Shattered (Guardian Series Book 1)

by Shawna K. Rockey

  “It is pretty awesome,” Wyatt agreed. “It gives you an adrenaline rush, especially when you go over jumps. There are tracks over in that direction where a bunch of us get together and race.”

  “I’d love to watch the races some time,” I tell him, hoping he gets the hint.

  Soon after, we found the old house. “Here we are,” Wyatt says. “Watch your step and make sure you look down. You need to be on the lookout for snakes. This is a snake’s favorite environment especially with the high brush, next to the creek and large boulders embedded in the mountain side. The last thing you need is to get bitten.”

  “Yes, sir,” I said saluting him.

  “Oh, I see your mouth hasn’t been affected by today’s events,” he teases, as he steps closer to me.

  He broaches my personal space. My breathing starts to increase, the muscles in my stomach tighten, but I don’t understand why. Am I nervous?

  “Well, I don’t dwell on things that I can’t control,” I shrug. “I can only control my reaction, which, in my opinion, has more power anyway. You can lose control and lose everything, but if you control your reaction, then you have the power to regain what you’ve lost.”

  “Those are probably the wisest words I’ve ever heard someone say, other than a poet,” Wyatt exclaimed. “Despite what happened today, you should know that I’m proud of you. You stood strong, faced adversity with such inner strength, but more importantly…you succeeded.”

  “Awe, how sweet, Wyatt.” I coo. “Thank you, but I don’t feel like today was a success. If anything I feel more confused. I still have no idea who he is, what he wanted or why he did that to me. I don’t even know if he will come back for me.”

  “As far as I can see, you were successful and that’s all that matters to me,” he pauses and continues, “You fought back today because you knew you had to. You didn’t let him capture you. You may have fallen because your body gave out, but your mind is what helped you overcome this and it will continue to help you through the days ahead.”

  I haven’t had the chance to digest what happened today or what it means, but I hear the truth in what he’s saying.

  “Jaycee, I’m sorry if it’s bad timing, but I need to do this before I lose the nerve,” Wyatt breathes.

  And before he finishes speaking he steps closer to me, towering over me. He puts both his hands on each side of my face, leans down and kisses me. At first the kiss is soft, as if he’s unsure that I would accept it, but once I respond, he kisses me with such passion that my heart begins to race. That odd feeling in my stomach returns. After a few moments he steps away for us both to catch our breaths.

  “I had to. I couldn’t wait,” he says, breathlessly, while running his hands through his hair.

  “I’m glad you did,” I giggle. I step in and close the distance between us again. “In fact, I’m perfectly okay if you never stop kissing me.”

  Wyatt wasted no time. He grabbed the back of my hair and twisted my head off to the side and continued kissing me. I don’t know how long we stayed like that, but there is one thing I do know: I don’t ever want to lose him.

  Time stood still for a while, as we kissed. Eventually, Wyatt stopped and cordially asked, “are you ready for me to get you home? It’s a little after three in the afternoon.”

  “Yes, I suppose,” I complied, begrudgingly. “My parents normally get home from work around 4:30pm. I always try to get home before they do. Will you do me favor though, please? Can I show you which way to take me home? I would feel safer knowing he’s gone and not waiting for me to return. The path will lead right up to my backyard if that’s okay with you.” I hesitantly ask, hoping he won’t deny me; he’d be taking a huge risk if the guy is still there.

  Luckily, he agreed to follow my direction.

  We pull back onto Gypsum Road and go in the direction of the break off point. I notice the truck’s track marks as we get closer, but when we approach the top of the hill we can both clearly see the truck is gone. What a relief.

  “Oh, thank god,” I exclaimed. “I swear I stopped breathing for a second.”

  “Me too,” he said in agreement.

  Almost immediately, he had me home. “My house is right there,” I pointed out. “It’s the one with slate colored siding and black shutters.”

  “I know which house is yours,” Wyatt assured me. “Remember? I followed you home the night that we met.”

