“Not even in self-defense?”
“He didn't attack you just now. And besides, you don’t even know for sure that he’s the one that burned down your house. Haven’t you ever heard of the police?”
“Like you just said, I have no proof he did anything wrong,” Cole said. “The best I can hope for is a restraining order and a whole lot of good that will do.”
“Just swear you’ll work with me to figure out a different solution. There has to be another solution.”
“All right, I swear.”
“Look me in the eye,” Amy said.
Cole leveled his gaze into Amy’s frightened eyes. “I swear. So, do you believe anything I told you?”
“To be honest, I don’t know what to believe. You know as well as I do how crazy it sounds, but, as you know, I’ve always been into superstition and magic. Kind of a hobby of mine. Got any way to prove it?”
Cole sighed. “It’s tough. I can’t predict when the instructions will come and I usually have no way of knowing what the consequences will be.”
“Well next time you hear these voices when I’m around, let me know. As crazy as your actions have been lately I would like to believe you’re sane. I obviously can’t commit without proof though, so, do your best.”
“I will. I’m not crazy. I’ll find some way to prove it to you. It feels really great to get that off my chest. I’ve never told anyone before. By the way, weren’t you afraid your parents would find out you snuck out?”
Amy’s smile returned. “A little, but I couldn’t very well leave you on your own. I had faith we’d get back before them, although maybe a little too much faith. And in any case, since you had already promised to help me, I figured if I did get caught I’d just come stay with you.”
For the first time that day, Cole smiled too. “I’m glad you took the privilege of using me as a failsafe. Maybe you should just get caught on purpose then.”
Amy opened her mouth to reply but was cut off by the bedroom door opening.
Mr. Brown entered. “It’s time for Cole to leave,” he said. “His aunt has been called and will be here in a minute. Come.”
Amy mouthed Cole a goodbye and he threw her an apologetic look before following Mr. Brown outside.
“Shame that Amy fell and hurt herself,” Mr. Brown said while they waited. “Did she tell you how it happened?”
Cole’s insides clenched. “Yeah… but she didn’t go into many details. Just said that it hurt. A lot.”
“Shame.”
“Yep.”
They waited the rest of the time in silence until, after a minute that seemed like an hour, Beth drove up.
“There she is,” Mr. Brown said and walked back into the house.
“That was a short visit,” Beth said grumpily as Cole clambered in.
“I need to talk to you.”
“Is this about your lady friend again?”
“Yeah,” Cole said. “It got worse and she finally wants to do something about it. She wants to get away from them forever.”
“Okay, if that's what she wants, I’ll put in a call to Child Services.”
“But how is this going to work? If her parents find out she had Child Services called on them, they’ll be pissed.”
“You have to trust they know what they’re doing,” Beth said. “They deal with similar situations all the time.”
“All right. Thanks a lot. Could you do me a favor and not tell Mom? She has enough to worry about lately. I don’t want to give her another reason.”
“Sure thing. This can stay between us.”
“Thanks, Aunt Beth,” Cole said. “I’m sorry I misjudged you.”
“Misjudged me how?”
“Nothing. I just didn’t think you were so…um, nice.”
Beth grunted.
Once they were back at the house, since Meredith was gone, Beth placed a call to Child Services while Cole watched impatiently from the kitchen chair.
“So you can get back to me about what you find?” Beth was saying. “Great. Thanks for your time. Goodbye.” She hung up and turned to Cole. “It’s done. They'll conduct an investigation and then get back to us. It’s a waiting game from here.”
“I hope she’ll be okay,” Cole said. “I was wondering, do you think Amy could stay with me?”
“Ha. Haha. Is that serious? You’ll have to talk to your mother about that one. And it will have to wait until you move back to your own house. But one step at a time. Let Child Services handle the investigation before we jump to any conclusions.”
The rest of the day passed in painful anxiety, as Cole wondered what Child Services was doing, how long they’d take and how Amy’s parents would react when they showed up on their doorstep. Travis’ bloody head also flashed frequently through his mind, invading his dreams and his waking hours equally. He felt awful about it but he also could not help having a slight hope that he had actually killed him. An agreement late that night terminated that train of thought but at the least he hoped that Travis was hurt enough that he would be incapable of retaliating for a while. After the last attack, a counterattack was guaranteed and he had to figure out a solution before then. He did not want to break his promise to Amy but he would let nothing get in his way of preventing any harm from befalling his family.
He prayed that night for the first time he could remember. He had no particular religious beliefs; he just wished someone could listen to his pleas. He wished there was someone out there who could understand him. After a few minutes he felt foolish and gave up but he couldn’t shake the idea that if there was a game, there might be a coordinator or mediator of some kind. Perhaps he was praying more to that figure than to any kind of God. Unless they were one and the same.
He took up his post by the window but nothing appeared. After a night of troubled sleep he found Beth in the kitchen during the late morning.
“Did they call back yet?” Cole asked her.
Beth laughed. “I don’t know how they work but I can tell you it’s certainly not that fast. I’d give it a couple weeks.”
