Dreamless

By Erin Manbeck

In the beginning, when the battle for heaven was won and the rebellious angels were cast into hell, not every angel had a place. Those who hadn't chosen a side were sentenced to exist between the two parallels...earth. The angels who repented were called the Fallen, peaceful angels that existed amongst mankind. Those who rejected their punishment became known as the First, angels that survived by stealing souls.

Over time, a First and Fallen unite and the Protectors were born.

Eighteen year old Mira Daly had one goal, get out of Redding,WY and never look back. That was until her best friend goes missing the day before graduation. Chloe’s disappearance brings back haunting memories of her father, and through the help of some unexpected new friends, the story of who he was and what she’s meant to be unfolds.

With a living, breathing, nightmare determined to destroy her, Mira knows the only way to survive is to accept her fate and meet this demon in battle.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Erin Manbeck
• Release date: Aug 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9780991633548

Erin Manbeck

I was born and raised in New Jersey, but have found myself a new, calmer life in Florida. With a B.S in Criminology from FSU, and a military deployment behind me, I'm now working full time and raising a family. Whenever I can sneak away from those responsibilities, I'm writing. The "Gifted" Trilogy is my introduction into the writing world. All books are available now. Follow my progress or see what I'm planning next on Facebook or on my Blog

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Published by Erin Manbeck at Smashwords

Dedication:

For the Trifecta…ALWAYS!

Table of Contents

Copyright

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 01

Chapter 02

Chapter 03

Chapter 04

Chapter 05

Chapter 06

Chapter 07

Chapter 08

Chapter 09

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

About the Author

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Is it much further? It’s getting kind of late and my parents will be really upset if I’m not home for dinner.

He rolls his eyes, knowing Chloe can’t see his reaction. She hasn’t been able to keep up and still remained a few steps behind. Not much further, I promise. It’s up ahead by those rocks.

Chloe sees their destination is only about fifty feet in front of her and continues trudging through the lightly wooded area. "Are you going to give me a hint of what it is that you are dying to show me? I mean, you’ve barely given me the time of day all year, and now all of a sudden you want to share something. I think it’s safe to say I would have easily dated you when you moved here, but the fact you’ve blown me off all this time…now I’m not so sure. This surprise better be impressive if you’ve changed your mind and are trying to make up for turning me down."

I never meant to hurt your feelings, Chloe. I’m not used to girls like you showing an interest in me. I didn’t know how to react to someone like you.

Chloe stops cold in her tracks, her right hand coming up to brush the strands of hair away from her face that started to stick. She wasn’t used to outdoor activities, so now there was a light coating of sweat settling on her face. What the hell is that supposed to mean?

Letting out a laugh, in an effort to ease the tension and hopefully motivate her to start walking again, he replies. It’s nothing bad, I swear. I’ve never had such a pretty girl be so forward with me before, and if you haven’t noticed, I’m a little shy. I really hope what I show you makes up for my foolish behavior. Besides, haven’t you been dating Zach for the last five months?

Chloe lets out an exasperated sigh, and begins to follow him once again. She starts to explain her reasoning, not noticing he isn’t interested in her answer at all. He just helps pass the time. If I had known you liked me, I wouldn’t have even bothered. Anyway, we are at the rocks now, so what do you want to show me? She slides up next to him and runs her finger down the center of his chest.

He takes her hand gently into his and places a soft kiss across her fingers. This is a cave entrance. It know it doesn’t look like much, but what you find inside I can guarantee you have never seen before. It’s something that you will remember for the rest of your life and I would really love to share it with only you.

Chloe takes three hesitant steps forward and glances into the entrance. A shiver runs down her spine that has her stepping back quickly. It’s pretty dark in there. Can’t you just tell me what’s inside and then we can go back to your house for a little while.

He pulls her tightly against his chiseled body and captures her mouth with his. He runs his tongue along her bottom lip until she voluntarily opens her mouth, inviting him in. Just as her body softens and melds into the kiss, he pulls back leaving her wanting more. Was that kiss worth it so far? She smiles up at him, blinking quickly and nods. We can definitely do more of that inside. Just hold my hand because it will be dark for a minute, and watch your step. You can trust me.

