Read Online A Strange There After by Missy Fleming - Free Book Online Page A

thought.
“Before me, but we never knew entirely. There were rumors, stories
of vengeful slave spirits. I always believed Catherine figured it
out. Growing up, the lives of the slaves captivated her, especially
their religions, what you call voodoo. She paid more attention to
the rumors than I did.”
    “Voodoo? Catherine?” As hard as I tried, I
couldn’t picture her caring about anything as trivial as religion.
Then, an image of her sticking pins in a voodoo doll and giggling
surfaced. No, I totally saw it. “What if Catherine found a way to
practice on her own? Maybe she called some big baddie to help her
and couldn’t control it.”
    “I think, with her, anything is possible.” He
almost sounded proud of her. “But, frankly, this started before she
was even born. Although, it would not hurt to investigate the
voodoo angle. Whatever you do, take care of yourself.”
    My mouth dropped open, not only at what he
said, but because it came so freely. Naturally, I grew suspicious.
“Why are you being nice?”
    His lips lifted in amusement. “I am
capable.”
    “Surprise.” I couldn’t stop the sarcasm. “So,
these things are linked to Catherine?”
    His mood soured as he considered how to
answer. Eventually, he said, “The female’s history is entwined with
the boy’s. A story filled with grief and hatred.”
    I waited for more but got nothing. I groaned
in frustration. “Do you mean George? And what do you mean
entwined?”
    “It is not my place to say.” He stared
blankly at the wall.
    “Okay, can you tell me anything about the
male entity?”
    “Don’t provoke him.”
    “You are so damn frustrating,” I bit out,
slapping the mattress. “Why can’t you get over yourself and talk to
me?”
    “What difference will it make, Quinn? Why
does my interpretation of another person’s story matter? How does
my sad tale help?”
    “It keeps me from feeling so alone,” I
answered quietly. That was what it all boiled down to.
Realistically, I didn’t expect a miracle. My existence, and my
future with the person I thought I loved, wasn’t mine anymore. But
I wasn’t ready to give up. I would fight like hell not to end up as
one of the sad spirits wandering around town. As long as I tried, I
stayed connected to everything I lost. Giving in to the crushing
loneliness would kill me for real.
    Unbidden, the desire to see Boone manifested.
I felt so normal in his presence, which was about as strange as
strange could get after such a short period. I stared at Jackson,
consoled a little by the sorrow in his expression. Boone wasn’t the
only one I counted on to see me.
    “It’s nice to not be invisible,” I told him.
“I’m sure you understand what it’s like.”
    “You always saw me.”
    “Kinda. I mean, when I was younger I sensed
someone there, but it took me a while to actually notice a person.
The ability grows with me. I don’t know why I was born with this
so-called gift to see spirits and communicate with them. Mama
talked about ghosts so much I used to assume it rubbed off on
me.”
    “You inherited it from her.”
    Breath whooshed from my lungs in shock. “Did
you...did you ever talk to her?”
    “A couple times, nothing compared to you and
me.” A tiny smile played at his lips. “Your father was a Roberts,
so it’s a strange coincidence she married into a family with
history such as yours when she had the power to observe us. Meant
to be, in a sense.”
    He paused, and I thought he was done. An ache
bloomed in my chest, hearing about my mama, but it also felt
wonderful.
    “Not long after you were born,” he continued,
“I passed by the doorway to your nursery. Your mother, Diane, held
you in her arms, and I lingered for just a second. She stared at
you with such tenderness. It made me long for all the things I
missed out on.”
    I sighed, pushing the non-existent air past
the lump in my throat. “I wish I’d known her longer.”
    “The ones we love never truly leave us.” He
said,