Witches of Dark Rock Read online

  Witches

  Of

  Dark Rock

  Tim Miller

  Tim Miller

  Witches of Dark Rock

  © 2014, Tim Miller

  San Antonio, TX

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Cover photo by Chyanne Moore

  Cover model: Haley Jay Madison

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Sneak Peek at Tim Miller’s Upcoming Book:

  Chapter 1

  Also by Tim Miller

  About the Author

  Prologue

  Houston, Texas 1862

  The men had jumped the girl on her way back from the market. The woman had warned her repeatedly not to be out after dark, not in this town. The girl was stubborn though. Like any other teenager, she had a mind of her own. One of the women in town came by to let her know what was happening to the girl. Immediately she ran into town hoping she wasn’t too late. She heard the men hooting and hollering as she approached. Townspeople were walking by, but everyone pretended not to see what was happening.

  The woman had her shotgun with her at least. She fired a shot in the air, causing all the men to jump. They stopped and turned to look at her.

  “What do you think you’re doing hag?” one of the men said.

  “Leave the girl alone and get on out of here,” the woman said.

  “We’re not done yet. Some of us ain’t had a turn!”

  “I say you’re done. Get on now.”

  “You only got one shot left in that gun bitch. There’s six of us. You can’t kill us all.”

  “No. But I can sure kill you.” She then lowered the gun just slightly. “Or I can blow your balls off.”

  Her gaze hardened as she stared into the man’s eyes. She could tell he was trying to read if she was serious or not. There were other things she could do to stop them, but she preferred conventional means if at all possible. The man finally nodded and took a few steps back.

  “You heard her boys. Time to head home. We’ll come out and play another day.” Some of the men grumbled but they all obeyed their leader. As they backed away one of them made kissy noises at the woman. She ignored them as she held the shotgun steady. Once they were gone, she ran up to the girl’s body.

  “Oh no! Honey, are you ok? Please talk to me?” she said as she shook the girl’s body and patted the girl’s battered face but there was no response. Her face was bloody and swollen from the beating the men had given her. The woman felt around the girl’s face and could feel where her bones in her skull had been broken in several places. Her jaw hung slack as her tongue drooped from her mouth. One eye was totally swollen shut while the other was frozen wide open as if in terror. If the girl wasn’t already dead, she soon would be.

  The women picked up the girl in her arms and carried her across the street, laying her into a carriage. She climbed into the seat and took the reins as the horse set off. The woman hoped the healer would still be there. It had been years since she’d seen him. He was her only hope. The girl couldn’t die; she was all the woman had left.

  The journey took several days. Fortunately she avoided any tangles with outlaws or wildlife. The heat had been near unbearable at times, but she kept going. Even though the girl couldn’t respond, she kept talking to her through the trip.

  “Hang in there sweetie. It won’t be long now. This man is a good healer. When I was about your age, I got real sick with consumption. I almost died for sure. The healer gave me some herbs and a healing spell and in a matter of weeks I was good as new.”

  When she arrived, the healer’s cave was where she’d remembered it. Deep in a valley that was once a riverbed. Now it was just rocks and caves in the middle of New Mexico. He used to live closer to civilization, but moved out here after too much harassment from authorities. She climbed out of the wagon and stuck her head inside. Sure enough he was still there, although much older since she’d last seen him. As she told him what happened, he listened silently and then nodded.

  “Bring her in,” he said as he walked into the cave. The woman scooped the girl up and carried her into the cave and lay her on a large, flat stone. There were torches posted around the stone offering soft lighting. She lay the girl flat on the slab and stepped away. The healer placed his hand on the girl’s head, and then her chest.

  “She’s already gone,” he said.

  “Can you bring her back?”

  “You know the rules.”

  “She’s all I have left. I can’t lose her.”

  “You also know the price.”

  “Yes. And I am willing,” she said without hesitation.

  He considered for a moment and shook his head.

  “No. She’ll need you. I will pay,” he said.

  “No! You’re the healer.”

  “I’m old. It’s my time. I’d rather go this way, giving life.”

  “But—“ she began, but he turned his head, glaring at her. The woman took a step back as he turned back to the girl and went to work.

  Chapter 1

  Dark Rock, Texas 2014

  Regina stood on the sidewalk watching the movers unload the large truck. She didn’t have a lot of stuff herself, but her roommates had quite a bit, especially Angela. Regina had grown up in Dark Rock, Texas. It was a small town of around twenty thousand people, all spread through the countryside. It wasn’t a tiny town, but it always had that feel. The core of the town consisted of several rows of houses, businesses and the town’s only church; The Good News Revival Center.

