Possess (The Possess Saga)

by J. A. Howell

  Nolan sat across from me wide-eyed. He blinked after a couple seconds as he bit his lip and averted his gaze down to his own plate.

  “Um, sorry. The food's good.” I looked down at my omelet, my cheeks now an even shade of red, even for my sun-kissed complexion.

  “Glad you like it,” I could see his lip twitch up at the corner again as I took another bite. I silently enjoyed the rest, very aware of his gaze drifting up to me every few minutes followed by the same little grin before he took a bite. Feeling quite satiated, I put my fork down and stood from the table.

  “Leave it, I'll clean up.” Nolan's hand stopped mine as I picked up my dirty plate and he stood, “let me just run upstairs ta get dressed and I'll drive ya home.”

  “Oh, it's okay, I can walk from here.”

  “Ya sure?”

  “Yes, I'm feeling much better than last night, and am no longer starving.” I smiled reassuringly. He nodded as he brushed a hand over his chest, then walked me to the front door of the pub. His hair was still disheveled from sleep, light brown curls slightly frizzed in the spots that he slept on. He unlocked the door for me and pushed it open, ignoring the rush of cool air as it ruffled his hair.

  I stepped out of the pub then turned to him.

  “Thanks, by the way. For last night and breakfast.”

  “It's no problem. Ya should take today off and get some rest. Call the pub if yer not able ta come in tomorrow.” His lips pulled into a warm smile as he looked down at me. His gaze slowly drifted to my mouth and I froze as he reached a hand up to my cheek.

  “Nolan...I –” I gasped as his fingers gently brushed at the corner of my mouth.

  “Ya had a bit of cheese there. Didn't know if ya planned on savin’ it.” He smirked.

  “Um, thanks.” My voice was quiet as his palm lingered over the side of my face. He let out a slow breath and a curious look flickered through his eyes for a moment before his gaze narrowed on something behind me.

  I spun around to see Aggie a couple feet behind us. Her lips turned up into a derisive simper and a mischievous beam filled her eyes. Oh dear. I quickly pulled my lips into a straight line and shook my head at her but her expression only conveyed further suspicion as to what had really transpired between me and Nolan the night before.

  “Good morning, Harley. Feeling better?” Aggie asked in a facetious, sing-song voice.

  “Yep, minor concussion. Was just heading home.” I said dryly, then with a courteous nod to both of them I walked off, leaving Nolan alone to endure the questioning that was sure to happen in my absence.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Haggis

  “You're not real. I'm ignoring you.” I grumbled as I finished brushing my teeth with my eyes closed. When I opened them, the green eyes had vanished once again. Despite my confident words, my hands were still shaking as I pulled my hair into a ponytail. I'd had yet another dream, yet another restless night in my new apartment.

  In this dream, I was in the dark living room with a TV flickering light across the room in a strobe-like pattern when some girl – who I could have sworn was Aggie – came in and started making out with me. Moments later however, she turned into corpse-girl and I woke up kicking and screaming as I fell onto my bedroom floor.

  I didn't know what to think about the dreams. Maybe they were just random images that my brain chemicals bottled together in my subconscious. A mixture of memories and thoughts, recreated into my own personal midnight horror flicks. They certainly didn't feel random and they didn't seem like anything I could recall from my own memories.

  I finally felt some relief when I arrived at Finley's for my shift and found the place packed for brunch. At least I could bury myself in work and push everything else to the back of my mind. But when I saw Aggie, I felt a strange pang in my gut.

  No, it couldn't have been her.

  “You okay, Harley?”

  “Yeah. Just didn't sleep well.” I mumbled as I walked past and avoided her gaze. Hopefully she would leave it alone. I just wanted a busy, uneventful day. Unfortunately, the things you want and the things you get are generally complete opposites. My fingers were just grabbing my timecard when the door to Nolan's office swung open.

  “Harley, could ya come in here for a minute?” Nolan was staring at me from the doorway, and his voice, although calm, felt like he was restraining something just beneath the surface. I replaced my timecard in its slot and followed him into the office without a word, watching his fists as he squeezed them into a ball, then released. He was silent for a minute or two, but I could hear his breathing. Deep, long breaths as he picked up a folder from his desk.

