Voices From The Past

By TW Scott

When Jennifer learns her visions are more than just dreams, her world turns upside down as witches from long ago come back to life. Echoes from past generations become real people in this paranormal escape from reality. Take flight with witches, fay, and angels as they fight to control evil on earth. Paranormal Fantasy Mild Adult Situations

• Language: English
• Publisher: TW Scott
• Release date: Sep 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005329921

Book preview

Prologue

The odor of burnt flesh terrorized her.  Flames lit up the night sky as people watched from a safe distance.  The fabric which was once a hand sewn dress and bonnet, burned away to reveal the charred body that was once hers.  Hair sizzled and popped until it was steam rising out of the lifeless corpse, sentenced to death by troglodytes. 

The crowd cheered as her head fell to the pile of burning wood below her, where the fire was hotter than hell itself.

Marot was above them, powerless, tricked once again by the dark lord.  The vile images of wicked people vanished.  A familiar face greeted her.

When will you learn you cannot openly love another woman in this time period?

It’s more than that Brenda, the dark lord caught me when I was weak.  I thought I was in love and before I knew it, they tied me to that pole for those laughing hyenas to watch me burn.

It is not you that burned, it was one of them you joined with.

Marot smiled a sinister smile, looking over at Brenda.  They doomed her to die, the poison from the wheat had messed with her mind, I just delayed the inevitable.

Many of them will meet our fate before this is over, shouldn’t we stop it?

We must defeat the dark lord first.  After that, I will come back to avenge our deaths.  Until then, sleep and regain your strength. We can try again then.

---

Marot and Brenda slept for over a 100 years. Once awakened the Dark Lord expected them. They found themselves in Chicago during the late 1800’s.

---

It was the time of the Harvest. While men harvested wheat, they harvested souls. Planning a seance to gather their kind, they had taken over hosts who had been near death in the hospital. The flue had been most infectious, killing many.

In the back of a local farm, the seance began.

The weather was cold but the winds were calm. As witches gathered around removing the trappings of life, Marot, their queen along with Brenda, led the coven. This much magic in one place was too much of a temptation for the dark lord.

He too had been harvesting souls, those who sought out wickedness, were his for the taking.

Sending his minions to the seance, they were aware of the wooden structures. Built in close proximity to each other, this would be yet another victory for the fallen angel.

The night sky was still, as stars sparkled like diamonds. The Queen needed to find certain items before she could go after the dark lord, and remove evil from the world. An ancient mask imbued with power, the crystal from her scepter when she was another life form, and a ring.

The Dark lord could not destroy the items, so he scattered them to the wind. He on the other hand needed to find a sacred vessel for collecting the blood of sacrificed witches.

His demons searched the world for centuries. They would know it when they found it, is all the prophesy said.

Seth, the dark lords most powerful minion, found the witches and waited.

Marot sensed he was there but it was too late. A northerly wind came out of nowhere, causing the fire to overtake the witches. Leaving their human hosts, once again they witnessed the burning bodies, burnt hair and the loss of yet another hundred years.

The spirits scattered to different parts of the world, searching for her belongings.

She visited her father, a god from the old country. Seeking his guidance, she slept as did her lover.

Waking this time, she looked for a soul in her part of the world. Marot went back to Europe before finding a prospective host in London.

Brenda stayed in the States, looking for the Nexus which the Dark Lord’s army used as a portal into this realm.

Marot’s father called on his brother to for help. Insisting that he use his army to assist his daughter, this time the magic folk of Scotland were also sent into the human’s realm.

The tension at work had been hectic.  Danny, Jennifer’s husband, was devoted to his mother and was less than the ideal spouse.

Then there were the occasional dreams of horrific actions by evil people that woke her.  She could not explain them and did not try.  This whole cacophony of events put her deep in despair.  A vacation was in order.  At breakfast she would talk Danny into it. She needed it!

Why must you always bring your mother with us?