  She grew up attending Good News. Her parents were really devout Christians and raised her as such. Rev. Merle Bannerman had founded the church and still ran it to this day. He was known for his hellfire and brimstone services. Each Sunday he literally put the fear of God into his parishioners so much to the point it wasn’t unusual to see the same people coming forward every Sunday during the invitation.

  That was all behind her though. Regina hadn’t attended the place in years. She wasn’t even sure why she’d come back to this place. Angela seemed to think she needed to for some reason.

  “You gonna help, or just gawk at the movers all day?” Summer asked. Summer was the third person in their coven. That’s right, coven. They were witches, though not in the sense most might think. None of them had big noses, ugly moles or flew around on brooms. In fact, by looking at them y
ou’d never guess. They didn’t follow the typical “rules” for witches as laid out in popular fiction. They didn’t worship the devil, sacrifice animals or humans, and they didn’t wear black on Wednesdays. Well, except for Summer; she wore black almost every day.

  “Sorry, wasn’t looking at the movers. Just so weird being back here,” Regina said.

  “Yeah, I’m sure. Angela said she wanted to talk to you. She’s upstairs.”

  Regina nodded and headed into the house. It was her parent’s old house. She officially inherited it after they died several years ago, but this was the first time she set foot in the place. All the furniture had covers over them which now were covered in dust. Her parents’ belongings had been boxed up not long after their deaths. She still wasn’t sure how she felt about being here, but was going to deal with it.

  When she got upstairs, Angela was sitting on the floor in one of the rooms chanting. Regina recognized it as a protection spell. Angela turned and smiled when she saw Regina in the doorway.

  “Hey Regina!” Angela said.

  “Hey. You wanted to see me?”

  “Yeah. Just wanted to see how you’re doing. I know you were uncomfortable coming back here.”

  “I’m ok. It is a little strange so far. It’s like nothing here has changed.”

  “Yeah. Small towns can be like that. See anyone you know so far?”

  “No. Even when I grew up here I didn’t have many friends. I was always kind of the oddball,” Regina said. That got a pleasant laugh from Angela.

  “We all were. That is why we are who we are.”

  “So why are you doing a protection spell? You think we’re in danger?”

  “We’re witches. There’s always some kind of danger lurking for us, but nothing specific. I try to do one anytime I move. Can’t hurt, especially with what you told me about that church around here.”

  “Yeah. I’m sure they’re harmless though. Strange maybe, but harmless.”

  “I hope so,” Angela said. “Ok, I’ll come help you guys unpack.”

  She stood up as they began down the stairs, but before Regina turned, she caught a glimpse of someone through the window. She walked over and looked outside. Across the street was a man she recognized. Rev. Merle Bannerman. He had aged since she’d last seen him, but there was no mistaking who he was. As usual, he had on his Armani suit, and his now white hair was slicked back.

  His hands were in his pockets as he watched the house and watched the movers unload. What the hell could he want? She walked down the stairs and headed outside. Regina knew she should ignore him, but it was too odd the way he was standing there. She walked out of the house and across the street. A big smile crossed his face as she approached.

  “Well Regina Tyler! As I live and breathe!” he said.

  “Hi Reverend.”

  “Wow, you’re all grown up now. Hadn’t seen you since the funeral. How have you been?”

  “I’ve been good. Busy with school and everything, now just trying to figure what I want to do next,” she said.

  “Oh I’m sure. You got your whole life ahead of you. I’m sure the Lord has amazing plans for you young lady. Will you be at church on Sunday?”

  She knew this was coming. Before they ever returned, she had turned this conversation over in her brain hundreds of times. It was perfect, she had every single response and retort down pat. That is, until she was actually standing there.

  “Um, I don’t think so Reverend. It’s not really something I’m into anymore.”

  “Well, the Christian life isn’t something one gets into my dear. You made a commitment to the Lord when you were a little girl. I know; I was right there. That’s not something you just turn your back on,” he said.

  Yes, because when you’re six years old, you are perfectly capable of making a decision on what religious philosophy or which deity to follow. And then hold them to that decision for the rest of their lives. This was something Angela had helped her realize when she was away at the University of Texas. It had been such a liberating feeling, like she was coming out of this fog.

  “Yeah I know. Look, I need to get back. It was good seeing you!” she said as she headed back across the street.

  “You too! See you Sunday!” he called out.

  She walked back to the house; Summer was standing there watching her.

  “Who was that?” Summer asked.

  “My old preacher when I was a kid. He wants me at church Sunday.”

  Regina came walking up and joined them.

  “He seems to be giving us the stink eye,” Summer said.

  “He does that. He has this way of making everyone around him feel about six inches tall,” Regina explained.

  “Well, he extended an invitation; I don’t see why we can’t go pay him a visit this Sunday,” Angela said.

