thought. “No, I’m fine. I just...I hate starting a final race without a good luck hug from my dad and Colton.”

  “They’re just stuck in traffic like everyone else. Look at the stands. They’re practically empty! You know they're both irritated they got held up by the accident on 40. Come on now, breathe. Focus. You’ve trained hard for months; don’t lose your edge by worrying about things you can’t control. Warrior mind and body, remember?”

  Biting her lip to keep from saying a nasty comment out loud about Coach P’s obsession with the weird phrase, Callie simply nodded.

  “Besides,” Coach Patterson continued, “when you make it to college after next year, they won’t be able to attend all your meets out of state.”

  “Colton will be going to Fayetteville, too,” Callie interrupted, “if I get in on a free ride. He’ll come with me...I guarantee you he’ll find a way, even if it means being water boy or toting towels.”

  Coach Patterson gave Callie a stern look. “You need to learn to rely on your own inner strength to win, Novak. Pull from what’s inside you, not around you. You’re one tough and determined girl, though sometimes I think you forget that.”

  Chuckling, Callie gave her mentor a weary smile. “And sometimes you forget I just turned seventeen. A lot is riding on my shoulders.”

  “You’re right, but only because you decided to pick up a ton of responsibility that wasn’t yours to carry. Novak, win this race for you and no one else. Not your dad, mom, brother, boyfriend, friends, teammates, or even me. This is your time to shine. The rest of us just get to bask in the glowing rays of your success. Now, shake off the worries about everything, including who may or may not be in the stands watching. Focus on giving everything you’ve got to the race. For you.”

  “You’re right, as always.” Callie smiled while glancing back one more time to the stands. Kevin and her mom were each grinning widely as they held signs over their heads reading Go, CeeCee, Go! “I’m sure my dad’s dropped plenty of f-bombs. Maybe slammed his fist on the dash a few times, too. Poor Colton is probably cringing at this point. He hates it when Dad gets all fired up and starts cussing.”

  Following her gaze, Coach Patterson gave Callie a gentle push forward. “Why don’t you go get an extra hug from your mom and Kevin then come back and stretch?”

  Nodding once in agreement, Callie jogged to the stands. Her mother smiled and waved, but the overwhelming sense of dread still hung heavy over Callie’s mind even after receiving a warm hug from her mom and boyfriend.

  “Have you heard from Dad or Colton? Are they close?” Callie asked after brushing a light kiss on Kevin’s cheek.

  A shadow of irritation flickered behind her mother’s blue eyes. “My cell’s dead, so no. Don’t worry, baby. I did remember to charge the video camera, so even if they miss it, they’ll be able to watch you run to victory later!”

  Callie shook her legs to rid them of the heaviness, which increased after the short jog.

  “Muscle cramps?”

  “No, M
om. Something else—something I’ve never felt before,” Callie grumbled, slapping her thighs to wake them up. “Just my nerves I guess. Last race of my junior year—guess it’s more important to me than I realized. Kevin? Do you have your phone?”

  Shaking a mop of thick mahogany hair, Kevin replied, “Nope. Don’t you remember the warning you gave me last time I brought it?”

  Smiling, Callie remarked, “Oops, forgot I threatened to smash it to pieces if you didn’t quit posting live video feeds of me on Facebook.”

  “Well, I didn’t forget because I love my phone almost as much as I love you. Hey, Coach P is waving at you. Better go before he freaks.”

  Nodding, Callie pushed through the weird feelings inside her mind and body. She blew air kisses then took the bleacher stairs two at a time.

  “CeeCee! Be careful! The last thing you need is to trip and fall!”

  “Okay, Mom. Love you.”

  “Love you. Got the camera focused and ready! Run, CeeCee, run!”

  Rolling her eyes at the way her mother said the phrase as though Callie was Forest Gump, she ran back to her coach, concentrating only on his heavy southern drawl while he gave her tips on the upcoming race. Focus zeroed back to where it should be, Callie was ready when the race was announced over the speakers.