You know that she is old and she will not be around forever.

Please don’t misunderstand me, but I have heard that for the last twenty years!

---

And aren’t you going to feel bad when she goes!

No, sorry I am tired of living my life with your mother who ran off on you while she was able, now she cannot do it, and we are her guardians!

It is not all that bad; we still go places together.

When is the last time you and I took a trip, just overnight?

You know she has to have her medicine on time.

I can’t stand this anymore, I know I am a bitch, but you had better think about this.

My mother told me you would put me in a spot like this!

Piss off!

Jennifer hit the door; she had enough of her spineless mama’s boy.

Spending the night in a nearby hotel, she thought about all of her options.  Should she go apologize as she had done before? Maybe she should travel like she wanted to do.  

The vivid images had haunted her for years. The time of 3:33 was on the clock more often than not when she would awaken. The churning air conditioner in the room stopped when the room became silent. A sound she had not heard in years caught her attention as springs sang out in a repetitive cadence. 

When was the last time she screamed?

Someone was close to screaming, and she waited for it. The cadence quickened. She knew an explosion of endorphins was at hand. The sounds from above became erratic and then ceased. Footsteps over her head made the trek to the bathroom. The running water reminded her of what it was like before his mother came to live with them. Back when he cared about pleasing her, or working at their marriage. The time was four in the morning before things were quiet once again. 

Snoring from one neighbor reminded her of Danny. That sorry cockwomble, I will be damned before I go back to him and his mother. Turning over with the pillow over her head, there was another sound.

People talking in the hallway had been drinking. They were loud and didn’t give a shit about anyone else who might be sleeping.

The room behind her bed came to life as the door slammed. Shit.

An argument began with the couple. Perking her ears up. It was about money. 

She realized that this was a working girl that had been working at the local convention.

Pulling her laptop out, she decided to work on a story one of the journalist had turned in. She was the editor for the magazine. Focusing on the writing, she stopped when she heard what sounded like a slap. 

Abby, I have been naughty, you need to punish me.

I usually get paid for sex Mr.

Jennifer started chuckling as she heard the slaps get harder. Having her remove her clothing, she felt as if she were listening in on a porn movie.

Trying to focus on the grammar of the story, she saw in a vision a balding man on the bed with his butt in the air. Walking around the area, they did not see her. When he asked her to punish him Jennifer took the belt through her hands and swung it for all the hooker was worth.

A bright red stripe appeared as he yelped.

There you go, girlie.

After a few more of those, the last one was much lower than the rest. He landed on the bed in pain as it was not his legs she hit.

The hooker dressed and left before he could object. 

Yellow light crept in around the curtain as the air came on once again. Jennifer looked over at the clock realizing if she wanted breakfast she needed to be in a hurry. 

Sitting in the hotel restaurant, she was reading the paper when a balding man came in with his trench coat and briefcase. The double take happened when she recognized him and noticed he was moving rather pensively. 

Shooting orange juice out her nose was only the beginning of an interesting day. 

Leaving a tip, she grabbed up her things and left. Calling her friend across town, she went to stay with her until she sorted things out.

1

Single

Y ou can stay here as long as you need, Vickie said.

I don’t know what I ever saw in him.  Every time I try to think about something nice, it just comes up with this shit!  I waited on him and his mom for the last twenty years! I have provided for them and have nothing to show for it! 

You must have seen something; you stayed with him.

I am done with it, I called a lawyer Friday, and he can just live with his mom!

You have your job and your health; let’s keep a stiff upper lip about it.

I am going to change my life, I am getting on in years, and I just wasted twenty of them!

What are you going to do?

There is an opening for someone to travel to these events in the States and write about them.

Jennifer was an excellent journalist but took a job inside the office so she could be there for Danny and his mother if the need arose.  She figured out that she was being used not only by his mother but also by Danny. 

Do you mean that you’re going to give up your nice cozy desk, editing other people’s shit?

