by Jane West
“Ah! There it is.” I mumbled to myself. I reached up and flipped the switch. Immediately, the light flashed and extinguished. Blackness enshrouded the room. I gasped, startled. “Damn!” I hated the dark. Feeling around like a blind person, I dug my cell phone out and swiped the flashlight on.
Holding the small stream of light up, my eyes washed over the closet. My chin dropped to the floor as I gawked at the heap that lay before me. Sucker came to mind. Apparently, the coach had left out a few minor details.
I didn't know what Coach Rosedale had in mind, but this wasn't a closet. It was a gigantic trash bin. Garbage scattered aimlessly, clothes thrown in a heap. This wasn't a two-hour job, it was an all-nighter, and I was the chump who got played. I huffed, shaking my head.
I paused, biting my bottom lip. What if I left? I could tell the coach I'd gotten sick. A small measure of hope sparked. Then I remembered the broken window. “Damn!” I needed the money. I stalled, eyeballing the disaster.
Begrudgingly, I went to work. I started with laundry, stuffing it in a basket that I'd found in the back. When I rose up with the basket in my hands, I spotted a heavy-duty flashlight sitting on the corner of the shelf. I realized then that the coach must've known that the lights were about to blow. A rush of ire flitted through my mind. I dropped the basket and grabbed the flashlight, quickly flipping it on. The beam was four times brighter than my little old phone. It wasn't as good as the Fluorescent lighting, yet it was better than groping in the dark. I tossed the flashlight in the basket and then shoved my phone in my back pocket.
I picked up the basket and headed for the Laundromat past the lockers. That same tune ran through my mind, one of Meghan Trainor's songs. I began to hum to it.
Like a shot from nowhere, an eerie sensation blew through me, making me stop in my tracks and stiffen. All at once, the room's warmth dissipated, and a coldness took its place. I jumped as a dark shadow flickered from the corner of my eye. Snatching up the flashlight, I spun on my heels, shedding the light beam over the room.
Nothing!
I breathed a long sigh. A soccer ball bounced across the floor. I watched as it rolled to a halt at my feet. I gave in to a curt laugh. “I've been watching too many horror movies with Jen.” I laughed aloud, “Paranoid much?”
I kicked the ball, letting out some of my frustration. It shot off, bouncing to the other side of the closet. Back to my job, I headed toward the laundry room but stopped. I heard footfalls. I froze. Quietly, I set the basket down and grabbed up the flashlight, shining the light over the closet once more. I huffed with irritation, pissed at my vivid imagination and myself. There were no signs of an intruder. I was the only one here, and if I kept freaking out, I'd never get done. Aggravated, I snatched up my basket, pursing my lips.
I tossed the clothes into the washing machine, dumped the soap and turned the water temperature to hot. I slammed the lid down and headed back. I held the flashlight in front of me as it spread its beam across the floor. That was when I caught a hazy outline, a silhouette of a man moving amid the shadows. Startled, I froze. Quickly, I flashed the light back over the spot.
Still, nothing!
“I'm such a scaredy-cat,” I mumbled to myself and proceeded to make my way back.
Then my gaze caught a pair of black boots stepping into the dim light. My eyes bulged as I gaped. It hit me like a lightning bolt, shoes didn't move on their own. Panic welled in my throat.
Screw this!
I made a beeline, straight for the door. Just as my fingers clasped the handle, hands snatched me up and thrust me into the air like a tossed salad. I flew across the floor, colliding into a pile of dirty clothes. The flashlight went sailing in another direction, and total darkness devoured the light.
I blinked for a second as the peril sunk into my brain. In a state of raw fright, I groped for my phone from my back pocket. Hands trembling, I felt a sudden prick to my finger. “Ouch,” I mumbled. I felt something wet and sticky, blood. Damn! I'd crushed my phone when I hit the floor. Now my alarm just intensified. I had no phone. Holy crap!
In the next breath, a fist clasped a wad of my hair, jolting me to my feet. I shrieked in sheer pain. The flashlight flipped on, glaring in my face. I shut my eyes, arms flailing, trying to knock the intruder's hands off me to free myself.
