Sensing Series Book One

J.M. ADELE

Gift or Curse?

SENSING YOU

Copyright © 2016 J.M. Adele

All Rights Reserved

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means without the prior written permission of the author of this book.

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead is purely coincidental. Any actual places, products or events mentioned are used in a purely fictitious manner. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various places/products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission and is by no way sponsored by the trademark owners.

Edited by Eeva Lancaster

Cover design by Book Flare Publishers

Photo from Shutterstock © Sofiephoto

Formatting by The Book Khaleesi

Kindle Edition

Coming Home Series

Shattered Home (available in eBook)

Remembering Home

Finding Home

Leaving Home (Coming 2018)

Coming Home (TBA)

Sensing Series

Sensing You

Convincing You (Coming 2018)

Indulging You (TBA)

To my EB.

As I released this book into the world, you had to leave us.

For sixteen years, you saw me through all sorts of sorrow and joy.

You brought me comfort just by being.

Thank you.

I’ll be seeing you.

Aussie Glossary

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Epilogue

Other Titles by J.M. Adele

Excerpt From Remembering Home

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Agro - Aggression

Bogan - An uncouth person

Chippie - Carpenter

Dacks - Pants

Glove Box - Glove compartment/ Jockey Box

Goldy - The Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia

Grub - Food

Knackered - Exhausted

Op Shop - Thrift store

Pulling someone’s leg - Teasing them.

Ranga - Redhead

Rocky - Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia

Shirt-front - to push your chest into another person’s. Usually an aggressive move

Sneakers - Running shoes

Sparrow’s fart - Before dawn

Squiz - A glance or a look

Taking the piss - Having a laugh

The box - Television

Tucker - Food

Uni - University

Ute - Utility vehicle/ Pickup truck. A car with a tray on the back for hauling loads

My mind wandered to that place where my dreams flee, replaced with vaporous intruders and penetrating horrors. My body twitched and jerked, struggling to find consciousness as the misty form of a woman drifted into my room.

Not again.

She wore a floral, summer dress. One strap was torn and hung loose from her shoulder, and dark bruises circled her neck. Reaching out her hand, she wrapped it around my foot. My body stilled. Inside my chest, my heart froze while my stomach threatened to prolapse.  She pulled on my foot, imploring me to listen. I knew she couldn’t really drag me away, but I felt the icy touch, the drag of her fingers on my terrified flesh. I wondered if I would somehow disappear. My hands reached desperately for the pillow.

“Stop,” I pleaded.

“You have to help me. You have to stop him.”

My whimpers turned into sobs. “Please … g-go away.”

I felt another presence. Heard the shaky rumble of his voice as he told the lady to leave.

“Daddy,” I whispered, relieved. He smiled at me with sad eyes.

But the spirit refused to budge.

“I’m sorry, honey bunch. I love you,” my father’s voice whispered, heavy with regret.

The wretched fingers of loss clawed their way into my chest, pulling apart my ribcage as if just learning of his death.

I dropped the pillow, and reached out to him. “Nooo! Daddy!” My screams were useless. He was gone.

Wrenching my sweat-soaked body upright, my throat ached as the scream continued to escape the depths of my chest. I pressed my lips together to cut off the sound, but that only lasted a second. My mouth opened wide again as I gasped for much needed air.

A hammering sound filled the room. My muddled brain mistook it for the pulse in my ears, but it was the beating of a fist on my bedroom door.

“SHUT UP!” My housemate screeched as she continued to pound.

I was definitely awake now. My hand circled my throat. I needed to check for myself if my screams had stopped. Yup. All good. “Yeah, keep your skin on!” I tried to shout back, but my voice came out hoarse.

“Fucking freak,” she mumbled before I heard the shuffle of her feet on the tiles.

Again, frozen fingers grasped my toes and pulled. I snapped my foot back, leaving her hand suspended and empty. I watched my stubborn, unwanted visitor through narrowed eyes, and a whole lot of false bravado.

“He’s coming. He’s going to take another.”

“Okay got it. You can go now. You’re not wanted here. Leave.” My voice was low, but firm.

Her face went blank, and her hand dropped from its raised position. The holographic image of her faded, but the chill running up and down my body remained.

I liked to think I could run from this, but there’s no hiding from things unbound to time or matter. My stupid sixth sense was telling me the proverbial shit was going to hit the proverbial fan … soon.

Fuck my life.

Brad—Six Months Ago

Screaming sirens and the roar of engines pierced the pre-dawn tranquillity. Red and blue flashing lights blocked my view and I could see a motorcycle