Shadow of Doubt - Part 1

by W. J. May

  He wore a dark green polo. He undid an extra button to look more relaxed, relieved he’d checked his coat at the door. He looked down to make sure his black pants and shoes weren’t dirty. Noting everything was clean, he grabbed the drinks and sauntered over to Aurora.

  “Excuse me, ladies. The bartender suggested you might need another round.” He stood behind Aurora and bent forward to set the pitcher on their table, inhaling her tantalizing perfume as his face brushed by her hair.

  “Aaron, you came!” She jumped up to hug him. Wobbling from intoxication or her high heels, she leaned into him for support, pressing their bodies together. Instinct made him bring his arms firmly around her tiny waist. Unable to resist, he dropped his head down to place a light, tender kiss on her lips.

  Both stepped back in surprise, although Aurora kept hold of his hand as she moved. He liked the feel of her soft skin against his. For once, he didn’t have the notion to pull away.

  “Hey, girls, this is Aaron Buss. See, he’s not a ghost!” She stepped back towards him, leaning her weight against his frame. He grinned and, in the back of his mind, wondered if he might ever tell her his real name. Aaron sounded so much better, especially when she said it.

  “Hi.” He glanced at her friends, but his concentration focused on the heat from Aurora’s body searing against his.

  “Silly me.” Aurora tapped her forehead. “Sorry, these are my gal-pals. Ally, Brianna, and my roommate, Tori.” She pointed with her free hand. Ally had dark hair and a cute nose. Her face lit up when Aurora said her name. Tori was tall, thin, and stunningly beautiful. Gotta be a model. He made a mental note to not introduce her to Coty. Brianna looked petite but sporty. She wore jeans and trainers and had her hair in a ponytail. She looked the least shy of them all and knew how to dress casual.

  “Nice to meet you.” Erebus didn’t know what else to say. For a split second, he wished Coty was there. He’d know exactly what to say to make the girls laugh. “I should have brought glasses with the pitcher.” He took a swig of beer to wet his dry mouth.

  “Not to worry. We can just refill the ones we have. Come sit and relax with us.” Tori patted a vacant barstool beside her.

  “How ‘bout Aurora sits, and I’ll stand behind her?” He lifted Aurora onto the stool, then put his arms around her so she had to lean back against him. She didn’t mind at all. She smelled of perfume and lime from the drinks. It was the most intoxicating smell he’d ever inhaled.

  A retro-dance remix from an old Cindy Lauper song started playing. The three girls jumped off their stools and screamed in unison.

  “Dance floor, right now!” squealed Tori.

  “We’ll stay here and save the seats.” Aurora said to her girlfriends’ backsides. Erebus settled onto Tori’s empty stool. They both grinned, staring at each other for a few moments.

  “You didn’t answer any of my texts today.” She pouted. Erebus licked his lips as he stared at her lower, protruding lip. He briefly wondered if she pouted because of the amount of alcohol she’d consumed or if she was simply pretending to look sad.

  “Sorry. I got up late and didn’t check my phone until early this evening.” That wasn’t a complete lie.

  “Right. So you’re more of a night person?”

  You have no idea. “I’m here now if that counts.”

  “Definitely.” She grinned and reached out to brush his hand lightly with her fingers. She hesitated before slowly pulling her hand back, resting it under the table.

  “I’m glad.” Could I sound any more idiotic? Say something intelligent. She’s scanning the dance floor for her friends. “Do you want to dance?”

  Aurora’s blue-green eyes swung back to his face. He watched her argue her response through her facial expressions. Her mouth and eyes popped open, then she closed her mouth and exhaled. She tilted her head slightly and grinned.

  “I’d rather sit here with you.”

  “Or we could stand on the dance floor together. I have this vision of you as a teenager -- dressing like Cindy Lauper and dancing in front of your bedroom mirror.”

  She dropped her head back and laughed. He loved the sound. It wasn’t some light, whimsical sound. It came out deep and throaty, straight from her core.

