Absolution Read Online Free PDF Page B

overcome.
    When my eyes opened again, I found Mom and Dad focused on my face, their expressions stunned. Did they see the change? The light? Neither spoke for a few long seconds.
    Albert was gone.
    Relief and hope filled me.
    “Can you tell us what happened?” Dad’s voice was barely above a whisper. I was sure he believed in such things as guardian angels. He had a firm belief in God. Maybe it wasn’t too much to hope that he believed me.
    Another deep breath. “Well, before the truck hit me, I saw him. Sitting in the seat—the passenger seat. He told me not to be afraid. And I wasn’t.
    You have to understand that you can’t be afraid when he’s around because it’s impossible. He radiates this… this comfort and peace and joy and it’s the coolest most powerful feeling in the world and it takes you over. I mean, not takes over but the power is so real there’s no denying it. There’s nothing like it in the world. It’s absolutely—”
    “Zoe,” Mom blinked hard. “Are you sure this didn’t happen after the accident? Maybe you had a near death experience or something.”
    I’d definitely had a near death experience. “Mom. Yes. I had a near death experience. I died. This happened before the accident.”
    More silence. Not heavy, not angry. Ponderous.
    “Why didn’t you tell us?” Dad’s voice was soft.
    Now, their expressions were wounded. “I wasn’t sure you’d believe me. What happened to me was so miraculous, I…” My heart swelled and tears filled my eyes. “It’s special to me. I’m sorry. I was dealing with a lot.
    Recovering—”
    “I understand.” Dad held up a hand. “You’re right.”
    More silence dragged by.
    “I know it’s a lot to think about. But it’s real. It happened. Since then, I’ve seen him again. He’s… he’s Abria’s guardian angel.”
    Mom’s hand flew to her mouth. Her blue eyes grew wide with—shock?
    Did she think I was lying and had gone too far? Dad didn’t move. His even expression only became more alert, his eyes piercing me as if probing for a lie.
    I could go off on a tangent, trying to prove what was true, but I remained silent. Waiting. Hoping their hearts were open enough that Matthias’ presence could work its way in, that the undeniable, tangible feeling would leave them as convinced as if they could see him for themselves.
    “You’re serious,” Mom whispered.
    I nodded.
    When neither of them said anything, panic scratched its way up my spine. If they didn’t believe me, I’d be seeing a psychiatrist at the very least, sent to a mental hospital at the worst.
    I kept my gaze on my parents, but turned my head toward the open door. “Luke!”
    “Yeah?” His voice came from Abria’s bedroom.
    “Come here, will you?”
    “K.” I heard Abria’s bedroom door close.
    “Luke knows about this?” Mom gasped through her fingers.
    Luke appeared, his gaze flicking from me, to Mom and Dad.
    “I told Mom and Dad about Matthias,” I said gently. His eyes grew to saucers. The dense air surrounding us became prickly.
    Luke shoved his hands into his front pockets. “Um… yeah. She’s telling the truth.”
    Another gasp from Mom. Her fingers closed over her mouth, sending the skin on her face around her hand white.
    “Luke’s seen him too,” I said.

Chapter Four
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    “Well done, Zoe, well done.” Matthias’s glowing countenance lit the dark hall outside Mom and Dad’s bedroom.
    My limbs sagged, drained of the last bit of energy. Admitting to my parents that I saw Matthias lifted a weighty load from my shoulders, leaving me deeply relieved. I wasn’t sure how things would be in the morning, but I was pretty sure they’d have plenty of questions.
    I dragged myself to my bedroom, more than ready to say goodnight to the longest day of my life. Matthias’ face grew sober, his blue eyes steady on mine. “I’m sorry.”
    “For?” I flicked on the light and entered, wobbling from exhaustion.
    Matthias’