  Wyatt shuts off the motor and we stand in silence for a moment. I’m not exactly sure what to say. I’ve never really been good at good-byes. Every time someone has said good-bye to me, they’ve never come back.

  “I would appreciate it if you don’t mention what happened today to anyone,” I plead. “I’m not sure I am going to tell my parents. I feel like this is a learning lesson for me, to not be so trustworthy and to definitely not go on any more walks by myself.”

  “I’m not sure keeping it a secret is a good idea Jaycee,” Wyatt expressed, concerningly. “You should at least tell your parents, even if you don’t want the cops involved. What if he does this to someone else and you can prevent that from happening?”

  “You’re right, but I don’t even know who he is or the body style of the truck he was driving,” I counter, still pleading with him. “I’ll need to think about it. Right now I know I need time to process what happened, before I say anything about it to anyone. At least promise me you won’t tell my brother. He will really flip out on me.”

  “I’ll make you a deal,” he says, flirtatiously. “If you kiss me good-bye and promise to continue to hang out with me this summer, then I will not say one word.”

  “You have yourself a deal.” I step into him and give him the most passionate kiss I can muster.

  After a few seconds, we pull apart and breathe again.

  “I’ll call you later after soccer practice and check in on you,” he promises.

  “I’ll talk to you then. Have fun at practice,” I retort, as he starts up his motor and speeds off, waving as he fades in the distance.

  Guardians

  Always Watching

  Deuteronomy 31:6

  "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you he will not fail you or forsake you."

  Belief is one word defined differently by all nationalities, races and cultures in the entire world. People are born to believe in something, in someone, but what happens when a person struggles with belief? What if this person isn’t sure what to believe in or who to believe? Belief is a matter of knowing something exists that is invisible, untouchable, and hard to understand. It is natural for people to want to believe in something. People want believe that everyone is honest and fair, including themselves, that life is just and intentions are sincere. What people don’t consider is that beliefs change, as do people along with their hearts, minds and souls.

  “I told you that I saw good in Jack and that the lower level demon, Abaddon, was the one influencing his behavior,” Camael exclaimed. “I admit…I don’t understand the purpose of today’s events, though. I’m quite thankful for the outcome, but I am just as confused as Jaycee is.”

  “You know what I can’t fathom is we didn’t really struggle or engage in spiritual warfare,” Josiah wondered. “Abaddon, didn’t fight back. He just accepted the hits and…vanished. He disappeared at the exact moment when Jack had a change of heart…or did he have a change of heart?”

  Camael shakes her head. “I’m not sure I’m following you, Josiah.”

  “I don’t think I can articulate what I’m thinking right now. Despite what happened today, I’m not convinced Abaddon was here because of Jack,” Josiah said, a puzzling look spreading on his face.

  “I can’t imagine it’s because of Wyatt.” Camael responded. “He’s been very supportive of Jaycee and was practically shaking when he saw her laying on the ground, not moving.”

  “I sense there is more going on here than what we witnessed today.” Josiah u
ttered, cautiously. “We need to watch both Wyatt and Jack a little more closely. The illusion put in front us revealed a man who appeared to be threatening a girl with physical harm; a man who is a trained sniper, or human killer, if you will. We were so focused on the presence of Abaddon and the possible harm on our charge that neither of us noticed Wyatt. I didn’t get a read on him the night they met, or today. Camael, what is the saying that human children chant at the playgrounds? ‘Sticks and stone may break my bones but words will never hurt me.’ That’s what we need to focus our attention on. I don’t believe Abaddon was here for Jack…he was here because of Wyatt.”

  Camael stands in silence, watching Wyatt drive Jaycee home, pondering what Josiah is saying.

  “Some say that the boy next door is always the first one to be overlooked,” she considers. “It’s worth looking into, I guess. Humans are sensitive creatures most of whom react with their emotions rather than with their minds. Sometimes verbal or mental abuse is more traumatizing than physical. Scars on the body fade over time but psychological scars last much longer. I am curious to know what Jack whispered in Jaycee’s ear before he left.

