Cursed

By A.D. Spencer

Cursed is Part two of the Enlightened saga. In my quest to understand the spirit world, I stumbled upon darker forces I would’ve rather not known about. There are doors that should not be opened .... Everything that was dear to me threatened to crumble apart.
For years the Caldwell family was rumored to be cursed. Baylie Storm unknowingly discovers that the legend ... was no rumor at all.
When Baylie and her loved ones suffer multiple mishaps, it becomes apparent they are dealing with more than just bad luck. They are in fact ... Cursed. Lives are at stake, and finding a solution will take her back to a tragedy more than two hundred years old. Can the curse be lifted in time?
PG 13

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.D. Spencer
• Release date: Jan 12, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301564149

A.D. Spencer

I am happily married with three children and I reside in Missouri. I earned a degree from Drury University in 2001 and operated a successful insurance agency for several years before pursuing my creative desires.I hope you enjoy Enlightened and Cursed. The third book of the saga, Enchanted is coming soon!

Book preview

CURSED

A.D. Spencer

Copyright 2013 A.D. Spencer

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook 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. It you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book is available in print at most online retailers.

This book is fictitious. Any similarities to incidents, events, places or persons, living or dead are purely coincidental and unintended by the author.

For my friends and family whose encouraging words and ideas inspired me to complete this story. Special thanks to my children.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Victoria

Chapter 2: Surprise

Chapter 3: Haunted House

Chapter 4: White Dove

Chapter 5: Grandma Betty

Chapter 6: Angel

Chapter 7: Counselor

Chapter 8: Tyler’s Point of View

Chapter 9: Complications

Chapter 10: Dreams

Chapter 11: Suspicion

Chapter 12: Dark Magic

Chapter 13: Black Crow

Chapter 14: Sinister

Chapter 15: Lifting the Curse

Preface

My knowledge of the spirit world just a few months ago was infinitesimal, compared to what I’d been exposed to in recent days. There are things humans really shouldn’t know — and doors that should not be opened. In my quest to seek spirits — I’d stumbled upon darker forces that I would have rather not known about. It changed the way I look at the world.

I once had vast optimism about the future — there was so much potential. But, a huge storm cloud suddenly rolled over my life. Everything that was dear to me threatened to crumble apart.

Chapter 1: Victoria

I heard a strange noise. The foreign rumble of a diesel engine approached — increasing in volume and rattling the windows with its strong vibrations. I rushed to the front door to see what was going on.

Dad and Billy pulled in behind a huge semi-truck which hauled an enormous excavator — on a trailer that looked much too small to handle the load.

Good grief — they could have given me a little more time, I complained to myself. I’d only been back from the courthouse for about ten minutes. I hadn’t even had a chance to review the looming pile of maps that the clerk printed off for me. Apparently, portions of the Caldwell property had changed hands repeatedly between the years of 1854-1923. The land had been divided — then subdivided into smaller sections — and at one time, it had all been repurchased in a large section — then divided all over again. It was probably because everyone had heard about the legend of gold, and they all wanted an opportunity to own the coveted ground.

I’d spent hours with the courthouse clerk, pouring over old census documents and viewing county records and maps — every single one of them showed the property line different. I wished I hadn’t been so presumptuous in my statement that ‘Eli wasn’t even digging in the right place.’ It occurred to me — it could take much longer than I’d expected to make a good educated guess at the proper boundary line to begin our search for the gold.

I hope they’re not being charged by the hour for that excavator. What if I’m wrong? It could be disastrous. I was feeling the pressure.

Tyler must have seen them roll past his house with the oversized load. He pulled into our driveway a few minutes after them.

I went outside to greet them all — calling out, Hello, as I bypassed Dad and Billy and headed straight for Tyler. I wrapped my arms around him right after he’d closed his truck door.

Your dad’s gonna freak out if he sees you hugging me like this. Tyler warned with a smile.

I don’t even care anymore, I giggled.

I held his hand as we walked closer to them.

A burly truck driver descended from the cab of the semi-truck and began loosening the thick ratcheted straps that held the monstrous equipment on the trailer. He moved rapidly for a large man. He climbed aboard the excavator and started the engine — it was even louder than the truck that pulled it.