I was a pretty fair writer before I took that spot! I reckon I can do it again.

Have you applied for it?

Yea, I did right after I spoke with the law firm.

Does Danny know?

No, not telling him either!

What are you going to do with your stuff?

My clothes and my jewelry I will take.  The CD collection I have on my phone, so I think I will leave it with my best friend. 

Who is that she teased?

Bitch! She said laughing at her.

Putting her arm around her neck, I don’t want you to go.

The two talked about their times together in school.  Vickie tried to calm her down as her level of anxiety was intense.  She wanted to take a job out of the country so she would not be pulled back in to the lives of Danny and his twisted mother.

Before they moved in together, he and his mother had a joint account where she watched every pound he ever spent.  After she moved in, she questioned every thing they spent. He claimed she was watching out for him, but in reality she could not loosen her hold.  Danny was too weak to face his mother.

Will you have a home base or just always on the road?

Texas!

Texas, why there?

Centrally located with an international airport.

Are you going to learn to ride a horse?

What do you think Texas is like?

Jennifer went on to tell her about Texas.  Vickie had never been out of the country and had no concept of what the US was like.  She did know that they drove on the ‘wrong’ side of the road.  Jennifer was a nervous driver and Vickie knew it. 

Can’t wait to see how you do driving on the wrong side of the road!

I forgot about that, another adventure.

The idea of driving was the least of her worries. Leaving everything she knows for another country was on her mind.

If you find one, make sure his mother is already dead!

That is horrible; I am just not going to get with another mommas boy!

Speaking of momma, how is yours?

Dunno, we haven’t spoken since she brought that drunken asshole home.

What if she were to get sick?

I will tell her to call Danny!

Talking about her mother’s on again off again friends, Jennifer wondered how she ever came out so normal. Vickie reminded her about some nightmares she shared with her, which brought the conversation to a much slower pace. 

Are you still having those dreams?

She looked away from her losing eye contact.

Yes, some of them are so vivid it is like I am there.

What are they about?

Buildings being blown up or falling or something; scared the shit out of me!

Maybe you should talk with a doctor about them?

No and don’t you tell anyone either!  They would think I was off my trolley and lock me up!

They don’t lock you up for dreams!

I have a high level of distrust of doctors and government types. There was a person in my last dream that I was intimate with. She said while smirking at her.

Naughty girl, what did he look like?

She hesitated while looking at her.  It was a, she.

Oh my, I didn’t know you went that way! She said now making fun of her.

I must have watched something on the telly that set me off.  I have been so mad at Danny, maybe that turned me sour on men!

She got the job she requested.  Gwenn, her boss, was excited that she was going back out into the field.  With her impeccable writing style and her eye for composition, she was sure that the stories and photos would be superb. 

Getting her things in order, selling what she did not want to take, she left for Texas.

The skinny Brit with mousy brown hair would go unnoticed in a crowd unless she spoke.  Her accent got people’s attention.

Taking up residence at a long stay hotel, she started looking for something more permanent.  Taxicabs were getting expensive; riding on the wrong side of the road was becoming less stressful.

While she was closer to her destiny, others which Jennifer was only vaguely aware of were now hovering over spirit boards creating the magical scenarios that might seem like circumstances but were in fact magic.  

Looking at the paper while sipping on tea, she paused over a picture of a giant cowboy the likes of which she had never seen.  Laughing thinking of Vickie and Texas, she changed her clothes, grabbed her camera and headed out the door as the taxi from below was honking. 

Taking the mass transit system, she felt at home.  After ninety minutes of riding, she arrived.  This was just Dallas. It was a vast expanse.  Gaining entry, she learned of buying tickets for currency.  Sending Vickie a picture of Big Tex, she laughed when she responded, ‘they really are bigger in Texas.’

Taking pictures of people and events, she became lost through the lens.  Spirits were working overtime, guiding her as if what she was doing was her idea. Checking out the auto exhibit, she found many kinds of individuals and a few cowboys.  