  “Though I am more of a Katie Perry fan, I think the entire female population has danced to ’Girls Just Want to Have Fun’ at least once in their lifetime.”

  “Well then, what are we waiting for?” Pushing his barstool back, he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the dance floor.

  “You’re too good to be true. I don’t know any guy willing to stand up and dance in front of some girls he’s just met.”

  “I’m trying to impress you, and since I don’t know your friends, I’ve nothing to lose.” He couldn’t believe how bold he spoke. It wasn’t like him and he kind of liked it. He shouldered his way towards the center of the floor, keeping Aurora close to his side. He watched the hungry looks from the guys around them as he held her in his arms. He felt the build-up of a new, strange sensation inside of him. He wondered what it was.

  All he knew was when he had the chance, he planned on kissing her so hard it took her breath away.

  They reached Aurora’s friends.

  “Do you dance? Or are you going to just stand there staring at Aurora?” Tori had a teasing note in her voice.

  Filled with a unique feeling of confidence, Erebus winked at Tori when he reluctantly pulled his eyes away from Aurora.

  “Aurora, you don’t mind if I take Tori for a quick spin?” He offered Tori his hand when Aurora nodded. He then focused on the model, trying his hardest to impress her with his dancing skills. He led her through ballroom steps at an upbeat pace.

  A lifetime of evening dance classes were finally paying off. Years ago, Coty had convinced him to go to the classes with him. Coty went to pick up chicks; Erebus actually wanted to learn how to dance. He’d continued with every different type of dance class, long after Coty grew bored with it.

  “Where’d you learn moves like these?” Aurora had stopped moving to gawk at him. He noticed only Tori and he were now dancing in their little circle. He released her and reached for Aurora.

  “Dance classes.” Forty years of them to be exact.

  Another retro-eighties song blared through the speakers. Erebus turned his focus on Aurora as the rest of the people in the bar disappeared.

  An hour later the group of five became a group of six. Coty found Erebus just before last call. Aurora’s three friends drank him up, unable to resist his charisma. Once the bar closed, they ended up at Aurora and Tori’s apartment for one more round.

  They all stood laughing and chatting in the living room. “Have a seat,” Aura said. “Tori and I’ll grab some drinks.”

  “Hey, Aurora?” Coty called out, winking at Erebus. “You’re so young. How’d they let you into the bar? Don’t you have, like, another year before you’re legal?”

  “Ha ha, funny guy. Fake ID,” she teased. “And I don’t look young.” “Yes, you do,” Coty and Erebus said at the same time.

  “Double Funny. Did you boys practice that on the walk over?” Tori called from the kitchen. “Did Ereb-Aaron tell you I taught him how to dance?” Coty dropped onto the couch in the

  dimly lit living room. Ally and Brianna sat on either side of him. Erebus headed for the leather- worn ottoman. Aurora and Tori grabbed drinks from their kitchen.

  “He mentioned he took dance lessons.” Aurora walked over and dropped onto Erebus’ lap, taking a swig of his beer before handing it to him. He laughed at the grimace on her face as she swallowed.

  “Not a beer connoisseur?” He liked the feel of her firm bottom on his thighs.

  She shook her head and giggled. “With the amount of alcohol I’ve consumed tonight, you’d think it would be fine. But, nope. Don’t like beer. I’ll stick to the lady drinks.” She rested her head on his shoulder.

  They talked and joked around with each other. Played a few terrible rounds of cards
and ended up sticking cards to their foreheads and trying to guess their own numbers.

  Eventually Erebus and Aurora ended up back in the same ottoman as the beginning of the night. Relaxed, Erebus’ hand involuntarily brushed strands of hair from her face. He was drunk with desire for her. He felt her body begin to relax as he ran his fingers through it. Her breathing slowed. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the arresting features of her face, not even hearing Coty call his name several times.

  “Aaron. AARON. EREBUS!”

  Irritated, Erebus shook his head to focus on his friend. “What?”

  “I think it’s time we get going. It’s getting close to five o’clock, and these beautiful ladies need to rest. If we overstay our welcome, we won’t be invited back.”