Still holding a blush on her face, Chloe takes his hand and allows herself to be lead inside the opening. To her surprise, they turn left instantly and walk away from the little light offered from the outside. She shuffles her feet for almost thirty seconds, trying to keep up with his confident stride. When she finally stops focusing on following him and glances back, her heartbeat picks up instantly. She can no longer see the way out and has no idea what’s in front. When the questions begin to form in her head and move towards her mouth, she slams into his hard back. Whoa, is this it? I still don’t see anything?

Give it a few more second for your eyes to adjust. You will start to see a light up ahead.

Chloe remained tight against his body, her hand sweating in his. Now second-guessing the decision to enter the cave, she whispered, Listen, I’m not too sure about this anymore. I think we should head back. I don’t like it in here. As he turns to respond, she pulls her hand from his and immediately jumps back. What the hell is going on? What’s happening to your eyes? Not waiting for an answer, her retreating steps become faster.

A laugh resonates through the cave; echoing off the walls and making her feel like they weren’t alone. Chloe, wait a minute. Give me a chance to explain.

Hell no, what are you? She quickly swings her body around, and despite the dark, takes her chance, and begins to run. She’d been in situations where she had felt fear before, but nothing compared to what was coursing through her body now. God, no! she screams as a hand is suddenly in her hair, halting her forward movement and yanking her down. He twists her body so that her knees and hands slam into the hardened ground, rocks digging deep into her skin. Chloe releases a whimper when she feels a set of lips against her ear, and when he speaks, there is no mistaking the lack of warmth that comes with his words.

Your God isn’t here, Little Girl. You might want to try someone else.

The tone of his voice left no doubt in her mind that he was toying with her, but she screamed anyway. She willed herself to believe that others knew about this place and would come running. Help, someone, anyone, please help me!

Oh, Chloe, do you remember seeing anyone as we were walking through the woods? Of course you didn’t. You were too busy worrying about your shoes, your hair, and thinking of a lot of naughty things you wanted to do with me. Don’t worry though because you didn’t miss a thing. There is absolutely no one around. I made sure of that when I picked this place. You can scream all you want, but you might want to save some of that energy. He stares down, his eyes casting an orange glow into her terrified face. He can see the flames reflecting back from the tears pooling in her eyes. Unfortunately, it won’t be for all those dirty thoughts.

He flips Chloe on her back and begins to drag her by the hair, her weight being of no issue. She cries as the jagged rocks lining the ground begin to tear through her clothes and then her skin. Chloe jerks and twists, further injuring herself, but refusing to give up. What do you want from me? I’ll do anything, please stop hurting me.

I’m a man of my word, Little Girl. I promised to show you something you’ve never seen before, something you’d remember for the rest of your life, and I’m going to keep that promise. You just didn’t realize that your life would be coming to an end so soon.

Chloe begins to cry harder and feels all of her strength dwindling. What are you going to do to me?

I never said it would be me, Little Girl.

Fueled by fear and anger, Chloe takes the little energy she has left and swings at the hands in her hair one last time. Stop calling me that. You’re the same age as me, asshole. You trick me into coming with you, but don’t have the guts to deal with me yourself. You’re a coward.

Such tough words coming from someone so young and obviously naïve, and who seems to have forgotten that she willingly followed me into this cave in the hopes of receiving some sort of carnal pleasure. Little Girl, I am nowhere near your age. I have traveled around this world for many years, so my age is of no comparison. Now, although I do find it a compliment that you would want me, considering I could very well be a distant relative, I would never lower myself to take a female that doesn’t value her body. A little girl who thought only of pleasure instead of the possible danger that was clearly in front of her. A smart girl you are not.

His words tore at her harder than the sharp rocks against her back. They stole away her fight and her body went limp. She sobbed because this wasn’t how she pictured her life ending. She was smarter than that, and she did know better, but she hadn’t cared. She was young and beautiful and sex was nothing more than a filler to help pass the time as she waited for something bigger and better to come along. Men did it all the time, why couldn’t she.

