Haunting Footsteps

By Andi Pray

Someone knows Kinsey's Berkley's secrets, and wants to take away her daughter, Alexis Jane. As they return home, they enter the nightmare they left behind.

Too much too soon. Twenty-five-year-old Kinsey Berkley returns home with a full make-over, including her mother's maiden name, to face worst her nightmare. Her high school sweetheart never let go, her pastor plays cupid, and a stalker who wants to take away her ten-year-old daughter. How can she hold everything together?

 

Victor sees right through Kinsey's changes. He sees her fear as she tries so hard to regain her strength. He wishes she would lean on him as the secrets unravel, but when Victors own past catches up to him, will it push Kinsey further away?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9781597053730

Book preview

Prologue

When Victor grumbled about being bored, the unwanted spectacle in front of him was not what he had in mind for entertainment. The only reason he stepped through the smoky door was JD’s promise; as soon as the annoying, roommate drank too much, they would ditch him back at the dorm. The egotistical, rich boy owned a sweet ride, and Victor and JD planned to take it out for a tour of the town...or even farther if they wished.

As he watched the scandalous display in front of him, Victor did not realize his jaw had dropped until the dryness in his throat formed an oversized choking lump. His paralyzed mouth only closed on instinct to swallow the sickening burn in an attempt to breathe again.

He did not want to believe what he saw!

Her long body strode by in slow movements. She spun around, and slid down the rickety and tarnished pole to crawl like a wildcat. Her glazed look remained blind to the jeers, whistles, and fists raised with an assortment of dollar bills in sacrificial offering to their mythical goddess.

He knew her—the real her. The empty green eyes were just a shell of the young girl he once loved—now they reflected nothing of her. Her dance moves were a complete one-eighty from the ballet she studied at which he had marveled. This was a complete contradiction from the cheers she used to encourage him on the football field. The silver ring still decorating her right hand caught his attention as it shimmered in the strobe lights and stood out all wrong in a place like this. Her being in a place like this was wrong. The ring represented the promise of purity until marriage, but the so-called Gentlemen’s Club he’d been wrangled into held nothing pure.

The identical ring he still wore, out of sentiment, felt ice-cold against his burning flesh. His pulse raced with an inferno of anger. His fists clenched tight, wanting to release their fury, knock some heads together, and get her out of there.

Who became his main target? The creep who dragged him in there promising delusions of grandeur Victor never dreamed she would be a part of.

Gentlemen. A familiar voice spoke behind him, adding to his nightmare.

Victor and JD looked back to see Pastor Jon give them a chastising look and beckon them to follow him.

You don’t want to be here tonight, the youth pastor warned, as he led them to a bar vacated by those wanting a closer look at the show on the cheap catwalk.

That says a lot coming from ‘a man of the cloth,’ JD sneered and leaned against the scarred wood, his eyes inquisitive and accusing.

One who sees college has not improved your taste in friends, Mr. Daniels.

JD shook his head with a disgusted low grunt and looked toward their former table still occupied by his roommate and a smelly ogre of a biker. I didn’t choose the snobby creep for anything. College administration assigned us together. So, what’s the problem?

Victor tried to concentrate on his friend, who always bore a defensive attitude around anyone of authority questioning his actions, but his own eyes kept wandering back to her. No matter how it sickened Victor to see what had become of her, he could not stop watching Kinsey. He feared if she left his sight for an instant, he would lose her again.

That.

Victor heard the youth pastor’s curt answer, but it took JD’s forced shove against his shoulder to divert his attention from the stage to follow the clergyman’s pointing finger. Victor’s worst nightmare blackened further. He knew the dancer on stage, and he knew the man sauntering through the main entrance. It was not just the mandatory ID flashed, but also the shining badge of Officer Donovan Huntingdon—Victor’s grandfather.

After a short conversation, the bouncer pointed the way to their previous table.

What’s going on? Victor demanded.

