Hidden Worlds

by Kristie Cook

  “I’m just glad you’re safe. Please don’t ever do that to me again. I’ll be telling your mom about the robbery, but I won’t tell her you were out late. I don’t know what she’ll decide to do. She may want you to go home. I’ll do my best to convince her to let you stay.”

  “Thank you,” Skylar said softly. She turned her attention to Mason. “This is Mason. He’s a friend.”

  Mason extended his hand to her with a warm smile.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mason. Next time make sure to bring her back before midnight, even if you’re just a friend.”

  “Yes. I’m so sorry. I lost track of time. It won’t happen again.”

  “Skylar.” Kayla ran toward her, almost knocking her down, grabbing her tightly. “Thank God, you’re okay.” She turned her attention to Mason, releasing her hold. “Oh … hi, Mason. I’m glad you were together at least.” Kayla gave Skylar a questioning look.

  Interrupted by Kayla, she was glad to be out of her aunt’s line of fire. Not meaning to ignore Kayla, her eyes were fixated on the living room, which was the first place one spotted upon entering the house. The furniture had been turned over, and picture frames were shattered. It was shocking to see the mess. It wasn’t even her house, but it didn’t matter. It was Kayla’s house, and though she didn’t cause this, somehow she felt responsible. Her eyes pooled with tears. “I’m so sorry,” she muttered to Kayla.

  Kayla was trying to hold it together, but lost it when she saw Skylar’s tears streaming down her cheeks. Kelly was still talking to the policemen by the porch. Her arms were crossed and she looked tense.

  Mason gazed around too, but he mostly stood by the door. “Did they take anything?” he asked.

  Skylar sniffed and wiped her tears. “I don’t know. I’m afraid to look upstairs.” She turned to Kayla, who was also wiping her tears away. “Do you know if they took anything?”

  “Nothing down here that I can see, but I didn’t go upstairs yet. I’m afraid too.”

  “I’ll go with you.” Skylar looped her arms around Kayla’s shoulder as they headed for the stairs.

  “I’ll escort you both, just in case.” Mason followed behind them.

  “Skylar, why are you holding your shoes?” Kayla questioned.

  “My feet were sore from wearing these heels.” Skylar felt bad for lying, but it was partially the truth.

  “Oh.” Kayla continued to climb.

  Skylar took several strides up the stairs, and then stopped. Her legs wanted to give out. The bottoms of her feet were still achingly sore. Holding onto the rails, she ascended forward, limping again. “How did you get home?” she asked Kayla.

  “Nick dropped me off, but he got worried when he saw my car was parked in the driveway and you two were nowhere to be found. He went looking for you guys, since there was no text back from Mason and he couldn’t reach him by phone. I should text him to let him know you’re both okay.” She pulled out her phone. Skylar watched Kayla’s speedy fingers as they entered her room.

  Mason took his cell phone out from his back pocket. “I have several missed calls and texts from him. Tell him I had my phone on silent.”

  Skylar didn’t hear a word Mason said. With a look of horror, she started to tear up again. Her heart had been ripped apart, and a feeling of being violated rushed through. Her stuff was scattered everywhere. Drawers were pulled out. Clothes that had been neatly hung were yanked off their hangers, and even her mattress was flipped over.

  “What the hell?” Kayla exclaimed. Her eyes swept the chaotic room. “I’ll be right back.” Kayla ran to her room.

  Skylar was stunned and speechless. She couldn’t get her body to move. Why would they do this? What were they after? Her thoughts were broken when Mason rested his hand on her back. “Are you okay?”

  “They can’t be real. Monsters don’t exist,” she stated numbly. Her eyes were glassy, looking straight ahead, out the window, too overwhelmed with everything that had happened. “I think I’m going out of my mind.”

  Mason spun Skylar toward him. “Skylar.” Skylar snapped out of her trance. “They are real. They were looking for something.”

  “But I have nothing. I don’t own anything expensive.”

  “Think. It could be an object.”

