Beckoning Souls (A Psychological Thriller) Read Online Free PDF Page B

me, it's likely I won't get to do that with her for a long time. And surprisingly, it doesn't upset me too bad. My sex drive is usually ramped up at all hours of the day, but now I don't even give it a second thought. What the hell? My libido is slowing down along with it all? I guess it doesn't matter. Rose won't want to touch me, especially when she finds out why I am home early. Shit, what a vicious circle this is becoming.
    Stepping out of my pants, I pull my shirt over my head and turn the shower on full blast. Taking one long glance at myself in the mirror, I don't even recognize the Nathan staring back at me. Who is this man? Why is he so angry? And why all the sudden could he possibly qualify to be taken away to an insane asylum?
    The mirror fogs up and I run my fingers through it, only clearing enough to show my eyes. They look cold and dead. They look like I could use a year of sleep. Pulling myself from the reflection, I step into the shower, feeling the hot water engulf me. The soot and sweat drip from me, circling the drain at my feet. Leaning against the cool tile, I close my eyes and allow my body to rest, even if it's just for a few minutes. It's the first moment of sanity I've felt in I don't know how long.
     
    ***
     
    Rose
     
    My shift at the hospital was brutal. The subway ride home is even more excruciating. It wouldn't be so bad if I could get the stuff with Nathan off of my mind. He's really worrying me, and when I get home around six, I'm surprised to see his truck in the driveway. He usually doesn't get home from a tour until six-thirty at the earliest. Hurrying through the front door, I see Rusty on the couch.
    "Hey, son, everything okay? How was your day?"
    He leans forward, his brow creased. I usually have a hard time getting him to talk about anything, so when he responds to my question this way, my heart sinks.
    "Dad came home early today. I asked him why and he said he just wanted to take some time off."
    Weird. Usually he at least texts me to tell me when he's doing that. "Where is your father right now?"
    "I guess upstairs. He went up there when he got home and hasn't come down. He's pretty pissed off for some reason."
    I walk behind the couch and tousle his hair. It's something I've done since he was little, and as a teenager he doesn't care for it near as much. It's a bad habit, but this time, he doesn't object to it. Instead, he watches me closely. "Thanks, Rusty. I'll start supper soon. I'm just gonna go check on him."
    A pang of butterflies courses through me as I open the door to the bedroom. Nathan is burrowed in the bed, completely covered up aside from his foot hanging over the side. Stepping closer, I sit on the edge and pull the blankets back. He's sleeping hard. Usually he's a light sleeper and that would've woke him up, but he doesn't this time.
    What is wrong with my husband? I fight back the emotion and run my hand through his thick, dark hair. His eyebrows move some and he responds to my touch. A low moan escapes his slightly parted lips and he says something I don't understand.
    "Nathan." I don't say it loud. I've never had to to get him to wake up. Nothing. This is not normal. "Nathan!" I raise my voice a little louder and his eyes shoot open. His body stiffens and he lets out a gasp, pushing away from me. "Nathan, it's me, Rose!"
    He grabs the blankets as if he's shielding himself from something. "Go away!" He's looking past me at the far corner of the room and I look in the same direction, but I don’t see anything.
    "Nathan, what's wrong? It's me, Rose." I place my hand on his thigh and he finally starts to come to.
    "Rose..." His voice is raspy and he rubs his temple, wincing. "I'm sorry."
    "Were you dreaming?"
    He nods and winces again. "Shit, I have a horrible headache."
    "Rusty tells me you came home early."
    "I did." He leans over and sifts through the far nightstand, pulling out a bottle of ibuprofen. He swallows the pills with no water. I've never understood how