Dark Cherub

By Parker J. Cole

Shadows lurk in the darkness, preying on hundreds of womenwomen who have one hidden thing in common.

A young woman witnesses the unsettling disappearance of her high school principal and soon finds herself facing a harrowing decision.

Two friends find themselves facing a power that threatens not only their lives, but the lives of thousands more. One is fighting her own shadows from past decisions. The other is followed by a lurking adversary who nearly killed her five years before. She begins to connect a series of events, and a frightening realization comes to light: they face a power that cannot be fought with guns or weapons. Will they find the answers, and the strength, to cast away the grip of a hostile presence that only wants them dead?

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Apr 25, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449744014

Parker J. Cole

Parker J. Cole is a USA Today bestselling author of historical romance who enjoys exploring history through the vehicle of romance. Consumed with a plethora of interests that keep her life busy, she lives in Detroit, Michigan. Visit her site at www.ParkerJCole.com

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CONTENTS

PART ONE

PROLOGUE

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER ONE

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER TWO

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER THREE

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER FOUR

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER FIVE

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER SIX

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER SEVEN

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER EIGHT

♦ I ♦

PART TWO

CHAPTER NINE

♦ I ♦

INTERMISSION

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER TEN

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER ELEVEN

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER TWELVE

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER NINETEEN

♦ I ♦

INTERMISSION

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER TWENTY

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

♦ I ♦

INTERMISSION

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

♦ I ♦

INTERMISSON

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

♦ I ♦

INTERMISSION

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

♦ I ♦

YELLOW MOON

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

♦ I ♦

CHAPTER THIRTY

♦ I ♦

EPILOGUE

♦ I ♦

To the Author and Finisher of my faith…Thank you for everything.

To my parents who always encouraged me to write.

To my older sister Erika, who said, Hurry up and finish it! and What’s taking so long?

To my twin sister Johanna, my biggest fan.

To my four best friends- Torei, Angie, Millie, and Rachel-who aren’t the least bit surprised to see this is finished.

To my husband, Tony, who helped me through my writer’s block and who patiently listens to the ravings of a mad woman from time to time.

Special thanks to my editors, Bonnie Myhrum and Bonita Jewel. You turned a raw manuscript into a novel. You are the best!

PART ONE

PROLOGUE

♦ I ♦

Inky black shadows the width of a thread wormed their way across the concrete. The night veiled their presence, making them imperceptible to the naked eye. Mutely, they wended their way toward her as She briskly walked through a nearly vacant parking lot. She passed under the light of a lone lamppost.

As they drew closer, the shadows merged with the concrete. She was unaware of the shadowy black splotches swiftly approaching. At the edge of her shoe, they disappeared from the surface of the concrete.

She began to feel an uncomfortable sensation along the inside of both feet. It trekked up her leg. When it began to crawl over her body, She dropped her purse.

She looked down. Black splotches moved vertically on her body. At the exact moment that she would have screamed, one of the splotches entered her mouth, covering her tongue in a black film. No sound issued from her mouth.

The sensation morphed. It was as if She was being stabbed by thousands of ants. The black splotches covered her arms, her legs … were they on her face, too? Then, as the soundless scream continued, the splotch-covered woman vanished. In the place where She had stood, a whisper caressed the night.

Mother.

***

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Heavy petting had led to something more feverish and, overwhelmed with their sensations and the heat of the moment, the two young people didn’t stop themselves or each other. It was in what they had assumed to be an abandoned parking lot that Angela Peters went ahead and did something she vowed she would never do before marriage.

Exhaling afterwards, she glanced out of the rear window, as the steam produced by the brief moments of passion began to clear. Angela always loved gazing at the moon. Though the sun hadn’t fully set, she could clearly see that the craters of the moon were stark and more pronounced than usual against its golden surface.

Beside her, Derrick Hunter still panted. His heartbeat raced against her palm, as it rested upon his warm, bare chest.

Angela pushed him away. Let’s get out of here before somebody comes.

He swore a protest.

