Fated (A Hobbes Falls Book)

By Sally McLean

Hobbes Falls Book 2:
Lindsay Hayward has a destiny and its not a good one. She's going to destroy the world. But destiny can be changed, at least according to her best friend Simon. As she tries to find a way to change her future, Lindsay also discovers there is a dark rage growing inside her - one that could have terrible consequences for those around her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sally McLean
• Release date: Jan 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215697658

Sally McLean

Writer and chronic procrastinator.

Book preview

FATED

Copyright 2014 Sally McLean

Published by Sally McLean at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

CONTENTS.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Other Titles By The Author

ONE.

You’re going to destroy the world.

Lindsay’s knees buckled, dropping her to the floor in a graceless heap. She looked up at the ghost of the girl whose death had been her responsibility, though she was still fuzzy over the details of how it was her fault. I’m going to do what?

I’m so very sorry Lindsay. Lauren sank down beside her, her face filled with pity. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.

What wasn’t supposed to happen like this? Lauren please, I need to know what’s going on.

You’re going to destroy the world.

Yeah, I got that part. It was kind of hard to miss, Lindsay said, bitterness creeping into her voice. I’m more interested in the how and why.

You have to know that everything I have done was done for the right reasons.

Lindsay knew it was only her imagination, but the light in the bedroom seemed to dim ominously. Tell me.

Lauren took a deep breath, a habit from when she was still alive and actually need to breathe. There’s a demon inside you Lindsay. That’s how you can see me and why you’ve been having visions.

I don’t understand, said Lindsay, trying desperately to wrack her brain around the latest earth shattering revelation. I have a demon inside me? How is that possible? I don’t feel like I’m possessed.

It’s not possession exactly, Lauren explained. Think of it more like an incubation. The demon is using your body to house it until the time comes when it’s strong enough to survive on its own.

I’m guessing that would be decidedly bad for me.

Lauren nodded solemnly.

Why me? Lindsay asked. What did I ever do to deserve this?

From what little information I know, it was down to unfortunate timing and an unfortunate decision on your part. Your suicide attempt allowed the demon entrance at the exact time it needed to find a host. Your soul was just too weak to keep it out.

Lindsay wanted the universe to open up and swallow her whole. Lauren had been right all along. This was all her fault. What do I do? she asked, her voice struggling to maintain its relatively calm façade. How do I get the demon out of me?

You can’t, said Lauren. The only way to expel the demon is to destroy it’s host.

Wait a second, you’re saying I have to die to get this thing out of me?

That’s not an option any more. The demon is a lot stronger than anticipated. That’s how come you were able to fight off the Gu’lak out in the woods tonight.

Lindsay shuddered as she thought about the vicious dragon-like monster that had almost ripped her to shreds, as evidenced by the bloody wound in her shoulder. She had come so close to dying…

The pieces clicked suddenly into place. That’s why you sent me after the Gu’lak isn’t it? It was supposed to kill me.

Lauren looked away, unable to meet the other girl’s angry stare. You don’t understand. I had no choice. They told me it was the only way.

What? Who told you?

Others like me. Elders. They showed me what would happen if the demon was allowed to be born into our world. You saw for yourself in one of your visions what could happen. Lauren finally turned her eyes back to meet Lindsay’s. They promised me it was for the greater good and I believed them. I still do.

Great. Well as long as you feel justified in trying to end my life.

How dare you, Lauren snapped. I am dead because of you. My soul is trapped between planes, unable to cross over because it’s tied to that thing inside you. Do you have any idea what that’s like?

Lindsay felt a pang of guilt, but quickly pushed it aside. You’re not the only one who’s suffering you know. Every day I try and find a way to live with what I did after my mom died. I have to deal with the shame every time my dad looks at me. I feel terrible for what happened to you and now you’re telling me that my being alive is going to end the world. Like I chose this? Well I didn’t. I made a mistake and if I could go back and do things differently I would, but I can’t.

I know you didn’t mean for any of this to happen, but it doesn’t change the way things are Lindsay.

There has to be another way.

There’s not.

Lindsay’s hands balled into tight fists, intense rage flooding through her. She leapt to her feet. So that’s it huh? Some bunch of ghostly higher ups decide I don’t deserve to live so you try and turn me into a monster’s main course. All for the greater good. How do I even know that’s true? I only have your word for it. For all I know this is some big revenge plan because you’re mad at me for getting killed.

Lindsay, I would never do something like that, Lauren protested.

And I should take your word for that why?

Because I’m telling you the truth.

Yeah, because you’re all about the truth. Lindsay’s insides boiled with anger. She took a slow, menacing step towards Lauren’s ghostly apparition. I think it’s time you left, she snarled through gritted teeth.

We should really talk about what we’re going to do next.

What you’re going to do next is get out of my house and never come near me again.

You need help Lindsay, Lauren implored.

