The Shadow of Hope: Selene's Pass Trilogy, #2

By Courtney Shockey

The lone survivor of her family, Kayla Night yearns for companionship and a sense of belonging. She roams from town to town, looking to fill the void. When she unexpectedly finds the perfect place in Selene's Pass, she settles into a comfortable routine.
That is, until Adam Sharp knocks her off her feet. Literally. 
This captivating man helps Kayla open her eyes to a new way of life. Slowly, happiness and hope flourish within her once more.
Little did Kayla know that she had already caught the eye of another man who wanted her all to himself. A man with more than pure intentions.
As strange events unfold, their paths will cross in unlikely ways. Fate will twist everything around, leaving them exposed and hopeless. But hope was never meant to be in this story. Just its shadow.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Courtney Shockey
• Release date: Feb 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524215064

Courtney Shockey

Hi! My name is Courtney and I'm a wife and mother of 2. From Houston, Texas and work a full time job as a Lab Coordinator in an industrial setting. I write in many genres and hope to have a little something for everyone. Check back often so you don't miss out! Thank you for your support! :)

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COPYRIGHT © 2016 Courtney Shockey

All rights reserved.

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced to a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner of the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products, bands, singers, actors, lyrics, and/or restaurants referenced in this work of fiction, have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Also by Courtney Shockey

Selene’s Pass Trilogy

The Cover of Love

The Shadow of Hope

Nightmares

Children of Darkness

Children of Darkness: Genesis

(Coming soon)

Children of Darkness: Progeny

(Coming soon)

Standalones

Lost in Shadows

(Hearts and Daggers Anthology, releasing as standalone)

Hope is a word desperate people use as an anchor. They hold on to it with both hands, refusing to face reality. Always reaching toward that scarce light in the distance, but never touching it.

My name is Kayla Night and I grew up in the suburbs of a large city. Like most kids, I had my loving family; I was happy, healthy, and had everything I needed. Who could ask for more?

Unfortunately, I learned about death in my early years. When I was four years old, my older brother drowned in a river we visited during a family vacation. His death devastated my parents, but I was too young to understand. In the years that followed, my grandparents passed away, one after the other. It was a tough experience, but those left behind endured. I kept pictures of everyone I loved under my bed, including those who passed. Whenever I felt as if my world was crumbling, I brought out those pictures and remembered they all loved me. Their love and memory made everything okay.

My parents were very affectionate and comforted me when I needed it. Dad was my rock; big and strong, he sheltered me in his arms and held me whenever I cried. Mom would sit beside my bed and sing me to sleep every night. Some time after the tragic loss of my older brother, Mom and Dad had two more children, both boys. Being the only girl, I always remained the princess.

One day, towards the end of my junior high years, I got off at the bus stop and walked down to our house, which was located at the end of our street. An uneasy feeling washed over me, but I couldn’t place it. That feeling compelled me to pick up my pace and I practically ran to the front door. Both of my parents were home early from work. That never happened so I became excited. Bounding through the door, I was smiling until I saw my parents sobbing on the floor in the entryway.

Mom? Dad? What's wrong? Panting from my run to the door, my breathing increased as panic unfurled in my chest. I had only seen my dad cry at my grandparents' funerals. Nothing good was happening if my dad was crying.

Neither of them said anything, they just grabbed me, pulled me towards them, and squeezed me tightly. I found out later that a delivery truck collided with the bus driving my brothers home from school. Fifteen kids died on the bus, my two younger brothers among them. Life is so unfair.

Grief became a living thing in my house after that day. My parents didn't really speak any more, not to one another and not to me. It was like they were on autopilot. I hoped they would remember that they still had a child who needed them, who needed to be soothed when the light in life was burning low, who needed nurturing. I needed to feel loved, instead of just remembering how it felt to be loved. The pictures under my bed couldn't lessen the pain. Mom didn't sit in the rocking chair beside my bed any more. Dad didn't hold me. I cried for months without any comfort from either of them. I felt like a burden.

Three years later, almost to the day of the accident, my mom didn't come home from work. I was home after school, listening to music and doing homework, when my dad came through the door. He walked over to me and pulled my headphones off. He told me what happened without emotion: Mom had driven off of an overpass. I guess she didn't want to deal with the painful loss of my siblings. She left us to mourn yet another member of our diminishing family. I didn't try to pull the old pictures out. It was no use.

My dad died soon after that. His death was just physical at that point, because he had already died in soul and spirit. I couldn’t mourn him any more than I already had; he wasn’t really present even when physically there. I think he only functioned because he didn't know what else to do. We didn't eat together. We were hardly in a room at the same time any more. He was murdered for the forty dollars in his wallet and the engraved pocket watch his father gave him. At least he didn’t leave me voluntarily.

His death left me all alone at the age of seventeen. I graduated high school early but had no one there to congratulate me. My father's will left the house and its contents to me, but I had to wait until I was of age to do anything with it. The day I turned eighteen, I put the house and everything in it up for sale. The furniture sold quickly, gone within a week. I packed all the pictures and frames into a box and put them to the side with my clothes. I bought a small pick-up truck the moment enough money cleared the bank and packed it with my boxes. My family’s clothes and personal belongings were donated. They were of no use to me. They only held memories of a past long gone. I took with me the old pictures I had of people that loved me at one time, and said goodbye to that life.

Hope, dreams, wishes: these were merely words to me after graduation. They were gateways to disappointment and heartache so I didn’t dare do any of them.

After I left my family home, the thought of settling down seemed out of reach and I didn’t think it would ever happen. I bounced around a couple of towns to see what life could be like. The first place I tried, Calvin, was the largest city closest to the suburb where I grew up. Tall buildings and parking garages lined the streets for miles and people crowded everywhere you looked. They moved in a mass of bodies, as if herded, to cross the street. Orderly chaos. Their grouped lines followed the steps to the subway underground as another mass exited beside them. Shoulders and elbows constantly rubbed and bumped against strangers as you attempted to travel anywhere.

