Novel excerpts: Supernatural – Part 28

The Shimmering

Book one of the Chronicles of Sage

Wednesday

“My name is David Sage.” I needed to keep repeating those two words; I believed it more each time I said them aloud.

“Good for you buddy.” Bloodshot eyes cast irritation at me through the rear view mirror as the cabbie swerved in and out of thick Philadelphia traffic. I folded and unfolded the thin slip of paper I found in my coat and wondered what it meant. Opening it again, I read its cryptic message. ‘A piece of advice: if a little blonde girl with bloody eyes asks you to follow her… don’t. Trust me on this.’ Sounded like good advice.

My breath fogged up the window as I looked out onto a gray day. There was so much I didn’t remember. Like a jigsaw puzzle, memories were being fitted back together. They came faster and faster as I repeated my name, softly so as to not piss off the already fuming cabbie. By the time the cab pulls up to my brownstone I remember I died…twice.

I handed the cabbie a crumpled twenty and stepped onto the sidewalk. He grunted and sped off. I didn’t take it personally. I don’t remember the first time I died; I was an infant. I was told that I screamed once and went still and then, three minutes later, I started screaming again. Now the second death… that one I remembered. I remember sliding under the ice, the shock of the water as it filled my lungs, and the numbness.

My hands dashed about my person looking for the key. I pulled the single old-fashioned key out of my pocket, and I jiggled it in the lock. One step through the front door and the memory hits me like a blow to the stomach… my wife. How could I have forgotten? I closed the door behind me and shivered. I remembered it being late early spring, some how time had gotten ahead of me.

Hard-soled shoes alternated between click and clack over walnut floors, each step bringing back memories. Most brought a faint smile, some a twinge of a frown and some… preferred to remain hidden. I pushed the spot in my memories that remained dark and it pushed back. Whatever happened, I bet it involved a little girl, and a set of bloody eyes. Best not to go there until I’m ready.

Shedding my gray button-down coat, I loosened my coal gray tie as I click-clacked my way to the shelf for booze. My hand hesitated. I was not sure if rum was my favorite. Shrugging, I poured myself two fingers and lifted the smoky crystal glass to my lips. My eyes caught a familiar vial. I stopped. Something