The machine began moving in reverse until the driver had it backed completely off of the trailer.

I just barely heard Billy’s phone ring. He took a few steps away from the commotion to hear better.

Alright, it’s ready to go, the truck driver announced. I need your signature right here. He held out a clipboard for Dad to sign.

I was distracted by Dad stepping forward to sign, but for some reason I returned my attention to Billy. He had a very serious look on his face.

Something is wrong. I pointed my head toward Billy.

How do you know? Tyler asked.

I just had a bad gut feeling. I sensed the call was bad as soon as his phone rang.

The expression on Billy’s face became more horrified as the truck-driver pulled away. I inched forward, fearing the details of his phone call.

Uncle Billy, what’s wrong?

Dad looked up — puzzled, clearly unaware that anything was wrong.

That was one of the counselor’s at Victoria’s college. He said something about a violent attack, she’s in the hospital. He wiped a tear from his already reddened eyes.

Get in the car, Dad instructed Billy.

It occurred to me after Tyler and I had followed behind them — we’d left Mom at home and she had no idea what was going on. I dialed home.

Hello? she picked up.

Mom, it’s me. Something happened to Victoria, we’re all on our way to the hospital.

What happened to her? she caught her breath.

I don’t know, Billy said something about her being attacked, but I didn’t stand around asking too many questions. Why don’t you meet us there?

Alright, I’ll be there in just a few minutes.

We pulled into the hospital parking lot — a place we’d been to more times in the last four months than we had in the last ten years. Dad dropped Billy off at the E.R. doors and he went running inside.

Are you gonna be okay? Tyler asked, sensing my distress.

I just have a really bad feeling about this. I can’t explain it, but I knew something was wrong the moment his phone rang — a premonition maybe. I shook my head.

My chest felt tight, like there was a force pressing down on it. I hadn’t felt that way since the last time a spirit communicated with me, but this was different — more intense.

What do you think happened to her? he asked quietly.

I can’t say it. I shook my head.

He nodded, somehow knowing what my unspoken instinct was. He turned off the engine, and we swiftly entered the hospital. Dad had already found her room and came back out to wait for us.

It’s bad, he said, covering his mouth. You might not want to see her like this.

I have to, Dad. She needs to know that we are all here for her. I fought back my tears.

Tyler braced my arm as we inched closer to her door.

Billy leaned his head over her, sobbing. He held onto her hand, rocking back and forth in a trance. He was silent, but I could hear him thinking. Why? Why did this happen to her?

Dad, I’m going to be okay, her voice quivered as she tried to comfort him.

I noticed cuts and scrapes on the right side of her face as I approached her bed. But, it didn’t look horrible. I took the final step toward her and reached out for her hand. Only then did I see the left side of her face — that was beaten so badly — she was unrecognizable.

Huh, I gasped.

Her cheek was swollen and bloody. Both of her eyes had dark black circles beneath, but her left eye was severely damaged. She couldn’t even open it. She impulsively lifted her hand up to her cheek and turned her face away, when she saw my reaction.

Is it that bad? she sobbed.

I nodded with my hand over my mouth, still in complete shock. Yeah, that was all I could say.

I lowered my hand from my mouth and turned my head down toward her bed, just like Billy. I placed my hand on her right arm and rubbed gently as Tyler came closer to steady me. My hand met hers and I squeezed, in what was supposed to be a comforting gesture, but I hadn’t realized that her knuckles were busted up too.

That hurts. She winced.

Oh, I’m so sorry. I quickly released her hand. Have they given you anything for the pain?

Yes, she nodded.

I stood upright and took a few deep breaths.

Are you alright? Tyler whispered.

I nodded back at him as he sat down in one of the chairs beside the bed. He leaned over as well, resting his elbows on his knees and his head on his hands. I turned my attention back to Victoria.

I had to ask the question — I didn’t want to, but I had to. Victoria, who did this to you?

She trembled, "A guy in my English class. He asked me to go on a date with him — I thought the date was over and I was ready to go home, but he just wouldn’t take no for an answer."