She insisted. C’mon. Let’s get out of here! She fumbled around, straightening her clothes. When Derrick protested again, she insisted. I don’t know what we were thinking. What if someone catches us? Oh man! I would just die!

When Derrick grunted but said nothing more, Angela focused her attention outside the steamy vehicle once more, this time to check if anyone was coming. Derrick finally began to rearrange himself when, to Angela’s horror, she saw a woman walking toward the car.

We’ve got to get out of here! Somebody’s coming!

As they both scrambled about, the woman passed beneath the lamppost. Suddenly, she stopped. Had the woman seen them in the car? No … something else … what was happening?

Derrick. Angela reached for him once more.

His hand was suddenly icy. What the…? he croaked.

Black splotches appeared on the woman’s legs, then crawled up … out from beneath her collar …up her neck … and onto her face. She dropped her purse. Her mouth opened. She was screaming, and yet neither of the young people could’ hear a sound. And then … she vanished.

We’ve got to get out of here! Derrick’s voice broke the stunned trance. A few seconds later, they were speeding out of the parking lot and onto the local highway.

Angela began to shake from a delayed reaction at the chilling sight. Derrick.

Derrick stared at the road ahead but his hand trembled on the steering wheel.

I don’t want to talk about it.

But…

I don’t know what just happened, alright? Let’s just forget it! Derrick snapped. He was a tall good-looking guy with deeply tanned skin, dark curly brown hair that came to the tip of his collar, a lean but muscular body from his workouts as a basketball player and light green eyes. Yet, at this moment, he didn’t look good to her at all. His nostrils flared out and a scowl appeared on his face. His hands clenched and unclenched the steering wheel as his foot remained heavy on the pedal. As far as I’m concerned, I didn’t see a thing and neither did you.

Angela nodded and hugged her body.

Silence ensued as they continued driving down the highway. At the next intersection, Derrick turned right and headed toward a well-lit area that housed the Hetsonville Public Library. The small number of cars in the parking lot gave evidence to the fact that it was near closing time. Derrick drove around to the back of the building, as he always did after their clandestine meetings. With the car in neutral, Angela sat there, the images of the evening imprinted in her mind.

Derrick, Angela whispered.

No, Angela. Now just shut up! His face was scowling again, eyebrows furrowing as he narrowed his eyes at her. They were so cold.

Angela gulped for a moment with unease, the cold feeling rising in her again. Was this the man I just gave myself to? She finally managed a retort, Well, what in the world are we going to do? Sit here and act like nothing happened!? We just saw some lady disappear off the face of the planet!

Did you see who it was? he asked quietly, staring at the puzzle of bricks covering the building in front of them.

No, she answered, as she pulled on the ends of her hair in agitation. I thought I recognized her for a moment but then… Angela trailed off and grunted. I can’t believe this.

Well, don’t say anything about it, Angela. Let’s just…try to forget it.

They were silent again in the car. Their unsettled breathing started to fog the windows once more. Outside, a brisk September wind blew. The wooded area behind the library seemed alive, the trees swaying against the evening sky. No clouds. A clear indigo backdrop against emerald leaves. The moon was brilliant, now white, its dark spots starkly contrasting as its light shone down on the earth.

Angela gathered her book bag and opened the car door when Derrick grabbed her hand.

Same time next week?

I have no idea, Angela thought to herself. A wave of shame and guilt washed over her, as it did her after every rendezvous. She knew it was wrong. The secretiveness. The dishonesty. Yet, this time, she’d gone even further. I can’t believe I went all the way with him! Why did I go against everything I’ve been taught? Everything I know is right?

Derrick, I can’t talk about that now. I gotta go. Bye. She snatched her hand free from his, stepped quickly out of the car and slammed the door. Angela headed to the back entrance and slipped inside the building, picking up a book from an aisle she passed, which had the sign educational hanging above it. Walking quickly to the far side of the library, she passed the long line of computers where people sat studying or browsing, and then crossed to the front desk where the librarians stood, collecting books or helping patrons.

The head librarian turned around as she saw Angela approach the desk. Hello again, Angela! Did you get your studies completed?