Behind the light, a voice pierced the air. “Well, well! We meet again.” The stranger's voice hummed like a machine.
The light dimmed, and I opened my eyes. Instantly, I drew back a gasp. Eye to eye, I stared into the face of my stalker. The man in black from the fair! He'd found me.
Helpless, he held me in the air by my hair, feet dangling, and in blinding pain. My mind flooded with crazy thoughts. I begged. “Please mister! Let me go.” I sobbed. “What do you want from me?”
“Surely they haven't left you ignorant?”
“They? Who are they?” I cried out. “Please let me go! I won't tell anyone. I swear!”
He unleashed a deep guttural sound like an animal. “My, my, I expected more fight from you. I'm rather disappointed.” His robotic voice threatened with the certainty of death.
“Please just let me go!”
“It's a shame they did not teach you the histories of your true nature, your rightful inheritance,” he hissed.
“Mister, I'm nobody. You got the wrong person!” I screeched, winching from the terrible pain.
“That's where you are wrong, Dream Angel.”
A strange chill clung to my skin. It felt like frostbite only worse. I had to think fast if I wanted to survive. I started spitting out questions. “Why were you following me at the fair?” I blurted out. The longer he talked, the longer I lived.
“I represent a prominent family. My mission is to watch you.”
“Why would anyone hire you to watch me?”
“I am not a lowly menial,” he spat in my face. I'd enraged him. “I am a prisoner, a slave.” He bared his jagged teeth at me.
Terrified, I rambled. “I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so, so, sorry! I'm only trying to make sense of this. That's all, mister.” I spied the door, only a few feet away. I might have a chance to run. Keep stalling, a voice in my head urged. “A prisoner? That's horrible.”
“You can't imagine.” He took on a haunted look.
I played the sympathy card. “Tell me more. I'd like to know.” My eyes cut to the door and then back at the stranger.
“Does the word Illuminati mean anything to you?”
“No! I've never heard of it.” I squeezed my eyes shut. Oh, god! I wanted to vomit.
“You're lying!” He shook me harder. “Your boyfriend is a member of the Family.”
“Mister, I don't have a boyfriend.” I tried to reason with him.
“Call him whatever you like,” he gnarled. “I happen to know that you are of great value to him.”
“I don't know who you're talking about!” The stranger squeezed tighter, making me scream out. “I swear! I don't know!” I swung my arms, trying to loosen his hold.
“You are quite an accomplished liar,” he hissed, “But not enough to fool me. I know you very well. After all, I've watched you since childhood. You are a hybrid, the property of the Family. You're not even human.”
“Look!” I swatted at his hand. “I don't know anything about this family, mister.”
The stranger wrangled me closer to his frame and sniffing my body like a hungry dog. “You smell quite delicious, angel,” he snarled. “You and I are going to have some fun.” He laughed against my ear as his other hand brazenly grabbed my crotch.
I had a sick feeling he planned to torture me first before he killed me. “Please don't hurt me!”
“I'm afraid I cannot honor your request.” He kissed my cheek. My stomach heaved. “You see, I must punish them for their crimes that they have committed against me. They have disgraced my kind. I must take revenge upon them.”
“Then go after them,” I shouted. “Your beef's not with me.” I desperately looked around tr
ying to find anything that I could use as a weapon.
“Ah… I am doing just that. Ending your life will end their lifetime conspiracy. You are a priceless commodity to the Family, and yet they leave you unprotected. Such fools, they are!”
My whole life flashed before me. I wanted to live. I had to fight. I blurted out the first thing that came to mind, “I don't believe you!” I screamed. “You're just some ugly circle-jerk who's forgotten to take his meds.” I shot spittle in his face. “You schizo, crazy bastard, go back to the rock you crawled out from under!” I railed at the creature. If I angered him enough, maybe he'd loosen his grip.
In one swift move, he jerked my head so hard that I nearly fainted. “I shall show you what I am.” He broke into a prideful grin and then it really got freaky.
The stranger snatched off his shades, revealing his true nature. I gasped. I remembered his pupils from my vision, a repugnant yellow, like cat-eyes.
