Revelations Coming (The Dark Truth Novel Series) (2 page)

“We've been looking for you for a long time,” the man said in a low voice that was heavily accented…Middle Eastern if she had to guess.

“We?” Venus croaked.

What did he want? He only responded by making a little purring noise in the back of his throat. Venus' body unfroze, her comatose state swamped by a need for self-preservation. She ran. She didn't run for the cover of the trees though. She had enough sense to know that she had no sense of direction. With these woods, she could get lost quickly and easily. She sprinted down the twisty two lane highway. A quick look over her shoulder told her the man had not left the spot she just vacated. Feeling a rumble beneath her feet, she skidded to a halt just as a semi rounded the blind corner. She threw her arms up and much to her relief, the trucker pulled over immediately. Venus looked back and let out the breath she had been holding when she saw the black SUV squeal back onto the highway.

“You okay Miss?” a deep rugged voice asked hesitantly.

Venus closed her eyes for a few seconds and nodded, plastering a smile on her face.

“Where ya headed?” Reggie asked when he finally remembered how to speak.

He was floored. Pulling up he had been prepared to offer a ride to a young woman, but certainly not a goddess.

She studied him for a moment. He was a big burly guy, not fat but just built like a linebacker. He had curly hair that fell just past his chin with a snug fitting Dodgers cap on, and a flannel shirt. He was easily in his forties and was fearsome with his big build, but the expression around his eyes was nothing but gentle. Venus relaxed just slightly and smiled at the trucker.

“West...preferably California but anywhere west will do.”

Her voice was as silky as her hair. Reggie was a happily married man and considered himself a good Christian. But hearing that voice and seeing the goddess it belonged to, made his stomach clench up with desire. He had to take a few deep breaths to right himself, which almost didn't help because the first deep breath he took in was of her, a mixture of honeysuckle and roses. She was still smiling politely, her eyes filled with a weariness he couldn't even fathom. He cleared his throat.

“My last stop is in Reno, Nevada.”

Venus' eyes lit up. God, she would love to see Lake Tahoe. Though the mountains were tiny compared to hers, the lake would surely be able to bring her comfort again.

“That's great, if you don't mind if I tag along,” she said, her voice was quiet but held an amazingly haunting and arresting quality to it.

He felt himself smile and held his hand out to help her into the cab.

“I'm Reggie by the way,” the tough-looking trucker said as he climbed into his side of the cab.

“I'm Venus. Thanks Reggie.”

As he shifted the big rig into gear, he took a long look at her.

“How old are you Venus?” he asked trying to concentrate on the curvy highway.

“Eighteen,” she said, her voice taking on a whisper-like quality.

Reggie narrowed his eyes on her. So young, he thought. “What are you running away from?” he asked suddenly looking a lot wiser.

Venus was silent for a few seconds and Reggie thought he touched a sore nerve.

“Everything I guess,” she said quietly after a few minutes.

Reggie huffed a little. “Ah, to be young again,” he said with a wistful smile. “You have the world in the palm of your hand.”

Venus almost snorted but realized it would open her up for too many personal questions. She just nodded absently. Venus was mostly quiet on the ride. Reggie talked of his family. He had a loving wife, two great kids, and a black lab that Venus thought he missed the most.

They stopped almost nine hours later in Twin Falls, Idaho to fuel up and eat. Venus leapt from the truck before Reggie could say anything. She headed straight for the bathroom so Reggie focused on fueling up. When she came back out, it was obvious she had freshened up. She had pulled her long silken hair into a ponytail and Reggie shook his head at how big her beautiful eyes really were. She had to be an angel dressed in frumpy clothes with a dirty ripped backpack on her shoulder. As it was, she was earning a lot of lusty stares from the locals who were hanging out at the truck stop. Reggie automatically felt defensive for her. The goodness in him had already crushed the sexual desire he felt for her. He couldn't and wouldn't fight the urge to protect her, as if she were a national treasure. His alarm grew as Venus sat down on a concrete block instead of heading back towards Reggie's truck. Reggie saw another trucker approach her and the look on her face was fearful and hesitant. Reggie felt himself rush over the fifty feet that separated them.

