Unholy Ground

By Dean Peake

An ancient town in New England harbors an equally ancient secret. Mia stumbles upon it one night while walking home: Morgan Falls has vampires. After trying to convince her friends of the secret one of them unleashes the terror upon the unsuspecting sleepy town. Now, Mia and her would be vampire slayer friends must find courage to confront evil on its own terms.

No glittery vampires here. This is true evil with real fangs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dean Peake
• Release date: Jul 25, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301138401

Dean Peake

Dean Peake is a writer living and working in Utah. When he is not working a full time 'REAL' job, he spends time writing in a smokey dungeon that has books lining the dreary, wet walls. He has a wife and four kids, and THEY have too many cats.

Book preview

Unholy Ground

By

Dean Peake

Copyright 2013

Smashwords Edition

This is a work of fiction.

No similarity to any persons, living or dead is intentional.

No part of this work may be used or copied without permission from the author.

Previously Published by the Author

The Gaslight

Olivia’s Gamble

Chapter One:

Popcorn and Tombstones

Mia looked around at the busy lobby and then down at her feet. They were damn cute shoes, no doubt. The brass display above them guaranteed that these shoes would make the wearer stand out in the crowd and the bright red looked especially great in contrast to the dark patterned carpet of the theater lobby floor. And they looked especially great with her feet in them. She felt lucky to have found them at the shoe shop on Second and Main. But as Mia scanned the people’s faces milling about the lobby and waiting in line with her she could not spy even one that was noticing her shoes.

She picked them up especially for this night. And she could only have been happier if they were not absolutely killing her feet. When she forced her feet into them earlier she had no idea that she’d be standing in line for so long. She picked them up two days ago but it never occurred to her that she probably should have worn them to break them in before this night.

Mia stood beside Connie in the lobby of the Morgan Hills Twin Rocking Chair Theater. Tonight was a big night for the two best friends. From the turnout, it appeared that it was a big night for most people. Tonight was opening night of ‘Blood Tied’. Mia and Connie were huge fans of the books and this was the paper to screen adaptation of the first book in the series.

Connie had made a good call in her suggestion to come early. They had been in line now for over an hour and though Mia’s feet burned, she was glad they had come early enough. She was sure that not everyone in line would make it into the theater.

Mia could take a little pain, and besides, as good as she looked in those opened toed shoes, she was happy for the chance to show them off in the light of the lobby. Once inside the dark theater, no one would have the chance to admire them.

Connie nudged Mia to get her attention and she looked up from her stunning shoes to catch Connie directing her attention across the lobby toward Steven Rust, who was standing in line with his friends at the concession counter. Connie knew that Mia had a serious thing for him since early on in high school.

Mia shrugged her shoulders at Connie. So?

Mia, Connie said. Why don’t you go talk to him? Mia gave her a quizzical look. C’mon, they are way ahead of us in line. I’m getting a little worried that we might not make it in. Besides, you can sit by him, make some small talk, or maybe even some big talk. She pleaded. And maybe we can get them to buy our popcorn, I’m starving!

Connie? Mia said.

What? Connie asked with that beautiful patented ‘Connie smile’ on her face.

You want me to just walk up to him and ask him to let us cut in line, and by the way can you buy us popcorn? Connie asked incredulous. I don’t even know him.

Connie lowered her head and looked at Mia under her perfectly plucked brow. What do you mean you don’t know him? You’ve only been drooling over him for the past six years.

Mia laughed. Yeah, okay, so I know everything there is to possibly know about him. What I mean is he doesn’t know me. And besides, all of that drool was wasted saliva.

Connie crossed her arms and raised those beautiful eyebrows at Mia. It doesn’t have to be wasted. It’s never too late to make up for all of that drool. She smiled. Oh, come on, Mia. They are nearly at the box office. Don’t you want good seats? Besides, once I pay for my ticket I’ll have exactly a buck thirty left over. And that is not enough for popcorn. And you know how much I love popcorn."

I’ll buy your popcorn, Connie, Mia said.

Connie smiled again. She was stunning when she smiled. She had one of those smiles that made you want to smile back at her just for seeing it. I know you will. But won’t it be much more fun to have him buy it?

Mia looked across the lobby again at Steven. It really wasn’t a bad idea. Not the popcorn part, but the getting into the theater and sitting down. She shifted on her feet, thinking about how great it would be to get off of them.

I really wouldn’t know, Connie, Mia said. I’ve had exactly- oh, let me think- zero guys buy me things. I’m not like you, Connie. I don’t have the kind of smile that can manipulate guys into doing anything you want them to do.

Well, Connie said, That’s because you have never tried it. She flashed her teeth at Mia. Mia could only smile back.

Why don’t you go talk to him, Connie? Mia asked. You are the expert at manipulation.

Connie sighed. It’s true. I am an expert at that. It’s a curse. But Steven is your flame. You should do it. Besides, it might lead to something good.

He’s not a flame, Mia said. You know he doesn’t even know I exist. Mia stopped smiling and looked at Steven once again. Besides, Connie, you know I could never just walk right up and talk to him. I don’t have that in me. If I did, I would have talked to him years ago, Instead of drooling over him in secret.

Some secret! Connie replied. I had to listen to every detail about him for years. I’d say he owes me. Connie put her hand on Mia’s shoulder. You owe me, Mia. And I want popcorn. And a good seat. She gently pushed Mia in Steven’s direction. Go on. I’ll hold your spot.

Mia shifted on her feet again. They throbbed. Oh, alright! Mia relented, and she took a step in Steven’s direction. She tried to hide a grimace on her face as she moved forward with every agonizing step.

