After Possession

By S R Edwards

We rejoin Holly, Tom and Charlie in the fight against the darkness. with Tom tainted by the Shadow's darkness he starts to feel it's effect on his body as it spreads through his core. He tries to keep it from the girls but when things escalate there's only one way to save him. the questions we need to ask are, will Holly make the sacrifice needed to save his soul. Will Tom fall like the Shadow predicted? Will Holly turn into a Vessel? Will Tom turn into a shadow? Will our trio survive this war?

• Language: English
• Publisher: S R Edwards
• Release date: Dec 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215196007

S R Edwards

i live with my mum and brother in england. my dad died when i was 18. i started writng when i was about 14 years old and have kept it up ever since. i am dyslexic but i dont let it stop me from writing. i believe that everyone is worthy and no one should ever feel left out.

Book preview

After possession.

By S. R. Edwards

Copyright S. R. Edwards 2023

Distributed by Smashwords.

Prologue - Charlie

Over the last few years My cousin and best friend have been at war with the darkness in this world. It all started with a stupid mistake and now it’s taken over our lives. There have been moments when I believed it was all over, that the darkness had won. We’ve battled hard but it finally feels like we’ve come out on top. The demons we’ve fought have been strong but together we are stronger. Holly and Tom are both free from the Shadow but there’s something in my gut that tells me this is not over. Tom disappeared into the bathroom almost as soon as Holly came back from the spirit realm. I helped Holly sit up and drink, but she kept her eyes on the door. We waited for Tom to come back but Holly gave up waiting I could see the concern in her eyes as she left me Alone in Tom’s room.

Holly

I knock on the bathroom door. I can hear the shower running but it’s been forty-five minutes and Tom is still in there. Tom? There’s no response. Thomas? I try the door handle, he’s left it unlocked, that’s not like him. I push the door open and step inside. Tom. He’s sat in the bath under the shower, he looks so small and defeated. His eyes are closed and his jaw twitches. He leans back against the wall, his muscles spasm at the temperature change but he doesn’t make a sound. I frown and turn the shower off. Thomas, talk to me. He sighs and rubs the water off his face. Anxiety spreads through my chest as I watch him. Tom, please. Just look at me. He licks his lips and opens his eyes. He turns his head to look at me. I pull a towel down off the back of the door and wrap it round his shoulders. Are you ok? He swallows hard and closes his eyes again. Tom.

I’m ok. His voice is barely a whisper, I put one hand on his knee and the other on his cheek to turn his head to face me. Sorry Hol, I’m… I’m… good. I don’t believe him, just looking at him makes my heart ache. He opens his eyes and smiles slightly. I take a deep breath, pushing away the anxiety that threatens to take control of me. I take my hand away from his face and squeeze his thigh. Come on, get up.

I can’t.

Why not?

It hurts… everything… hurts. He presses his lips together and tilts his head back. I… I can’t. He sounds so defeated, so weak but I’ve seen him die, he’s had worse than this before.

Yes, you can. You’ve had worse. He chuckles softly and looks at me, his eyes seem darker than normal but maybe that’s just the lighting in here. Let me help you. I cup his face in my hands, he taps my elbow with his fingertips.

Just… give me… give me a minute…

Ok, but I’m staying right here. I smile and brush his cheek with my thumb. I’m not leaving you. He leans his head against my hand and takes a deep breath. He shudders and winces. Tom.

I’m sorry.

I know, it’s ok. I lean forward and kiss his forehead before pressing my own against his. You’re ok.

Hol… what you had to do… I…

Hey, we’re all ok. Stop worrying. I close my eyes and press my lips against his. He kisses me softly and cups my face with his hand. He pulls back, his head thuds against the tiles.

Ha… fuck… He inhales sharply and winces. Hol?

Yeah?

Go… um… go and light a… um… white sage… um… fuck… incense cone…

Tom...?

I’m ok, just… please. Fear rises in my chest, there’s something he’s not telling me, something is wrong.

Tom.

Hol, please. I nod and kiss his cheek.

Ok. Will you be alright?

Yeah, I’m coming. I reluctantly stand and walk out of the bathroom, pulling the door shut behind me. Fuck’s sake! Tom shouts from behind the door and something clatters against the bottom of the bathtub. I wince and force myself to cross the landing back to his bedroom.

I strike the match and light the incense. I can feel someone watching me, I turn round expecting to be alone, but Tom is stood in the doorway. Tom.

I’m good. He lets go of the door frame and drops to his knees. I rush to his side and put my hand on his shoulder.

Tom what’s going on? He blinks slowly and looks at me. Tom.

I’m just drained, I’m ok. I frown, I still feel like he’s hiding something but I’m not going to push it.

Ok. Can you stand? He nods, I hold my hand out and help his to his