“A couple weeks? You’ve got to be kidding me! How can I possibly wait –” The sound of footsteps behind him cut him short. “Mom!”
“Morning, Cole.”
“What are you doing home? Don't you have work?”
Everyone needs to take a day off once in a while, right?”
“Uh huh.” Cole wrapped his arms around her, pretending not to notice that her face was suffering the distinct symptoms of exhaustion. “What are we going to do today?” he said.
“I hear Aunt Beth has got quite the board game selection. What say we stay in and have a relaxing day of games?”
Despite the nagging in the back of his mind, that day was the most enjoyable one in a long time. He somehow managed not to dwell on any of his problems and it thrilled him to see his mother having a restful, happy day that she so well deserved. It came to an end all too soon and as he went to sleep, he dreaded the return to the hardships that the morning would bring.
Monday everything was back to normal, or as close to normal as it could ever be anymore. He was ecstatic to find Amy sitting in the cafeteria, chatting up his new group of “friends.” She had left an empty spot next to her, where Cole appreciatively took a seat to listen in on the ongoing conversation. They were talking loudly and barely seemed to notice Cole’s added presence but Amy mouthed him a quick “hi” and gave him a look that said “this should be fun.”
After a brief conversation which Cole ignored, but Amy obligatorily engaged in, Martin turned the group's attention to Cole.
“I’m glad you could both join us,” Martin said. “Isn’t it more fun to hang out in a group than by yourselves?”
“Oh yeah, of course,” Cole responded, prompting Amy to kick him under the table.
“You guys gotta catch me up on everything that’s happened since I’ve been gone,” Amy said.
From that point on, they more or less ignored Cole, and since he had n
o desire to give any input into their juvenile conversations, he drifted off. He hoped he wouldn’t have to deal with them for every lunch from then on. More than anything, though, he wished for a way to isolate Amy and himself so they could talk but it proved a hopeless endeavor. As he sat there, the familiar whispers trickled into his consciousness. He tried to return his attention to the conversation but the persistent voices inside prevented him from being able to focus.
At last, when the period ended, the whispering disappeared so suddenly and completely that it was as if it had never happened at all. As the students dispersed, Amy hung back from the group so they could talk in private. Martin gave her a look but said nothing and continued on with the group.
“That was interesting,” she said. “Sorry, they’re a little obnoxious but kinda cool. You should join in the conversations. You’d enjoy yourself more.”
“Yeah, maybe. Did anyone show up at your house yet?”
“What do you mean? Like who?”
“Still not? Man, they sure do take their sweet time when children are in danger,” Cole said. “My Aunt Beth called Child Services and they said they’d investigate.”
“Is that safe?”
“She says it is and I trust her.”
“Thanks a lot. I want you to know how much I appreciate this.” By now the teachers were rounding up the students to bring them back to class. “Soooo… don’t be upset but I mighta... kinda... went to see Travis yesterday.”
“You what?! Are you kidding me? Why would you do that?”
“I’ll have to tell you later. If you don’t leave now you’ll be in trouble.”
“You can’t do that to me. Tell me quickly.”
“I’ll tell you everything after school,” Amy said. “I’m sure my mom will be more than happy to get rid of me for the evening.”
Cole grumbled and hurried after his class, which was already starting to head out. He spent the rest of the day annoyed, tired of the suspense that seemed to plague his everyday existence. At times like this he missed the simplicity of the recent past, but that simplicity was long gone now and he was no longer sure he wanted it back. For better or worse, this was his life, and right now all he cared about was finding out what had transpired yesterday. He was also frustrated with Amy that she would do something so foolish. The last thing he wanted was to have her involved, but no matter what he did, the opposite inevitably occurred.
He met up with Amy after school and, to his relief, Mrs. Brown permitted her to leave with him. They exchanged looks of anticipation during the car ride and disappeared into the library as soon as they walked in the door.
“Okay, go,” Cole said.
“Don’t expect too much.”
“Just go.”
“All right, all right,” Amy said, taking a seat. “I decided that I had to find out, no offense, what was going on for myself. I had to hear his side.”
“I see you’re still alive so it couldn’t have been too bad. I still can’t believe you would do that.”
“Yeah, I had no idea what to expect. It was… interesting.”
Cole leaned forward expectantly.
Amy continued. “When I reached their door I almost chickened out and ran away but I was too curious and close at that point so I knocked. A woman answered the door with a big scowl on her face and asked what I wanted. I said that I was there to see Travis and she became immediately suspicious, asking me why I wanted to see him. Then Travis poked his head around a corner from the back of the house and he had a huge bandage wrapped all around his head. I really hope you didn’t hurt him too bad. As soon as he saw me his eyes widened and he disappeared back behind the wall. I said I was Travis’ friend but she didn’t believe me and then I thought I saw a hint of recognition and she got really angry and threatened that she better never see me again and then she slammed the door in my face. I guess she remembered me from that night we saw them in the car outside. She must have been the one driving. Anyway, I didn’t realize it until I was walking away but I saw a whole bunch of bags packed inside the house like they were leaving on a long trip or something.”
