“He died when Henry was about five years old,” Kami answered. She clasped her hands in front of her as she stared out the glass doors.
“What happened? How did he die?” I rubbed the goosebumps on my arms as I thought about what I’d seen when I touched Carol’s hand. I shivered under the warm air coming from the heater vents in the ceiling.
Kami looked at me, twirling a strand of blonde hair. “He was attacked by a bear while hunting at the foot of the mountains. He was an avid hunter, traveling around the world on extravagant expeditions. He hunted lions in Africa and caribou in Alaska, but he was killed by a grizzly just miles from his home.”
I had no explanation for the vision of Mr. Welch’s funeral. I felt a sour taste in the back of my throat as I suspected the woman from my dreams might be real. I knew I had seen the woman’s attack when I had touched the metal railing. But why I was being cursed with the dreadful details, was not clear. Kami reached out and patted my shoulder, her eyes flickered with remorse. I shrugged my shoulders and moved away. I feared I would have more disturbing visions and I would rather not know any intimate details of Kami’s life.
“What are you doing tonight?” Kami asked, changing the subject and pulling me out of my troubling thoughts.
“Nothing much, just going home and relaxing,” I said. I’d had a rough day and was hoping to be in bed before the 10 O’clock news, but I was dreading the walk home and I was worried about spending the evening alone. The earlier events of the day had left me more frightened than I expected, now that I had time to reflect on them.
“I have a better idea. You are going with us to Cloud Reverie.”
“What is Cloud Reverie?”
“It’s a club with music and dancing.” Kami described it as the kind of place I hadn’t thought of visiting. Ever. “It’s lots of fun.”
“Who is us?” I asked. I wanted to accept the invitation but was nervous about not fitting in with Kami’s friends.
“Well Candice will be there along with my brother Kian and some other friends.”
“I don’t know, Kami. I am not really into the club scene.” Mentally I played out every scenario of how the evening could go and not one of them was good. I envisioned myself in a corner alone while everyone else danced and laughed. I was awkward in social situations. It wasn’t like the orphanage lent itself to many opportunities for hanging out in public with other people. Before Heath left Havencrest, I went out with a group of his friends to the mall and a movie. I felt like an outsider looking in; I didn’t want to feel that way around Kami and her friends. I cringed at the thought of being around people I didn’t know, in a situation that could leave me vulnerable and embarrassed.
Kami began to beg as she noticed my hesitation. “Please, you have to say yes.”
I thought about it a moment longer, and not wanting to be alone after everything that had occurred earlier in the day, I agreed to go.
“Great. Don’t worry Analey, it will be fun.”
“What time should I meet you there?” I asked.
“I have to check in at home, but I will meet you at your apartment,” she said.
I pulled the pink sweatshirt over my head then gave Kami my address. I smoothed out my hair and smiled, still unsure of my decision to accept her invitation.
Kami set the alarm and we walked out the back door and into the night. A thin layer of snow glistened on the streets, but just as predicted, the snow had stopped falling. The street lights casted a warm glow off the glistening ground as I walked home. I moved in a rushed pace constantly looking over my shoulder. When I arrived home, I traded my black slacks for a pair of faded jeans and a yellow shirt with a circle of flowers with the word Dream stenciled in the center. I tugged on the shirt trying to stretch it out, but it retracted back to my body, feeling too tight. I reached for my favorite sweatshirt I wore everyday but decided on a black jacket instead.
An hour and half later, I was sitting in the passenger seat of Kami’s sports car on our way to the club. Kami’s tanned legs peeked through the ripped sections of her jeans. The pink blouse she was wearing complimented her perfectly toned body. I pulled my shirt away from my waist but like the time before, the fabric didn’t give.
Club Reverie was at the opposite end from where most other businesses were located. It was closer to downtown in the part of Shadowmist that the locals referred to as the entertainment district.