  “Runners: take your marks.”

  “For you, my brother,” Callie whispered as she settled into her position in lane one. Taking a deep breath, she stared ahead, eyes focused on the small space between the white lines. She could do this; she would do this, or the hope of college was out of the question. Tuition for two children was impossible to swing for her parents—but if only for one—it could be done. Having the worry off her shoulders would make senior year all the more memorable.

  Shutting out all outside distractions, Callie embraced the adrenaline rush and let it take hold.

  Bam!

  Bursting forward at the sound of the gun, Callie’s long legs ate up the track with loping strides, arms pumping in a controlled, even rhythm. She visualized the finish line and pushed her body to its limit when she sensed another runner gaining ground at the end of the third lap.

  Oh, no you don’t! This is for me and my brother! Callie thought while gritting her teeth.

  Digging from deep reserves, Callie thundered down the lane, ignoring the burn in her thighs and chest. The roar from the stands barely registered as blood pounded inside her ears.

  Fifty. Thirty. Fifteen. Ten. Almost there! Razorbacks here I come!

  Breaking tradition and Coach Patterson’s stern warnings about not looking at the clock, Callie let her gaze flicker to the infield for a brief second. Either she was hallucinating or she was truly about to break her own personal best and the state record.

  As she crossed the finish line and glanced at her amazing time of 5:01, pride swelled in her chest. She’d done it! Put her mind to it and accomplished the lofty goal. Callie looked up to where her family always sat, hoping her brother and father made it in time to see the amazing achievement—one that would change the family for the better.

  The seats were empty.

  Callie didn’t have a chance to continue searching for Kevin or her family. Coach Patterson and the rest of the team surrounded her, shouting and jumping up and down with excitement.

  “You did it! You broke the state record!” Rachel McGovern screamed.

  “Way to go, Callie! Damn but that was amazing!” yelled Sheri Talbot. “You hauled ass!”

  “Hey, Coach P? Looks like you’re getting a raise!” shouted someone else from behind Callie.

  “I knew you could do it, CeeCee! I just knew it!” Coach Patterson exclaimed, beaming with pride. “I couldn’t be any prouder even if you were my own daughter! You’ll have your pick of any college now, but please choose the Hogs, okay?”

  Coach Patterson winked and Callie laughed. “Rumors were true, huh Coach?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Coach Patterson responded with heavy sarcasm. “Come on all my Raging Wildcats. We’ve got to get off the track before the next race.”

  The happy group migrated to the infield, minus Callie. She was determined to find her family and share the amazing time together. Without all their love and support, especially Colton and her father’s, she’d have never achieved this moment.

  “Callie?”

  Scanning the seats, Callie searched for any signs of her family. The heavy sense of dread roared back, so strong this time it was like someone had their arms around her chest, squeezing the air from her lungs. Though still light outside, the entire field darkened from the outer edges inward. The dull throb in her legs and back spiked to burning pain. It took a lot of effort to answer Coach Patterson. “I’ll be there in a minute. I want to see if my mom remembered how to use the video camera.”

  “Don’t worry if she didn’t. I made sure some of the yearbook staff came to cover the meet. I gave strict instructions to…”

  Coach Patterson’s voice mixed with the sounds of the crowd and the students. Converging together, they morphed into white background noise the second Callie finally spotted Kevin and her mother near the concession stand.

  Three cops surrounded them and one held her mother as she sobbed into his burly chest.

  The dread disappeared.

  Cold fear took its place.

  Callie didn’t remember walking yet soon found herself only feet away, the wails of her mother piercing the early evening.

  “No. God, not them both! Not them both at the same time! Joe. Colton. No!”

  Pain exploded from Callie’s legs and back, engulfing her entire body and mind. The bond with Colton—the unexplainable connection only shared by twins—was severed.