Your buddy’s about to spend an extended spring break vacation behind bars, Pastor Jon sighed.

Ted? So what? You’re here to watch? JD asked.

I’m here on a social services call...

Victor watched the youth pastor stop in mid-sentence as his eyes froze on the well-applauded scene on stage.

Could Victor’s expression have been a mirror image of when the dance first started?

It’s her, isn’t it? Victor demanded. I didn’t want to believe it, but it is Kinsey.

Her dance routine stayed close enough to the edge to allow patrons to continue to stuff crumpled money into the scant black cloth that shimmered in silver sequins and barely covered her. As she reached for the pole at the end of the catwalk, she leaned out into the pawing crowd, and a set of hands grabbed her to pull her offstage.

Kinsey fought and protested as a bald man trapped her body on his lap. Victor did not need to hear the brawny man’s words to know Kinsey did not like what he said. His laughter rumbled in a roar that echoed through the bar before his mouth forced a rough and clumsy kiss on her lips.

Her feeble fists beat at the muscled shoulders beneath the tattered, sleeveless shirt. Her screams and pleas to be let go ripped Victor’s heart as he pushed his way through the gathering crowd.

Let her go! Victor’s own demanding thought came from another voice beside him.

The bartender rushed over with an aluminum bat in his hands. It reflected the strobe lights as he gripped it threateningly and thumped it in his open palm.

The dancers are only to watch! No touching except tips!

Oh, I’d pay more than a fat tip for a piece of this! the bald man’s raspy laughter taunted. He held Kinsey out of reach to avoid her scratching finger nails.

He said let her go! Victor commanded, as he stepped even closer.

The bald man stood straight and tall, towering over him. As JD stepped up to stand beside Victor, one of the bald brute’s friends took Kinsey. She looked dazed and confused as she tried to fight against the tight hands, but her drunken state made her appear more like a marionette on tangled strings.

What’s she to you, kid? asked the giant.

She does not appear to want your company, Victor said, taking a step closer to the man easily holding off Kinsey’s attempts to resist.

The man who pulled her off the stage threw back his head and laughed.

Victor! called a voice he did not want to draw interest from, but looking around Victor saw his conversation was the center of attention.

A sudden blindside punch threw Victor to the ground. The next thing he knew, the whole bar exploded around him as though everyone had an opinion on the subject of Kinsey. Shattering glass rained down in jagged shards. Booze splashed everywhere—mixing, spraying, splattering and drenching everything, creating a slippery path.

Kinsey’s frightened screams escaped as she lay just within reach of him. Victor stretched out for her; his fingertips could almost brush hers. He could take her hand and leave with her. He would never want to let go or have her return to this place. If he could just move a little closer...

Just as his fingers grazed hers, a hand caught his arm and yanked him back.

Kinsey!

C’mon, Victor, before your grandpa catches you, JD warned, pulling him up from the slick floor.

I can take her with me! Victor knew he could protect her. That was all he had wanted to do since the day she jump-roped into his life.

In all the chaos, JD dragged him out against his will—against his need to help her.

I have to go back, Victor declared, straining against his friend’s hold. He had just found her. The thought that he came across her in a hole in the ground did not matter now that the shock had worn off. All he knew was he could not leave her in there.

Are you nuts? JD asked with blood streaming from his nose.

I have to help her! Victor tried to yank away, but JD would not let go.

There’s nothing you can do except get arrested. Now come on.

JD continued to pull him away as Pastor Jon stepped out. Before Victor could utter a sound, the young clergyman pushed him back.

Go. I will take care of her, Pastor Jon promised and kept a hand on Victor’s chest, trying to get him to calm down.

But I have to help, Victor repeated his argument.

No. You can’t.

Victor did not understand. Surely, this man did not forget the relationship he once shared with the frightened young woman.

I can’t just leave her, Victor tried one last time, determined to rescue her.

And I can’t let you go back in there. It’s too dangerous. I’ll tell you what I can later.