  Jaxon

  6 years ago

  “Congratulations Sergeant Major Jaxon David Sanchez,” the President’s voice echoes across the arena. “You have faithfully served your fellow Marine service men and women, your country and fulfilled your duty to the United States of America. You led your team on a long, extensive operative mission, exercised great strength and heroism. Your men and women followed you, served you, believed in your leadership and, because of that dedication, you successfully infiltrated and eradicated Kuwait’s leader, Oumar Al-Salem. We cannot thank you and your team enough for this enemy’s demise. Your bravery and heroism is remarkable and we are eternally grateful for the lives you saved, both abroad and on American soil.”

  I salute the Commander in Chief for his nice, robotic speech. I stand erect, straight faced, no emotion. I stand tall, I stand proud, because I am a Marine.

  “Thank you, Sir,” I offer my diplomatic reply. “We are proud to serve you and this great country. Regardless of the mission we are tasked to complete, we are only as strong as our leaders and the leaders before us. We do not view ourselves as heroes, rather we are men and women who completed this mission because of dedication to serve our country.”

  “Please stand down, son,” my commanding officer responded. “Thank you for your dedication to your team and to your country. I am pleased to honor you with the Congressional Medal of Honor.” Sgt. Tate salutes me and my team while the POTUS slips the medal of honor around my neck.

  I hear the applause erupt behind me and, in that moment, I feel indifferent, yet complete. It’s a moment I wish my parents could have witnessed…or her, for that matter.

  I salute Sgt. Tate, turn towards the audience and salute the civilians. ‘Ooh-Rah,” Sgt. Tate bellows, arousing the crowd its own Ooh-Rah.

  He orders the commencement service to end and my fellow comrades disperse to find their loved ones. My team confidently walks off the stage in search of their family and friends, while I have one goal in mind: to find her.

  “Excuse me, Master Sgt Sanchez, may I ask you a few questions?”

  I turn to hear where the question is coming from. I see a pretty, young woman racing towards me with a microphone in hand and a short stubby man following behind her, with a camera. I stop to give them the opportunity to catch up. I wouldn’t want her cameraman to pass out from the exertion.

  “How can I help you, Miss…?”

  “Angela Reese, from WXTV,” she introduces as she extends her hand. “May I ask you a few questions?”

  “Sure, I don’t have much time, as I have a flight to catch,” hoping she would hurry up. I have a place to be, more importantly someone who I desperately want to meet.

  “How long did it take for you and your team to infiltrate Oumar Al-Salem command post,” she asks, as she adjusts her attire on camera.

  “As you are aware, I’m not at liberty to discuss any part of our mission, but I can tell you, on a more general note, that it takes time, intelligence, skill, determination, and courage to complete any mission. What makes a successful mission is when your team is comprised of people who have those qualities. I’m thankful that I had the right leaders, the right team, with the right skill sets to make our last mission successful.”

  My eyes quickly scour the field for R.J. to see if his wife was able to join him. “Now if you’ll excuse me I must go,” I offer my salutations and quickly walk off in the direction of R.J. and his wife.

  “Jaxon, man, that was epic,” R.J. exclaims. “Who would have thought that the man who was chased by those terrorist bastards with his pants around his ankles would be awarded with the Congressional Medal of Honor? If I wasn’t your close friend, I would be happy to share that video for everyone to see. Hell, I bet it would go viral on YouTube.”

  I laugh aloud. “I’ll tell you what man, you make that video go viral, I’ll tell your pretty wife here how you’d call out her name in the middle of night, like a child cries for his mama.”

  R.J.’s face quickly turns sour. “Hey man, that was between us,” he whispered. “She doesn’t need to know that.”

  “Know what dear? That you can’t live without me.” Ashley laughs.