On the contrary Lauren, I think you are the one that’s going to need help if you don’t leave. You see, I’ve witnessed what this thing can do when it’s feeling threatened and I’m guessing all this talk about killing it is probably going to make it just a little upset. Lindsay’s eyes narrowed. I know you’re a ghost, but I’m pretty sure if anything can hurt a ghost it’s this thing inside me. Care to test that theory?

Lauren stared into Lindsay’s tempestuous eyes and saw the fury of the monster dwelling inside her. There was no way of reaching the frightened teenage girl through such fierce emotion. Alright, I’ll go, Lauren submitted.

The air seemed to thicken and in the blink of an eye Lauren’s ghostly image vanished from the room. Lindsay’s brain was going into meltdown as she stood now completely alone in her bedroom. Her clenched fists relaxed as her rage subsided. No, not her rage. The demon’s.

Why me? she asked aloud in a small, timid voice. Although she’d already been given the answer to that. There has to be something I can do.

There is, a dark voice whispered from the back of her mind. Lindsay knew this voice well. It was the same crazy, self-destructive voice that had guided her through the troubled period following her mom’s death. It was a bad voice that had talked her into doing bad things, but she was scared and she was desperate and so far it was the only option to present itself.

Feeling unnaturally calm, Lindsay walked purposefully from her room, down the landing and into the bathroom. Her hands gripped the edge of the basin tightly. She stared at her dirty, battered reflection and allowed the helplessness to take over her. Slowly she opened the bathroom cabinet and scanned the contents. Her father’s razor sat in full view on the bottom shelf, like it was waiting for her. Lindsay’s hand reached forward for the blade, but then stopped suddenly. An invisible force prevented it moving forward any further. A force that reached out from inside her and held her hand only millimetres from the item she hoped would solve all her problems, despite being the initial cause of them. This is why Lauren tried to get that Gu’lak monster to kill me, isn’t it? Lindsay asked, her words directed inwards to the creature nesting inside her. Because you won’t let me die. That’s also how come my leg managed to heal so fast. It might have just been her imagination, but she was convinced something shifted inside her chest. Lindsay shivered.

Her hand dropped back to her side, defeated. She’d sent Lauren away, probably the only person who could have helped her figure this out, and was now left with no idea what to do next.

Lindsay’s body gave its own suggestion with a deep, bone weary yawn. Sleep seemed as good an idea as any right now, so on heavy legs she trudged back to her bedroom and collapsed fully clothed on top of the bed covers. Lindsay knew if her dad came home and saw the condition of her muddy, ripped and bloody clothes he’d fly into a state of parental meltdown, but she was too exhausted to move. That was until she thought of Simon waiting at his house for her to call and let him know it was all over. All over. The notion made her want to laugh bitterly. Instead Lindsay forced herself to reach out for the phone and she dialled the Spencer house.

Hello? answered a girl’s voice. Toyah.

Of course she would be the one to answer the phone, Lindsay thought. Hi, can I speak to Simon please? she asked hoping Toyah, Simon’s twin sister and second most ardent supporter of the ‘We Hate Lindsay Hayward’ club (Becky Dobson being the first), wouldn’t recognise her voice. Lindsay’s luck was as it always was - bad.

Oh, it’s you, Toyah’s friendly telephone manner rapidly changed to one filled with irritation. What do you want?

I’d like to speak to Simon please, Lindsay asked nicely as she rubbed at the throbbing pain that was beginning to surround her temples. It won’t take long.

Toyah didn’t reply, letting the sound of the phone clattering on the side voice her disgust for her. It’s your loony friend, she called across the room.

Lindsay winced as the insult cut a little too close to home.

The phone clattered once more in Simon’s exuberance to pick it up. Lindsay? Oh thank God, I’ve been going crazy waiting to hear from you. Are you all right?

Simon’s concern was an unexpected attack on the walls she’d built up around all her overwhelming feelings. Tears pooled in her eyes and a lump of raw emotion stuck in her throat, rendering her momentarily speechless.

Lindsay, you are all right aren’t you? he repeated, his voice unusually serious.

She shook off her despair and did her best to fake a positive tone. I’m fine. Couple of cuts and bruises. Nothing to worry about. Lindsay’s shoulder twinged, calling her a liar.

So does that mean the situation has been resolved? he asked cryptically and Lindsay guessed that Toyah was probably nearby.

The creature’s dead, if that’s what you mean.

That’s great. How did you do it?

Is it okay if I tell you all about it tomorrow? she asked, stifling a yawn. I’m filthy and tired and really need to get some sleep, okay?

Of course. As long as you’re all right the details can wait.

Meet me in the park near my house at nine o’clock tomorrow morning, I’ll explain everything then. Lindsay was surprised to find how comforted she felt knowing there was someone to share all the crazy with. Goodnight Simon.

Goodnight Lindsay.

She hung up the phone and pulled the duvet over her grimy, aching body and was fast asleep in minutes.

TWO.

Whoever said ‘sleep on it, it will all seem better in the morning’ was a liar. Nothing seemed better at all. In fact Lindsay felt more despondent than ever. The only thing forcing her to get out of bed was her arrangement to meet Simon in the park.

The house was silent