Exiting the car, I looked around and noticed a move theater, sports pub and a run-of-the-mill bar. There was also a couple of restaurants that stayed open past midnight. The neon signs announcing they were open 24hrs on weekends, providing a place where the boozed-up patrons from the club and bars could get a meal before heading home to pass out and forget the night.
I walked beside Kami up to the front of Cloud Reverie. It was an old brick building with outdated light fixtures on either side of the door. The sign, which spelled out the name of the club in dingy white lights, was haphazardly hanging above the entrance. At the head of the line, I could see a large man checking I.D.’s and smearing black ink onto the hands of underage customers.
“Your I.D.,” the bouncer said, holding out his large hand towards me. I fumbled through my back pocket but finally managed to pull out the plastic card.
“No need, Axl,” Kami said as I offered the large man my identification card. “She’s with me.” Kami placed her hand on his massive forearm.
Axl winked and gave me a wide Cheshire grin, which on a different occasion (like alone at night in the street) would have been a cause for alarm. Axel stepped aside allowing us to enter the club as Kami took me by the hand and led me through the crowd. The music boomed, and the lights kept up with the tempo. I looked around the spacious but crowded club. The dance floor was on the lower level surrounded by leather lounge chairs. Large crystal chandeliers hung from the lofty ceilings. There was more seating that looked down from the balcony. I hadn’t expected much from its outer appearance. From the outside, it looked as a hangout for the dark and dangerous, not the rich and famous.
“What do you think? Kami asked as she led me to a table towards the back of the club.
“Um, it’s something,” I said as we approached the table.
A large leather couch curved around the table where Kami’s friends were sitting. Candice was sipping from a long slender glass and talking with the woman sitting next to her. Their conversation came in burst of shouting at each other over the loud music. Candice looked up from her glass and noticed me standing next to the table. She slid out and wrapped her arms around my neck and shouted in my ear.
“I’m so glad you decided to come,” she squealed.
“Yeah, me too,” Kami said, smiling at me. I could feel my cheeks flush with all the attention. I nodded and mouthed a thank you to both Candice and Kami.
“Hey guys, this is my friend Analey.” Kami attempted to introduce me to the other people sitting at the table, but the words came out in inaudible syllables resembling names like Brock, Ian, and Kay. I later found out it was Buck, Kian, and Rae.
I greeted them all with a nervous smile as Kami gently nudged me down onto the couch next to Kian. My insides twisted with anxious flutters as I sat next to him. Kian tried to start some conversation with me, but I could only make out a word or two. Finally, he gave up and returned to his drink. The inability to converse didn’t stop me from stealing a few sideways glances at Kian as he talked and laughed with Buck. Kian wore black slacks and a gray buttoned shirt. His shirt sleeves were pushed up above his tanned forearms. He had golden blonde hair that had been meticulously styled with every strand in place, even after raking his fingers through it. Kian turned and met my gaze, giving me a slanted smile. I looked away from his baby blue eyes feeling the heat return to my cheeks. I sat there staring at my soda that sat on the table in front of me. The usual social awkwardness began to sit in as I sat among Kami’s group of friends. I turned my attention to the men and women dancing to the music coming from the large sp
eakers. I began swaying an moving my head to the upbeat rhythm.
“Would you like to dance?” Kian asked, leaning in close, his lips almost touching my ear.
I smiled and shook my head. I wanted to tell him I had the coordination of a newborn foul, but I would have to lean in close for him to hear what I was saying. Kian took my hand and nudged me to move out of the seat. I tried to resist but his smile and gaze were distracting, and I found myself being led to the dance floor. The music went from fast and bass-heavy to slow and soft as we reached the crowd of dancers. I had hoped Kian would change his mind with the change in music, but he didn’t’ seem to mind the shift to the slow rhythm of the romantic jazz song. Kian lifted my hands to his shoulder and placed his own around my waist. His hold was warm and familiar as if I had been there before. But I knew that was crazy because I had never danced with any man, especially one as nice looking as Kian. He held me close as we moved around the dance floor. I was nervous about touching him, fearing more upsetting visions, but nothing happened as I danced with Kian. I kept my focus on every move my feet made, trying not to stare into his ocean blue eyes. As I concentrated on not stepping on his toes, I looked over Kian’s shoulder and noticed a man standing against the opposite wall. He was tall and dressed in black jeans and a black shirt. The first few buttons were undone, his bare chest visible. I moved my gaze to his eyes. They were green as emeralds and glowed with the pulsating lights. The man glared, unblinking at me. I met his stern gaze, mimicking his exact glowering stare. I looked away as Kian gently turned me in a circle, and when I was once again facing the wall where the man was standing, he was gone. Relief flooded me, but also made me question whether anyone had actually been standing there.