She stopped a few feet from Steven and turned back toward Connie. She had a look of exaggerated anguish on her face. Connie motioned for her to go on and made the mock movements of popping popcorn in her mouth. Then she smiled that smile again; all flashy teeth under her perfect nose. Mia knew she could not resist that smile and smiled back at her. She turned back toward Steven and continued on. Her feet were hurting so bad now that she was worried she might be seen as hobbling. She looked around the lobby to see if anyone was watching her. No one seemed to be. For a moment she was relieved, but then she realized that as great as she looked in her skirt and top, everyone should have been watching her. And her shoes were irresistible. Why the hell is nobody watching me? She looked around the lobby again and started to take offense. These shoes were a hundred and twenty nine bucks, people!

Then, before she knew it, she was standing there behind Steven and his buddies. None of them noticed her at first. What the hell? She looked back over her shoulder at Connie. She was the only one in this whole packed lobby paying any attention to Mia. Connie just raised her eyebrows at Mia again and nodded toward Steven.

Mia turned away from Connie and Brian, Steven’s friend, was standing before her, looking her up and down. Not in a way that was admiring her skirt or top, but in a way that he was admiring her curves inside her skirt or top. And his eyes never once dropped far enough to take in her shoes. That really infuriated Mia. A wasted hundred and twenty nine bucks!

Mia stared at him while he scanned her and she threw her hip out and cocked her head to the side. Brian elbowed Steven in the ribs and smiled at her. Steven turned and saw Mia for the first time.

Mia Bachman, Brian said. How are you, my dear?"

My dear? Brian was a good looking guy. But he was a complete pig. It bothered Mia that Steven could even call Brian his friend. They were nothing alike at all. But she knew that sometimes we don’t choose our friends. Sometimes our friends choose us.

I am fine, Brian. And you? She replied but made a point of looking at Steven while she spoke.

Hey, Brian said. Are you here with Connie? He looked around the busy lobby.

Mia let her eyes wander over to Brian then she looked over her shoulder to Connie and smiled. Sure am, Mia said. She’s over there in line. Mia pointed toward her, making sure that Connie saw her do it. Why don’t you go talk to her? Mia added. She smiled at Connie before turning back toward Steven.

Brian’s face turned to a look of horror. Mia thought it probably looked the same as hers when Connie suggested that she go talk to Steven.

Steven finally spoke in his deep voice. Mia loved his deep voice. It fit well with his dark looks and personality. Why don’t you tell her to come on over, Mia? he asked. Mia was momentarily amazed that he knew her name.

Uh well, she stuttered. She’s waiting in line holding my place.

Brian spoke up. Well go over and take her place in line and send her over. Brian laughed at his own perceived hilarity and Steven snickered, hitting Brian in the shoulder.

Knock it off, Brian, Steven said. She wouldn’t have anything to do with you. She’s actually got class.

Brian clammed up, snapping his mouth shut in mid laugh. Oh, low blow, Steve. Besides, she may have class. But she’s also got great lips, and that’s all I need.

Mia put her hands on her hips. Unfortunately you don’t have anything she needs, Brian, she said.

I guess she told you, buddy! Steven laughed. What did you want, Mia?

Brian interrupted before Mia could answer. I know what she wants, Steve. Don’t you know what she wants? Steven’s two other friends joined in laughing with Brian and the grinning Steven. He was clearly uncomfortable with the implied comment, but he grinned just the same. Now Mia had an attitude. And it wasn’t a good one.

What do I want? Mia asked, pushing her way through them and toward the concession counter. I want popcorn.

Mia left the boys behind and reached the counter. Large Popcorn, please, she said to the young kid who greeted her there. She realized that Steven had stepped up behind her.

Mia, I am really sorry about Brian. He can be… he said.

Whatever, Mia interrupted, keeping her back to Steven.

Mia refused to look at him so she did not know when he walked away. After she received the popcorn and change, she turned back around and saw him across the room, laughing it up with his friends.

Mia walked back to Connie who had made considerable progress in line while she was away. She handed her the bucket of buttered popcorn. Here you go.

Thanks, Connie said, looking a little confused. Uh, what happened? It didn’t look like it went very well.

They were all behaving like pigs, Mia said to her, her attitude still evident in her voice. By the way, Brian likes your lips.

Connie smiled and raised her brow. Oh really? she looked flattered.

Oh yeah, Mia replied. He said he has a very good use for them.

Connie’s smile faded away and she looked over at them. Pigs! she said.

Now Mia raised her eyebrows at Connie in an ‘I told you so’ look. Connie just shrugged and dipped her hand into the popcorn bucket.

Well, Connie said. I guess we don’t get good seats then.

<>

Mia and Connie ended up getting pretty good seats. When they walked into the theater they walked past where Steven and his friends were sitting. As they walked by, Mia saw Steven looking at her out of the corner of her eye. Damn, he is cute! She made the considerable effort to not hobble as she walked by in her too new shoes.

The movie was good. Dark shadows, romance, blood, guts and vampires. But as with every great book turned into a big screen movie, Mia thought the book was better.

Mia and Connie shuffled toward the exit after the end of the movie and Mia made a point of looking for Steven still sitting where she last saw him. He wasn’t there, as his seat was closer to the exit than Mia’s. But as she walked through the door, he was waiting on the other side. It seemed to Mia as if he were waiting for her.

Mia, he called out as she passed him by. She pretended not to notice him there at first, then Mia glanced at him and kept walking. Mia, he said again. I am really sorry about earlier. Mia looked over at Connie and saw her looking at Brian and the other two boys.

Like I said, Steven, Whatever, Mia said.

Then she saw Connie