Why did his words have to hurt so much? She didn’t want him to know the emotional pain he caused, so Chloe put on a brave front. I don’t care what you think; you’re nothing but an evil bastard. If I were a man, you wouldn’t have thought that way about me. You’d be patting me on the back. If I were a man, you wouldn’t have come after me at all because you would have gotten your ass kicked. I hope you’re proud of yourself. You can easily manipulate a young girl. Good for you, Old Man.

Chloe, if you were a man this wouldn’t have been as fun, and definitely not as easy. He forcibly throws her forward and she lands a few feet in front of him. From the light emanating out of his eyes, Chloe could make out a little bit of the space they were in now. It was slightly larger than the passage they just came through, but she didn’t notice anything different. I like the fight in you, Chloe, so I am willing to give you a choice. It will show you that I’m not the monster you think I am. Now, don’t get me wrong…I am a monster, but I am willing to make this easier on you. I can erase this day from your memory, so when you die it will be with thoughts of friends and family, or you can turn around and face your death, knowing you fought valiantly till the end. Chloe went to look over her shoulder, but he was on top of her quickly, moving faster than any human man possibly could. He grabbed her face and squeezed her cheeks tightly. No cheating. What is your decision? I’m running out of time.

Chloe spoke softly when she asked. Running out of time for what?

We need your soul, Chloe. It’s what keeps my kind alive. The source will drain you completely and then use part of your essence to replenish me, so that I may continue my journey. I know you see it in my eyes. They are the eyes that have turned your dreams into nightmares for months. These eyes have smothered you with fear as I weakened your will, so much so, that when a good-looking boy comes along and invites a pretty girl to follow him, she does. Despite what you think, I’m doing you a favor, Chloe, because the time is drawing near and the source is growing strong enough to sustain on its own. When that happens, the world you know will be long gone. Your kind will be nothing more than cattle.

Chloe heard his words and really looked at him. She looked into the flames that were dancing around his enlarged pupils and realization dawned on her. I do remember your eyes. You’ve been in my dreams. So many sleepless nights trying to avoid those nightmares and what you did to me in them, you son of a bitch! This is all just another dream. Another nightmare you are inflicting on me.

He leaned in close, forcing her to close her eyes while she pinched herself. Chloe, you are not dreaming this time. You know this is real. Make your choice…now.

Don’t you dare erase my memory. If I’m going to die, I want to remember just how much I hate you and everything you have done to me.

Much braver than I expected, it’s almost admirable. Get up, turn around, and face your fears.

Chloe slowly got herself off the ground and stood on shaky legs. She was trying her best to be strong, but wasn’t sure she had the guts to turn around. She stood there for a few seconds, staring at the last person she was ever going to see, and letting the hate fill her. Mustering up what was probably the last bit of courage she had, Chloe spit in his face. He obliged her with a smile, but she saw the anger in the flames. When he made a move towards her, she quickly spun around, shutting her eyes. It’s just a dream. She said in a last-ditch effort to escape this nightmare. Taking a few deep breaths, hoping this would end quickly and that she would wake up in her bed for a new day, Chloe began to open her eyes.

She had the sense to know that only a few seconds ago, there was nothing directly behind her. Whatever it was he was expecting her to see had to have been further into the cave. The only light visible was coming from him. She was completely at a loss when her eyes fell upon a dim pulsing shape less than five feet in front of her. It caused a gasp to escape from her mouth and she stumble back a step. Part of it looked almost human, but it stood nearly ten feet tall and she thought she saw what looked like a tail and possibly wings. If it weren’t for the slight glow that appeared every few seconds, Chloe would have almost missed it in the dark.

Before she could make sense of what it all represented, there was a sudden brightness created by what the boy called the ‘source’, blinding her. It then blazed across her body, seeping into her skin, and pulling away the energy that it craved. In the few seconds that she has left in this world, she tried to focus on the hatred as she swore she would, but instead, Chloe became overcome with utter sadness. Playing in her head was the image of her heartbroken parents because she wasn’t going to make it home in time for dinner…ever again.

