Cracked: Paranormal Penny Mysteries, #4

By Sarah Hualde

One small car crash…

…unleashes a paranormal peril.

Then the real "accidents" begin.

 

Penny Nicols' grief has her flipped, literally.  Her home on wheels rests upside down in a ditch. She has no choice but to take hold of the helping hand offered to her. It's risky, but what else can she do?

 

Will Penny be forced to reveal her dark ability?

The Raven descends, and he's brought accomplices.

Friendly faces can make perfect targets.

 

Unable to reach her confidant, T.C., Penny relies on a suspicious stranger. He aids Penny as she fights to shut down her sightings and the killers accompanying them.

 

Spades, her saucy cat, helps Penny stalk the crashing clues.

Pierce might make a great sidekick, but his help comes with a price.

 

You'll love book four in this paranormal mystery series because the suspects are spinning and Penny and Spades are right there to catch them.

 

Get it now.

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Indie Christian Writers
• Release date: Jun 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781736756614

Sarah Hualde

Sarah lives in California, in a home that brings her happiness and hay fever. She loves God, loves her family, and loves freshly brewed coffee. She has a husband who cooks, a son who stop animates, a daughter who loves animals, a dog that follows her everywhere, and a turtle who scowls at her condescendingly. Her mother raised her on Mary Higgins Clark, Dianne Mott Davidson, and Remington Steele. Her grandmother shared True Crime stories with her as they plotted how to get away with the perfect murder. It's no surprise that Sarah became an award-winning spinner of suspenseful tales brimming with quirky characters. Mysteries are in her blood. Not that she could survive one of her own stories. She confesses, "I'd be snuffed out by Chapter two." Join Sarah's Super Sleuth Squad and follow her on YouTube for behind-the-scenes insider info. Super Squad Newsletter ----> https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/g1k6r0 YouTube-----> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK9ywmqk_2k-mEssZMkEvBQ

Book preview

Bonus

Free Ebook- Penny Mystery 1.5

Supernatural Suspense meets Paranormal Mystery in the Penny Nicols Series. You’ll cheer for Penny, her quirky cat, and their extra extraordinary friends.

Download Frosted- Penny’s seasonal short.

For FREE on Ebook

Visit the site below to snag your copy:

https://storyoriginapp.com/giveaways/be376e58-a177-11ec-9c75-036090dfe8b2

;) enjoy

1

WHY IS EVERYTHING SPINNING?

As soon as I asked, I remembered. The world had been turned upside down. Or at least, I had been turned upside down.

My van and I adventured our way into a roadside ditch. My head ached, but not as much as my heart did. A friend of mine had died, and I was wrecked.

Death’s impact wasn’t dainty or indirect. It never failed to stun me. It slapped me upside the head like a frustrated mother with a flip-flop. Death chased me down and punished me every chance it got. Seeing it coming didn’t lessen the blow or soothe the sting. It burned even worse, like rubbing lemon juice in the paper cut.

Somehow Mrs. Griffin’s death rattled me more than the many that preceded it. Strange, I thought as I waited for the earth to settle; it was the one death for which I was the least responsible.

You see, death follows me wherever I go. From town to town and job to job, it never fails to find me and those I befriend along the way. Not only does death chase me, but it also loves to taunt me.

It flashes its omens and waits for me to quiver in my Converses. Then, I get twenty-four hours to find out who’s going to die. Sometimes I get even less time—much less. It’s rare that I ever defeat the Raven, the worst of the omens. That doesn’t stop me from trying, especially once I had friends to help me.

T.C. and Scrubb had become long-distance friends of mine. They hosted a podcast featuring the semi-paranormal and more. Guess who got paid for guest appearances? Yep, me. The girl with the grim reaper for a stalker. I could almost hear T.C.’s sweet voice calling my name. His slight British accent made me spoony, but that’s just between you and me.

Penny? it seemed to say. Penny girl? it said again. I smiled as nausea faded. Dear God, T.C. let out. He wasn’t blasphemous. He believed in a loving God and talked to Him often. Scrubb, he hollered. She’s not answering!

Calm down, man, Scrubb said. His voice sounded tinny. It bounced around the room before making it to me. Penny? Kid? he called. His voice got much closer to the phone.

Scrubb, I croaked. Talking made my head woozy, and that’s when it hit me. I was on the phone with T.C. when I ran off the road. Adrenaline made my stomach slosh.

Crab apples! I cursed. I struggled to thrust forward, but my seat belt carved into my collarbone. T.C.?

Thank God. Thank God, T.C.’s voice replaced Scrubb’s. What happened? Are you alright?

I nodded and wished I hadn’t bothered. I think so, I said before bravely opening my eyes. Nothing was where it was supposed to be. I wasn’t even sure where my cell had landed. I think I’m upside down, or at least sideways.

Okay, Penny, T.C.’s podcast voice replaced his playful tone. He was about to get all factual. Scrubb is on the line with help. We know you’re between Grayson and Krebbs. Do you know anything else? he asked. A slight tremor sneaked through T.C.’s professional tone.

It’s still a bit fuzzy, I replied and groaned when Spades, my sweet yet psycho black cat, launched onto my lap. He rubbed against my torso. His tail flicked my face. Spades, I gushed. You’re okay, my sweet boy.