That was far too busy for my taste. Traffic was a nightmare and the people had their own agendas. If there wasn't anything in it for them, they stayed far away from you. I felt alone when I was surrounded by people. A month of hell was enough for me. So, I started looking at the smaller towns dotted along the outskirts. The money I received for selling the house was substantial for one person, so I didn't need to find a steady job.

The next place, Novas, was slightly smaller than Calvin. The traffic always jammed during rush hour, but at other times it flowed smoothly. People varied from rude and angry to sweet and generous. Music stores were more popular with the younger crowd. If I wanted any friends, or at least someone to talk to every now and then, that was the place to get a job.

I pushed the door open and the bells chimed obnoxiously. A few people turned their heads to look in my direction, but mostly everyone continued their search through the mounds of CDs. A group of girls in tube tops and overalls, each with braids tight against their scalps, watched me walk in and look around. I rolled my eyes at their bubble-gum-popping, curled lips, and searched for an employee.

Two guys with JNCO pants and spiked hair silently snuck behind the group of girls still watching me. One put a finger to his lips in a shushing motion while the other had a big grin stretched from cheek to cheek. Closer... Closer... Boo! They shouted together and reached out to touch the nearest girls to them.

The entire group let out shrill, screeching sounds before streams of obscenities filled the store. All right! That's enough of that. You all need to leave the store right now. It's loud enough in here without that squealing, a tall man with shoulder-length black hair said as he walked toward them.

They cussed and blew gum bubbles in his face while they slowly made their way to the door. The two guys that scared them were still laughing and I couldn't help but smile. The man was strolling back to wherever it was he came from. He glanced in my direction and continued scanning the room. When his brain registered what he had seen, he stopped midstride and whipped his head back toward me. I'd never seen someone do a double-take. It was pretty amusing to see, yet embarrassing at the same time since I was the cause of it.

His eyes bored into mine as he strode over to me. His faded jeans bunched and his flannel over-shirt shifted with each step. Heat crept up from my neck to my ears. He stopped in front of me, his hair kissing his shoulders. Hey. Is there something I could help you find? Particular genre you like?

I suppressed a nervous smile and looked at the ground, pulling at the hem of my shirt. This guy is seriously cute. Act normal! Um... Actually, I was coming here to see if you are hiring. I just moved to town so I'm not very familiar with the area.

The corners of his lips quirked up. I'm not sure, but I can talk with the boss and see what I can do. What's your name?

Kayla, I answered.

Pretty name for a pretty girl. Come with me so I can get your info, he said as his hand landed on my back. He put slight pressure to guide me where he wanted me to go, weaving our way through the store. At the wall, he held the door open for me to go in first.

You first. I don't know where I'm going, I said nervously.

He chuckled. Just step to the left when you walk in. Ladies first. He looked over his shoulder and scanned the store quickly.

Uh... Okay... I stepped into the back room and saw a couch against a wall, a table in the middle of the room, and a desk in the corner. It reminded me of the teacher's lounge at school. A man was typing on the keyboard when we entered.

It's not your break yet, Jeff, and shut that damn door, the man grumbled. I don't like him already.

Not Jeff and I brought a girl that's interested in working here, he said as we pushed further into the room. The smell of stale french fries infiltrated my nose as we got closer to the man.

He lifted his head and his eyes traveled from my shoes to my breasts. New hire, huh?

I crossed my arms over my chest and looked at the ground. Maybe this isn't such a good idea. Kayla, can you give us a minute please? I nodded at... I didn't even get his name!

I walked out the door and pressed my back against the wall. I can't work for that perv. His eyes were about to ogle right out of his face. I shook my head and rolled my eyes. Worst idea ever.

That's a look of regret if I've ever seen one, a guy said.

Embarrassed, I snapped my head up to see the two sneaky guys from earlier smiling at me. I'm sorry, I thought I was alone.

In this store? Never. I'm Jeff, by the way. This guy here is Nick, he said patting the taller guy on the shoulder. They had a light and friendly air to them and I instantly felt more comfortable.

I gave them my biggest smile. I'm Kayla. It's nice to meet you two. And I want to say that what you did earlier was hilarious.

Yeah, those girls always cause some kind of problem in here. We run them out almost every day using different methods. We're pretty creative on the annoying level, Jeff said.

I laughed with them as they told me various stories of how they previously chased off those girls. They were very creative and hilarious in the reenactments. I was leaning over attempting to catch my breath when the door beside me opened. The cute guy came out with a smile.

Keeping Kayla company? These two aren't bothering you, are they?

Wiping a tear from my eye as I clutched my aching stomach, I replied, Quite the opposite, actually. They're pretty awesome.

They must like you, then. Jeff, Steve wants to talk to you real quick, he said as he jerked his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the office door.

Yes, Master, Jeff said, bringing his hands together in front of him and bowing deeply. Nick mimicked the movements in silence and backed away, rounding the corner of some displays a few feet from us.

See ya, I waved at him as he passed me. He waved back and disappeared into the office, shutting the door behind him.

So, what do you know about a cash register? The cute guy was looking down at me when I faced him. His hazel eyes locked onto mine.

I twisted my hands together nervously and looked everywhere but into those eyes. Not much, but I'm a quick learner. Um, I didn't get your name. I was terribly nervous. This was the first guy I envisioned dating since I being on my own. Most young women had the comfort of a parent barrier in case things went awry but I didn’t and therefore was a bit more cautious. Even so, I had to put a name to this handsome face.

He shot me a confident grin. "Sam. Now, let me show you a little