Darper Danver: The Complete First Series Read online

  "Honey," Caroline said, taking a seat next to the bed and reaching out to run her fingers against the side of Eva's face. "It's going to be -" She paused, before looking down at her knees as she began to sob uncontrollably. She'd warned herself to be prepared for this. She'd reminded herself over and over again that Eva was going to look bad, but it was still horrific to actually see her in such a terrible state. "Oh God," Caroline sobbed, shaking uncontrollably.

  Several minutes passed before she was able to pull herself together. Reminding herself that she needed to stay strong for Eva's sake, Caroline reached past the tubes and wires and pushed the hair from across Eva's forehead. It wasn't much, just a small gesture, but it felt important to Caroline. Her daughter had been missing for almost two weeks, and all she cared about right now was being with Eva and finding some way to bring her back from whatever darkness had tried to claim her.

  "I don't know if you can hear me," she said slowly, her voice faltering as she tried to fight back more tears, "but I'm here, darling, and I'm not going anywhere. I promise, I won't leave your side until you're better. One day soon, we're going to walk out of this place hand in hand, and we're going to go home and..." She took a deep breath, trying to make sure she held herself together. "I swear to God, you're going to be okay. You're a fighter, Eva. You're tough, like me, and like your father. You're going to get through this, and you're going to show all those stuffy doctors that Eva Wilson's make of strong stuff."

  Glancing over at the door, she saw that Dr. Webber was talking to a nurse out in the corridor.

  "They don't think you're going to make it," Caroline continued, turning back to Eva. "I can see it in their eyes." She squeezed her daughter's hand. "We're going to show them. Right? We're going to make them regret the day they doubted you." Smiling through the tears, she stared at Eva's pale, almost white face, and she couldn't help but notice that there skin around her eyes was a little red and sore. Whatever had happened to Eva during those two missing weeks, it had clearly taken a terrible physical toll.

  "God," Caroline said with a sigh, looking down at the floor for a moment. She felt utterly wiped out, as if all her energy had been drained away.

  "Momma?" said a familiar voice suddenly.

  Looking at Eva, Caroline saw that her eyes were still closed but she was certain she'd just heard her daughter's voice.

  "Eva?" she said, tapping the girl's arm. "Eva, did you say something?"

  "Don't call the doctor," Eva whispered, keeping her eyes closed. "I don't want him to come in here. If you call him, I'll pretend to be dead again."

  "It's okay, honey," Caroline said, her heart racing. "Are you okay? Eva, sweetheart, I was so worried about you!"

  "I'm fine," Eva said quietly. "It's just that... They wouldn't understand. I'd rather be like this than have to talk to them. I've been listening to them, and I don't like it. They'd just get it all wrong."

  "I promise," Caroline continued, "I won't let them do anything to you. Do you hear me? I won't -"

  "Come closer," Eva whispered.

  Caroline stared at her for a moment. "Sweetheart, why don't you try opening your eyes?"

  "I will in a minute," she replied. "Just come closer first. Please, Momma."

  Smiling through her tears of relief, Caroline leaned toward her daughter, although the tubes and wires got in the way.

  "Closer," Eva whispered.

  "I'm not sure I can get much closer," Caroline said, trying to force her way past all the obstructions while still being careful not to pull anything loose. "It might be a while before I can give you a proper hug," she continued. "You'll just have to be patient, Eva, but don't forget for a second that I love you very, very much."

  "Closer," Eva hissed.

  Finally, Caroline managed to get close enough to plant a delicate kiss on her daughter's forehead. It wasn't much, but it filled her with joy.

  "Open your eyes, sweetheart," she said. "Come on, Eva. It's okay. I just want to see your pretty little eyes."

  There was a pause.

  "Eva, can you hear me?"

  "I don't know if you'll like it," Eva said calmly. "My eyes have gone funny."

  "Sweetheart, it's okay," Caroline said, stroking the side of her daughter's face. "I love you. There's nothing wrong with you. Just open your eyes and let me see that beautiful smile."

  Eva tilted her face toward her mother, and slowly she opened her eyes to reveal two oily black voids.

  Caroline froze, stunned by such a horrific sight. Leaning a little closer, she saw that Eva's eyes were still in their sockets, but both eyeballs had become entirely black. Although she wanted to say something, to tell Eva that everything was going to be okay, she was filled with a growing sense of panic.

  "Momma?" Eva said, sounding scared. "I knew you wouldn't like it."

  "No, sweetheart, I..." Caroline paused. "Can you see me?"

  Eva nodded.

  "I'm going to get Dr. Webber," Caroline continued. "I think he needs to see this."

  "Okay, Momma," Eva replied, "but first, there's something else I want to show you." Slowly, she bared her teeth to reveal two sharp fangs, and after a moment she began to hiss.

  "Eva..." Caroline started to say.

  It was too late. Before Caroline could move away, Eva reached out and grabbed her, pulling her closer and finally sinking her fangs deep into her mother's neck. Although Caroline struggled and tried to get free, her daughter seemed to be imbued with some new level of strength. Finally, unable to bear the intense pain in her neck any longer, Caroline let out an agonized scream.

  COMING SOON

  The Gate

  (Journey to the Library 1.1)

  When their parents are seemingly killed in a car crash, Alice and Tom Mead stumble through the snow and eventually discover the entrance to a new world. Separated from her brother, Alice is scooped up by a group of cleaners who are determined to keep the vast library clean, while Tom is offered help by a traveling magician who has arrived to sell one of the most valuable commodities that has ever existed: pure, unfiltered magic.

  Tables and Chairs

  (Journey to the Library 1.2)

  Determined to escape from her new role, Alice enlists the help of a fellow piece of furniture. Unfortunately, she soon discovers that some people are quite happy with their lot in life. Tom, meanwhile, finally witnesses some magic first-hand, although it turns out to be a little more unusual than he ever expected. Time is running out, however, and it soon becomes clear that the Meads' parents are being transported to the most dangerous part of the library.

  The Doll parts 1 and 2

  (Male / Female 1.3 and 1.4)

  With just hours left before midnight, Joanna is granted a chance to speak to the one man who might be able to help her solve the case. Unfortunately, Sam Gazade isn't in the mood for talking, although he offers one hint that Joanna believes might lead her to the killer. Meanwhile, a young woman finds herself being manipulated by a man who believes he can turn her into a cold-hearted murderer.

  The Letting

  (The Devil's Photographer 1.3)

  Recovering from the terrifying incident at the church, Kate is keen to get her hands on the camera she dropped. John Dagwood, meanwhile, is being strangely elusive, as if he's unwilling to let Kate's work progress too far. Soon, Kate starts to learn more about Dagwood, including his interests in medieval medicine and his involvement with a strange group that has strong links to the events that recently took place at St. Abraham's. Evil is rising across the city, but Kate isn't quite ready to believe that the Devil is in town... until a horrifying image makes her question everything she thought she knew about the world and pushes her to the brink of madness.

  The Promise

  (The Devil's Photographer 1.4)

  Now that she knows a little more about Amin Bell, Kate is certain that she's on the verge of an important breakthrough. Dagwood is still acting strangely, however, and Kate decides that there's only one way she can get to the heart
of his activities. Allowing herself to be drawn deeper and deeper into Dagwood's world, however, Kate realizes too late that she might be trapped in a nightmare from which she can never escape. All roads, it appears, lead back to the burned-out church where Amin Bell was last seen, and where strange forces seem to be lingering.

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