Her screams only lasted a few seconds and he watched as her body fell limp to the ground. He stepped over the shell that remained of the pretty girl and walked towards the source. Now within arm’s reach, he places a hand on its center and smiles. The life essence starting to course through his body was worth the pain and fear he caused the pretty girl. What he was feeling now erased any guilt he might have felt for choosing her. Guilt created from the remnants of strong souls still residing in him that he had taken in the past. Strong souls that were refusing to let go. The souls provide him with the energy he needs. They are his food supply. If he wanted the touch of humanity that they poisoned him with to disappear, he could let himself deplete to nothing and start all over. Unfortunately, doing that would make him lose his edge and the game would not be nearly as fun. It was what made him the best.

It was always easier taking the ones that nobody would miss. It was simpler going after men and women who caused more pain and suffering on others around them, than he ever could. However, every once in a while, he had to remind himself of who and what he was. He was a minion of evil, a real, living, breathing nightmare. The little girl was his reminder that evil was coming and no one was safe, especially from him. His only problem… she wasn’t the one he wanted. He went after Chloe because his energy was fading and he needed to remain strong. The girl he really wanted had somehow been locking him out, and that was something that had never happened before.

Normally, he would disappear from a town until the missing person was just a forgotten memory. He had other areas set up around the world where he could start all over again. No matter where he decided to go, he knew the source would follow. This time though, he was going back. He promised himself that when it was all over and he had her, he was going to make sure that no one ever kept him out again.

Chapter 1

Mira opens her eyes when she hears the knock again. I’m up, Woman, even though my alarm doesn’t go off for another three minutes.

Her mother, Susan, slowly opens the bedroom door to stick her head inside. I’m just making sure because I have to leave. I need to get into work early today, but I left your breakfast on the kitchen table, and your lunch is in the refrigerator. I want you to call or send me a text when you get home so that I know you’re safe. I’ll be home by five o’clock tonight. I love you, Sweetie, and good luck on that math exam.

As Mira raises herself off the bed, she can’t help but glare at her mother. The math exam is the last thing I want to think about first thing this morning. Anyway, do you want me to start something for dinner tonight or are you going to bring something home with you?

Well, it’s your last Friday of high school, so I’m just going to pick up a pizza. This will be our way of celebrating. Now I have to go, but I just want you to know, your hair looks great this morning. Susan lets out a laugh as she closes the bedroom door.

Mira places her hands on her head and begins laughing as well. Her pixie cut is cute after a shower, but God help the man who ever wakes up next to her. She would bet her right hand, at this very moment, there wasn’t a black hair that wasn’t standing straight up. I’ll tame this beast one day, I swear it. she mumbles to herself as she leans over to turn off her unneeded alarm clock. Although she set it every night, her mom manages to wake her up at least three times a week, always using some excuse about going into work early. Since half of those same mornings Susan is still home by the time Mira makes it downstairs, she chalks it up to OCD.

Shaking away those thoughts, and focusing back on the day ahead, her excitement begins to take over. Mira has to force herself to not dance around the room. Today’s schedule was simple. She was going to take her math exam in the morning, graduation rehearsal right after, and then early release to do absolutely nothing for the rest of the day. All these years of afternoon activities, sports, and club meetings, were finally over. Now… she had a summer of relaxation planned that included no one but herself, and of course, her two best friends. Mira’s intentions were to dream away the days and nights thinking of nothing more than college, where she was going to make her own schedule, her own decisions, and by far…new friends. She was finally going to get away from this little shit town where she spent far too many years faking smiles and friendships to get through each day.

She’d never forget what the people around here did to her and her mom some years back, and her big goal was that she never wanted to see any of them again. Unfortunately, her mother was far more forgiving and had full intentions of never leaving. Therefore, that meant there would be summer breaks and holidays where Mira was going to have to drag herself back to visit, because despite the hatred she had for Redding, Wyoming, she would always love her mother. The only parent she had left.

When her father, Paul Daly, disappeared six years earlier, it was the ending of any love Mira felt for her hometown.

The last day she and her mother saw and spoke to her father, he told them both that he loved them. He told Susan that he had something to take care of after work, but he wouldn’t be long. He even asked that they not have dinner without him. If someone was intending on leaving, never to come back, that’s not the conversation that would have taken place. Matter of fact, it was the complete opposite of what her father would have ever done. He was a local police officer with a stellar reputation in the community and a great rapport with his fellow officers. His brothers from other mothers, he liked to call them. They would do anything for one another and their families. His sudden disappearance had not only thrown her and Susan into a tailspin, but the police, and eventually the entire community.

