Wings of Sorrow (A horror fantasy novel) Read Online Free Page A

put the clothes on so I can call somebody.”
    Sorrow did as she said and put on the jeans and shirt. Once dressed, he looked less like a crazy person and more like a model for a cologne advert. His tussled, dark hair pointed in a thousand different directions, and his angular face was softened by a pair of gentle, green eyes. Scarlet no longer felt in danger around him, but she knew that she still needed to inform the police. She’d found a man lying half-drowned by the lake, who’d been talking nonsense ever since. Something was wrong with Sorrow—or whatever his real name was.
    “The police will probably take you in and question you,” she explained, “but then they should get a doctor to have a look at you.”
    Sorrow nodded. “Then you and I can figure out why I am here.”
    “What? No, I’m going to stay here.”
    “I do not want that. We must stay together. There is a reason you found me.”
    “Yeah, because I happened to be walking by when you were choking. It could have been anybody.” She had to be firm; this was no longer a joke. “This is all getting a little silly, Sorrow. You haven’t tried to hurt me—thank you for that, by the way—but you are acting way too crazy. You need help; help I can’t give you.”
    “This saddens me.”
    “Then I guess Sorrow really is a good name for you.” She turned around and snatched the phone from the kitchen counter. Dialling 999, she waited for someone to answer. She flinched when she heard her dad’s voice.
    “Hi, honey, sorry I’m late.”
    Startled, she ended the call before anyone came on the line. Her dad strode into the kitchen and picked up an apple from the counter. He took a big bite. “You okay, hun? Did I scare you?”
    Scarlet glanced around the kitchen, but Sorrow had gone. He must have left when she’d turned around to call 999. He really was crazy, wasn’t he? He wasn’t wearing any shoes.
    “I’m fine. I… did somebody pass you on the way out?”
    “No, why? Who was here?”
    She shook her head. “Nobody. I thought I heard a knock at the door.”
    “Okay, well I was thinking of ordering a pizza tonight. What do you think?”
    She shrugged. “What’s another few inches on the waistline?”
    Her dad walked over and patted her on the arm. It was an awkward gesture. “I know I should be home more often to cook, but I just want to get nice and secure in my new job first. After what happened last time…”
    “It’s okay, dad. I only just got home myself. Mr Chester didn’t close the shop till half past five and then I walked home.”
    “You didn’t take the bus?”
    She shook her head.
    “You should have caught the bus, Scarlet. I want you to be safe. Lot of nutters in the world.”
    Scarlet grunted. “You don’t know the half of it.”
    “What’s that now?”
    “Nothing. Pizza will be great. I’m just going to take a shower, and then I’ll order.”
    “Great. Thanks, Scarlet. I could do with a wash myself. How was work, by the way?”
    “Good. Drags a bit now that I’m doing longer days, but it’s okay. All experience, I guess.”
    He smiled. “Yep. Customer service skills can help in a lot of careers, so learn whatever you can. You thought anymore about college?”
    “Not yet. I’m not sure what I want to do.”
    “Well, you need to think fast. Your future will be here before you know it.”
    She rolled her eyes. There was never any stopping to smell the roses with her dad. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”
    He patted her on the head. “Good girl.”
    Refusing to be petted like a dog, she headed upstairs to take a shower. She took her clothes off and threw them down on the bed, then looked at her face in the mirror on her dresser. She had a nice tan coming along from her walks around the lake, but her chest and neck were pale where her clothing blocked the sun. Maybe she should wear a necklace?
    On her dresser were several items of jewellery, but the one that caught her eye was hanging from a small stand.