  “Are you kidding? Why?”

  “Just trust me. He’ll never bug you about coming to church again.”

  Chapter 2

  Merle watched the young woman walk back to the house. He couldn’t take his eyes off her two friends. All three women were absolutely stunning. Especially the tall, dark haired one. She seemed to be in charge of the bunch. Something wasn’t right though. What was their deal? Were they lesbians? Was this some kind of lesbian three way thing going on?

  The one in charge kept glaring at him out of the corner of her eye. He turned and walked away. Something wasn’t right with her. Whatever it was caused him to shudder. He turned and walked down the road to his car. He climbed into the Cadillac and drove back to the church. When he arrived his wife Gladys was sitting in his office. That was odd. She was usually out shopping on Wednesdays.

  “Gladys, what are you doing here?” he asked. “Is everything ok?”

  “No. My card was declined at Murphy’s earlier. You know how embarrassing that is? I had a thousand dollars in shoes I had to put back!”

  He cringed at the dollar amount. It was no secret how much she loved to shop and feed her shoe addiction, but he preferred to not know how much she was spending. Lately, church attendance had been dropping. For years, they averaged five to six thousand people per Sunday. Now it was around half that. Less butts in seats, meant less money in the offering plate. He’d had enough money saved up that it wasn’t until recently he began to feel the pinch in his own pocket book. He had hoped it was just a trend, but over the years, it continued to get worse.

  Despite his best efforts, he wasn’t able to get his wife to curb her spending habits until he figured out a way to boost church revenues. Between the recessions over the past several years, to more and more young people moving away when they turned eighteen, the town and church were shrinking. He’d made a good living doing God’s work for decades. Now it would appear God was testing him.

  “A thousand dollars? In shoes? Are you serious?”

  “I need new shoes! All mine are out of style.”

  “How many pairs to total a thousand dollars?” he asked not really wanting an answer.

  “Three. But still. Murphy’s isn’t the kind of place you get a card declined. I’ll be surprised if they let me come back!”

  “Gladys, they won’t ban you because your card was declined. I’ll look at the statement. Here.” He dug into his wallet and took out his church’s gold card. He usually didn’t let her use it, but he needed to get her out of his hair immediately. “Take this and go get your shoes.”

  “Really?” she said, taking the card, and holding it up as if it were the Holy Grail itself.

  “Yes. Really. Now I have work to do.”

  She walked out of his office, still staring at the card. Once she was gone he sat behind his desk when his secretary came in.

  “Reverend Bannerman?” she said.

  “Yes, Lisa.”

  Lisa was in her early twenties, blonde hair, and blue eyes. She had been attending the church since she was a baby. Merle remembered baptizing her when she was ten years old. Through the years he watched her grow up into a wonderf
ul Christian lady.

  “Your three o’clock appointment canceled. He said he’d call to reschedule.”

  “That’s fine. Thank you Lisa,” he said.

  He was secretly relieved. The appointment had been with Clarence Morales. Clarence was addicted to pornography and it was hurting his marriage. He had already lost a job due to looking at porn at work. Now his wife was about to leave him. It wasn’t kiddie porn or anything; it was consensual adult porn, but it still fed the seeds of lust, which the Bible clearly says is sin. With the cancellation though, he now had the afternoon off.

  He stood and went back out to his Cadillac. Part of him wished Clarence had cancelled earlier so he wouldn’t have had to come back in. He wanted to go back by the Tyler place to see what those women were up to. Yeah, it was kind of creepy and stalkerish, but he had a bad feeling about those girls. Regina was a child of God. If she was caught up in something dark, it was his duty as her shepherd to pull her free from Satan’s grasp.

  By the time he got back to the house, the moving van was gone. There were two cars sitting in the driveway. One was a Prius, the other a Ford Focus. He shook his head at the sight of the cars. The girl goes to Austin to school and becomes a complete liberal Democrat. It happens every time a young person went there for college. They always came back all liberal and enlightened. In some cases they came back around to God’s way. Other times, they move away for good. That was one thing he always took pride in as he preached the gospel. God’s word was God’s word, regardless of where you were or what society said was acceptable.

  He sat across the street in his Cadillac looking at the house. There was no movement other than a curtain moving in an upstairs window. He looked to see the older one standing in the window, and she was looking right at him.

  Chapter 3

  Zachary Nolan sat naked next to his makeshift altar cutting up the rabbit. He’d set it up in his living room which had no other furniture other than the altar. He’d made it from a couple of cement blocks and some ceramic gargoyles he’d bought at a nearby head shop. Several candles were lit in a circle around the altar while Panic Beats blasted in the back ground with their song “Chop Chop.” Zachary felt that would be most appropriate given his current activities.