Soul Searcher Book 1

Once Cassie knew Rim couldn’t hear her, she squealed in excitement. Pulling her phone out of her back pocket, she opened the screen and pulled up Ginny’s number. Hitting send, she listened as the phone began to ring. However, the phone kept ringing and then went to voicemail. Seriously, what in the bleep! She wakes me up before the crack of dawn, it’s now three thirty in the afternoon... Why isn’t she answering her damn phone! Anger and worry begin to war within her mind, and she decides to leave Ginny a message. “Hey girl, call me. You sort of have me a little worried. Love you, bye.”

Walking back to her apartment, she sent Khloe a text asking if she’d like to hang out with her later in her apartment and suggested they could order pizza and binge watch something on Netflix since they both had the night off. Khloe responded back almost immediately with a ‘yes, that sounds like fun!’ causing Cassie to smile. She then decided to see if she could take a nap and went into her bedroom, flopping carelessly upon her mattress. Sleep took over her instantly upon closing her eyes.

**

In a world all my own, I try to focus on the human souls around me. No matter how hard I try though, I can’t get a read on any one human that would indicate a ‘Pureness’ that could be the soul Samael is looking for. Sighing for this pointless journey of mine, I flop down on one of the wooden benches that have been strategically placed along the boardwalk. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I stare at Cassie’s number, debating with myself whether it’s ‘to soon’ to send her a text message. My moto of late seems to be ‘screw it! Just do it!’ and so I did.

Just a simple text: Hey Cass it’s Rim. Just sending you a text so that you can save my number 😊 I hope you’re having a good day. I’ll text you later.

I wait for an hour before any activity occurs with my phone. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a text from Cassie but a message from Samael: So, Shayla’s daughter lives in a town called Surfside Beach and has two amulets that she thinks could be helpful in your search. It’s less than a thirty- minute drive there and I’ll send you the funds for gas. Can I tell Shayla to let her daughter know to expect you?

Thinking to myself, I’ve got nothing better to do, I send him a response:

Rim: Yeah, why not I’m not doing anything tonight. Can probably be up there by 7p.m.

Samael sends me a thumbs up and then I place my phone on the charger and go into the bathroom to take a quick shower. I find myself in my rented SUV and hopping on the highway at exactly 6:30 heading to Surfside Beach.

Following my GPS and the directions Samael gave me, I arrive at the house of the daughter of the witch Shayla. The time is closer to 7:30 rather than the quoted time I told Sam because I had found myself in a traffic jam due to construction and one lane roads. Sighing in relief as I pulled into the driveway of the girl’s home, I realized that Sam hadn’t offered the girl’s name to me. Shaking my head at this little inconvenience, I push my car door open and hop out. Just as I go to knock on the door, I hear my phone buzz indicating a text message has been received. Glancing at the device in my hand, I swipe at the screen to open it and glance at the new message. My heart begins to beat ten-fold faster as I see Cassie’s name attached to the message. The stupid grin plastering itself across my face.

Before I am able to click on the text to open it up so I can read it, the door I’m standing in front of opens and a girl around the same age as myself stands in front of me. “You must be Rim? Mother told me to expect you though she had said you were going to arrive at seven. Were you able to find the place, okay?”

I nod yes, “yeah, sorry about that. There was a bunch of construction and lane closures that delayed my arrival time.” I barely take in her appearance as my mind is preoccupied with wondering what Cassie had messaged me. I did notice her beauty though as I am not blind, just not interested. She is indeed very pretty as she is a tall, blonde, Amazonian qualities and yet very light, graceful steps as she moves around her home. Her home is a small beach house, almost what I would consider a cottage. Staying by her front door, I hear her talking as she wanders down her hallway.

I am only able to hear scattered words of whatever she is saying, “Samael.... seem like him... or I don’t think so anyway.” I stare blankly at her as she walks to stand in front of me once again.

“Sorry, I didn’t hear but a few words of what you were saying,” I grimace as I confess this truth.

She waves her hand in the air dismissing my apology. “All good. I was just asking if you were like Samael, a guardian of death like him. I also added that I don’t think you are because you don’t give off the same aura as he does. All dark and menacing... though I feel as though you could become quite dark if you had to...”

“Nope, definitely not like Samael. I’m a Halfling, I befriended Sam about a decade ago. Just friends. He offered to pay me to find someone, and I said I would.” I shrug like it’s no big deal.

“Ah! That’s why you need these location tracking amulets,” she says with a smile as she holds them out towards me, face up on her palm. The first one she holds up is a deep sapphire blue that instantly brings Cassie’s eyes to my mind and in fact is a sapphire incased in some type of silver wiring. The second one has an amethyst stone laid against a moonstone in the shape of a crescent moon. “They are designed to be worn as necklaces but the chains they hang from are long enough that they can be hidden beneath a shirt.” Not one to care about what I wear or who can see the jewelry, I give a nod of understanding as I hook them around my neck.

“So, what are they supposed to do? How will they help me in my search, and how will I know if they are working,” I ask her as I clasp the last one and then glance up to her so she can tell me.

“The sapphire amulet pushes or compels negative energy from surrounding you and pulls you towards positive energy and will heat up against the skin when in close proximity to said pure innocent souls while the Moonstone will create a radiant welcoming warm glow that feels like you’re bathing in moonlight. The Moonstone is the better of the two to use as it prods you towards the innocent, the good, and the pure souls that roam the earth. And if your close to an absolute Pure soul, the amethyst will glow probably matching the color of your eyes.”

“That’s awesome,” I say as I allow a little hope, a little excitement to enter my mind. Grinning at her, I run a hand through my hair as I stand at her door like a dumbass as I’m not sure what else I should say or do. “Well, thank you. I appreciate your help. I will take good care of them and make sure you get them back safely after I am done with this crazy quest of mine.”

She nods and gives me a crooked smile, “you are most welcome. Safe travels and good luck!” Waving farewell to her, I hop back into my SUV and start the engine before remembering Cassie had messaged me. Hey, got your message. Sorry it took so long for me to write you back. I took a nap and just woke up. A friend of mine and I were going to chill at my apartment, order pizza and watch Netflix if you wanted to hang out with me/us. If you’re not busy, that is... Cassie

My heart beats erratically as I think about being able to see her again so soon. That is, until I remember I have a good half hour drive ahead of me.

Rim: I had to go out of town. Half an hour before I get back. But if you’re still hanging out when I do, I’d be down for hanging.

I hesitate to send for fear of it sounding dorky but then I also don’t want her waiting for me to show up when it might be late when I do get back. I say a silent prayer to the heavens that I won’t have to deal with any traffic jams on the drive home.

Okay, no worries. Shoot me a text when you’re back 😊 Cassie

I don’t think I’ve ever thrown a vehicle in reverse so quickly before. I back out of the driveway and throw the car into drive, catching myself as I slam my foot on the gas pedal. As badly as I want to get back, I don’t need to get a speeding ticket along the way!