Her mother called the police station later that same night to report that her father never made it home. No one Susan spoke with could explain why. A few worried officers conducted an initial search of the area and eventually found his empty squad car, parked at the entrance of the Grand National Park. This was a place he hadn’t mentioned he was heading. It was almost out of sight, so the Rangers never saw it, and it remained untouched. What confused Mira was that if he had run into trouble, he never called for backup or help at any point.

The township of Redding stepped up and embraced Mira and Susan for weeks. Many members assisted with the search parties, while others held candlelight vigils in the hopes of his safe return. In a town surrounded by a picturesque national park, with far too many areas to possibly search, their hope slowly dwindled as the weeks dragged by. National media attention hadn’t even provided any credible tips that they could use. ‘Look around the mountain’ was the main tip received, and if it were up to Mira, she would have stabbed those that said it in the eye. How foolish did people really think they were? She was twelve and knew better.

The national park had a pass that consisted of steep slopes that made its way through the valley, but this place consisted of more than just one mountain. So, every time she heard that tip, her twelve-year old mind would think, Ok, let’s also rip down every tree just in the off-chance that he was hiding inside one. Not a logical possibility, but not something that she wouldn’t have done if she could, that is if her mother hadn’t kept Mira close to her side, fearing that she could lose her as well.

After about four weeks, the supportive community, their rock through these hard times, began to turn on them. Whether they meant to or not, people found more joy in the simple gossip they could spread at the local diner, then knowing the truth. Conspiracy theories were more exciting than the possibility that Paul had gotten lost or hurt somewhere in the valley. Mira’s mom had shielded her from most of these rumors, these lies, but when Susan forced her to return to school, there was nowhere to hide.

Girls and boys she had been friends with for years began to pull away, as if she had done something to make her father disappear. Boys that at one time had admitted to having a crush on her were now calling her ugly. Girls that spent nights at her house sharing secrets weren’t giving her the time of day. She heard their snide remarks as she walked past these one-time great friends, insinuating her father left them for another woman, or that he had another family somewhere else. For a twelve-year old, it was enough to destroy any hope of ever rekindling those good old days. She loathed almost all of them, and carried that hatred with her every single day.

The not knowing about her father was terrible by itself, but ultimately losing her friends was enough for Mira to have a mental breakdown. At least that’s what the guidance counselor in school called it. Mira simply referred to it as her ‘I’ve Had Enough" moment. Mira had only been back to school a week when Gary Peterson, in front of the entire class, said that he saw Mr. Daly getting it on with another woman in the local hotel. Mira responded the only way she knew how. Her father taught her how to defend herself when she felt backed into a corner, and at that moment she did. Mira defended herself that day, except she took it to the extreme. She cold cocked Gary in the face and when he hit the floor, she kicked him in the balls.

The suspension looming over Mira’s head was enough for Susan to agree to home school her for the rest of the year. Finally being away from the other kids allowed Mira to start breathing again and focused on her father, despite Susan’s anger over the situation. What helped the most was that she still had the comfort and support of the two friends that remained faithfully at her side, Gracie Summers and Chloe Decker. They were the friends that still came over and kept her company, especially on the weekends when her mother would leave, still holding out hope, searching for her husband.

Unfortunately, her mother’s efforts came to an abrupt end when the doorbell rang on March 15th. It was the day when her father’s good friend, and fellow police officer, Scott Winters, appeared at the door. At the mere sight of his worn-down appearance, Mira instantaneously knew that she and Julius Caesar would forever share a common bond; they didn’t beat The Ides of March. It was later that night, when Susan stopped crying enough to speak, that she told Mira how they found Paul.

Apparently, a group of hikers had come across something in the woods the day before. They sent two from their group back down the mountain to get cell phone reception, where they contacted the local police. It was Scott, and a few other officers, that immediately traversed the rough mountain terrain and confirmed the body that lay alone, in the middle of nowhere, was her father. Till this day, Mira couldn’t make sense of what they told her. As more details surfaced, she began to piece them together and believed there was something they had missed.

When they discovered Paul, he was still