That’s not good enough!

It’s all I have, Pastor Jon said before turning and disappearing back inside the club.

Gunshots sounded.

VICTOR WOKE FROM THE familiar dream. The memories of her up on the stage still haunted him. It always started the same, and he woke up at the same spot, not wanting to leave her—fearing for her life. He wiped the sweat from his face and looked at the red numbers on the digital alarm clock. Time to go for his run and pray the fresh air helped with the pain.

He picked up the framed photograph from their freshman Christmas dance, and stared at her smile. His finger traced her face, as he closed his eyes again.

The memory had come back to him the past week, more and more vivid each night. How he wished it meant he would see her again soon. It would tie up so many loose ends from the past, and maybe heal the hole she left in his soul. If only she would answer the questions no one else would. He needed to see her again, hear her voice, and know the truth.

One

Kinsey’s clammy hands gripped the foam steering-wheel cover as the long, torturing highway sped by. The way her nervous knuckles kept clutching and relaxing, she was sure the sweat would drip onto the floorboards and wash away the embroidered butterflies.

I am out of my mind, she had criticized herself repeatedly for the past hour, as the reality of her destination closed in and terrified her. The humidity moved in like an invisible fog through the air vents trying to cool her in the blustery summer heat. I am out of my mind.

Mom, Alexis Jane sighed in aggravation as she took off her headset and shifted the rag doll sharing her seatbelt. "We’ll get through this. Pastor Jon said they have a job for an English teacher; wah-la, you are an English teacher who needs a job. We’ll deal with coming back here as we settle."

"It’s you I am surprised at. I cannot believe after what you have been through that you would want to come back."

Alexis Jane shuddered in her seat with a sigh and crossed her arms over her chest as though rubbing away a contradicting chill in the muggy car. She held her doll close to her chest and rested her chin in the yellow yarn- hair held in pigtails with faded pink ribbons. We can’t run forever, and I don’t want to be your excuse to not face it.

The statement shocked Kinsey as she glanced at her daughter and noted the child’s nervous habit of chewing on her thumbnail.

Nearly ten years old, Alexis Jane knew all too well of things life delivered spoiled and rotten, forcing her to mature too fast. Pastor Jon Cox and his wife Cecelia stood as their anchors through the treacherous storms, and Mercy, the rag doll that stayed with Alexis Jane since the night of her grandparents’ murder, was the only bit of childhood life allowed her to keep. Now, after an embarrassing job loss due to Kinsey’s college-life mistakes, and having nowhere else to go, they found themselves facing the past she thought had been left behind.

Pastor Jon promised God would see us through and believes He opened the door for us to heal. I’m not so sure how it will happen, but it couldn’t hurt to try, Alexis Jane tried to encourage.

Kinsey did not feel so certain. Sure, the renters asked for an early discharge from their lease just as her cash reserve started to run thin. Pastor Jon dangled that, and a good word for her background check, like a fat juicy worm before the starving fish. She felt she had no other choice.

Are you okay with staying at Grandma and Grandpa’s house? I haven’t been able to bring myself to sell it yet, and the renters moved out over two months ago. With no income from it, we don’t have enough to find someplace else—especially with the repairs the savings account took...

"Yes and a million times yes. If it’s a choice between using the little we have to put air-conditioning in the car and facing our past, or living in a rundown shack while this beast roasts us alive, I vote for cooler drives and living in Grandma and Grandpa’s house."

Kinsey smiled and peeled her white knuckles off the steering wheel to take her daughter’s hand. "Thank you. You are right. We will make it. We have not made it this far to curl up in a hole and let the earth swallow us."

Though I don’t know how far we are from doing just that, she thought, concentrating on the road again.

Silence passed as the clouds came together to hinder the sun—making their entrance to the small town of Carr eerier. The sudden shadow rippled icicles up their spines and goose bumps on their skin. Together they wiggled it off.