The music changed once more, and the dance floor was swamped with people moving to the fast beat. Buck and Rae had joined us followed by Candice. They formed a small circle, jumping and dancing together. I took advantage of the distraction and returned to the table before Kian could notice I was gone. I slid back into the seat as Kami gave me a smile and a nod of approval. I blushed in response and took a sip from my club soda. I swallowed hard as the all too familiar feeling came over me again. Icy sensations pricked my skin, raising goosebumps on my arms. I averted my eyes away from the dance floor, scanning the dark corners of the crowded room.
The lights, which had been flashing in assorted colors settled on a single purple hue and pointed to the middle of the floor. Then they were blue and scaling the walls to the ceiling. I squinted, catching glimpses of people as the lights fell on their faces, but it was too dark to see much of anything. I continued to survey everything and everyone in the building, but none of them were watching me. I came full circle, empty handed, yet the sensation of eyes on me didn’t dissipate. I remained on edge the rest of the evening, unable to enjoy or participate in the conversations going on around the table. It wasn’t until Kami pulled up to my apartment that I began to relax. I shivered on the front steps of the building as Kami drove away. The source of the chill wasn’t the cool night, but instead of what couldn’t be seen lurking in the darkness. I felt somewhat safer inside my little home but the feeling that someone was closely watching never left. As I drifted to sleep, the nightmares began like clockwork. I woke up in a cold sweat, not remembering the details of the dreams, only the familiar feeling of someone being chased and attacked. I forced myself back to sleep and returned to my nightmare.
Six
Istretched my arms and legs, the blue blanket slipping off my body as I pushed my legs out and my arms up over my head. I reached out for the blanket as the frigid air in the room nipped at my bare feet. I closed my eyes and took in the vibes of the morning. For the time being, the eerie feeling was gone, for which I was much relieved. However, as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, it returned. The chills spread over my arms and the hair on my neck stood on end. I hurried over to the dresser and pulled out a pair of thick socks. Pulling the blanket from my bed over my shoulders, I walked to the thermostat to turn up the heat. The fear of being watched was replaced with frustration. I wanted to scream and demand that he show his face. But there was no one around to yell at.
I was alone.
Candice had given me a scheduled day off; I would need to find something to do. I considered my options: I could stay home and read, or I could explore more of Shadowmist. I didn’t want to stay at a place where I was being watched like a helpless prey by some unseen-predator, so more sightseeing was the answer. There was a museum I wanted to visit as well as the bay and beach area. But as I recalled the faded memories of the odd incident with the building’s metal rail and the vison of Mr. Welch’s funeral, I decided I would investigate some of the town’s local history. I took the bus and made my way to the library, which was an old building in the middle of town surrounded by tall evergreens. The two-story brownstone had large windows and heavy oak doors. The musty yet fragrant smell of old books met me as I entered the building. I took a moment to inspect the space before moving in further. I wanted to appreciate the beauty of the shelves, books, and how the forest green carpet complimented the dark grain of the wood trim. The circulation desk sat in the middle of the room, crafted of the same wood as the doors and bookshelves. Leather couches and chairs were strategically placed throughout the space allowing room for tables and chairs. Rows and rows of tall bookshelves lined the walls of both the lower and upper level of the library. The first floor comprised of fiction genres, such as fantasy, romance, mystery and my all-time favorite: horror. There was a children’s corner to the left and a computer room to the right. The back of the first floor was reserved for biographies and non-fiction works. I walked to the circulation desk, glancing around as I resisted the urge to explore the fiction zone. There was a young woman sitting at the desk, her eyes on the computer screen.
