Read Online These Unquiet Bones by Dean Harrison - Free Book Online

staggered into the kitchen, reached into the cupboard over the stove, and grabbed an unopened bottle of Jack Daniels. He broke the seal and twisted it open.
    Another promise broken.
    He took a long pull from the bottle. The whiskey seared like fire down his throat.
    He’d promised he’d stop drinking. He’d promised he’d never hit her again. He’d promised he’d work to be a better father.
    Well, I ain’t. So stop buggin’ me!
    But he knew they wouldn’t. The ghosts never did.
    Hank took another pull from the bottle and returned to the living room.
    Amy’s cries grew louder.
    Collapsing into his chair, Hank turned up the TV, hoping to drown her out.
    But he couldn’t drown out the screaming of his conscience. There was no volume button for that.
    There was only whiskey, and the oblivion that followed.
     
     

Chapter 17
    The dark voice of The Father came to him in the dead of night.
    Adam’s eyes fluttered open as it echoed in the shadows, flapping blackly through the dark catacombs of his mind.
    “Kill the temptress.”
    The vision of the succubus came to him in a dream: he was chasing her through a moonlit forest and gaining on her fast.
    She was a beauty to behold, too, just like the others who came before her. And like the others, she wouldn’t get away.
    No matter how fast she ran, he’d catch her. After all, it was their destiny to meet. It was all a part of the plan. Her fate was sealed once The Father spoke.
    “Collect the Serpent’s Whore. Make her suffer for her sin.”
    Laying in darkness, Adam smiled. The moment had come at last.
    “Restore paradise.”
    He closed his eyes. Tomorrow he’ll be back on the road, back on the hunt.
    The smile never left his face.
     
     

Chapter 18
    Amy woke from a restless sleep and climbed out of bed. Feeling groggy, she staggered toward the bureau and looked in the mirror.
    She was a mess. Her makeup was smeared. She pulled away a lock of hair and saw she had a bruise on her cheek.
    Daddy hit me.
    He’d apologize, and then he’d buy her a present. That’s how it went back in the bad old days when got drunk and beat her with his belt, and her mother with his fists.
    He’ll be sorry.
    She’ll have to hide her bruise with flesh-colored makeup as her mother used to do.
    Maybe he’ll buy me flowers.
    She remembered the nice things he had done after her mother was killed. All the gifts he bought her; the kindness he showed. Despite his over-protectiveness, she had begun to like him more.
    He went out of his way to win her trust, show how much he loved her. He even stopped drinking.
    But not for very long.
    Amy frowned, too drained to feel the black hole of depression sucking her down. She just needed to put the night behind her. She needed coffee. She left her room.
    In the living room, her father— reclined in his chair— sipped coffee and watched ESPN. Looking at the empty whiskey bottle on the end table, she figured he had one hell off a hangover.
    Good, I’m glad.
    Stepping into the kitchen, she popped an anti-depressant and poured a cup of coffee. In the living room, she eased onto the couch and sipped her steamy brew.
    After a minute passed, Hank grunted and said, “You and me got a lot to talk about, girl. But that’ll have to wait. Gotta be at work in a few. Don’t want you goin’ nowhere, hear? After last night, your butt’s stayin’ home.”
    Amy gave her father a sideways glance and waited.
    She watched him sip his coffee and lick his wet mustache. She watched him wince and scratch his crotch. She watched him stroke his beard and stare at the TV with bloodshot eyes that refused to roll her way.
    She waited for his apology but it never came.
    Guilty, but too stubborn to admit it. Better than nothing.
    She dropped her eyes. The black hole in her chest widened. Swallowing the hard lump in her throat, she stood and left the room. Her father didn’t say another word.
    Back in her bedroom she set her coffee aside and sat in front of her keyboard.