I stopped right in front of the small mine. They used to dig for different rock types here, but, when we had a recession, the mine fell through. No one ever came up here anymore, besides me, but it didn't bother me. I hopped out and grabbed my pack and both flash-lights. I tossed one to Mike and he caught it.
“Come on. It will be fun. If you're scared you can hold my hand.” I held out my hand and raised my left brow.
Mike sighed and walked up to the entrance.
“I'm coming.” I jogged up to him. “Don't get lost, there's no cell reception so it would be hard to find you.” I winked.
“Come on, Emma.” He gestured for me to go.
I walked into the darkness and felt at home. Mike clicked his light on. Way to kill the mystery. He shone his light over everything; the old lanterns, the abandoned boxes, the lonely helmet, and the ancient elevator.
“We aren't …?” I could hear the hope in his voice.
“Only way down.” I nearly laughed as I walked into it.
Mike looked scared but joined me. I flipped the switch and we sank into the deep darkness of the mine. The air was cold and smelled of earth. Being in the mine was like living underground. I knew Dominic would appreciate it. Funny how I think of him even now.
The elevator hit the bottom with a jolt. Mike jumped and I shook my head.
We walked around for a few hours and I explained to him all about the history of the place. When we went into my favorite room that had a rock formation like the 'vampire star' one in Italy- I told him all about it. His light was always on so the effect wasn't as great and the glow of my crystal necklace didn't show- something I really wanted to show him. I could tell he was beginning to panic though. That happens to some people when they don't see daylight for some time. I led the way back to the elevator. He gratefully got on and we left my dark sanctuary.
We were soon back in my car, on the drive back to mine. “So, did you have fun?” Please lie.
“Yeah. Kinda creepy though, Emma. Really dark.” He lied but his tone was obvious.
“I love that place. Oh well, 'to each his own,' right?” I wanted to be positive.
“Yup. Yup. Any ideas for other stuff we could do before the end of break? I thought maybe another movie or we could all hang out or something?” He sounded hopeful for something normal. I wasn't sorry to disappoint him.
“I wanted to go creep around the graveyard in town actually.” I wanted to look at him but I knew his mouth would be open.
“The graveyard? Why?” He nearly squeaked it out.
“I thought it might be haunted. Hey, if you don't want to go, I understand,” I said.
“Good.” He breathed.
“I'll ask Dominic.” I wanted to laugh. I knew this game well now.
“No. No. I'll go. We'll have to go on Tuesday evening after I get back from my trip.” He looked sheepish. I wonder what's up?
“Okay. Sounds great. Have an awesome trip.” I wouldn't rise to the bait and we were at my house.
“Thanks, Em.” He looked relieved as he jumped out and got on his bike. “I'll see ya on Tuesday.” And with that, he left.
“He is so easy to scare.” I laughed. When did that happen?
I spent the next days alone because Mike was away and Dominic had to go to Italy, for a meeting about Bella Notte. He offered me to go but I didn't want to impose on his business stuff. I was bored to say the least but I did some extra homework and watched movies.
I was excited when Tuesday came and Mike texted me to say he'd be back at nine that night. I texted him back and told him to meet me in town at eleven.
I got ready at ten, dressed all in black. I looked like a cat burglar, the only thing missing was the black paint … I had considered it.
I drove into town by ten thirty and grabbed some pizza and sodas before the pizzeria closed. Perfect midnight snack. I had asked Mike to meet me at the movie rental place, next to the theater, since it was as close as we could get to the church and graveyard without meeting at the fire-house. He was there on time.
“Hey you. Have a nice trip? I brought food for our mission.” I smiled at him with blackened lips.
“You're so strange. The trip was fun. Are you sure you want to do this?” He looked really nervous.
“Dude, you can't back out now. I'll be all alone with the zombies and things that go bump in the night.” I mimicked being a frightened girl.
“No worries, Em. So, what's to eat?” He clearly didn't want to do this.