  Ignoring Mason, she spoke. “Thank you for taking me home. I think I want to be alone. I’m … .” Her tone was soft and hardly audible, sounding more like an echo in her head. Suddenly, the room started to spin. She took a step forward, trying not to fall. Looking at Mason with uncertainty, wondering why this was happening, she saw three of him. Bewildered, she shook her head as white spots appeared in her vision, looking like fireflies dancing in her room. Her unsteady legs gave out and her body went limp. Just before she fell, she felt the weight of strong arms across her chest as she slipped into darkness.

  ***

  Skylar opened her eyes and saw Mason sitting beside her bed. Startled to see him still there, she blinked her eyes and jolted upright. Strangely, there was no sign of him. Odd! It had to be a dream, or her eyes were playing tricks on her.

  Recalling last night’s incident, she thought about the mess she had to deal with, but when she looked around, to her surprise, the room was spotless. There was no evidence of a robbery. How could this be? She couldn’t remember falling asleep or even saying good-bye to Mason. Did it even happen? As these thoughts ran through her mind, there was a soft knock on the door. “Come in.”

  The door cracked open and Kayla stepped in. She stood by the foot of the bed. Still in her nightgown, she looked like she had been through hell.

  “Did what I think happened last night really happen?” Skylar asked, hoping Kayla would give her the answer she was hoping for, that it was just a dream.

  “Yup, it’s real.” Kayla plunked her body on the bed and tossed her hair to the side. “You know you fainted last night, right?”

  “I did?” Trying to pull it out of her memory, she paused to think.

  Kayla giggled. “You fainted right into Mason’s arms. He carried you to your bed. Actually, he fixed your bed first, then like a prince, he carried his princess to bed. He even placed the blanket over you.”

  “He did not,” Skylar said, blushing, thinking it did explain why she was still wearing the clothes she had worn last night.

  “Oh yes, he did. I saw the whole thing. You know me. I was spying. It was easy since your bedroom door was open, but what I can’t figure out is how your room got cleaned up so fast. Hmmm … that, I don’t understand. Anyway, are you missing anything?”

  “No, are you?” Skylar asked, looking around, though she couldn’t remember. She didn’t bring anything of value with her. In fact, she didn’t possess any expensive items that were worth taking.

  “Nope.”

  “I’m sorry this happened to you.” Skylar pulled Kayla in for a squeeze and let go.

  “It’s okay. The police said the robbers are going from house to house and doing the same thing—breaking in and escaping without taking a thing. There has been a break in every single day for the past week. They all report that nothing is missing. The funny thing is, it started the day you arrived in town.” Kayla laughed out loud, teasing.

  Not liking her remark, Skylar’s brows angled into a hard line, while her lips pursed crookedly.

  “I don’t get it,” Kayla continued. “Why go through all that trouble, knowing there’s a possibility that you could get caught, and not steal a thing? I mean, they could’ve taken my computer, the television, or the camera that was on my desk. I even had a twenty inside my desk, and they didn’t take that. What kind of thieves are they?”

  Skylar shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. The only clear picture that came to mind was the image of the hideous monsters as they came after her. She thought it was best not to mention them to Kayla for now, until she investigated further. The only person who could clarify anything was Mason. She needed to talk to him. “How’s your mom?”

  “She’s fine. Sh
e already spoke to your mom about it. I’m sure you’ll hear from her. From what I’ve been told, your mom gave the green light for you to stay. My mom said we were lucky we weren’t home when this happened. Material things can be replaced, but we can’t … which, I totally agree with. You know me and my smart mouth. I told her you and I needed to go out more often then.”

  Skylar pushed Kayla playfully. “Do keep your mouth closed.”

  “Sure, I can do that, but I’ll keep my lips ready for Nick,” Kayla giggled.

  “I’m sure you will.” Skylar nudged Kayla and stood up. “We have work today, right?”

  “Ugh … don’t remind me. Okay, I’ll go get ready.”

  “I better call my mom. She’ll want to hear my voice and hear my side of the story.”