  Erebus didn’t want to agree. His brain told him one thing, but his body was begging for something else – someone else.

  “You get going. I can meet you in an hour.” Wait! Sunrise’s at 5:32 today. He groaned with the weight of the reality from his thoughts. “Shit. I’m coming. I’ll meet you downstairs in ten minutes.”

  “Five minutes.” Coty turned to the three ladies who were now sleeping on the couch. “G’night, gems. I’ll definitely be seeing you again.” He walked out the door without looking back.

  “Aurora.” Erebus whispered her name as he wrapped his arms under her body. As he shifted to stand up, he noticed she felt almost weightless – fragile. She nestled closer into him and sighed. He headed down the hall, unsure which room was hers. He silently kicked the first door open and looked in the room. Designer clothes and magazines were strewn about the floor and furniture. Model’s room.

  He moved down to the end of the hall and pushed the last door open with his shoulder. This room appeared neat and organized. Shelves of books against three walls, a queen-size bed against the far wall with a picture above it. The blown-up photo stopped him in his tracks. It was of Falls Creek, at night. He stared in wonder at it, to the girl in his arms, and back to the picture.

  Torn, he finally laid Aurora down on the bed. Light as she felt, she easily pulled him down with her, and he tumbled onto the bed. Resting an elbow beside her pillow, he leaned forward to taste her lips. Her hands entwined into his hair as a warm sigh escaped her soft mouth.

  “Stay. Stay the night,” she murmured between kisses.

  “It’s pretty much morning. I can’t.” Was there a torture any sweeter than this? “I’ll call you tonight. Maybe we can go for a coffee.” He dragged himself away from her lips, her scent, and her bed. He grabbed the duvet at the end of the bed and covered her. Backing out of the room, he watched her eyes flutter closed, a small smile on her face.

  He found Coty outside the three-story apartment building. They started walking towards Lake Street.

  “What’s wrong with you,” Coty hissed. “Are you trying to get into trouble?”

  “I thought you were having a good time tonight.”

  “You need to stay away from that girl.”

  “What?” Erebus stopped momentarily in his tracks.

  Coty shook his head but kept moving. “This can only lead to trouble. Get out before you get yourself in too deep.”

  Erebus started walking again, his long strides easily catching up to Coty. “I can handle myself.”

  “This is different. I’ve never seen you like that before.”

  Erebus rubbed his neck and looked away. “What’s wrong with having fun? You do.” Coty poked him in the arm. “I don’t do this.”

  “I’m not stopping.” I can’t stop.

  “As your friend, I’m telling you this is going to end you. I’ll have to tell Janus.” Coty checked his watch, his pace quickening. “Look, it’s too late to talk about it now. I need to find a bus stop. There isn’t one on this road until we hit Lake Street.” He took off running fast, like he was being chased by time itself.

  Erebus could feel anxiety tightening in his chest. He pulled on his collar, his eyes darting everywhere as he searched for a pay phone. Looking everywhere, he clenched and unclenched his fists. Short gasps escaped as spittle ran down his chin.

  He finally spotted a phone booth near the next intersection, beside a Kentucky Fried Chicken. Apprehension made his feet break into a run. He could sense the sunrise just at his back. Aurora completely forgotten, he leaned into the booth like a sprinter at the finish line of a race.

  The sun broke through, casting a thin, small wisp of a shadow onto the pavement, behind the phone booth.

  Chapter 5

  Mythology

  I swear I’m going under. I’m in the middle of this dark abyss, trying to fight my way to the surface. What if I’m thrashing in the wrong direction, going down instead of up? I can’t hold my breath much longer. My body feels ready to explode, begging to find release -- to find freedom. It couldn’t get any darker, but everything is now pitch black. I stop struggling and allow myself to sink, in defeat.

  Erebus flinched, then shuddered as he came to. His eyes fluttered open. He squinted at a bright, red light shining directly at him. Taking slow, deep breaths, he focused on slowing his heart rate and draining the anxiety which racked his core. He hated the transition from his shadow back into human form. It always left him confused and disorientated.

