Dark Creations: Hell on Earth (Part 5) Read Online Free Page A

house would be home.  The thought was bittersweet.  She smiled as she watched the crowd that had dwindled down to four people besides her father, Gabriel and herself.  The bill had been paid.  Her friends had left to get snacks, wine and beer.  Her father was chatting up one of his friends from work a few feet from where Gabriel had been cornered for the second time by her Uncle Steve.  She slid a glance at Gabriel who looked as though he were being tortured and decided it was time to go.
    She strode over to him and Uncle Steve and said, “Gabriel, I’m so sorry but we have to get going.  We have that appointment first thing in the morning, remember?”
    Gabriel brought his hand to his head and said, “Oh yeah.  I almost forgot about it.”
    He was a terrible liar. 
    “Take care, Uncle Steve.  It was good seeing you.  Thanks so much for coming,” Melissa said and walked him to the door. 
    Her father’s friend left behind him. 
    “How the hell did you get rid of him so quickly?” her father asked as he gathered his sport coat.
    “I learned from the best,” she said and curtsied.
    “Thanks Melissa,” Gabriel said as he joined them.  “No offense, Mr. Martin.”
    “None taken.  My brother is a bit of a jackass.  He can’t help it.”
    “Ready to go?” Gabriel asked her.
    “Uh yeah, I think.”
    “Are you staying at his place?” her father asked.
    Though she was twenty years old and engaged, she still felt funny about telling her father she was spending the night with Gabriel.  He knew what would happen, that they did not sleep apart chastely. 
    “Yes,” she said and couldn’t meet her father’s eyes. 
    “All right then, I’ll see you tomorrow,” her father replied awkwardly.  “Love you, Missy.  See you, Gabriel.”
    She watched as her father left.
    “Alone at last,” Gabriel said and kissed her neck.
    “Not for long.  We have people waiting for us at your place, remember?”
    “That seemed like a much better idea this morning, didn’t it?”
    “Yes, yes it did.”
    “Let’s go then,” he groaned.  “But you better have coffee or something tonight, ‘cause I can’t wait to get you alone later.”
    He was getting better at flirting and Melissa felt her heart lurch again.  “I’ll be sure to brew a pot when I get there,” she said attempting to flirt back.  She was awful at it.  She knew it.  But she tried, nevertheless.
    The drive from the restaurant where they had the engagement party to Gabriel’s house took a little less than fifteen minutes.  When they parked in his driveway, they scanned the street for Alexandra’s car or Daniella’s.
    “Maybe they forgot,” Gabriel said and placed a hand on her leg.  “You think?”
    “I doubt it,” Melissa answered and as she did, headlights lit up the rear window of his car.  “See, Alex and Yoshi are here.” 
    They were about to climb out of the car when a second set of headlights rounded the corner.  “Daniella and Ryan are here, too.”
    Gabriel pulled his keys from his front pocket and took Melissa’s hand with the other.  With their friend’s giggling behind them, they walked together up a small flight of stone steps to his front door.  Ryan carried a case of beer and Yoshi carried a bag from a liquor store, as well as a bag of goodies. Melissa was certain their after-party would continue into the early morning hours.  Gabriel opened the front door and they stepped inside.  He felt along the wall for the light switch.  When finally he found it, the living-room area was bathed in light, and they learned they were not alone.  Jack Downing sat in a chair in the far corner of the room. Neither Gabriel nor Melissa had seen or heard from him in nearly two years.
    “Jack!  What the hell!”  Gabriel exclaimed.  “What are you doing here?”
    Jack turned his head and eyed them all, his face etched in stone.  In his deep, gravelly voice he spoke. “There’s a war coming.  I know you thought