The next domino to fall was just a few feet away.  Calling her attention to a large truck, she was thinking that Texan’s are in love with gas-guzzling pickup trucks. Noticing the people around the exhibit, she made a mental note.  Framing the truck with a couple while in the picture, backing up to frame the shot, she bumped into a cowboy. 

This was the next event which had to transpire.

Spilling part of his drink, he turned around to see what clumsy person did this.  Looking down, he noticed this brown haired woman looking up at him, holding a huge camera.

Pardon me, did I do that?

Sizing her up, he cocked his head. "I reckon you did.  His demeanor changed in an instant as she spoke.  Something about this girl was intriguing.

You are not from around here, are you?

Na, a bit east of here, I am afraid.

I reckon a lot east.  Are you in the habit of bumping into people?

Mr. I apologize for knocking into you.  I will replace your brew if that will keep the peace.

Hold on little lady; you didn’t spill that much. I was just making conversation, trying to figure out where you are from.

The UK, I am here on assignment.

That sounds important, you looking at getting this truck?

I need something to drive for sure; I don’t think I need a monster like that.

Harold Burras ma’am, you are?

Jennifer, Jennifer O’Reilly. 

Well Jennifer O’Reilly, have you been to the fair before?

No, I am new in town and just decided it was a lovely day, so I looked to see what was going on and here I am.

Looking down upon this tiny thin waif of a woman, he looked at her for a minute longer.

Jennifer O, I like your accent, since you spilled my beer how about walking around with me a little?  I can show you around and make sure you don’t bump into a Texan with an attitude!

That has to be the most unique pickup line I have ever heard. Are you free to escort a lady around?

No rings, no attachments, I was just here looking at the newest trucks. For you, I will do the fair thing, and I might even get the latest fried creation of crap, that they do this year and try it.

I would not want some Texas woman after me with a gun.

He laughed, thinking of his X wife.  She would not be too thrilled with him escorting her around, but she was not with them any longer.

C’mon then, tell me what kinds of things you want pictures of, and I will know where to take you.

Human interests things mainly.  Why are they here, what is unique about this place?

Fried Ice Cream it is.

Fried What?

Yes ma’am, if you can eat it, they will fry it, I think they are going to fry Jello!

That would be interesting.

Harold was 6’5" with a muscular build.  Complete with the boots he looked like an actual BIG Tex! She was wearing some cutoff jeans that were too short and a baggy shirt with no bra.  Harold found something interesting to hold his attention for the better part of the day.

What do you do?

I have a ranch out east of here.  Cattle and a few horses mainly.

My friend was teasing me about coming here thinking that Texas was all cactus and Cowboys.  I sent her a picture of the big fella out front and she laughed

He started out as Santa Claus in another town.  In the early 50s they transformed him into Big Tex. Now where I live, it is a kind of open country and some cactus but back in town it is like any other large city complete with the people that don’t give a damned about anything but themselves.

I am staying there, and I see it. I dressed like this to not call any attention to myself.

You are pretty, even dressed like that. I know a diamond in the rough when I see one.  I know you would sparkle up nice.

She did not know how to take that.

Thanks, I think.

I did not mean it as an insult, just an East Texas boy’s observation.

She had spent no time dressing or putting on makeup.  She was not looking to meet anyone, and certainly not a hook up. Harold was pleasant, and she could tell that he had to work at being pleasant.  Something was wrong, but he had put it on the back burner as he spent time with her. 

After walking the fairgrounds twice, she had enough material to make an excellent article for the magazine.

This can be a kind of rough area for a single lady, let me walk you to your car.

I took the mass transit; I don’t have a car.

At night it can get a little strange, let me get you a cab.

I am glad you told me, it took over ninety minutes to get here by your mass transit thing with all the stops, and there were some strange folks on it during the day.

Did any of them bother you?

