Autumn's Eyes (Storm Season Book 1)

by J. L. Sutton

  Remembering why I was here I looked over just in time to see Reese under the streetlight closest to his building, and I sighed contentedly. At least we would be heading home soon.

  A moment later Reese reached the concrete steps, but instead of turning to the door like I expected, he walked right on by without so much as slowing down. I froze, my thoughts immediately running over the possibility of Reese noticing us following him. No, it didn’t seem likely. Perhaps he was so wrapped up in his own thoughts, as I was a moment ago, that he hadn’t noticed passing his own home. I looked over at Dawn to see if she saw something I didn’t, but she just shrugged, looking as interested in the change of pattern as I was.

  “Where are you going?” I asked under my breath as I turned back onto the street, eager to see what would lead him past his home after so many nights of the same routine. His paced slowed as he reached the next corner, and he took his time to look around before he turned into an alley that led to the lower end of Main Street. Not wanting to risk losing track of Reese while I went round the block I pulled the car over, ripping the keys out of the ignition and left the car unlocked behind me in my haste to catch up. The hiss of cars passing echoed around me as I hugged close to the walls and worked my way up the alley, keeping in the shadows in case he stopped, or worse, turned around. Crouching low next to an overflowing recycling bin I stuck my head out. After a panicked moment I located Reese who was still crossing the street, and as he walked into a convenience store I allowed myself to breathe again.

  The street was surprisingly busy for this time of night. I had to duck down for a moment as a group of middle aged men came walking past, their loud, jovial voices making me think they were on their way home from a nearby bar. Dawn’s light footsteps behind me made me straighten, taking a moment to assess the situation while I had time. “Maybe he’s just stopping for some groceries?”

  “Unlikely. There is a store open all night just behind his building.”

  Dawn’s concerned voice came from just ahead of me, and it took a moment to realize she was hidden from my sight. Her slim, lonely shadow was the only indication her voice wasn’t just my imagination. What I would do to have that particular ability right about now. Reese walked out of the store a few minutes later, stopping to lean casually against a nearby mailbox while he lit a cigarette. He continued down the street, heading further and further away from home, his head turning every now and then to watch someone pass by. I kept to the opposite side of the street, allowing myself to walk almost parallel to him without being noticed.

  The longer I followed the more uneasy I became, there was something about his behavior that struck me as peculiar. The way he roamed through the streets, seemingly with no destination in mind, gave me the impression he wasn’t looking for something, but someone. If Dawn had similar concerns she did not voice them, for the moment preferring to remove herself from the situation altogether so she wouldn’t interfere, and in the process becoming nothing more than the silent shadow beside me. I was just beginning to become impatient when Reese stopped under a broken streetlight near a bus stop that hadn’t worked for years, looking around for a moment before receding out of sight from the sidewalk.

  Concealing myself in a gap between an accountant’s office and a high wall I turned my gaze back to the street. When I was fairly certain no one was approaching from either side I located Reese lurking near the fence behind the bus stop, his profile difficult to identify in the low light. The way he positioned himself left little doubt in my mind he was intentionally concealing himself as much as I was. My heart began to race as I reached for the camera strap around my neck, knowing there could be no good reason for him to be where he was at this hour. Was I finally going to have all my effort following him around pay off? Yes, I think I was, and all that was left now was the cold, steady ticking of anticipation while I waited.

  As the minutes passed I ran through all the possibilities of this late night excursion. A few came to mind, but if I was a betting man I’d put my money on an impending drug deal. Looking through my camera lens I could see he was anxious, the nervous, jerky movements of his body as he looked back and forth a dead tell he was on edge. He seemed to be turning an object over in his hand. It looked metallic, but I couldn’t be sure from this distance.

  Just then Reese’s head jerked to the right, his gaze drifting behind him to where I couldn’t follow from this angle. Taking a deep, steady breath I rested my index finger on the button as I readied myself to capture every second of the person he was about to meet. Instead, Reese only pulled further into his cover.

