Page 52 of Sinner's End

“Hello, child of mine,” she says as I stare into a face superimposed over the woman I love, that I only know from photographs but haven’t ever met in person.

“Mother?” I croak.

Chapter Twenty-Four

What I Take Back

Adreana

This time I know something is wrong. I’m myself, but I’m not. What in the ever-loving fuck is this bullshit, and why is this happening again? I try my best to shake off the twisty, dark feeling roiling inside me.

It takes me a moment to realize I am indeed outside. Naked. Although someone thankfully took the time to wrap me in a blanket. I stare up at the dark gray clouds obscuring the sun, and wonder idly what time it is. Not that it matters.

My body moves, but it’s not me controlling my actions. Fear races through my system once more. Realization dawns on me as I finally comprehend what a marionette must feel like. Having my limbs moved without my permission. I’m here, but it’s like I have been put on the back burner. Anger rages through me that I am yet again in this fucking situation.

“My boy,” I hear myself say but it’s not quite my voice. It is deeper, more gravelly.

“No!” Kaleb yells, his face pale as he stares at me. “You’re dead. The dead don’t come back.”

“I’m here for you, Kaleb. You know Mommy loves you.”

I feel dirty as the words leave my mouth. The thoughts swirling in my head are disturbing to say the least. No mother should think of her child that way, and I am revolted that this monster is using me to inflict more damage on her son.

“You’re dead,” he repeats, shaking his head.

“Yes, you killed me.”

“No, no, no. It was an accident,” Kaleb whispers.

He looks absolutely heartbroken.

“You know that’s not true, baby. You hit that tree onpurpose.”

My mind is filled with images of the accident. The fight they were having, Kaleb telling her what they did behind closed doors was wrong. His mother touching him, trying to seduce him. The tree. The crash. Her body flung from the vehicle, shattering upon impact.

My heart aches for this younger version of Kaleb that his mother remembers. I want to hold him and tell him everything is okay. I want him to know nothing that happened is his fault.

“Shut up!” my own voice screams, my hands holding my head. “He isn’t yours. You can’t have him. He is mine.”

“Addi?” Kaleb asks.

“Don’t talk to her!” the thing currently controlling me hisses. “She isn’t coming back.”

The hell I’m not! I don’t give a shit if I have to fight this bitch every day for the rest of my life, I won’t just give in. I won’t shut up and stay quiet while this hateful, horrid, spectre of a woman hurts one of the men I love.

Love?

One of the men?

What. The. Actual. Fuck.

Seems like being possessed or whatever I am is giving me clarity I didn’t have before.

My body moves, stepping toward Kaleb. I can see him shake as my hand extends in his direction. I fight with everything I have to regain control, to not allow her to touch him. When the arm quickly lowers, I feel relief.

“You bitch!” she roars. “You can’t keep me away from him.”

“Let her go,” Kaleb begs. “She didn’t do anything.”

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