What is his name? I asked. My lips had become rigid. The horror and fear that had built inside me when I first saw her like this had already faded. Now, I was just plain mad.

Toby. Her one word reply hit me hard. I already knew which Toby she was talking about, but I had to ask to confirm.

What is his last name?

Carello, she whispered, confirming exactly what I had suspected.

The sickness in my stomach, overpowered me. I ran for the trashcan on the other side of the room. I stepped out into the hallway, with my head dangling over the small garbage pail. I didn’t want everyone else to start throwing up too. There was a restroom directly across the hall, so I slipped in there to rinse my mouth. As I hung my head over the sink splashing water on my face, everything seemed to spin around me. A few minutes later I returned to her room.

Dad looked at me with concern. Judging by your reaction, I’m guessing that you know Toby Carello?

It was time to tell on myself. Yep, I nodded. At a time like this, it wouldn’t do any good to try to sugar-coat the truth. Dad, when I was a freshman, he was a junior — and he’d asked me to go out on a double-date with some of his friends. I told a little white-lie about who I’d went out with. His other friends never showed up. We were at the movies, and he put his hands all over me. He tried to stop me when I got up to leave, but I put my knee to his groin as hard as I could and I took off running.

I had captivated everyone’s attention.

It never occurred to me that he had such a violent potential. I added.

Billy had stopped rocking back and forth. His face was red. The anger had built within him, before I told my little story.

Tyler’s face was even redder than Billy’s. The rage within him was clearly a force to be reckoned with.

Where does he live? The steam coming off of Tyler could have seared each word that passed through his lips.

I have no idea. I shook my head.

Victoria, where does he live? he repeated his question.

Um, I’ve seen him coming in at out of the fraternity house on the corner of 6th and Pine Streets, but I’m not sure if he actually lives there. She struggled to sit up more in her bed.

I’m gonna kill him. Billy bounced up out of his chair.

Not if I beat you to it. Tyler looked seriously at Billy.

No, don’t kill him. Victoria whimpered.

What? Can you honestly have any feelings for this guy, Victoria? Have you looked in the mirror? Billy’s tone burned with disgust.

I think you misunderstood what I meant. You can hurt him all day long — just don’t kill him. I want him behind bars so that somebody else can do to him what he did to me. She longed for revenge.

Devious smiles adorned every face throughout the room.

I’m about to go take care of this problem. Tyler stood up swiftly.

No, she’s my daughter. I’ll take care of it, besides I don’t want you getting into trouble for this. Billy reasoned.

Tyler shook his head. "You’re right, she is your daughter, and she needs you here right now. Besides, if you get caught beating him, you’re going to get thrown in jail. I’m still a minor, so I won’t get in as much trouble.

I’m really starting to like this kid, Dad smiled in reference to Tyler.

I’m coming with you, I said adamantly.

NO, the resounding unanimous answer came from all three men.

Dang, it was worth a try.

Tyler, be careful. Dad said, a little more seriously. Billy stepped forward and shook his hand.

And don’t kill him, I don’t want you to get hurt or get in trouble. I wrapped my arms around Tyler, suddenly very worried about him.

Don’t worry — I’m not even going to lay a finger on him. The innocent tone in his voice concealed his intent.

Taking the law into your own hands is generally frowned upon … but not under these circumstances.

Words cannot even begin to explain how desperately I missed him, from the moment he walked out the door. Maybe it was the fear that he could get hurt — or perhaps, it was just my overwhelming curiosity. I wanted so badly to see his every move. I wanted to know exactly what was going to happen. If only I had the gift of clairvoyance.

I heard Mom and Janet in the hallway. How did Janet get here so fast? It’s an hour drive; she must have broken every speed limit along the way. The sounds of their voices were muffled through the closed door.

I looked over as the knob turned; Janet burst into loud hysterics before the door was even open two inches. Billy rushed across the small room and out into the hall, wrapping his arms around Janet to comfort her as Mom slipped inside.

She quickly glanced at Victoria, who appeared to have drifted off to sleep already.

Mom, how did Janet make the drive so fast?

She was at the mall shopping when Billy called her.

Oh, well that makes more sense. I was relieved that she hadn’t broken any land speed records to get here.