  The only warning I got was Dawn’s ragged gasp a moment before a second figure came into view, walking briskly towards the place Reese was hidden. From what little I could see the woman looked to be in her early thirties, moderately dressed and clutching her handbag close to her chest. For a moment I watched her pass by Reese without noticing him, trying to understand what led to Dawn’s alarm, when Reese detached himself from the fence and began to stalk behind her.

  As the cogs in my head crashed into place I barely noticed the camera slip through my fingers, or the tug of the strap as it stopped the camera’s fall. There was no meeting about to take place, no other explanation to his otherwise seemingly reformed behavior. Reese was simply biding his time until the mood struck him to find a target, possibly another victim. In that moment I couldn’t move an inch of my body, couldn’t think past the painful memories from the night of Claire’s death forcing their way into every corner of my mind.

  History was about to repeat itself.

  “Son of a bitch.” What little self-restraint I possessed melted away as something buried deep snapped inside of me, replacing the rational part of my mind with a singular drive that overrode every other conscious thought. This couldn’t happen again. I wouldn’t let this woman share the same fate as Claire.

  As my vision narrowed on the object of my rage my limbs felt oddly detached from my body, dragging me forward on their own volition, as if unable to hold off their need to connect with something vital and solid. Every inch of my flesh tingled as the adrenaline worked its way into my system, the rushing blood pounding behind my temples singing to me as I closed on the pair. The world could have caught fire, burning away everything to smoldering embers and bitter white ashes around me, and I wouldn’t have so much as blinked.

  A noise registered in the back of my head, just audible over the churning chaos that was my mind. It was a voice, desperate and pleading, though the words were lost on me. I took another step forward, but my foot never made it to the ground, my body colliding squarely with a solid object. Regaining my balance after a moment I looked up to see Dawn materialize in front of me, her icy hand firmly pressed against my chest.

  “Benjamin, stop! Please!” She was begging me, her expression clearly terrified.

  Twisting around her hand I pushed past Dawn’s shoulder, escaping her grip long enough to see Reese and the woman turning towards the sound of Dawn’s voice before she had her hands on my shoulders. They both looked equally stunned, but noticing the metallic sheen thrown off by the drawn knife in Reese’s hand the woman bolted without a second thought. Reese’s gaze swished between me and the fleeing woman, pausing for a moment to throw me a baleful look before he took off in the opposite direction. Planting my feet firmly on the sidewalk I tried to pry myself from Dawn, throwing my full weight forward with all my strength.

  I didn’t move an inch.

  “Let go of me!” I snarled, violently shaking my shoulders to pull away from her, but Dawn’s iron grip around my jacket was absolute.

  She began to forcibly pull me back from the street, and even as I watched Reese slip out of sight I struggled, clawing and thrashing against her to break free. Without any real effort on her part Dawn half dragged, half carried me into a nearby alley and held me up against the wall, somehow still able to largely avoid directly touching my skin as I flailed. Realizing that by now Reese would be long gone, and my e
fforts were largely in vain, the last of the fight bled out of me and I sagged against the wall, my heavy breathing ragged. Releasing her hold on my jacket Dawn took a step back from me, her wild eyes in constant motion. My hands had balled so tightly in my anger that they were still locked in place. With enormous effort I slowly unclenched each individual finger, a stabbing pain trickling into them as the blood flow returned to my hands.

  “Did I injure you?” Dawn asked stiffly while I rubbed my hands together to coax a spark of life back into them.

  Not trusting myself to speak, I looked up at Dawn’s face and saw that her soft features were twisted by panic and concern. I looked away, not ready to let go of the anger still bubbling inside of me, and with careful movements I slowly shook my head. Dawn began pacing restlessly back and forth, her heels biting into the ground as she turned. I was so close, just a few more steps and I would’ve caught him in the act, with a witness no less. What the hell was Dawn thinking?