  After Kayla walked out of her room, Skylar carefully, achingly got out of bed. Her leg muscles were sore and the blisters on the bottoms of her feet looked unattractive. Moving toward the closet, she stopped when she saw the same shadow figure in the window next door, just like the last time. However, this time she noted the length of his hair to the shoulders. Dirty blonde guy? As she moved closer to the window, the figure disappeared. Was she hallucinating? “What the … ?” This had happened twice. She kept forgetting to ask her cousin about it. Making a mental note to ask Kayla, she headed for the shower.

  ***

  “Good morning.” Jack sprang cheerfully from the kitchen. The diner was empty as usual since the morning rush had just ended.

  “Good morning? You mean good afternoon,” Kayla said, throwing herself on the stool. Skylar did the same.

  “Did you just wake up?” Jack asked.

  “Yes,” Kayla replied, feeling embarrassed that he knew.

  “Then, it’s good morning.”

  “Oh, stop pestering the young ones,” Mona said, walking out from the storage room. “Sorry about last night, girls. Your mom filled me in. That’s just awful. Some people are crazy. You just never know.”

  “Thanks,” Kayla said softly. “We were in shock, but I’m not going to let those assholes ruin my week.”

  “Hey, watch that mouth of yours,” Jack reprimanded. “Pretty young girls don’t talk like that.”

  “Sorry, Jack.” Kayla shrugged sheepishly.

  “Did they take anything?”

  “Nothing … nada … zip.” Kayla rested her head on the table.

  “How about you, Skylar?” Mona asked.

  “Nothing from me, either. I didn’t have anything worth much. Just my clothes.”

  “Good thing you girls are safe,” Jack said. “Or else I’d personally hunt them down.”

  “What are you going to fight them with, your wrinkles?” Mona teased.

  Jack laughed aloud. “Now that was funny, but you would do a better job scaring them with your looks.”

  Mona scoffed playfully. “Well, you wouldn’t get much of a punch with your flabby muscles.”

  “Speaking of muscles, I guess all you have to do is sit on them.”

  Skylar and Kayla gaped back and forth, giggling from the banter going on between them, until Kayla jumped high off her stool. “Darn this phone. I forgot I put it in my back pocket.” She glanced at it, heading to the back of the diner.

  ***

  What ya doing?

  “It’s from Nick,” Kayla said to Skylar.

  Hello. Getting ready for rush hour. What’re YOU doing?

  Thinking of you.

  What kind of thoughts?

  Bad, naughty thoughts.

  Giggle

  What are you doing after work?

  I have a hot date.

  You better be talking about me or I’ll have to get rid of him.

  Ha ha! Yes, it’s you silly. I like your jealous side. It turns me on.

  I’ll have to do it more often. What else turns you on?

  Just you. I gotta go. Some of us work you know.

  Meet me at the theater Monday after work at 8.

  Monday?

  I’m busy tomorrow. Bring your cousin!

  Bossy, bossy. And why the exclamation mark?

  Mason needs to get out more.

  Kayla walked out of the storage room to see Mona frowning at her.

  “Sorry.” Kayla batted her eyelashes and got back to work.

  ELEVEN

  “I don’t think I should go,” Skylar said, sitting in the passenger seat.

  “See?” Kayla placed her phone in front of her. “Read the text. ‘Bring your cousin.’ I think Mason will be there. This is great. It will be a double date.”

  “I do need to talk to him. What are we going to see?”

  “I don’t know. You’re okay with any movie, right? I know you don’t like to watch scary movies.”

  “I’m sure it will be fine. Just keep your eyes on the road,” Skylar said, feeling nervous, driven by the thought of seeing Mason again, but she needed answers. Something paranormal had happened that night, and though she tried to pretend that it didn’t just to stay sane, she couldn’t help thinking about the beasts. “Vultures” was what Mason called them, but to Skylar they were monsters—hideous, freakish, stinking, straight from hell creatures.

  After Kayla parked, they got out of the car and headed into the theater. The parking lot was pretty empty, but then again it was Monday night. From what Skylar could remember, Monday was the slowest night for moviegoers, even during the summer, especially in this small town.

  Skylar spotted the flashing sign of red and blue neon lights. It sparked a little excitement in her. It was good to get out of the house. Speaking of houses, Skylar remembered the question she’d wanted to ask many times before. “I’ve been meaning to ask you. Does the old lady still live in that house next door?”