"How do you feel about going back to Grandma and Grandpa’s?" Alexis Jane asked in a whisper as their turn-off from the highway came up. The engine did not rev as high as the car slowed for the long, dirt back-roads. Her nervous hands played with the silver ring hung around her neck on a fragile matching chain

I don’t know, Kinsey answered truthfully. I think I’m as numb as you.

Do you think anyone will remember you from your high school days?

I sure hope not, Kinsey sighed, turning up the street and letting the chugging, rust-spotted, blue Eagle coast to the front of the two story house. She would have to check the oil... again. That is the main reason for the whole makeover. I was not exactly as much of a model student as you are.

So Pastor Jon frequently tells me.

Alexis Jane bit her bottom lip and closed her eyes. Kinsey watched her daughter bury her face into her doll’s hair as though trying to bury the memories in the back of her mind.

Never did either of them think they would face this house again. The renters’ neglect showed with the light blue aluminum shutters hanging off the white-framed windows. The once flourishing garden hung brown in parched, cracked ground despite the thick humidity hanging in the air. More weed than grass stood knee high, swaying in the warm breeze attempting to cool off the temperature around them, but having little success.

The swing is still in good shape. Alexis Jane pointed out something cheerful.

With an overstuffed, blue canvas suitcase on its rollers in one hand, and Mercy held tight to her side in the other, she skipped up the white paint-peeled steps and sat on the wooden swing as it creaked back and forth under its graying shelter.

Let’s unpack at least our clothes for tomorrow, wheel out the air mattresses, and unroll the sleeping bags, Kinsey offered with a deep sigh—not to rush things. Leaving as much packed as possible made for a quick escape. Then I will make us some ice-cold lemonade as we soak in the realization of where we really are.

Don’t you want to unpack as much as we can today?

Kinsey looked at the old house, and from the upstairs window, she saw herself as a child. The haunted image looked down with a smile, waved and welcomed her home. This was the last place on earth she wanted to be with the last memory she wanted to see. No. Let’s take this slow and easy. One day at a time, remember?

The house had stayed furnished with her parents’ old furniture Kinsey did not have the heart to sell. A lot of it sat in different places disguised under stained, ruffled slipcovers. She doubted the furniture underneath looked any better. It would be easy enough to move back, or let it stay in its new spot—not to remind her so much of her late mother’s organization.

Where do you want me to put my things? Alexis Jane asked, dragging her suitcase up the stairs. My old room is your old room.

How about we each take a guest room?

She looked around at the freshly painted walls. Even through the new blue color, she remembered places where old photographs of their small family used to hang. Kinsey came late into her parents’ life and grew up as Daddy’s girl—his only child. She could still see the hurt in his eyes during their time of estrangement while she was expecting Alexis Jane—the time she needed him most. Now, she felt that same sense of vulnerability as she wished he could stay up late with her and have a glass of iced tea on the front porch swing.

Mom, we need some heavy duty air fresheners. Both the guest bedrooms smell like old diapers, Alexis Jane moaned, tired from their long drive halfway across the country.

Just open the windows and close the doors. We’ll sleep on the floor in the den. I can hook up our portable DVD player, and we’ll go to sleep watching a movie.

Sounds like a plan. Romance or action?

Let’s go romance tonight so we can just relax. An action movie might keep my all ready frail nerves on end.

All right, I’ll grab that out of the car after I let a little fresh air in, if you grab the cooler.

A knock turned Kinsey’s attention with a moan of anticipation. She should have known the neighbors would make their hospitable meet-and-greet appearance. She wished they could have waited a while longer—like a year, or better yet, never.

Kinsey, it’s Pastor Jon, the only voice she wanted to hear called through the slightly open door.

It sounded soft and soothing as always. For the man to yell sounded only as another man’s rumbling raised voice; still, it was enough to scare Kinsey the few times she heard it.

She smiled her best as she opened the door farther and stepped aside to invite him in.