  “So, I was filling out an incident report fer the other night,” he started as his eyes darted up to mine in a cold stare.

  “Yeah? Was there something else you needed from me?”

  “Is this supposed ta be some kind of joke?” He slapped the folder down in front of me and I looked down at it to see my employee information.

  “Um... I'm sorry Nolan but I'm not followin –”

  “Yer address, Harley!” I gripped the arms of the chair, startled by his sudden outburst as his finger stabbed at the paper.

  “It's where I live. I don't understan –”

  “That's bullshit! Who told ya ta feckin’ put that?” His jaw clenched tightly as he leaned over me. I felt a familiar twisting pain spreading in my chest as I stared up into his angry glare, the kind I used to get around Jackson.

  “It's where I fucking live, Nolan!” My own fists were clenched at my sides as I pushed myself out of the chair. He backed off slightly, equally surprised by my outburst, but his eyes still fixed on me accusingly.

  “That’s not true. Why would ya live there?”

  “You know, as my boss I don't think that's any of your business.” My chest heaved as I narrowed my eyes at him then turned to leave. Nolan moved for the door as I grabbed the handle.

  “Why that apartment?” His hand clamped down on my arm as his voice rose again and for just a moment, it felt like Jackson was right there. I let out a gasp, unable to conceal the fear that shot through me before I pulled it back under.

  “Don't you fucking touch me. Ever again.” My voice was a low growl as I jerked out of his grasp. This time he didn't stop me as I opened the door.

  “Harley...”

  “Goodbye, I quit.”

  Aggie was working behind the bar and nearly lost her balance as I pushed open the kitchen door. She stood there stunned for a moment as she looked back toward the kitchen, then watched me storm out the front door.

  “Harley, wait!” I was stopped at the street corner when Aggie burst out onto the sidewalk after me.

  “No, I'm done!” I crossed my arms as I watched for the walk signal, refusing to look back.

  “Harley, you don't understand.” She let out a sigh, her hand gently touching my arm.

  “I understand he's an asshole.”

  “Well that may be true, but –”

  “But nothing. I'm not going back. I appreciate you getting me the job, but I refuse to be yelled at like that over where I live.”

  “Harley, listen, he didn't mean it.”

  “I don't care! Give me one good reason to go back there.”

  “Brody was Nolan’s best friend!” She blurted the words out. I spun around to face her as a distant look moved through her green eyes. “He was our best friend, actually.”

  “Wait, what?”

  “And the girl you saw in your dream, the one you said kind of looked like you and called you by his name, that was his girlfriend, Claire. She was murdered. It's believed that he did it, then killed himself out of guilt.” I stepped away from the curb and steadied myself on the side of the building as she watched me. My mind flashed back to the night with Nolan and the picture frame. The dreams, the eyes in the mirror. That was him. But how and why was I seeing these things?

  “How is that even possible?” I looked up at Aggie. The dizziness I'd started to feel slowly subside
d.

  “Honestly, I don't know. People have said a lot of things about that apartment. If I was you, I would move out whenever you can afford to.”

  “I can't afford anything if I just quit my job.”

  “I'll talk to Nolan. Just take a couple days off.”

  “That still doesn't excuse him yelling at me.”

  Aggie shrugged and leaned against the building beside me. “No, it doesn't, but you have to understand, a lot of bad things happened when all of that went down. Nolan can be an idiot, but he isn't a bad guy. I've known him for over twenty years. When he saw Brody's address he probably panicked. It wouldn't be the first time someone screwed with him over what happened.”

  “That's crazy.” I felt a tinge of pity for Nolan, but not much.

  “Yeah, well...sometimes people are arseholes.” Aggie shrugged, then stood up, “I better get back in there, but you go on. I'll see you later.”

  I nodded and she left me there alone as she headed back into the pub. I wasn't in any rush to return to my apartment so I sat there for a while, completely baffled by what Aggie told me about Brody. Finally I stood and took in a deep breath. The aroma of baking bread hit my nose, and I remembered the little bakery I'd bumped into Nolan at. Maybe I should get a bite to eat, then figure out what to do.