I think she may have injured her head, Scrubb said in a low voice.

I giggled. That’s not a very nice thing to say.

Sudden sleepiness smacked me. I’m hanging up, I announced, even though I did not know where my phone was. It had to be close, or I wouldn’t be able to hear T.C. and Scrubb when they whispered amongst themselves.

Penny girl, T.C. called out. Stick with me, okay? Don’t fall asleep.

But I’m so tired, I whined. The sound shocked me, but I didn’t seem to have any control over my voice. I’m going night nights. Okay, sweetie? I said. Deep inside me, some place not impacted by my crash, I gagged. I was definitely not myself.

Okay, sweetie, Scrubb answered with a chuckle.

T.C. shushed him. Penny? Listen to me. Stay awake. Can you get out of your car?

I tried turning my head from side to side to look around. You know, I’m just not sure. I think I’m sideways.

You said that already, T.C. said. He wasn’t irritated, only alarmed.

Out the rain-soaked windshield, I spotted a figure in black approaching the van. It’s okay, now, I said. A man is coming.

Scrubb and T.C. chatted in the background. I heard something about emergency teams still twenty minutes away. Then, the driver-side door opened, and a face I’d seen before smirked at me.

Fancy meeting you here, the face said. I couldn’t place his name, but he sure was handsome. Looks like you’ve hit your head. Anything else injured?

I don’t think so, I said.

T.C. and Scrubb grew louder.

Where’s that coming from? the man asked. I shrugged. His handsome smile returned. Do you mind if I reach around you? I need to shut off your van.

I couldn’t do anything more than stare like a ninny at the man in the black leather jacket. He leaned into the van, holding himself upright by the frame. His hair smelled of leather and sandalwood. I sighed like a besotted school girl. He laughed.

Godzilla’s not-so-subtle vibrations eased, allowing my head to regain focus. The man stepped back but didn’t leave my sight. Help is on the way, he said. You’re going to be alright. I promise, Penny.

How did you know my name? I asked, still more than a little punch drunk.

You just look like a Penny to me, he said.

Oh, brother, I heard Scrubb’s voice exclaim as red lights and sirens approached.

2

THE ENTIRE ORDEAL WAS humiliating. First, I had to be lifted from my seat while wearing a neck brace. The sounds the medic made while he lifted me out of the van were far from flattering. Then they me tossed on a gurney while begging a stranger to look after my cat.

I was taken to nearby emergency care and examined since my injuries weren’t life-threatening. Godzilla wasn’t so lucky. My tiny house on wheels was overturned in a ditch. A towing crew would retrieve it later. For the moment, I was stranded. No vehicle equaled no home for me. Plus, I had no idea what had happened to Spades.

I sat on the paper-covered exam table, awaiting final instructions as my head screamed for me to lie back down. Worry seethed inside me. I didn’t have anywhere near enough money to pay for the doctor’s visit, let alone the ambulance ride or the towing team. If Godzilla needed significant repairs, I’d have to surrender him and move on. My heart was broken, even if my bones were not. Plus, I really, really wanted my cat back.

My eyes closed when the first round of sadness hit. I whimpered into my hands, thankful to be alone in the small clinic. Voices outside the room told of at least three other people nearby. My headache refused to allow me a closer listen. I couldn’t focus enough to hear words.

A man’s laughter came closer to the exam room. I rubbed my eyes. The door opened. In walked a man in scrubs. Okay, Miss Nicols, he said in a soft, authoritative tone. Your ride is here.

My ride?

The physician’s assistant nodded. Right out in the waiting room. A man is ready to take you home.

The PA offered me his arm as I descended from the exam table. The paper sheet stuck in the creases of my jeans and followed me halfway across the room. With discretion, my kind attendant ripped my train free.

Home? I was bewildered.

Godzilla was my home. If he was in a ditch, I was out of luck. I had no family to speak of. No relations worried over my absence or were eager to escort me to their place as I healed. There was no one except T.C. and Scrubb. It was their voices I heard.

My heart thrummed in anticipation. Unfortunately, my head echoed the sentiment. The pain was intense. I was afraid I was about to ralph. I grabbed the medic’s elbow to steady my swaying mind.

It’s okay, he responded, petting my arm. Take a few slow breaths. We don’t have to rush.

I would have thanked him for his patience if my mouth ever caught up to my thoughts. Every idea came sluggish, like they had to swim through pudding to reach me.

I took the PA’s advice. With one hand on his arm and the other on the wall, I let a fresh breath fill my lungs. T.C. had come for me. He and Scrubb were going to look after me for a while. What would it be like to be near him? Or to see both of them every day? Maybe I could sort out my feelings better with them close? Perhaps our search for my sister Christie would be easier to undertake side by side instead of phone to phone? But what if the Raven hit? What would I do then? I was petrified and delirious with glee.

The Raven, my long-time foe, ruined the closest of my relationships. From my family to my friends, he marked them and sentenced them to death. Twenty-four hours after flying into the scene, the Raven would leave my world shattered and my hopes in shambles. As my feelings for T.C. grew stronger, the Raven was probably gearing up for some major catastrophe or another.

Could I