  Permanently.

  Callie felt it burst from her chest. The warmth of the connection disappeared, leaving her soul cut in half and in the dark. “Mommy?” Callie asked in a quiet whisper.

  “Oh, baby, I’m so sorry,” Kevin said.

  The darkness crept closer. Dizziness and confusion set in. Callie felt Kevin’s arms around her shoulders yet couldn’t remember seeing him walk to her side. Still staring at her mother sobbing in the arms of a stranger, the world felt off balance. Her mother didn’t answer. Callie wondered if she’d even heard her speak.

  Turning her face to Kevin’s, Callie’s voice was barely audible. “The wreck on 40—it was them, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes,” Kevin choked out.

  The world went dark and swallowed Callie Claire Novak—fraternal twin to Colton Caleb Novak and daughter of Joseph Jeffrey Novak—destroying any semblance of her previous life in one, giant gulp.

  “Did you know?”

  The question wasn’t accusatory, only asked in a breathy, mumbled whisper. Her mother’s voice was almost gone, vocal chords inflamed from hours upon hours of crying and several anxiety pills taken since they’d arrived home after the horrible visit to the morgue.

  Callie forced her body to remain still, afraid her mother would feel the tension in her muscles. Licking her lips, Callie snuggled closer, burying her face against her mom’s shoulder while she lied. “No.”

  The ploy didn’t work. Shrugging away, her mother stood and glared down, her body swaying just a hair from the pills and exhaustion. “Callie Claire...don’t you lie to me. Not now. I want to know the truth. Did you know Colton was using drugs?”

  Though still numb from the news, a flicker of anger sparked inside Callie’s chest. The protectiveness over her frailer, less athletic, and creatively-inclined twin still remained. “I said no and I meant no, Mom.”

  Another round of tears came, racing down her mother’s cheeks. Callie’s heart melted at seeing the usually vibrant and happy-go-lucky Annie Novak look so grief stricken. Losing her husband and son at the same time seemed to have aged her twenty years in less than half-a-day. Lack of sleep hadn’t helped any either.

  “I just—God, I can’t believe this happened! I had no
clue. Neither did your father. How in the world did we miss the signs?”

  “Mom, he’s been on anxiety medication for over a year, remember? After that bully beat him up at school? He hasn’t been the same since.”

  “Those were prescribed to him, just like me, Callie! It’s not the same!”

  Callie held her tongue. Drugs were drugs—prescription or legal—at least in her book. Ever since fourth grade, she feared taking even an aspirin in case she was ever tested before a meet. She’d seen it happen to other athletes and vowed all her hard work wouldn’t be wasted. She didn’t even take medication for her horrible cramps.

  Colton may have started out on Xanax to manage his stress levels, but obviously, it wasn’t enough. Callie demanded proof after the deputy informed them Colton told the paramedics it was his fault for driving while high and then mentioned what they found in Colton’s backpack at the coroner’s office.

  Since the pack was locked in the evidence room at the sheriff’s department, the deputy clicked around on his phone, producing photos taken from the accident scene. Sure enough, a small case no bigger than one of Callie’s manicure kits was inside the backpack, a used needle and dirty spoon resting next to an empty baggie.

  Callie played dumb when she saw it even though she recognized the sleek black case. She’d seen it in Colton’s room several times and naively assumed it housed drawing tools.

  It was at that precise moment, staring at the cold truth, blips of nagging worry about Colton—the brief flashes of concern she’d tossed aside as simple jealousy over her achievements—converged into the ugly truth. In the back of her mind, Callie always knew yet refused to accept.

  When it dawned on her Colton had been trapped inside the demolished SUV, still alive just as she started the race, his legs and back crushed, she threw up all over the floor of the morgue waiting room. Truly, she’d felt her brother’s pain up until their mystical connection broke.

  Though it wouldn’t be official until an autopsy was performed, Callie didn’t need to wait for the results.