  “Yeah, why? You miss her?” Kayla giggled, nudging her shoulder playfully.

  “She does?” There had to be an explanation.

  “But you can’t visit her because she’s on vacation,” Kayla continued.

  Icy chills ran down her spine. “Is anyone watching her house?”

  “No. Why are you so interested?” Kayla asked, walking faster. Her skinny jeans fit firmly down her long legs. She wore a black ruffled tank top and held tightly to her small black purse.

  Skylar had dressed plainly—shorts and a T-shirt with tennis shoes. She wasn’t going to dress to impress, especially on a hot night. Even if he took interest in her, he’d have to like her for who she was.

  “Just wondering.” She didn’t want to tell her cousin she saw someone inside the house. She doubted herself a lot lately, and thought it was best not to mention it.

  Nick waved his hand, his face bright with a grin. When they approached, he gave Kayla a kiss on her cheek and to Skylar’s surprise, he did the same to her. “I’ve got the tickets.” He fanned them out.

  Skylar saw three. Great! I’m the third wheel.

  “What are we seeing?”

  “Zombie World.”

  “Great,” Skylar hummed softly, cringing, walking through the entrance.

  Nick halted abruptly and turned to Skylar. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. Mason will be coming soon.”

  “Oh, okay.” Skylar gave a faint smile, but she was hiding behind the giant one she gave herself secretly.

  They arrived just in time, missing all the credits. As they climbed the stairs, the girls followed Nick. They passed a couple sitting smack in the middle of the theater. Besides them, it looked like they were the only ones there. Nick kept on climbing until he reached the last row of seats.

  “I don’t like anyone kicking me in the back.” He took sideways steps to the middle seat, and Kayla sat between him and Skylar.

  Soon after, Skylar excused herself. “I’ll be right back,” she whispered. “I have to use the restroom.”

  “Okay,” Kayla whispered back. “Want me to go with you?”

  “No. Stay here. I’ll be fine.” Skylar quickened her pace down the stairs, rooting her eyes on the florescent lights below. Not wanting to miss any m
ore of the movie than she had to, she swiftly turned left. She hated finding her seat in the dark, especially during a suspenseful part.

  Entering the restroom, she saw four stalls with dark gray doors that were all shut. Not knowing if they were occupied, she looked underneath the stalls for feet.

  Seeing no one around, even while heading to the restroom, she had a bad case of goose bumps. She disregarded her thoughts, deciding she was scared for no reason, but her heart thumped faster by the second. She finished her business as fast as she could, pumped soap in her hands, lathered it up, and placed her hands under the sensor.

  As thoughts of when Mason would meet them flowed through her mind, she dried her hands and pushed the door to exit. She pushed again, but the door didn’t budge. What the heck! She pushed again. Nothing.

  Suddenly, a pipe burst and water started gushing out. She turned, leaning her back against the door, wondering what to do next. Her breathing became jagged as she started banging on the door with all her strength. “Help!”

  A second pipe burst and water poured from it just like the first. Skylar couldn’t fathom what was happening. Even the toilet water was overflowing. Seeing the water rising, she screamed for help again, banging on the door in desperation. Recalling that no one was around, she was sure that no one could hear her cries for help. Her cell phone was in her purse, which she’d left with Kayla. Surely, she would be fine, she reasoned. The water would seep out through the tiny opening at the bottom of the door. She soon realized as the water level was rising, it wasn’t happening as she expected.

  Think, think, think. Assuming she could turn it off at the pipe, she trudged through the cold water and she thought it felt like the ocean. It was now up to her knees, pricking painfully at every nerve in her body. She was already starting to feel numb. Wanting to survive, she touched all the knobs, buttons, and anything else she could put her hands on to shut the water off, but it was useless. There was nothing she could do. The pipe seemed to take on a life of its own.

  Skylar was drenched from her waist down. Shivering, she scanned the room and noted there was no way out. Of all the ways she could die, this was the way it would happen—drowning in a bathroom with toilet and sink water.