Looking up at me, she smiled. “How can I help you?” she asked as her wire framed glasses slid down her small nose.
“I am looking for past news articles,” I said.
“Arthur Mist Library prides itself with the most extensive collection of town history. We have books, periodicals, and photo albums about the town and its legendary founder,” the woman boasted with wide eyes.
“Newspapers will do,” I said.
“Take a right at the top of the stairs,” she said giving me directions and returning her attention back to the computer monitor.
“Thanks,” I said and headed towards the stairs leading to the second level. I placed my hand on the hand rail as I placed my foot on the first step. I moved to the next step; a fleeting moment of anxiety washed over me as I noticed the curved metal balusters. I could feel the smooth iron under my hand but forced the memories out of mind as I all but ran up the stairs. The green carpet and antique wood combination styled the upper level of the library as well. A young girl sat at one of the tables. One hand was under her chin, as if trying to hold her head up, and the other kept her place in the text book she was studying. She glanced at me, watching as I walked past, then returned her attention to her reading. Warm sunlight flowed in through the tall windows, giving the room a magical glow. I veered to the right and about halfway down the last aisle found what I was looking for, the historical information on Shadowmist.
Newspaper articles were meticulously organized and preserved in large bound leather books. I thought back to my dreams and the most recent incident. I guessed maybe I would find something in the winter of the mid 90’s.
Hours later I had searched through a wide range of dates, but I didn’t find anything relevant to my nightmares. There had been two short articles written about animal attacks and missing persons but nothing of great significance. I did find Tom Welch’s death notice and the article written about his attack. There wasn’t anything unusual, just a tragic hunting accident. Feeling disappointed, I descended the stairs. I walked past the circulation desk and thanked the librarian once more. I made my way to the front door and noticed Henry Welch sitting on one of the leather couches facin
g the doors, his legs stretched out taking up the entire space. He had earbuds in his ears as he flipped through a magazine. I didn’t want to experience the visions again, but I wanted to know more about him and his father. I stood at the bookshelf behind him where he sat on the couch, trying to come up with a way to accidently touch his arm. I heard him sigh and put the magazine down on the couch. I pulled a book from the shelf and walked towards him as he was getting to his feet. The towheaded boy wore a blue and yellow checkered private school vest over a white shirt with navy blue slacks. I pretended to be reading the book as I walked and bumped into him.
“I’m sorry,” I said as I grazed my hand over his arm. I gritted my teeth as I expected the scene to play out. Henry grunted and walked away, not looking at me. I stood dumbfounded as I watched him walk out of the library. There was no vision, feeling, or anything. I didn’t feel as relieved as I thought I would at not experiencing his private life through the touch of his arm but instead I felt a little disappointed. I hurried to the library doors and pushed them open.
The winter chill struck me as I exited the building. Keeping my eyes down, I carefully descended the steps without having to touch the metal railing. I had a new phobia thanks to the odd happening with the last one.
“Find any good books?” a man’s voice came from the sidewalk at the end of the steps.
I grabbed the rail and a moment of panic rushed through me as I felt the cold metal bar beneath my fingers. I withdrew my hand quickly, before anything weird could happen, and rubbed my palm on my jeans.
Kian chuckled at my unusual reaction. I forgot about my fear almost instantly as I tried to compose myself, my words caught in my throat.
“We met last night at Cloud Reverie,” Kian reminded me.
I nodded. “I remember,” I said as I accepted his out-stretched hand. Once I was on the sidewalk I let go, Kian eyed me as he stroked his chin.
“You didn’t answer my question,” he said.
Edge of Forever: The Death and Life of Analey Rose (The Immortal Souls Book 1) Page 5