I hope I’m not taking you away from Cecelia and the girls, she greeted the six-foot man wearing his casual visiting attire of jeans and button down shirt, towering over her by more than half a foot.

No, she asked me to stop over, since the phone isn’t hooked up yet, to see if you made it in safely, he said, looking at her tired form with a reassuring smile.

Safe and sound. She spread out her weary arms before they flopped to her thighs.

I knew you talked of making some changes in your appearance in the agreement to move back, but I had no idea you went to such extremes. I barely recognize you.

That’s the idea, she said, twirling a lock straying from her two-second-twist held up by a jumbo clip. Is it too much?

With the fear of returning home, Kinsey had given herself a complete makeover. She took her mother’s maiden name, bleached her brown hair, and wore blue contacts over the natural green of her eyes.

No, he said with a quick polite answer. Where’s the little one?

Alexis Jane is upstairs trying to open the windows to let some fresh air into the guest bedrooms. She jabbed her thumb over her shoulder in the direction of the winding staircase.

I guess Cecelia didn’t make it that far with the cleaning. She hoped to have most of it done so you would not have to worry about it with so much in front of you already. And as you can tell, I’ve not been able to make a date with the lawn yet nor hang the shutters. A lot of time was taken when the water heater bottomed out and a few pipes blew.

I understand and appreciate your help. At least I have water to take a relaxing shower. Can I offer you some lemonade? We were just about to sit out on the swing with some before turning in early with a movie.

No, thank you. I just wanted to check up on you two, and have a word with you.

Something has gone wrong already, she breathed, and held her hand to her chest to keep her heart from falling out.

No, it's nothing like that. You’re all set up with teaching and all the changes. Your background check came through with Dr. Orion’s approval.

And your helpful support, she commented and smiled her thanks with a nervous blush.

She still doubted her return even after so many prayer times with the impression laid upon her heart.

It’s just that you don’t have to face this alone, Pastor Jon's true concern rang in his voice. I know God called you two back here, but you and Alexis Jane could stay with our family until you get on your feet. There is so much pain in this house and so much to overcome. Why try to take it all on at once alone? Especially after Almanzo...

No, she warned with her hand held up to silence the subject immediately. Then she gave a shrug as she looked around. "This is home. I know it sounds strange. Nevertheless, out of all that happened to Alexis Jane and me, this is home—our sanctuary. A haunted one, yet this is where we always can go to hide. There may be some memories that will make it not so warm at first, but we’ll manage until new renters are found."

You remind me so much of your mother with your stubbornness and attachment to this place. She treated it like a castle and everyone who visited like royalty.

Kinsey bit her lip at the comparison. She felt she could never live up to what her mother did for everyone who walked through the door.

If you’re sure about staying here, Pastor Jon continued, then I’ll see you tomorrow at the high school. I have some notes to run over with one of the counselors on some of the students who are attending the university this year.

Pastor Jon! Alexis Jane’s excited footsteps stampeded down the stairs. She jumped the last two into an embracing hug.

This cannot be Alexis Jane, he said holding her at his arms’ length as he set her firmly on the floor. You grew so tall.

They do that over the years. Kinsey smiled and wrapped her arms around her daughter; she had developed the protective habit since their relationship strengthened with the reality of their mutual need.

How was the trip for you and Mercy? he asked as he placed her back on her feet and moved the head of the doll like a puppet. He made it appear as though Mercy looked between him and Alexis Jane.

We’ve done all right so far. Alexis Jane smiled and hugged her doll closer as Pastor Jon pulled her to his side.

Are you coming for a tour of the high school tomorrow? he asked, ruffling Alexis Jane’s auburn highlighted bangs.

I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Kinsey said, trying to free the breath stilled in her throat. I will need her to unpack around here and help me with a few things.

She tried to smile, but she felt panicked with the idea of her daughter facing where their worst nightmare began. Not to mention, a twenty-five-year old teacher with a nearly ten-year-old daughter could start the same speculation and cause the same problems that brought them back.

