by Mark Lukens
Stella stared out the passenger window as they drove. She was happy now. Still tired and sore, but happy. She hoped David would do well. She knew she would never be able to have any contact with him again, but that was okay. She wanted him to have a normal life now, and she didn’t want her presence to ever bring back those terrible memories of his parents’ death and everything else that had happened afterwards.
She’d meant what she’d said about finding a new life down in Costa Rica. She felt the same way Joe did now, that science had let her down in some way. There was still so much out there in the world to see, so many things to discover, so many more mysteries that science didn’t have the answers to.
But she didn’t think she could completely abandon her love of archaeology. She could explore ruins in Central America. She could write papers and publish on websites. She could write books. For the first time in a long time she felt some hope, she felt like the future was wide open for her … and it felt good.
EPILOGUE
CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX
Iron Springs—hospital
Captain Begay visited Special Agent Palmer in his hospital room. He was recovering fully from the rattlesnake bites—the anti-venom that Begay had given him had saved his life. The ceiling collapsing down on him was a different story; he had two broken ribs and he had bruises all over his body. But he seemed to be in good spirits despite his injuries.
Begay set a small potted cactus down next to Palmer on the table beside him. Palmer lay in the hospital bed watching him. The TV was on across the room, mounted high up on the wall, but Palmer had the sound turned all the way down. There was a view of the desert out the window.
“Thanks for the plant,” Palmer said.
Begay nodded. He smiled at Palmer. “They tell me that you’ll live.”
Palmer nodded. “Doesn’t feel like it,” he said and grinned.
The two men were silent for a long moment.
“What about Stella and that guy she was with?” Palmer asked.
Begay just stared at him.
Palmer sighed like he already knew the answer. “They got away, didn’t they?”
Begay didn’t confirm nor deny.
Palmer looked away from Begay at the window. He stared out at the desert for a long moment. “I saw some things I never would’ve believed,” he said. “I can’t explain what happened. I … I don’t even know how I could.”
Begay remained silent.
Palmer looked back at the big captain. “But if they got away, then they got away. I’m not going after them. There’s no evidence, nothing to tie them to the crimes. My guess is that they’re heading out of the country.”
Begay just shrugged. “Not my problem anymore.”
Palmer smiled. “Me either. I’m going to retire. My wife, she always begged me to retire before I killed myself with this job. Maybe she’s right. Maybe it’s finally time to quit.”
Begay nodded and stood up from the chair. “I have to go. I hope you get better soon.”
“I will.” He watched Begay walk to the door. “At least the nightmares have stopped.”
Begay stopped at the door and looked back at Palmer, waiting for an explanation.
“I kept having these nightmares,” Palmer said. “I saw that thing we saw in the ghost town … or just a glimpse of it … in my dreams. It was chasing me. And I had the feeling that if it ever caught me …” He let his words hang in the air.
“Well, it didn’t catch you,” Begay said and he left.
• • •
Begay left the hospital and got in his truck. As he drove, he thought of Palmer’s dream, of the Darkwind chasing him in his dream. And then he thought of his wife’s dream, the one she’d had before he had left with Palmer to go out to Joe Blackhorn’s property. It was like they’d had the same dream. The Darkwind had been coming for all of them … who knew what it would’ve done if David hadn’t sent it back.
Begay shuddered at the thought.
He drove out to David’s aunt’s house. He had called Awenita earlier to let her know he would be coming by. He just wanted to see how David was doing. She told him David was doing really well considering what had happened, but it would be a long road to full recovery. David was still quiet and withdrawn.
Begay parked alongside the road in front of Awenita’s home and got out. He went inside and talked with Awenita for a moment, and then he talked with David.
David was more talkative now, but he was still a quiet child. He was still scarred by what had happened. Probably always would be. Begay felt a profound sadness inside of him. Why did all of this have to happen to a little boy like David? Why did this kind of responsibility have to fall on the shoulders of such a small child?
Who knew the way the world really worked.
At least it was over. At least David was safe.
At least they were all safe.
• • •
Half an hour later Begay left David’s new home with his aunt. David surprised the captain by giving him a hug before he left. The boy squeezed him tight for a few seconds before letting him go. Begay smiled at David. He knew then that David was going to be alright someday soon.
Begay walked to his truck parked across the road. On the way to his truck he heard a noise in the desert brush. He stopped and watched as a coyote crept out of the brush. The coyote just stood there, watching Begay for a moment.
Was there an intelligence in that coyote’s eyes? Begay wondered.
Was the Ancient Enemy back?
But then the coyote ran away, bolting back into the brush.
No, Begay told himself as he got into his truck. It was gone. The Ancient Enemy was really gone.
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
Thank you so much for reading my book!
I have a favor to ask of you. If you could take the time to leave a quick review on Amazon, it would mean so much to me and it could help other readers. Being an author is a dream come true for me, and it only happens because of readers like you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mark Lukens has been writing since the second grade when his teacher called his parents in for a conference because the ghost story he’d written had her a little concerned.
Since then, he’s had several stories published and four screenplays optioned by producers in Hollywood. One script is in development to become a film. He’s the author of many bestselling books including: Ancient Enemy, Descendants of Magic, The Summoning, Night Terrors, Sightings, The Exorcist’s Apprentice, What Lies Below, Devil’s Island, Darkwind: Ancient Enemy 2, The Darwin Effect, Ghost Town: a novella, and A Dark Collection: 12 Scary Stories. He’s a proud member of the Horror Writers Association.
He grew up in Daytona Beach, Florida. But after many travels and adventures, he settled down near Tampa, Florida with his wonderful wife and son … and a stray cat they adopted.
He loves to hear from readers! You can find him on Facebook at Mark Lukens Books, and on Twitter @marklukensbooks. You can follow him on his blog at www.marklukensbooks.wordpress.com and he can be reached via e-mail at [email protected]
Read the first book in the series. Ancient Enemy … it’s out there and it’s waiting … you have to give it what it wants.
www.amazon.com/dp/B00FD4SP8M
Twelve horror stories … one for each month of the year.
www.amazon.com/dp/B00JENAGLC
How do you hide from a psychic serial killer? That’s just what Tara must do as the monster who slaughtered her family has found her again.
www.amazon.com/dp/B00M66IU3U
Four film school students investigate a remote cabin where an alien abduction reportedly took place many years ago … but they encounter much more than they ever
could’ve imagined.
www.amazon.com/dp/B00VAI31KW
Ryan wakes up in a motel room with a bag of stolen money, bullet hole scars on his chest, and no memory of his past. His only clue is an address in a small Oregon town where all of the horrifying answers are waiting for him.
www.amazon.com/dp/B00HNEOHKU
After a tragic accident, seventeen year old Danny goes to live with his father who is an exorcist … but their first case together will reveal mind-blowing secrets that will change Danny’s life forever.
www.amazon.com/dp/B00YYF1E5C
Six strangers wake up in a ghost town where they must figure out the rules in a twisted game before it’s too late.
www.amazon.com/dp/B00LEZRF7G
After suffering from debilitating nightmares, Pam goes back to her father’s estate to uncover the horrifying source of the dreams.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0143LADEY