We sat on the curb on the corner, ate the pizza, and sipped our sodas. At eleven forty-five I decided that we should go. We quickly snuck across the street to the churchyard. It was almost completely dark.
Mike helped me over the little fence then hopped over himself. We ran from the front of the church to the back. We found the little dirt path and walked along it. It was covered by trees and the moonlight flashed down onto the ground through the branches. We both breathed a little faster than usual.
“Em. Maybe we should go back, what if we get caught?” His nerves seemed to be right on the surface.
“Oh, don't worry about such things Mike. We'll be fine.” I smiled at him and took his hand.
We walked into the clearing and the moon shone brightly down on the graveyard. It was absolutely beautiful. The ground held a slight fog and the deep gray stones held some of the light themselves. There were ancient tombs and angelic statues all around.
We strolled through the tall glistening stones holding hands. Mike's arms were covered in standing hair. I wanted to laugh at his silliness. I had no fear whatsoever but I found out that Mike was really scared. A crow cawed and he jumped high.
“Okay, Mike, I think we should go.” I felt bad for dragging him out here.
“If … if you're sure, Em,” he said as he turned to walk the other way … and that was the end of the evening.
Mike rushed as quickly as he could back to his bike. He said 'goodnight' and took off. I laughed but felt alone. Mike didn't understand some of the stuff that I greatly enjoyed.
The next four days were empty. Mike didn't call but I knew I needed to pick him up on Monday for school; he was having trouble with his bike. Dom promised to come by on Sunday. So, I waited …
Sunday brought Dominic back and brought me some sort of cold. I felt like crap. I didn't even leave my bed when Dom came over.
Grandpa kept checking on me with an odd expression on his face, but he let Dom up. Apparently I'm not contagious.
He looked worried when he walked quickly to my bedside but his expression turned weird too.
“Dude, am I green or something?” I asked.
“No, I was worried it was something horrid. I'm sure you'll be fine in a day or so.” He smiled and I felt like I was being left out of something, yet again.
“Okay, I guess. I kinda feel horrid. But, hey, I missed you, you know.” I sighed.
“I missed you too, mia bella. Don't worry about this cold, I promise it will go away as quickly as it came. Soon, you'll be absolutely perfect. Whatcha gonna do about tomorrow?” He lifted a brow.
“I'm going to school and driving Mike and Acacia, and how do you know I'll be perfect or that it will go away, I feel horrible,” I mumbled.
“Then I'm going with you guys. When should I be here?” He laughed.
“Afraid I'll drive off the road? And that doesn't answer my question, Dominic what do you know that I don't?” I tried to huff but it didn't work.
“Something like that. Don't worry yourself, Emma. All things come to those who wait.” His smile was crooked.
“Fine. Seven. Be here at seven since I have to drive to get Mike and Acacia too. And know that I am serious annoyed with you and your vague answers and dismissal of my slow death here.” I yawned.
“I'll be here. You need to sleep now. Perhaps death is only the beginning?” He kissed me on the forehead.
“Yeah, like I wanna go to sleeping thinking that. Gee, thanks. Go away, Dom.” My eyes were real
ly heavy and my world hazed away.
Chapter Eight
Waking up was a nightmare. Every ounce of me hurt, even my teeth. I didn't want to move, let alone get out of bed and go pick people up to go to school. Dominic found me curled in a ball on my bed as I struggled to get out of bed.
“Em, perhaps you should stay home.” The concern was evident, but his voice held something I couldn't identify which just brought on my annoyance from the day before.
“I so can't miss more school. I just got caught up and Mike and Acacia need me to pick them up.” My voice echoed in my head with each word, I knew that small men with hammers were having a field day with my brain.
“I could go and get them. Emma, you really shouldn't be driving.” He looked at me with worry as he gently put his hand on mine.
“You can drive, but I'm going.” My voice was set, I hated to be babied..
“Fine. I'll wait while you get ready. You'll have to hurry if you don't want us all to be late.” His smile looked forced as he left.