He laughed, dropping me to the floor as he began his performance, popping in and out of view, now-you-see-him-now-you-don't. He flickered back and forth in and out of sight, like blinking. Only my eyes held still as I watched him bounce like a super ball from one corner to the other. Disappearing and reappearing.
At that second, I seized my chance to escape. I darted for the door. My fingers barely touched the doorknob before the creature clenched my hair. My breath wedged in my throat as he flung me with lethal force, slamming me against the metal lockers. I screamed, fighting for my life. My head pounded, my body coiled with agony. Blood saturated my clothes, my hair. I was a dead girl breathing.
My mind slipped into a tunnel, a dream-like state. Bane hovered over me, whispering. “You're safe now, Princess. I've got you.” Warmth wrapped around my chilled body and a faint glow encircled me as I drifted in and out of consciousness.
A sense of calmness came over me. I closed my eyes and slumber came.
Misunderstanding
My eyes flew wide open as I gasped, swinging my arms, fighting off the monster that plagued my brain. When I heard Bane's voice, it brought me back to the light, and I calmed.
A sharp throb resonated from the back of my head, and the rest of my body throbbed as well. I tried to raise my head, but Bane, with gentle ease, held my shoulders flat on the bed. “Don't move, Love.” His voice soothed me like a lullaby. I clung to it as if it was my lifeline.
I raised my hand to the back of my head. I felt some sort of cloth wrapped around my skull and I flinched from the unexpected pain. I closed my eyes tight, shutting out the light that irritated the ache. “What happened?” My voice sounded raspy.
Bane sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers laced with mine. My gaze lifted to his radiant face. He was smiling down at me. “You took a good fall to the head. The doctor said you'll be fine after bed rest for a few days.”
“I hit my head?” My brain felt full of cobwebs. “How did I get hurt?” I drew a blank.
“You slipped on baby oil at school.”
“How did you find me?”
“I came back for my book bag, and that's when I found you passed out on the floor.”
“Lucky me, huh,” I tried to smile, but the pain prevented me.
“You certainly are!”
“Where did you find me?”
“Hush, rest now. No talking. Worry about the details later.” He smiled, bending down and gently kissing me on the forehead.
Strangely, the thought of being alone terrified me. “Can you stay with me?” I sounded pathetic. I never wanted to be one of those girls, clingy and needy. Yet I couldn't stop myself. I needed him.
“Anything for my princess.” He lifted the covers up and slid underneath next to me. He threw his arm over me, his body flushed against mind. He gently kissed my neck and my bare shoulder and moved to my heated cheek. Even with a muddled mind and a pounding head, I desired him.
I rolled on my side, facing him as our eyes locked. My pulse began to race. I reached up and ran my fingers through his black curls. His eyes were piercing and yearning. He lowered his lips to mine and kissed me. It wasn't rough or possessive like our first kiss. This time, his kiss was gentle and sweet. Geez, I'd been craving those lips of his. I wanted to drink him down to the last drop.
I glanced down at myself and realized that a thin T-shirt draped my body. “Uh,” I lifted my gaze, wide-eyed. “Did you undress me? I don't recall changing.” Embarrassment colored my face.
Bane cuffed his hand over his mouth as his shoulders gently shook in silence. It had taken a minute before he answered. “I believe your mother had the pleasure.”
“Oh,” I replied softly.
Bane kissed me one more time on my forehead and exhaled a regretful sigh, “Rest now.” He shifted his body to the side, gently throwing his leg over mine and pulling me close to his chest. I felt his warm smile resting on the back of my neck.
Chills, goddamn chills!
* * *
A shaft of light pierced the window, showering its warmth throughout my bedroom as I blinked the morning haze away. It took a moment for me to gather my thoughts. I rubbed my eyes, yawning. I glimpsed at the clock on my nightstand and shot straight up with a jolt. Crap! Eight in the morning, I gotta get dressed. I scrambled to my feet. I had my paper route to run and school!
An unanticipated bout of dizziness struck, and I quickly eased back down on the bed. I sat on the edge waiting for it to pass.