  “Aye lass, ye come back tae taste the haggis finally?” Angus’ face lit up as I walked through the door and a bushy eyebrow wiggled at me playfully. I shook my head and the older man’s smile only stretched further across his face as I walked toward the counter. “Are ye sure? It’s fresh.”

  “I was actually thinking of having another breakfast sandwich.” I answered. He huffed, and waved a hand at me, feigning shock at the thought of wanting a normal breakfast.

  “Aye, ye got a belly like Nolan’s ah see,” Angus scoffed as he leaned over the counter, scratching at his beard. “Ye enjoyed yir breakfast with Mr. Finley then, didnae ye?” The tone in which he asked suddenly made me picture Aggie’s smirk from yesterday.

  “Yes, the breakfast sandwich was delicious. That’s why I wanted another.” I said, side-stepping his question and looking up at the menu on the wall. Another puff of air left his lips as one untamed brow arched at me.

  “Mmhmmph. Weel, ah’ve a feelin’ the sandwich isnae the only thing that Nolan finds delicious.” Angus erupted in a raspy laugh as his hand slapped the counter. I could feel my cheeks grow hot as I watched the old man guffaw at my expense. After a minute, he settled down, one hand patting the counter as he held the other to his chest and emitted a low “woo” sound.

  “Ah’m sairy lass. Juist havin’ a bit o’ fun wi’ ye, ye kin?” He winked at me, then disappeared into the back of the bakery. I looked around at the dusty decor and the various fishing paraphernalia that adorned the walls. On the farthest wall there was an old black and white photo of a few sailors standing on a dock. The one in the middle bore a strong resemblance to Angus, though much younger. He looked quite dapper in his white navy uniform, standing proudly next to the other men with the same mischievous smirk he always seemed to be wearing.

  “Twas back in mah sailin’ days.” Angus’ voice bellowed behind me. “Got yer sandwich, Miss—”

  “Harley. Thank you.” I turned back towards him and reached for my wallet. He held up a hand and stopped me.

  “Tis on the house lass. Fir lettin’ me pick on ye.” For as much as he picked on Nolan the other day, I suppose it didn’t really surprise me that this was how he entertained himself. It was probably part of the lure to dining here too. Delicious food and insults hurled from a crazy Scotsman.

  I thanked him as he handed me the paper bag and turned for the door, but something was picking at me and I couldn’t place my finger on it. I stopped a few feet short of the exit as I recalled the conversation between him and Nolan yesterday. He’d known Nolan since he was a kid.

  “Angus?”

  “Change yir mind aboot the haggis?” His expression was teasing as I walked back towards him.

  “No, actually. Can you tell me about Brody?” I asked. Angus’ face darkened with my inquiry, looking down at the counter. The usual gleam in his eye vanished, replaced with a doleful stare.

  “What brings him up?” Angus spoke in a low voice, his eyes darting around the room.

  “I heard that he was Nolan’s friend...and that he died.”

  “Ah’ve no’ heard that boy’s name in a long time.” He stood up and stretched then turned for the back of the bakery. “Commoan, lass.” He waited for me to follow him. We walked through the small kitchen, stopping by the stove as he dumped a lump of mashed up meat onto a plate. I was guessing that was the famed haggis. Angus led me out back to the alley that was shared with Finley’s. He glanced over, making sure nobody was out there before sitting down at a cheap, faded patio table. He pulled out the other chair and motioned for me to sit down.

  “Brody was a good boy. He didnae deserve what happened tae him.” Angus finally spoke a few minutes later as his eyes stared down the alley at nothing in particular.

  “I thought he killed himself?” I realized as soon as the words tumbled out how terrible my question sounded. Angus only looked slightly bothered. Not offended at least.

  “Aye, he did,” Angus nodded, “I was meanin’ the reason he done it.”

  I kept silent now, taking a bite of my sandwich. Angus went to speak, then looked down at his haggis before he turned to me. “Mind ye, this is stuff I don’t much like speakin’ of. Diggin’ up the past and such. Dae ye really want tae know?”