I threw on my sweats and a t-shirt that didn't reek from my night sweat. I brushed out the knots in my hair and pulled it back. I even put on my fuzzy leopard slippers. I headed downstairs and found Dom with a glass of juice waiting for me.
“I don't expect you to eat, but at least drink this. It's apple juice. Maybe later we'll get you to eat something.” His face was still concerned, he handed me the glass.
The juice was soothing on my dry mouth and throat. It cooled on its way down. I was grateful for Dominic and his miracle fluid that didn't make me want to hurl.
We got in my black beauty and drove out to the highway. The drive to town was nice. I got to sit back and watch the gentle morning sun filter though the trees. I felt horrible, but at peace.
We made it to Mike's house in record time. How could I see the trees then?
We waited and Dominic turned the air conditioner on for me.
“But the top is off.” I tried feebly to protest, somewhere in my mind was my grandpa telling me to roll up the windows while the air was on in the car.
“You need to cool down … like now.” I couldn't argue with his authoritative voice, or how freaked out he looked.
I was blasted with frosty air that helped to calm the sweat that was pouring off of me. Mike and Acacia came out to the car. They got in the back and both looked at me like I had the plague.
“Emma, what's wrong? You look like Hell.” Mike was leaning up next to me from behind, his brows pulled together with worry.
“I think I'm sick … or something,” I sighed out considering that death might feel better than what I was going through.
“Why are you going to school?” He asked with concern.
“I can't miss any more classes.” I put my head against the door frame.
“Are you contagious?” The sugar sweet voice of Acacia felt like nails on the chalkboard.
“She is not contagious. It is nothing you could get anyways.” It was the first time that I'd heard such venom in Dom's voice, it was like his words were meant to slap her in the face. I kinda liked it.
The silence that filled the car afterwards was chilling, well, maybe, if I didn't feel so terrible. I wanted to share the beauty of the trees blowing in the wind, but something told me not to disturb the silence. I sat and watched the leaves swaying to and fro; this way and that, this way and that. I felt my head shift against the glass.
“Em, how you holding up?” Dom asked from behind the wheel as he reached over and took my hand.
“I … feel terrible. Maybe I should go home after you guys get to school. I mean, I'll drive the Jeep back after you get there.” My words were hard to string together.
“No. I'll drive you back after I drop them off. And don't even argue because … it won't work.” Dom's voice was set, he squeezed my hand slightly.
When did Dom take over for Mike without him even arguing? When did I get pushed out of his life so easily? I felt sick and sad and still very confused.
“Don't worry, Em. I'm sure it will pass. And you'll feel fine.” Mike's voice was butter warm.
The drive from his house to the highway went quickly and within moments we were on the old metal bridge they had converted into part of the highway, ten years ago. Why was beyond me, it looked like a rickety old thing, waiting to come down.
The bridge went over three miles of the lake that was now part of Mike's backyard. It was an old, metal structure that looked like it could be a skeletal frame of some dinosaur.
When I was a little girl, I actually imagined that all the crisscrossing supporting beams were in fact ribs of this huge, furious monster, which ate cars for breakfast.
Today, when we pulled on to it, the world was still and silent. It was as though a giant hushed blanket had been thrown over the entire thing. It felt like death was sitting on top of it- like a vulture pecking on its prey.
My flesh prickled and flashed with goosebumps. “Something is wrong. Dominic, something is very wrong.” I whispered the words that were clinging to my tongue like a life raft.
“Emma. What is it? We're kinda stuck here. There's some kind of morning traffic, or something.” Dominic obviously didn't feel whatever it was that I was feeling, but his eyes told me that I had freaked him out. What, now I am attune with the force? The Jedi masters would be proud.
“We have to get off the bridge now!” My voice reached normal capacity.
“What is wrong?” Dominic and Mike said together.
It started as a low rumble. The sound was similar to that of a far away freight train. There was a shudder I was certain they all felt it yet they still only looked mildly alarmed. I wanted to tell them that this was serious, but when I opened my mouth an earth shattering crack broke through the silence. The groan became more pronounced and was followed by a sudden splash.