  I extend my hand to Ashley. “I’m Jaxon. I’m glad to finally meet the girl whose name I heard called out in the middle of the night,” I said with a chuckle. “But on serious note, you have one hell of a man here. I just want you to know that. He saved my life in more ways than one and I’m honored to call him a friend. Even though he’s pussy whipped. No pun intended.” I tease, as I look over to R.J. and wink at him.

  “That’s very kind of you Jaxon, minus mentioning my girly parts, but it makes me proud to hear how awesome he is. That makes our sacrifice at home worth it.” She lunges for R.J. and kisses him passionately, desperately even. It reminds me of what I’m missing.

  “You two don’t need to stop on my account,” I say, as I excuse myself. “I have a plane to catch.”

  “Go get her man.” R.J. yells behind me. “Text me and let me know how it goes.”

  I wave him off as I continue my personal mission to find the girl that has occupied my every waking thought and dreams each night for the past four years.

  Jaycee

  6 years ago

  I started having nightmares, a few years ago, but the crazy thing about the nightmares is that they didn’t occur while I slept; most of the creatures in my nightmares appear to me when I am awake. The creature who appears to me the most is the devil or at least that’s how I see him. How can I say he is the devil if I don’t really know what the devil looks like? In my dreams, he has only ever spoken to me once; the message he sent caused a rippling, bone chilling effect within me, like a sudden avalanche collapsing on top of me. He said he will crush the light that emanates from me and he will sit back and enjoy the show. Even more bizarre is that the nightmares started shortly after the day I was chased by that strange man in the truck on Gypsum Road. Somehow, I feel they are connected, but I don’t understand how.

  I never spoke of that day to anyone, not even to my parents. Nobody has ever broached the topic with me which makes me believe that Wyatt kept his word not to tell anyone either. I laugh at that thought because Wyatt is such a snake. He has broken my heart more times than I can count yet I keep running back every time he calls. I’m such a fool. I feel like I’m stuck in this repetitive cycle that can’t be broken.

  I’m two months away from graduating high school and I still have no idea which college I want to go to, let alone what major I want to pursue. When I completed the school’s applications, I chose ‘undetermined’, based on the counsel of my high school advisor. He said starting out undetermined it will be less stressful for me my freshman year at college. I’m not even sure I’m ready to go to college. I have an unsettling feeling that something major is going to happen. I don’t know if it�
�s going to be good or bad.

  These days, I work part-time at an accounting firm and make a pretty decent income. It’s easy work, basic data entry and ledger reviews. I love it because I am able to work from home, allowing me time for my studies and for my friends. I can’t live without my two girlfriends. Amy is just as short as I am but more daring. She will try anything once. The yin to Amy’s yang is Mary, who is more reserved. She’s more level-headed and fearful of the repercussions. I am the mastermind between these two and they are godsends to me. I come up with some crazy shit to do and they go along with it. Sometimes I lead and sometimes I follow...it all depends on what plans we make.

  High school has been pretty uneventful. My senior class consists of 200 or so students. We all get along, for the most part. The awesome thing about our class is that we encourage everyone to do their best and high five kids when we see them in the hallway for their most recent achievements.

  I attended my senior prom with a large group of friends. Wyatt didn’t want to take me to prom, nor did he offer me a reason, he just simply said he didn’t want to go. Based on our dating history that either meant he had a new love interest or he is really embarrassed to be seen with me. His behavior has spoken volumes; when he doesn’t want to attend public events with me, then I am led to believe he’s embarrassed of me. Of course, that’s my perception, but what else can I conclude? I’m not unattractive, even though I often think that I am. I have a large circle of great friends, so it’s not like my social status is below his. He has really broken my trust, my spirit, and, more importantly, a piece of me. I gave him my loyalty, my honesty, and worse yet, I gave him my innocence. Almost immediately after I did, he changed; he became a slimy snake slithering in the fields, with something to hide. He calls it off with me to date someone else. Then when that relationship falls through, he comes back to me. Whiplash at its finest, but I’m the sucker that keeps going back to the guy. This crazy repetitive cycle won’t stop unless I finally say it’s over.