  He stood, leaning against the inside of a phone booth. A Kentucky Fried Chicken sign in neon red and white bounced off the booth’s glass. He glared back at it as he pushed the bi-fold door open, stepping out into the brisk, fresh air.

  Without checking the sky, he knew it was moments past sunset. The shadows of the evening had just come out. His next thought was of Aurora. She brought a smile to his lips, and all the heaviness that filled his chest lifted. It was Sunday night; maybe he’d call her.

  Coffee first. Holding his breath to avoid the stench of the Colonel’s Fried Chicken, he started walking north. Erebus looked around, trying to assess his location. A small café sign across the street caught his attention.

  Pulling his collar up against the cool wind, he strolled into the café, grabbing a newspaper from an empty booth. After ordering coffee and cappuccino, he sat down to read the paper. The forecast called for rain later that evening and sunrise would be at 6:09 tomorrow morning. Thank goodness autumn had arrived. It made the days shorter and nights longer.

  He tossed the paper aside and reached inside his jacket for his phone. Setting it on the table, he waited before checking it. First he drained his coffee, then flipped the cell open. Strangely disappointed, there were no new messages.

  Sitting straighter, he scrolled through his contacts to find Aurora’s number. His slender finger hovered over the keys as he thought about what he’d text her. He’d never cared about what others thought or how his actions would make them respond. Now, for the first time, it all seemed very important.

  A – what r u doing 2nite?

  His thumb drummed against the booth table trying to come up with something to do. A second later, he snatched the phone off the table before the first vibration had finished. Heart hammering, he scanned her reply.

  Hi :) in the library, mythology research paper. Boring. What r u doing? Shoot. He wanted to see her this evening. His fingers flew over the keys. Having coffee, hoped u mite join me.

  Her reply came seconds later.

  I wish! Come find me N bring COFFEE! Latte, prettttty please?

  He replied: What floor? C U in 15.

  He ordered a latte to go and grabbed a cab to Cornell’s library. He checked his phone when he stood in front of the building.

  3rd floor. Far right.

  Erebus slipped through the old wooden door that led from the staircase into the main part of the library’s third floor. He gazed around. There were only a few people studying. It seemed reverently quiet – peaceful. He wondered why he didn’t come here more often.

  The brightly-lit sanctuary gave the impression of daytime. Well, what he’d seen on television about daytime. The only giveaway here was the night-darkened windows. Erebus hea
ded toward the right, rounding a corner and walking towards a study area with long desks and rows of chairs.

  His body found Aurora before his eyes did. He could feel the internal heat and the fluttering of his heart. His stride quickened as he walked towards her, as if being pulled by invisible strings.

  Aurora sat bent over a book, at a large, double-sided oak desk. Wavy hair fell forward, covering her face and obscuring his approach.

  Silently stepping towards her, he paused. Eyes closing involuntarily, he inhaled deeply through his nostrils. He could smell a new scent on her, like a bit of the ocean, sand, and something else.

  He set the latte down. Then resting both hands on the desk, he reached in to get closer to the glorious new smell. His nose brushed against her hair, and his eyes involuntarily closed again.

  Aurora brought her head up, her cheek brushing against his nose.

  “You smell like sunshine.” There was awe in his voice. Eyes still closed, he tried to capture the scent in his mind. He wished he could hold the scent forever.

  She laughed. “Sunshine? I think you mean suntan lotion. Tori and I spent the day by the water, trying to catch a few lingering rays.”

  “Mmmm. I like it.” He sat down across from her at the oak table. A brass antique table lamp cut off the full view of her. Pushing back on his chair, he lifted the front two legs off the floor. He crossed his arms over his chest and grinned at her. She made him feel alive.

  “What?” She glanced up from the enormous textbook. “Nothing. You look very…studious.”

  “Hey! You’re not allowed to come here and make fun of me. If you start calling me mature, I’m going to have to do some serious butt-kicking.” She covered her mouth. He could see the wrinkles near her eyes and knew she was smiling.