Touched ... by a Demon

By Veronica Rose

Reno has been keeping the wrong company and now he's behaving strangely. He thinks he has the answers to the universe. He has an imaginary friend who makes love to him in the middle of the night. One thing is certain: He thought he found the love of his life, but, actually, he was TOUCHED ... BY A DEMON.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Victoria Publishing
• Release date: Jul 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201744625

Veronica Rose

Veronica Rose loves to write across the spectrum, delving into thrillers and romance. Other works include What Does It Take, Once A Cheater, and Out of Body.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Reno tied his backpack and slung it over his shoulders.  He waited for his friend at his locker and they made their way through the playground and into the vacant lot.

Reno, Sammy said, Clarita was asking about you again today. Maria says that she really likes you.

Sammy waited for a response but only caught a slight smile from the corner of Reno’s mouth as he continued to look forward. He pretended to not care but Sammy saw it register.

The boys had been friends since they could remember, since before they could remember. At the age of three, they were playing side by side in adjoining yards. Not yards really but adjoining properties with a little grass and a lot of room to kick a ball. Both of the boys’ fathers had worked for the American military stationed at Clark in Subic. They were considered high middle class and both families had been best friends ever since, including the father, the mothers, and the sisters. They were, in every sense, one big family.

The boys were both 18 years old now and little else seemed important enough to capture their attention other than girls.

Clarita was the prettiest girl in their class and Reno was pleased to hear of her interest. Sammy knew that and felt it his duty to look out for his friend and act as matchmaker. Besides, Sammy thought, it would give him time to talk to Maria in the process as Maria was also quite cute and just happened to be best friends with Clarita. But, as Sammy would often say, he was just looking out for his best friend.

Sammy, I think you have your eye on Maria, eh? he said with a smirk, knowing what the answer would be.

Aw, c’mon Reno, you know better. I am only thinking of you, he said with a distinct Filipino drawl.

Then Reno smiled at Sammy and they both laughed. Sammy opened a wire in the fence in front of them and they both crawled through.

Sammy stopped on the other side and stared. Pretty girls were in the backyard of a house 50 yards away. This was the backside of a street they were forbidden to go near. The girls, most in their late teens or early twenties, sat around drinking and smoking. Several looked over and stared at the boys.

Reno, they are staring at us again.

Keep walking. Don’t look, Reno said as they picked up their pace. They heard a call and then laughter and then silence.

One of the girls grabbed another and everyone became silent. Sammy caught it out of the corner of his eye but kept walking.

This was a bad area Reno’s Mama called it. This was an area that led to death and destruction. That’s why the boys went a little out of their way to go around the back and avoid being part of the mix.

Though the boys were young, they still knew. They knew of the tragedy that went on in that area. They knew of the trap that men willingly walked into because of their lack of self-control.

And there was always gossip about a knifing or a brutal fight or even a body that was connected to the area. There was nothing there for a young man. That’s why it was forbidden.

Some of the girls were seen outside of the area. Others only went there to work at night and then returned home at the break of day. During the day, they would fit into the neighborhood like camouflage. But these girls, the girls watching them go by like cougars waiting to devour their prey, they were full-timers. They lived it, day and night. They breathed it, ate it, and slept it. This was their life through and through.

But, as hear Papa tell it, they knew who they were and they were treated respectfully but avoided. They, Papa said, brought home sickness on their house.

As Reno and Sammy walked and neared their last vacant lot that stretched a hundred yards, Reno wondered why any man would go there, especially if he knew the consequence. And he also thought, if men really believed in God, why would they go there? It was obvious to see the pitfall of all of it. No, he thought of a pretty little girl that he would one day marry. And he also thought of the cleanliness that she would portray.

They made it through one more chain link fence and into an open field. As they walked, Reno abruptly noticed the prettiest girl that he had ever seen just 10 yards ahead and she was looking at him. Yes, a vision in white with long hair down to her waist, and she was staring right at him. Then she pointed to him and waved him forward.

Look, Sammy, look at that pretty girl! Reno said as he pointed back at her.

Sammy looked around and saw nothing. Nothing at all.

Where? Sammy said.

Right there! Reno yelled pointing directly at here. Right there!

She stood silent and waved him to come.

What are you talking about, hermano? I don’t see anyone, Sammy said disgruntled.

Reno walked to her and stretched out his hand. She reached forth and whispered, Do you want to go with me?

Yes, he said.

We can play but you have to agree to what I say before we can go anywhere together, she said as she held her hand out again. Say it.

I agree, he said as he touched her hand.

Sammy saw Reno talking to nothing but thin air. Sammy caught his voice to call out but stopped and watched, wondering what was going on.

Then, Reno vanished.

Sammy ran to where Reno had been standing and nothing. Even Reno’s bag had disappeared. He looked all around, sensing a joke, a prank from his best friend.

But there was no ditch or ravine or even a building nearby. Sammy stood in the middle of a vacant lot where kids frequently came to play soccer. He felt dread run up his spine and called frantically.

Reno! Reno!

No answer.

Reno! Reno! he called as he made a slow turn surveying the area.

He called over and over with his hand cupped to his mouth. Nothing.

From where he stood, the fence around it was about 40 yards with nothing in between but dirt and grass. He stood there blank, scared, and alone. He sat down and stopped calling and waited.

The sky grew dim and a heaviness sunk in around him. Finally, he knew it was time to go home.

As he walked the last half mile, his mind raced and he was quickly starting to panic. What would he say? He could never say that Reno had disappeared. There would be questions. An interrogation. As it was, he was two hours late and Papa would be mad. Angry. Enraged. That was the word he was looking for. Enraged.

So, he knew he couldn’t come home with a story full of far-fetched fantasies and disappearing acts, even if they were true.

And then he thought about Robbie. What if Robbie were already home and this was a prank. But Robbie wouldn’t let him take a whipping like that. No, never. Where was he then? And how did he just disappear?

When Sammy walked through the door, his mother ran out of the kitchen and grabbed his collar.

Where have you been, son? We were worried sick!

His father emerged from the back room with a dead look.

Samuel, we have been waiting for you for two hours! Where were you? he shouted.

This was it. This was that moment of dread and he drew blank.

Silence.

Mr. Santos had a leather strap in his hand and he stood there waiting.

But there was no answer. Mr. Santos said sternly and quietly.

Boy, if you don’t answer me now, I will whip you good.

I was waiting for Reno, he said as he fiddled with his shirt button and looked downward.

Mrs. Santos knew to be quiet. But her longing face searched Sammy’s countenance for any sign of deception yet all she saw was fear.

Where was Reno, Samuel? Why were you waiting for him? the father demanded as he held his strap of vengeance waiting to snap.

Sammy knew his answer must be short and plain.

We got separated. I was waiting for him.

Mrs. Santos edged near her husband and slightly clutched at his hand with the strap. He eased the tension and everyone knew that disaster had been averted.

Across the yard and inside the house, Reno appeared at the front door without a sound. He stood inside, looking, befuddled, anxious, and blank ... just like Sammy had been.

Mr. Reyes looked up from his paper and took his pipe from his mouth. He stared at Reno his son and said nothing. The look said it all.

Reno didn’t move. He stood there waiting for something, anything. Reno’s mother came from the kitchen with a dish in her hand steaming hot from the oven.

She stopped abruptly and looked at Reno.

Reno Antonio Reyes, where have you been?

She yelled and put the casserole down and came to Reno. She stood in front of him and sniffed.

You smell like smoke. Where have you been, hijo?

Reno bent down and removed his