Kinsey would never feel ashamed of her daughter, but the circumstances leading up to, and the mistakes she made afterwards to hide from the pain, hovered over her like a thick, black cloud that waited to suffocate her.

How about you hang out with Cecelia and the girls then? Pastor Jon offered. Cecelia mentioned a few things she still wanted to do around here to help.

Okay, Alexis Jane eagerly agreed, to Kinsey’s relief.

A favorite Toby Mac ringtone blared from Pastor Jon’s cell phone hooked to his belt. With an apologetic smile, he looked at the screen.

I do apologize. Cecelia has been called to help another family and needs me to take care of the pot roast tonight before youth group. If you change your mind...

I know who I can count on. Kinsey smiled as she walked him to the entrance.

Shutting the double Dutch doors almost felt ominous—as though she sealed her tomb. Maybe she should not have packed her anti-depressants in the moving van’s boxes. She was not ready for what felt like was going to be a very long night.

KINSEY, SHE HEARD her mother’s soft persuasive voice in the night. Kinsey Kay, pay attention now.

Kinsey saw herself in the hospital examining room with the light green walls. The disinfectant burned her nose as she sat on the bed rocking back and forth sobbing in fear, betrayal and humiliation. Her tears streaked down her face, and fear locked her stare to the pink weave pattern on the covering blanket.

Kinsey, look. Victor’s grandfather, Officer Huntingdon and Officer Brothwick brought Officer Daryl along in hopes you’ll talk to her about what happened at the school.

The school. She did not want to think about that place.

Hello, my little darling, said Officer Wendy Daryl. Kinsey nicknamed her Lady Wendy, as she never felt more like a lost child.

I want Daddy, she heard her hysterical frightened cry. Why won’t Daddy look at me? I didn’t want him to do this to me, and Daddy blames me.

No, Kinsey. He doesn’t blame you, her mother tried to reassure her.

Yes, Kinsey thought through the tears, he does...

It has not been said what the actions were behind Arthur St. Mark’s police escort from Peterson High School in the small town of Carr earlier this week after a student was taken to the hospital... the media reported.

The secrets. The betrayal. Kinsey could never go back to the life she had led as a popular teenage girl. She felt on top of the world with the cheerleading squad and the one boy on her arm every girl in Carr, and surrounding counties, were awed over. It all crumbled in a blink of an eye.

Weeks passed and she stayed locked up in her room, crying, raking her skin, trying to take away the feeling of him still on her. She spent constant hours on the phone talking to the only one Kinsey felt knew how to talk with her – Lady Wendy...

Especially after the news that darkened the incident further...

That monster is behind bars. It’s time you stop this moping about what happened and go back to school. We’ve signed a waiver for you to catch the bus to Carson’s private high school. Those were the first words her father said to her since two teachers found her balled up in the corner of the classroom.

I’m too scared to go back to school, Daddy. Can’t you see what this has done to me? Why can’t you love me anymore and understand I need you?

Your education is very important to your future so you can go on. His words bit at her.

I won’t return, she whispered with a flood of never-ending tears washing across her face and splashing into the sizzling pan of eggs she scrambled.

The smell upset her stomach, and before she could save his breakfast, she threw up in the pan. The room spun about her in an uncontrollable merry-go-round motion. Before Kinsey could catch herself, she felt the cold linoleum floor beneath her and saw a blurred vision of her mother entering the kitchen before she passed out...

...Kinsey, you’re pregnant, were the only words she remembered the doctor’s grave voice announcing as her mother held her burned and bandaged hand.

Pregnant? Now how could her father look at her again? His eyes ignored her, his voice became gruff, and his affection vanished when she came home. She wondered what would happen to their relationship. What would heal it?

Her mother home schooled her in the wake of the unexpected news. A retired teacher, Martha Berkley threw herself into the mission with a hum each morning to hide the