It’s a good thing too — I don’t think she could’ve driven an hour in the mental state that she’s in right now. Mom muttered as the sound of Janet’s sobbing still filtered through the walls.

It was painful to see Victoria hurt — and hearing Aunt Janet break down uncontrollably only added to the severity. I was thankful that Victoria was sleeping; it would probably upset her even more to see her mother’s reaction.

I felt sick … my stomach had twisted in knots. I stared at the floor, contemplating any excuse to make an escape. The situation was simply too stressful. A sudden rush of guilt hit me, with the realization that a family member had been brutally traumatized, and I was about to flee. Coward. But, I had to get away.

Mom, do you have your keys? I asked.

Why?

I need some fresh air — this is just too much to deal with right now. I don’t want to vomit again.

Again? she inquired.

Yeah, Dad can explain it to you, I said, holding out my hand for the keys.

She fumbled through her purse for what seemed like a really long time before I heard the clinking of the keychain. She placed them in my hand and abruptly looked to Dad for answers.

I made a quick escape before any more questions could be asked. I was relieved to get outside, even though the humidity was horridly bad. The beads of sweat on my forehead began rolling before I’d made it off of the sidewalk — and Mom’s vehicle was way over on the other side of the parking lot. The heat, the thick moist quality to the air, the sticky sweatiness — made breathing a challenge, but it was still less intense than being in Victoria’s hospital room.

A sudden gale-force wind blew. My hair swirled around my face. It was too early to be hurricane related, and the fact that it stopped so abruptly led me to believe that it was in some way supernatural. It caught me off guard, and I stood frozen in the parking lot.

A loud honking sound jolted me back to reality. Hey, get out of the way! a stranger yelled from the driver’s window of a small sedan.

Sorry. I shuffled quickly. I was oblivious to the fact that I’d completely blocked that poor man from leaving.

I felt a stream of sweat trickle down my back as I made the last few steps to our vehicle. I unlocked the door and got inside, then started the engine and turned the air conditioner on full blast. I held my fingers in front of the vent, impatiently desiring the air to get colder — when another strangely compelling feeling came over me.

Without even realizing it, I put the vehicle in drive. What’s going on? I was a little bit scared, and a whole lot confused. The last time I’d felt this compelled by some force other than my own — was the day I found Abbie’s tombstone. But this was different … dangerous. I was supposed to be in control of the motor vehicle that I was operating, but I wasn’t in control, something else was.

I put my hands on the wheel, but Mom’s SUV didn’t go where I wanted it to go. I put my foot on the brake, but it wouldn’t stop — the pressure being applied to the gas was greater than the pressure on the brake. The tires squealed … and I quickly realized that I’d be better off to cooperate with whomever or whatever was driving this vehicle than to fight it.

This is going to be hard to explain — I’ve technically just stolen my mom’s vehicle and it won’t even do what I want it to do, I thought to myself.

Abbie, are you doing this? I called out.

But there was no answer.

I was extremely tense as the SUV pulled out into traffic, but I finally heard her voice.

Just relax, Abbie said faintly.

Where are we going? I asked. I did feel a lot more relaxed just knowing our car wasn’t possessed.

You’ll see. Her simple reply left me longing for more information.

My mind blurred. I vaguely saw the cars and trees flashing by in my peripheral vision, but I was somewhat dazed … the way I always was when Abbie communicated with me.

We approached 6th street, and suddenly, awareness hit me. Abbie was taking me to Tyler — and I was darn glad about it, because I was too cowardly to have made that move on my own. I knew we’d be nearing the corner of Pine Street soon. I could see Tyler’s truck a few blocks ahead.

Abbie pulled the SUV over next to the sidewalk, one block away from Tyler’s truck. I saw the huge, brick fraternity house, but there didn’t appear to be any commotion. I sat silently for a moment — looking in the direction of the house when movement in the large tree caught my eye.

The branches rustled around wildly, even though there was no wind, and all of the other trees remained still. I put the window down and listened intently, keeping my eyes focused on the branches that had moved.

Suddenly, Toby fell from the tree — but there was a car parked in the way and I couldn’t see everything. It looked as though his body was flying around.