Moments later, I heard a light tap at my door. “Can I come in?” Sara stood, peeking through the crack.
“Yes,” I mumbled, clenching my stomach. I felt like I might barf.
The door creaked opened, and Sara entered, making her way to my bed and flopped down. The bed jiggled, and my stomach roiled. I kept my eyes on the ceiling trying to hold the urge down.
Sara held her mug in hand. I watched the steam curl from the dark liquid. “Don't worry about work or school today.” She appeared friendlier than usual. I suspected she might be back on her meds.
“Mom, I can't afford to lose my job. I'm already late.”
“No, you're okay.” She sipped her coffee. “Stay in bed. It's not like you have somewhere to be.”
“Huh… yes, I do. I have a job.” I looked at her, puzzled.
“Take today off, is all I'm saying.”
“Well, that sounds dandy, but that doesn't get the rent paid.” I stared at Sara, pointedly.
“Stop worrying! It's been handled.”
A sudden dread washed over me. “Who paid the rent?”
Sara flashed a grin that was anything but sweet. “Someone very generous is taking care of our expenses. No more pinching pennies.”
Maybe I needed a healthy dose of Drano to unclog my brain but… “I don't get it.”
“A few minor changes have come into play.”
Dread washed over me.
Sara went on to say, “I have a new job! I'm Aidan's caretaker. His parents asked me to watch over him while they are out of the States.” Sara smiled like the son of Satan.
I paused, mulling over her bullshit. “Why would Aidan Bane's parents hire a stranger to watch over their precious son?”
Sara had a knack for spinning tales.
“Gee! Thanks for the vote of confidence,” she snapped.
“Sorry! It's hard for me to swallow. You can't manage your own self much less someone else's child.”
“Well, missy, get used to it! You were fired from your job, and I quit mine.”
“I'm only late.” I shook my head, sliding off the bed, scouting for my phone. “Where's my phone!” I snatched up a pile of clothes off the floor and started going through the pockets. “I'll call the newspaper and let them know I'm running a little late. Problem solved.”
A smug expression spread across Sara's face. “I guess I have to yell louder! That newspaper job has sailed, kiddo. That's what happens when one sleeps for three days.” She checked her hot pink nails.
“What?” I gawked at her.
“The baby oil? S
lipping? Accident? Do any one of these ring a bell?” Sara shrugged, taking a sip of her coffee.
I dropped my pants in the middle of the floor and glared at her. “I slipped?”
“Yes, right on that hard noggin of yours too.”
“Where's my phone?” I screeched. “I need my job!”
“It's too late.” She sipped her coffee. “The job's already been filled.”
“Mom, I can't believe this is happening!”
“Did I not say things are just fine?” Sara's behavior seemed peculiar even for her.
Then it dawned on me. “Has Bane been here?” I wondered if I'd been dreaming.
“Yes! That young man stayed right by your side the whole time. He called his fancy doctor. Real rich too! The doctor drove right over here in a limo that stretched all the way to Texas. Anyway, Dr. Ashor left medication for you to take.” Sara nodded over to the nightstand where a prescription bottle sat with my name printed on the label.
Despite the pill bottle, Sara's story didn't make sense to me. I reached up and touched my head. “Where's the bandage, Mom?”
“Don't be difficult.”
“If I had an accident, busted my head, then why do I feel perfectly fine?”
“If you don't believe me then ask your boyfriend.”
Seeing how inspired Sara had become over Bane threw me back. “Mom, this is the same guy who took Francis down.”
“Oh, that little thing,” She waved her hand. “Francis and I had a misunderstanding.”
My brows puckered. “What kind of medication did the doctor prescribed?”
“Just something to make you sleep,” she paused. “Why?”
“Did the doctor give a diagnosis?”
“Of course, stupid, you have a concussion.”
“Did the doctor order any blood work or an X-ray?”
Sara twitched. “I didn't get all the details.”
“Mom, Bane and that doctor aren't telling the whole story. Even I know giving sleeping pills to someone with a cracked skull can be fatal.”