  Feeling a surge of energy I pushed myself off from the ground, kicking an empty glass bottle lying next to me with enough force that it sailed into the wall, shattering into hundreds of pieces.

  “Why did you stop me?” I demanded, not caring who heard me, “this could’ve all been over tonight!”

  Dawn turned to face me, her expression anguished.

  “I did what I had to.” She took a measured step forward, slipped her delicate hands under the collar of my jacket, and tugging gently Dawn pulled me down to her height. We stood perfectly still for a long moment, her black eyes level with mine as I felt her sweet breath on my cheek. Then, reaching up on the tips of her toes, Dawn wove her fingers around my neck, and I closed my eyes as her cool, silky lips brushed over my forehead. “And I hope one day you will understand that.”

  My skin tingled lightly where her lips touched, a pleasant, burning sensation of frost and fire lingering. Then, feeling the touch of her slender fingers leave my neck, I opened my eyes to an empty alleyway.

  20. Consequences

  I made the turn onto the narrow road that led to Memorial Hospital as the sun was setting, the vivid shades of red just peeking out between the solid, dark clouds looming on the horizon. After finding a spot in the visitors parking I left the engine idling as I collected my thoughts, going over everything in my head for the thousandth time.

  Four days passed since the last time I saw Dawn, and to say I was a little anxious would be a gross understatement. The night she disappeared was unclear in my memory, tainted by the blinding anger I felt towards Reese, yet somehow I just knew she was saying goodbye. She broke the rules and directly interfered in my fate, I knew that, but what I wasn’t sure of, was why. Whatever her reasons were I would forgive her, I could even understand her needing to leave so suddenly—her control couldn’t have been at its best, and she may have needed to restrain me before I did something even more reckless.

  That was four days ago though, so why hadn’t she come to see me? Was she ordered not to contact me again? Moved to another post far away, or worse, had Dawn finally decided she caused enough damage, removing herself from my life entirely?

  Since that night Reese redoubled his efforts to stick to his routine, not stepping one toe out of line. It was as if he knew I was watching. He didn’t of course, I was far too careful to tip him off to my now near-constant surveillance, but it was frustrating to see him so controlled. I realized now he most likely only meant to rob his victim. The fact that she was a woman was due only to her seeming like a softer target, and something must’ve gone horribly wrong with Claire. It made sense. If I just reined in my temper, then perhaps things would’ve turned out differently. Or maybe I was wrong, and it could’ve been a lot worse. It was impossible to tell. Who knew what Fate had in store for us all that night?

  Either way with Reese still freely walking the streets, and Dawn missing I felt like I hadn’t accomplished anything. More like somehow my selfish choices just created more havoc in their wake.

  One thing I was sure of is I wanted answers. I wanted to know where she was. So after giving up on Dawn responding to the messages I left in her pouch hanging from my window, I decided to get creative. As I walked through the parking lot towards the hospital’s entrance I knew full well this was a terrible plan, a plan that would most likely succeed only in making me look foolish. But I had to try something. My logic seemed sound enough though, and I was betting on a stroke of luck.

  People died in hospitals. Not a pleasant thought, but wishing otherwise didn’t make it any less true. If not Dawn, then some other seraph would have to show up eventually—all I had to do was get their attention. That part seemed easy enough. The real trick would be getting them to reveal themselves to me once I did.

  Stopping in front of the glass doors of the main entrance, I took a moment to watch them shuffle open as the sensor above picked up my movement. I tried to convince myself I was deciding how best to proceed, but the truth was I detested hospitals. Everything about them, from the bright artificial lights down to the impeccably clean rooms made my skin crawl, and this hospital in particular drudged up painful memories better left buried. Between my general recklessness, my sister’s condition and Claire’s clumsiness I spent more time in this hospital’s waiting room than anyone should ever have to.

  Having stalled long enough I stepped inside, running my tongue along my teeth as I navigated my way through the familiar labyrinth of interconnecting corridors. As I followed the color coded arrows past radiology I decided whoever thought the pale, sickly green paint on the walls was in any way calming had made a grave error. At least the floors didn’t give off the harsh, burning smell of industrial strength soap with every footfall, like the institute Lisa was confined to.