  “Yes, I really do.”

  He looked down at his plate, then dug up a forkful of meat before holding it inches from my face. My nose cringed as the words ‘sheep organs’ echoed in my head.

  “Take a bite lass. ‘Tis the only way ye’ll get a peep oot o’ me.” I would have asked if Angus was kidding, but his tone and the solemn look on his face conveyed this was very much a condition of this makeshift agreement. With much hesitation, I leaned forward and took a bite, my face scrunching involuntarily as I took in the minced texture and the taste similar to liver and onions. My face relaxed as I swallowed, tilting my head thoughtfully.

  “Wow...that wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”

  “Ha! Yir no’ a sissy like Nolan after all.” He laughed, his grin returning for a moment before his eyes grew serious again.

  “So, what happened to Brody, then?” I watched Angus as he took a bite of haggis as well.

  “Weel. He found himself a pretty gal. Looked a bit like ye, actually. Though, not as um… exotic lookin’.” His forehead wrinkled thoughtfully, deepening the permanent lines that already creased his forehead. “Claire was her name. They loved each other. Well...he seemed tae love her.” Thinking of her in that dream from the last night caused my stomach to turn. I placed my sandwich back down on the wrapper. The thought of her ravaged face killed my appetite.

  “She died too, didn’t she?”

  “Aye. She was murdered. Disappeared intae thin air one night. Nobody could find her fir aboot a week. T’was a terrible thing when they did though. Search parties were sent intae the woods outside of town. Nolan and Brody both were there.” Angus paused, shook his head, and placed his fork down. He too, seemed to have lost his appetite. “Brody found her first. Ah cannae say what he saw when he did, but it was a grisly sight tae say the least. How someone could dae such a thing tae another bein’ is beyond me.”

  “Was that what drove him to kill himself?” I shivered as I asked him, unsure if it was from the conversation or the cold morning air.

  “Och, nae lass. He was heartbroken but it wasnae seeing her that way that did him in.” Angus shook his head profusely. “It was a high profile crime fir our small city sae the police and the local media were gunnin’ tae get a conviction, nae matter how little evidence they had as tae who really killed her. They were driven by their careers. They didnae give a feck who really did it. Because of that, a lot of bad things happened during the time after
they found her body. It was a difficult time. For Brody, Aggie, Nolan, and miself.”

  “So you don’t think he did it? You don’t think he killed her?” I asked warily, not wanting to upset him. Angus’ expression grew stern, his pale green eyes staring into my own.

  “I knew that boy since he was juist a wee bairn. No more higher than ma’ knee. T’was nae way he was capable of such a thing. Ah donnae care whit anyone says.” His voice rose a little, anger evident beneath the surface. “Those dirty bloodsuckers just wanted a feckin’ story. No matter who they took down in the process. T’was all over the news back then. Been a good five years noo, but ye see why I don’t like discussin’ it much, Harley.”

  I could only nod, sadness sinking deeper in my chest at the thought of what the dark-haired boy in Nolan’s picture frame must have gone through. Was that nightmare what he stumbled upon in the woods? My mind wandered to Nolan once more as well. Was that why he was so closed off to me at first? Did he see Claire when he looked at me? He must have seen what Brody had if they both went looking for her.

  “Och, kitty!” Angus’ shout startled me as he snapped his large fingers at a tiny yet plump little kitten that had come out from behind Nolan’s car. It was a cute ball of orange fuzz with white paws and it trotted towards Angus immediately, letting out a tiny mew as it rubbed against his leg. Angus smiled down at it and pinched a bit of haggis in his fingers before holding it out for the kitten. I could hear the tiny little guy purring loudly as it pawed and licked at Angus’ fingers.

  “Dis little fella loves ma’ haggis.” Angus smirked, “Been visitin’ me every mornin’ fir some.” As if in agreement the kitten looked up, meowed at me, and rubbed against my leg. I leaned down and grabbed the little guy around his chubby midsection then lifted him into my lap.

  “He looks a little young. Where is his mother?” I looked around then back down at the kitten. It blinked two big blue eyes up at me then sniffed my hand with its tiny pink nose.