Hi, Miss Mark, yes I did, She pasted what she hoped was a normal smile on her face. Here’s the book I was studying. I was going to take it with me but I think I have all the information I need from it. Angela held out the book—with no idea what the title was—and gave it to the stout woman. Nothing happened. Nothing happened…

Good! Tell your mother I can’t wait to see her for the prayer meeting and study tomorrow. Are you coming, dear?

Not tomorrow. I have to do some tutoring at the junior high. I’ll try to be there next week, Angela evaded. She’d been finding every excuse she could to avoid going to church during the week. There was no way she could escape going on Sunday; her mother would never allow that. Since she had begun seeing Derrick, Angela’s interest in church activities had dwindled. She also hated the feeling that washed over her as she sat there. Guilt was a horrid thing.

All right then, Angela dear. You’re such a good girl. I know about all your academic accomplishments and your activities helping at the junior high. Your mother sure raised a lovely, God-fearing child in this day and age. It seems that all the young people want to do act as if they know everything, and enjoy life without working for it. You’re a sight for sore eyes, Angela.

Shekinah Glory’s Yes started playing and Angela nearly sighed aloud with relief as she pulled out her cell phone. One more accolade from Miss Mark and she’d run out of the place screaming.

Hello? She nodded quickly at Miss Mark, who smiled and waved her away.

Angela, I’m here.

On my way out, Mama, Angela answered as she headed toward the glass doors. As she neared them, Derrick came from a side aisle and stepped in behind her. As he leaned forward over her shoulder and pushed open the door, he whispered, Remember, we didn’t see anything.

She nodded slightly as she walked out into the night air.

***

Miss Mark switched off the lights throughout the library, except for the ones directly overhead, at the front desk. She headed toward the back of the building to check that no one was remaining in the library and that everything was in order before locking up. All the displays of the computer terminals were set to the log-on screen, but as she scanned the line with her eyes, Miss Mark saw someone still sitting at a computer. She groaned. It must be one of the homeless people that come in off the street once in a while.

Excuse me but you have to leave. The library is closed, she called out as she walked toward the individual. As she drew closer, a sudden stench rose in the air. It wasn’t the typical drunk or unwashed scent with which she was familiar. It was the overpowering smell of blood. The coppery, unpleasant aroma rose in the air until she stopped walking and gagged, holding her mouth over her nose.

What in the world… she started to exclaim when she realized the individual was staring at her, eyes full of a terrifying glee illuminated by the blue screen of the computer. Miss Mark thought—in a rather odd way at a moment like this—that the image reminded her of when she was a girl and she or her friends would tell ghost stories in the tree house, a flashlight under their faces to complete the eerie effect. Back then, it had been childish fun. At the moment though, it paralyzed her with fear.

You don’t like my perfume? A husky voice—which sounded like the tone of an old woman—spoke, and then cackled.

Miss Mark saw them suddenly—black splotches racing on the sides of the computers, darkening the screens as they squiggled across the displays, moving faster and faster, over the chairs. Her field of vision widened and she saw the walls were covered with these same splotches. They were all moving.

Toward her.

Oh no! Oh no! She started to scream as she turned, trying to run.

It was too late. The black splotches enveloped her from above and below, covering her body in an instant, crawling into her mouth, choking off her voice. A film sheathed her and the stinging pain began. Her body writhed back and forth in a grotesque dance. The old woman stood before her with an expression of sick pleasure as everything seemed to dissolve before her eyes. In her last moment of consciousness, Miss Mark heard a chilling, breathy voice say one word.

Mother.

CHAPTER ONE

♦ I ♦

The principal of Hetsonville High was missing. Angela was supposed to be making dinner, but as the news report continued on the television in the kitchen, she paled. After the report was over, she picked up the remote and turned off the television. Trembling, she stood gazing into the distance, not really seeing anything in front of her.

That was Principal Wales we saw that night!

Moving to the breakfast nook, she slid into a chair, her mind filled with the memory of that woman, sheathed in horrible black splotches … disappearing without a sound. Angela knew what had happened to Susan Wales. She’d seen it with her own eyes … but who would believe her? And what really did happen?