  I found a quiet bench across from the E.R. and took a seat, barely noticing the trickle of people passing through the double doors beside me as I settled in for what might be a very long night. With no real way of knowing exactly when one of Dawn’s kind would pass through, now was as good a time as any to start. Taking a quiet moment to thank the stranger I would never meet, who’s passing I was about to use for my own selfish ends, I began to recite the chosen words under my breath.

  “Seraph. I know what you are, and I need to speak with you. Please, show yourself.”

  I repeated the words again and again, until the lines began to run together like a monotonous mantra. I had no idea whether my simple message would be convincing enough to entice a response, or if anyone was even around to hear it, but I didn’t have any alternative. I needed to make sure Dawn was okay, that she wasn’t suffering because of my personal vendetta. Even if it had been her choice to intervene, I put her in the position.

  “Come on already,” I groaned, loudly enough for a middle aged doctor with a bushy grey beard and spectacles to look up at me from his clipboard as he walked past. Tossing him an apologetic shrug I waited for him to pass before I stood to stretch my legs.

  Having no luck so far I decided to walk around the hospital, hoping to catch the sensation of warm pins and needles that signaled a seraph’s presence. I stopped often, whispering my message to the empty corners every chance I got, and before long I found my footsteps neatly mimicking the agitated pacing Dawn seemed to fall into when she was deliberating something. Every now and then I would catch someone staring at my peculiar behavior. I didn’t let it bother me. Seeming a little foolish now would be worth it if I could just get a response.

  I reached the free clinic entrance a few minutes later, about to take the long way round back to the E.R. when I felt it—the familiar prickle against my skull. I stopped dead in my tracks, and turning slowly to face the entrance, I whispered my message again.

  Nothing happened.

  I repeated the words again, pausing for a moment before adding. “I know you’re there, reaper. You might have all night to play games, but I don’t.”

  There was no doubt in my mind the seraph heard me, not when they were close enough for me to feel them. I glanced down
the corridor as I waited, checking to make sure the few people still around at this hour hadn’t noticed me speaking to myself. The last thing I needed right now was for someone to think I was non compos mentis.

  I briefly considered threatening to reveal their existence in the hopes of luring them out. Knowing my emotions would betray me though I tossed the idea, readying myself to call out again when I felt something cold brush lightly against my jacket, lingering for a split second before the pins and needles left me. I swiveled on my heels, looking all around for what touched me, but the closest person was at least forty feet away. I stood there for a moment, trying to work out why the seraph came so close only to disappear, when the answer came to me. Reaching into my outside jacket pocket I found a scrap of paper, neatly torn from what looked to be a patient’s chart. The ink was still wet on the paper.

  Fountain, City Park. 02:00.

  My hope sank as I slowly read the single line and didn’t recognize the writing. For a fleeting moment I hoped it would be Dawn, that she was watching over me this whole time like always and things could get back to our version of normal again. Still, it was something, and though I had no idea who this seraph was, or why they chose that spot to meet, I would be there to find out.

  The few lights that illuminated the winding pathway were immensely helpful in navigating my way to the center of the park where the meeting was to take place. It was a small area, roughly a block or two in size, but between the tall oak trees and thick bushes one could easily find themselves lost at night. The old grey stone fountain was switched off every night, though the family of ducks that slept under a nearby tree didn’t seem to mind. They huddled close together, warily watching my approach as I walked along the dark, murky waters of their quiet pond.

  I was a few minutes early, and not sure which direction my mystery contact would come from I decided to wait by the center of the rounded clearing, near a large rock at the edge of the water. A small copper plaque was laid into its polished surface, too worn from age and the salty air to read in the poor light. I was definitely on edge, and the deserted location only added to my already frayed nerves. Dawn was very wary of introducing me to her cadre—I could only imagine how she would have cringed at this.