“Hey, there you are.” Reggie said slinging an arm around her shoulder with ease as if she were his girlfriend.

Her eyes were full of gratitude and appreciation and she leaned in to him just enough to play along. The other trucker muttered a curse and went back to his truck.

“Were you going to head out right away?” Reggie asked concern making the wrinkles between his forehead a bit more pronounced.

Venus nodded silently, ignoring the stabbing pains of hunger and the ache in her bones from lack of sleep.

“Let's grab a bite and we can head back out right away,” Reggie offered.

Venus shook her head, stuffing her hands into the front pockets of her jeans. “It's on me, I insist.” Reggie said knowing why it was she refused.

He had heard her stomach rumbling hours ago. Venus hesitated a split second longer and gave in to the temptation. A slow smile spread across her face and Reggie felt himself smiling just because she was. He escorted her into the little diner and swore mentally at the idiots gawking at the poor girl. He ordered for her only because her choice when the waitress came was the cheapest thing on the menu, a garden salad. If it were at all possible, Venus' eyes got even bigger as the waitress came back sometime later with an enormous porterhouse covered in butter and oil and placed in right in front of her. Venus felt like she was drooling and had to slyly run her fingers across her lips to be sure she wasn't. For a few minutes, Venus just sat and stared and inhaled. Reggie almost laughed but knew it would hurt her feelings so her concentrated on his own steak. He was mesmerized once she finally cut the damned slab of cow and placed a tiny piece into her mouth. Her eyes closed and her head tilted back slightly. Her jaw worked on the piece of meat intently and as she swallowed, she let out a small sigh. Paradise, she thought. Venus glanced up and caught Reggie staring at her with an amused look on his face.

“What?” Venus asked a little sharper than she meant.

Reggie just shook his head smiling and stabbed another piece of meat with his fork. Venus was sure she was setting Reggie back on his schedule. Still, she couldn't help but savor each bite.

“Thanks Reggie,” Venus said as they walked out of the diner. He patted her on the shoulder gently.
“My pleasure,” he said still amused by her actions at dinner. When they were on the road again, Reggie turned serious. “How long has it been since you've eaten?” he asked her.

Venus' face scrunched up. Eaten, eaten? She asked herself.

“I've been without for a lot longer. I'm good Reggie. That meal will last me a while.”

“What about California? Do you have family there?”
Venus had hoped to avoid this line of questioning. Reggie had been so nice to her so far. A part of her was just waiting for the devil in him to rear its ugly head. She didn't want to see it in him. Reggie waited patiently for her answer. The way she stalled, he could guess the answer was no.

“Reggie, to tell you the truth, I don't really have anything or anybody.”

The lack of hope in her voice sent prickles of pain throughout his body. He didn't know where this sense of protection came from but he wanted to take her home with him and make sure she was safe. It was crazy. His wife would kill him but something in his gut said that he needed to. They were silent for  quite a while. Venus glanced over at Reggie who seemed deep in his thoughts. Venus cursed herself for saying that. She had wanted to be truthful to him because he had been so nice. Now, she could feel him pulling away and that inkling of loneliness that had been kept at bay with Reggie crept back in. She put her earphones in and flipped through her IPod desperate to find a song that matched her mood. Before she knew it, Venus saw signs for Reno only a little over 60 miles away. There, Reggie would go back to his perfect family, and Venus would have to get back to her reality. She had to admit this had been nice, this break from the bad. She would be forever grateful to Reggie. As she stared out the window, she thought about the man in the SUV. Who was 'we'? Who was looking for her? She was an adult now so it wouldn't have been DFS or some other agency wanting to haul her back to her foster home. She was jarred from her thoughts as Reggie patted her on the shoulder and made a motion for her to take off the headphones. Venus quickly complied shoving them into her backpack. Reggie cleared his throat looking a little nervous. Venus wondered what was going on. Never in her wildest dreams was she expecting what came out of Reggie's mouth next.