I can take care of myself, but there was one guy on there who kept staring at me.  I wondered if I had something in my teeth or I left my zipper down or something. 

Maybe you should wear more underclothes when you go out in public.

You can tell that I don’t?

Not to worry, yes I was married, but I am not judging you. Are you going to get a car?

I need to; you drive on the other side of the road from us.  I am trying to get used to it.

Where are you staying?

At the Hotel by the airport.

Would you trust me to take you home?

That is a lot of trouble, are you sure you want to do that?

You still owe me a beer, he said with a wink. I need to know where you are so I can collect. 

You should smile more often; it looks good on you.

Not been a bunch to laugh about the last few years.

Do you want to share why?

Getting into his truck, she was now in a year old top of the line pickup from Ford.

A drunk driver killed my wife.  It has been three years to date, as a matter of fact.

Shit, I am sorry.

Yea, me too, anyone that drinks and drives should be tossed under the jail!

Sounds like a good plan.

What about you, are you single?

I left a shitty marriage.  I should not have married him in the first place, and I wasted twenty years with him.

Did he cheat?

No, worse, he is a momma’s boy.  Everything we did had to be approved of or worked out with his mother; I had enough!

Some parents don’t raise their kids to be independent.

His sure didn’t.  She has him now all to herself.

Driving towards the airport, he heard her stomach grumble.

If I promised to be a gentleman, not that I would be anything else, would you allow me to take you to dinner?

She looked at him as the cars went by them.  The silhouette of downtown Dallas was still in front of them with the buildings blocking the fall sun.

Can I buy?

You can buy me one beer; I get our dinner.

She laughed at him, this isn’t about the beer is it?

No, I reckon not, I have enjoyed the day and I am not ready for it to end.  Anyway, we both need to eat so, why not?

It will take me some time to clean up and ‘sparkle.’ Do you want to wait for that?

He looked at her. If there is TV to watch, I can hold on.

I am putting a lot of trust in you.

My mother is still alive, maybe one day you can meet her, but I guarantee, I am no mamma’s boy.

Making their way to the hotel she unlocked the door handing Harold the remote and a Coke.

I need to shower and fix my face, are you sure you are ok?

I am curious now, I want to see the diamond, I can wait.  I can make our reservations, when should I say?

I will try to be ready in an hour?

---

He sat on the couch flipping through the channels looking for something of interest.  He heard the shower start and noticed that she did not shut the bedroom door or the bathroom door.

Damn, she is trusting. The scent of the shower and shampoo came into the room while he waited.  

Forty-five minutes into the process, he heard the hair dryer.  

A shadow preceded her as she turned the corner in a small black dress.  The low-cut front left little to the imagination of her cleavage. He was right; she was a diamond.

Glancing at him and his expression, she twirled around exposing her nude back and skimpy black panties. I am assuming you know how to work a zipper on a dress like this.

He stood grasping the small zipper in his large fingers, allowing his finger to touch her back as he raised the zipper.

His touch sent chills up her spine.  The good kinds of chills she had longed to feel for years now. 

Twirling back around, she looked at him and smiled, so you are a gentleman?

Lady, if I were anything but, you would be in trouble right now?

Oh?

You would be hungry for a while longer.

Thanks, that is a compliment!

2

Little Lady

Harold introduced her to a steak place, which was big in the lone star state.

What does your job entail?

I am a journalist.  I write articles for the magazine, and they publish them.

Do you think they would be interested in a story about a working cattle ranch?

Jennifer smiled at him. He was working an angle, and she knew it.  The contrast between him and Danny was night and day.  A little voice in her head caused her to ignore her good senses.

I don’t know if the magazine would but, I think I might.

He smiled at her, realizing that she knew the story of a cattle ranch was nothing more than a way to get her out to his ranch.

What are you looking for?

What do you mean?

You left a marriage of twenty years, you are beautiful; you could have your pick of men, what are you looking for?

She had to stop and think about what she was yearning for.  Her thoughts of late had been