I could remember every time that I had wished for something amazing to happen, to me, to the town, anywhere that I came into contact with. Now, at the pivotal moment, when something finally did happen to me, all I could think was 'not me.' Not me. I don't want to die on this bridge, in this small ass town … when I haven't seen or done the things I want to do. Not me.
The moment stretched out for far too long … and then panic prevailed. All the other cars were trying to either back up or pull forward to safety. It looked like a scene from a disaster movie. We were in the dead center of the bridge- thus nowhere to go.
The movement from all the cars and all the screaming people increased the instability of the structure. The groans and shudders became louder and more intense than the crash of cars and the shrieking of people.
“I'd say that is our exit note.” Dom hopped out of my Jeep and helped Acacia out of the back. “You coming, Emma?”
I was struggling to get my seat belt off. Mike jumped into the front seat behind the wheel.
“I see the struggle to leave your car behind,” he joked as he reached to help me with my belt.
Time slowed down. I watched and heard everything happen in slow motion. Mike's hand grabbed hold of the clasp. CRAAACCCCCKKK-CRACK! A sound stopped everyone. Dominic and Acacia looked up in horror. Something is terribly wrong.
Dom said something I couldn't understand and was gesturing with his hands, wildly. Mike got the clasp undone and held out his hand to help me out. Acacia jumped toward the car and was caught by Dom. Then, a giant metal chunk slammed into the top of my car … trapping
Mike and me inside.
“Mike, you okay?” I shouted.
“Yeah, Em. How you holding up?” His voice sounded fine. The roll bar had separated us but I could still see most of him, just not his face.
“Emma! Are you alright? Emma!” Dominic was close to absolute panic.
“Dom, I'm okay. Get help, okay?” Someone clearly had to take handle on the situation.
“Acacia is getting help. We'll get you out. Don't worry.”
Clear panic.
CLUNK. My beast slid toward the left of the bridg
e.
“Mike, what was that?” My nerves were coming out.
“Don't know. Try not to move. Maybe it's settling.” He sounded bleak.
CLUNK. We dropped a foot lower and leaned toward the right now.
“Dominic. GET US THE HELL OUT OF HERE!” I shouted. I tried my door but nothing budged. I heard Mike's failed attempt as well.
“Em. We got to stay calm. If it does fall, I think we're over pretty shallow water. We'll wait for someone to get us out.”
Way to go, Mr. Optimistic.
I sat still and prayed the bridge would hold. CRUNCH. SPLASH. SPLASH. More things fell into the water that didn't sound so shallow. I so don't want to drown!
“Dominic!” It was a shriek this time.
“Emma, stay calm, we're trying to get to you.” He sounded further away.
“See, Em. All we have to do is wait.” Mike sounded certain now.
Just got to wait...
CLUNK. CRUNCH.
“NO!” I shouted as the small amount of metal and concrete holding up my car gave way. The air went by in a whoosh. The fall felt like minutes … in reality, it was only seconds.
The water hit my black beauty hard. I heard yet another crunch this time it was some part of my glorious car getting it. It slammed my head against the metal, causing a cut that dripped blood down into my right eye. Everything in my body felt like it had shattered with the impact- like my broken Jeep.
The icy water was above my door and was pouring in. I was freezing. At least I'm not going to drown.
“We're okay, Em. We'll just wait for help.” Clearly the last time he said that wasn't enough to deter him from ever saying it again.
The mud holding up my car began to give way and we began to sink.
“You sure you want to wait for the Calvary?” I shouted angrily at him. Great!
The water flooded into the car at alarming rates and my head was woozy from the hit. The irony-metallic scent of blood was pouring into my nose as my mouth was being covered by it.
I felt Mike hitting against the metal trapping us. I tried too. We sank faster. Bad idea. The water was up to my chin now. This is not how I'm going to die!
Bella Notte Page 19