Rising from her seat, Angela walked out of the kitchen, across the foyer, and into the living room. Flopping down on the curved cream sectional, she grabbed her cell phone and started texting.

Derrick, u there?

There was no immediate answer to her text. Past experience had taught her that Derrick could take an hour or more before texting her back. Deciding to continue making dinner while she waited, she retraced her steps to the kitchen. About ten minutes later, her phone chimed out a ‘boing!’ sound, indicating he had responded. Washing the goopy hamburger mix from her hands, and then drying them, Angela picked up the phone that she had placed on the table.

Yeah. Wassup?

Did u watch the news?

She leaned against counter, waiting, until her phone went off once more.

No. Y?

‘Cuz I saw them talking abt Prin. Wales. Derrick, thats the lady we saw the other night

Wat you talking abt? I thought I told you to not say nothing.

I didn’t. yet. U ain’t my daddy, stop ordering me around. Now, what we gonna do?

Ain’t nobody ur daddy. We ain’t gonna do nothing. Now shut up talking abt it.

***

She awoke.

Awareness came in degrees. She realized she was in a fluid-filled sac. She realized she was able to breathe in the fluid. She could not remember how she got there. She knew, on an instinctive level, that she was safe.

No harm would come to her.

And with that thought, the shadows planted the seed.

***

Shalonda walked up to Angela before school. Did you hear about Principal Wales?

Angela stiffened.

What’s wrong, Angie?

Angela shrugged. Nothing. It’s just scary, that’s all.

So, how are you and Derrick? Shalonda pulled a granola bar from her purse as they started heading toward class.

Angela shrugged her shoulders.

That bad?

Yeah. I’m the dummy though.

Why do you say that?

Angela tugged at the ends of her hair and groaned. Because I am.

Shalonda bit into the bar. I never did like him.

I know.

Shalonda looked over at her friend, then stopped walking, facing Angela fully. You gave it up, didn’t you?

Like I said, I’m the dummy. Wish I hadn’t. I’ve been feeling so…bad…about it all.

You know you should have waited, Shalonda replied softly.

Well, dang, Saint Shalonda, thanks for that bit of news. I already feel so… Angela waved her hand lamely in the air as if the vague movement could express the words that were failing her. I even stopped going to mid-week services. It feels like any moment the cross over the pulpit is going to hurl itself at me at light speed and break me into a million pieces.

You know that won’t happen, Angie.

How can other girls do it and not feel guilty?

I think they do feel guilty but just learn how to ignore it. After all, everybody’s doing it. Except me, Shalonda smirked.

Angela wanted to say something smart but she changed her mind. No use in getting mad at her best friend. Angela’s stomach clenched. Shalonda was right. I’ve been acting like a tramp, she whispered, rubbing her face with her hands.

Oh, gosh no, Shalonda disagreed, Stupid? Yes. But a tramp? No.

And what, oh holy one, made you come to that conclusion?

Well, in the dictionary, your name doesn’t come up. Shalonda responded back.

Despite how she felt, Angela gave a short chuckle. Whatever!

No, really. Let’s look it up. Shalonda stopped walking and pulled out her iPhone. After a few presses on the screen, Angela leaned over and they both looked at the definition.

My name’s definitely not there, Angela spoke after a moment.

Exactly.

Shalonda put the phone away and they started walking again.

Seriously, though. I know better. Why am I doing this?

Shalonda’s voice was gentle as she said, That’s a question you’re going to have to answer for yourself.

I mean, I like him…and when I’m with him, it’s like I can’t help it. But, I know I shouldn’t… Steeling herself, Angela wiped her face and straightened her shoulders. She was going to change.

I’m through with Derrick, Shalonda. I’ll text him tonight.

Hallelujah! My best friend is back from the land of the Dumb.

Angela rolled her eyes, but felt immensely better as she made the decision to drop Derrick. Dear Lord, thank you for rescuing me from myself, she silently prayed. It was the first prayer she had uttered in a long while.

Out loud, she only said, Don’t rub it in.

The hall buzzed with the sound of lockers opening and slamming shut, various musical tones of cell phones and the steady din of conversation between students as they prepared