Cole was silent a moment while he absorbed the story. “Wow. I’m glad you’re okay but I really didn’t want you to get involved. For your own sake, don't ever go back there. It's dangerous.”
“Don’t worry Cole, I’m fine. And I doubt there’ll be anything to go back to even if I wanted.”
“That is strange. I wonder where they’re going. I don’t remember their bags being packed when I was there. Do you think they might actually be leaving because of me?”
“I didn't wanna say anything, but yeah, maybe.”
“Wow.”
They were quiet a moment. “So there's going to be some people coming to my house soon?” Amy said. “I'm kinda nervous about that. Won't my parents be angry?”
“I hate to say it but that would actually help your cause. If you have a mark to show them, they're guaranteed to get you out.”
“Oh, great.”
“...sorry. That was a stupid thing to say,” Cole muttered. “I'm sure they won't hit you because they'll be afraid you'll be taken away.”
“Actually, they'll prob'ly just give me away. I might not even need to say anything.”
“Yeah.”
There was another awkward pause.
Amy broke the silence again. “Let's go see what games your aunt has.”
“Okay.”
They picked out a game they'd never heard of before but both of them were too distracted to learn the rules properly or to pay any real attention. Soon afterward, Mrs. Brown showed up to get Amy. Cole could not bring himself to see her to the door and act innocent in front of her mother. He wished her luck and remained in hiding in the library, admiring her strength and her ability to hide her emotions from anyone.
18
Lunch the next day passed in much the same way as the day before but all period Cole could see a glimmer in Amy's eye indicating information she could barely contain. About halfway through lunch she got up, saying she'd be right back, and beckoned Cole to follow. She led him to the corner, out of earshot of any eavesdroppers.
“No offense, but I couldn't convince myself it was actually going to happen but it did,” she said. “It's real. Some guy in a suit showed up at my house last night and had a word in private with my parents and then he came to my room and closed the door. Said he was from Child Services and was there to ask me some questions.”
Her face lit up as she recounted the story. “I was in so much shock I could hardly say anything. He asked me a few questions about my happiness and my parents and how I liked them. I started answering him really simply, just like, I'm not happy, don't like them, whatever, when I just broke down and begged him to get me out. I was like, 'Please don't leave me here. I hate it. Let me come with you.' He calmed me down and said he couldn't take me that night but he would talk to me after school today. Then, after he left, my dad came in my room, angrier than I have ever seen him. He pressed me to tell him who had called Child Services and, when I refused to answer, he screamed that even if I told them anything they would never believe me and I would regret it and I would never be taken away anyway so I'd better keep my mouth shut. You were right, though. He didn't hit me.”
Cole was stunned. “Wow, that's awful but also kinda great. They actually came. I didn't think they would either. So you should be outta there soon.”
“Well I mean I guess I have to tell them the truth, right? I mean they have to believe me, don't they? Why would I lie about that?”
“Of course you have to tell the truth. You'll get out. Don't worry.”
“I hope you're right because if I don't get out my parents will literally kill me. Thanks again for helping me, Cole.” She wrapped him in a quick hug and led the way back to the table.
“What was all that about?” one of the boys asked when they sat down.
“We were just making fun of you,” Amy said. “No big deal. So, wasn't tha
t English test crazy hard?”
Cole smirked.
“I don't like you two sharing secrets without us,” Martin said. “We're a group. Whatever you can tell him, you can tell us.”
“I'm sorry but you're going to have to live with it,” Amy said. “Get over yourself.”
“Slut.”
“Hey, that's not funny! I said don't call me that.”
Martin raised his hands in mock innocence. “I'm not the one who-”
“Shut up!”
Martin scowled and turned away, proceeding to ignore her existence. Cole looked to Amy but she would not meet his eyes.
After school, Cole was outside in time to see Amy get into an unknown vehicle and drive away.
Best of luck. You'll be out soon.
He got inside Beth's waiting minivan.
“Hi, Aunt Beth. Can you please do me a huge favor?”
“You sure ask a lot of favors.”
“It's really important. Won't take long, I promise.”
Beth grunted. “What is it?”
“Thanks. I just need you to stop by someone's house real quick.”
“Better be quick. Do you know how to get there?” Beth said as she drove away.
Cole directed her to the forsaken small, dirty gray house and told her to leave her engine idling because he would be right back. She gave him a strange look but did not say anything. Cole climbed out and walked tentatively up the path to the front door. He glanced back at Beth sitting in the car and briefly wondered if he should go through with this. Depending on what she saw, he might have a lot of difficult things to try to explain away. Then again, it was better her than his mom.
He followed his gut and knocked. When no one came to the door after a few seconds he knocked harder and put his ear to the door to listen. There was not a sound inside. He walked to one of the windows and peered inside, pressing his nose against the glass and cupping his hands over his eyes. The house was vacant. Excepting for a few large pieces of furniture, there was not a belonging in sight and it looked as if no one had been there for ages. It was what he had expected yet, nevertheless, it was a surprise to see. Satisfied but mystified, he ventured back to the car.
Dark Mind (The Dark Mind Trilogy Book 1) Page 17