Out of the Darkness Teaser

“Thank you for the information,” I said over the phone, my voice camouflaged. “I’m just so worried about my Rosie. She’s all I have in the world.”

“Mr. Hale, your daughter experienced a psychotic break of unknown origin. She’s a very sick young woman,” said the doctor. “I don’t know how much longer we’ll hold her, but we want to be sure she won’t be a threat to herself or others. She was brought in, convinced that two angels had attacked her. She’s heavily medicated at the moment. We’ll call you if there are any changes.”

“I appreciate it,” I said. I hung up the phone, looking over at Alice. We were on lunch break. Bella was meeting with Mrs. Cope, for her summative meeting, going over her performance for the school year. I had a few moments before I had to pick up both of our classes, bringing them to PE. I cleared my throat, adopting my normal speaking voice. “What did you do to her?”

“Nothing!” Alice snorted. I arched a brow. “I may or may not have showed her my wings when I was fighting for the crossbow. I also knocked her out, using said wings. It shouldn’t have made her crazy, Edward.”

“Great, she’s rambling that two angels attacked her,” I sighed. “Alice, that was …”

“Perfect, Edward. The hospital thinks she’s certifiable,” Alice argued, glowering at me. “The more she prattles on about our fight, the more they’ll think she’s delusional. When she’s medicated, her mind is a jumble and her emotions are nonexistent. Lucifer can’t get to her. This is a good thing!”

“Was she that bad?” I asked.

“It was like she was under his control, but still fully human. He was in her mind, treating her body like a puppet. Her eyes were not black, but her soul was not there,” Alice said. “It was weird. I think he’s experimenting with how he’s controlling his minions. We need to be on guard.”

“Agreed,” I nodded. I checked my watch. “Come on. I need you to help me escort the classes to the gym. Bella’s having her summative with Mrs. Cope.” We walked to the lunch room. Alice took Bella’s class while I led mine. We dropped them off at the gym for their time in PE, followed by an hour of art. They were doing clay and the art teacher decided to combine classes to get the most time with them. When I was done, I worked in my room until Bella came in. She was sad, and worried. Her eyes were brimming with tears. “What is it, pretty Bella?”

“I’ve been RIFFED,” she said, sitting down on one of the desks. “I’m not tenured and Mrs. Cope was pleased with my teaching, my performance this year, but I’m out of a job because there’s no budget for it. What am I going to do? I love teaching. I can’t … I don’t want to start new. Where am I going to go? What can I do?”

“I’m so sorry, Bella,” I whispered, getting up and pulling her into my arms. “That sucks.”

“Cope said she’d give me a letter of recommendation since I was honorably discharged,” she snorted derisively, “but where am I going to go? No job. No home.”

“You have a home, Bella. With me. I’d never throw you out, baby,” I said, kissing her forehead. She slid her arms around my waist and I heard her sniffle and her tears soaked my shirt. “Is there anything I can do?”

“This,” she said, her voice cracking. “Thank you for being so perfect.”

“I’m far from perfect, Bella,” I chuckled, picking her up and holding her in my arms.

“Be that as it may. You’re perfect for me,” she murmured, kissing my cheek. “Thank you.” I tightened my hold on her. We stayed that way for a few moments before Bella got up from my lap. She sighed, kissing my lips before heading to her classroom. She had assessments to grade. As she did, I scowled in the direction of Mrs. Cope’s office, pissed off that they’d let go a wonderful teacher.

Their loss, assholes.