“We have a good sized house in Reno,” Reggie started. “My wife could use some help around the house. Wonderin' if you'd be interested? I could probably spare a few bucks and there's a finished basement that we never use.”

Venus' mouth dropped open. Surprise and then complete and total dread flowed through her body. How could Reggie have known that his offer was equivalent to years and years of physical, mental, and sexual abuse? How could he have known his offer, which was harmless in itself would make her want to crawl in a dark, damp hidey hole and die? Reggie saw her face pale and how she bit her lip to stop it from quivering. He cursed mentally at having scared her off so quickly.

“Just until you have some money saved up to head to California of course,” his voice trailed off because she was fighting back tears. “Ahhh, forget about it...bad idea,” he muttered.

Venus fought hard against the waves of emotions that crashed into her. She didn't want to think Reggie had a bad bone in his body. He hadn't tried to touch her or make lewd comments to her. He even saved her from that trucker in Twin Falls that still sent ripples of fear through her. Maybe he was just offering out of the goodness of his heart. Could there really be someone out here that truly just wanted to help her? Against her better judgment, Venus let her guard down with Reggie, just a little.

“Would your wife mind?” Venus asked timidly.

Reggie laughed. “I'm sure she'll be happy for the help,” I'm sure she'll kill me, he was thinking. He felt a sense of peace fill him as he realized she was going to come home with him. She would be safe...for now.

2

Reggie’s home was a nice sized ranch, a perfect house in the suburbs of the desert. Getting a side glance at the house as Reggie turned into the driveway, Venus saw they had a nice pool, beautiful landscaping...a perfect home...a perfect life. She was starting to get butterflies in the pit of her stomach. She had to brace herself for what his family's reaction to her would be. His wife would no doubt be really angry. Venus negotiated with herself that if she was too upset, she would leave right away. He parked the cab on the empty side of the two car driveway and jumped out. Venus' hand froze on the door handle. I can do this, she chanted to herself. She blew out a breath and jumped out of the cab too. When Venus raised her eyes to the house, she saw Reggie's wife at the door a smile frozen on her face that was melting quickly into a frown. Reggie motioned Venus closer and she complied with uncertainty. Reggie saw the look of panic and regret on Venus' face and knew she was seconds from bolting.

Reggie's wife was a petite and attractive woman, had short cropped auburn hair and golden brown eyes. Reggie and her had been high school sweethearts and married as soon as they graduated. When Reggie had landed this job as a trucker, she was torn between sweet relief of a steady and well-accommodating income and anxiousness when he was away for days at a time. She trusted her husband implicitly and was in love with him as deeply as when they were kids. Yet, when she saw the beautiful girl hop out of the cab, her stomach twisted in knots of fear, jealousy, and anger. She felt that she was scowling and tried to force her face into a look of open curiosity. She held open the screen door and waited for Reggie and his guest.

Reggie knew Sheila was pissed. Her warm spirit always shone through on her face. It was what drew him to her back in high school. Now, she was all but unapproachable. This was a mistake, he groaned inwardly. He embraced her tight since he hadn't seen her in almost a week and brushed his lips across her forehead. She pulled back and peered over his shoulder.

“Who do we have here?” Sheila asked trying to keep the scorn from touching her tone.

Reggie cleared his throat and stepped aside so that Sheila had to gaze more closely upon a girl that was quite possibly the most perfectly formed creature she'd ever seen.

“This is Venus. She's headed to California. Venus, my wife Sheila.”

Venus took a step forward and extended her hand shyly. “Pleasure to meet you Sheila. Reggie talked non-stop about you.”

The look in Venus' eyes was playful and laughing and Sheila registered it immediately and allowed herself to drop her guards slightly. She accepted Venus' hand in her own and for some unknown reason, Sheila knew she had nothing to fear from this little one.