Dark Realms

by Kristen Middleton

  “Wow, that was fast,” said Nathan. “I guess I’ll have to give you a ride.”

  “Or, you could just loan me your car.”

  He snorted. “Right. Nobody drives that car but me. Not even Deanna got the privilege of driving my baby.”

  “Hi, kids,” yawned mom as she shuffled into the kitchen.

  “You were up late,” said Nathan.

  She turned on the Keurig and smiled. “Well, Caleb’s an interesting man. He’s traveled all over the world and we talked for hours about his crazy adventures.”

  “Small town sheriff-slash-traveler extraordinaire, huh?” smirked Nathan.

  Her eyes lit up. “He’s been to so many places, it’s amazing.”

  “Oh, shoot,” I said. “Speaking of Caleb, I forgot to tell him about the note I received from the waitress yesterday.”

  Mom waved her hand. “Oh, I mentioned it to him and he didn’t seem too concerned. He said this town has had its share of crimes, but there certainly wasn’t anything to be afraid of, even in the dark. He also mentioned that Amy was having a hard time getting over the loss of her friend, the one we found. It’s made her a little… unstable.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean, unstable?”

  She sighed. “I’m not supposed to talk about this, but, she tried to commit suicide a couple weeks ago.”

  “Wow,” replied Nathan. “That’s rough.”

  Mom nodded. “I guess her parents have been trying frantically to get her help, even going as far as putting her on antidepressants, but obviously, she still has some emotional issues.”

  “And Caleb knows all about this?” I asked.

  She poured some cream into her coffee. “Yeah, his daughter, Celeste went to school with Amy. They both graduated in June.”

  “Oh,” I said.

  “How did you sleep last night?” she asked me.

  “Fine, although, I had some disturbing dreams. Other than that, I slept pretty well.”

  “Holy crap,” interrupted Nathan. He turned up the volume on the television and I stared at it in horror. A picture of the waitress who’d served us yesterday flashed across the screen.

  “Seventeen-year-old Amy Kreger was found in the woods near Lake Shore, early this morning,” said the female reporter, standing next to an old Chevy Camaro. “Her car had been found abandoned by the side of the road with drug paraphernalia sitting openly on the front seat. When police officers were called to investigate, they found the deceased in the woods with self-inflicted wounds on both wrists. Tragically, this young girl was close friends with Tina Johnson, who went missing a few weeks ago. Tina’s body was found just two days ago, washed up onshore in an undisclosed location. Police officials do not suspect foul play in either case.”

  Nathan turned off the television and we all stared at each other in shock.

  I cleared my throat. “No foul play in either case? Seems unlikely now, doesn’t it?

  “Maybe it’s just two very disturbed girls,” replied Nathan.

  Mom shook her head sadly. “That poor girl. Her parents must be devastated.”

  “She was so pretty, too,” said Nathan. “It just goes to show that you can’t judge people by what’s on the outside. Amy must have been pretty messed up.”

  I stood up. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe she wasn’t messed up?”

  “Nikki…” said my mom.

  “They found drugs in her car. Obviously, she had issues,” said Nathan.

  “Whatever, I’m going to lie down in my room for a while,” I said. “This is nuts.”

  I went upstairs and took out the note Amy had given me. It gave me the chills to know that she was now dead.

  “Hey,” said Nathan from my doorway. “I’m taking the boat out in an hour if you want to get some fresh air and clear your head.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Is mom coming?”

  He shook his head. “No, she’s going into town to talk with her new boss. I guess she’s starting work on Monday.”

  “Okay. I’ll be down in an hour.”

  He left and I took a quick shower, still thinking about Amy and the face in the window last night. I wasn’t sure at this point which was more disturbing. I knew one thing, however; I was going to try and talk mom out of staying here. Something was going on in this town. I wasn’t sure if it was just one crazy freak or a group of them. What I did know was that there were two dead girls and now someone was spying on us. At this point, dad seemed less frightening.

  After I toweled off, I slipped on a pair of shorts and a tank top, then piled my hair on top of my head.

  “Ready?” asked Nathan when I met him downstairs.

  “Yeah, let me grab something to eat first”

  When I entered the kitchen, mom was standing over the sink with the water running, her face pasty white.

  “Are you okay?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, I think I had a little too much wine last night. It’s finally catching up to me.”

  “Really? A delayed hangover? That’s weird. Hey, what’s that on your neck?” I asked, staring at her skin. “Did you get bit by a couple of mosquitos?”

  She touched her neck. “I must have.”

  The skin on her neck was definitely swollen and there were two small red bumps just below her ear.

  I squinted. “Does it itch? It looks pretty inflamed.”

  My mom had always been very sensitive to bug bites, so it wasn’t a surprise that her skin was tender and sore-looking.

  She shrugged. “No, not really. It’s a little tender, though.”

  “You should put something on that,” I said, turning away from her. I reached into the cupboard and grabbed a box of chewy granola bars. “Some of that Neosporin stuff.”

  “I will.” She touched her head and groaned. “God, remind me not to have more than one glass of wine the next time anyone offers.”

  I snorted. “No doubt.”

  She grabbed a paper towel, poured cool water over it, and then dabbed her forehead. “You know, I think I’m going to lie back down for a while.”

  “Hey,” I said as she began walking away, “I have an interview this afternoon. That diner I was telling you about.”

  “Good job, sweetheart. I’m sure you’ll get it.”

  I’m sure, too. They’re really in need of help now that Amy’s gone, I thought bitterly.

  Thirty minutes later, Nathan and I were racing across the lake in the boat again.

  “Let’s head over to Sonny and Duncan’s marina!” he yelled over the engine.

  I gave him the thumbs-up. I had to admit, the thought of seeing Duncan again was stirring up the butterflies in my stomach.

  The sun was already hot, and by the time we reached the marina, I could feel the back of my neck and shoulders begin to burn. I grabbed some sunscreen and started lathering it on.

  “Hey!” called Duncan, who was putting gasoline into a fishing boat.

  “What’s up, Dunc?” asked Nathan.

  He smiled. “Not much.”

  Nathan docked the boat and tied it. “So, did your dad mention anything about the job yet?”

  Duncan laughed. “Haven’t had time to talk about it. But I think you have the best shot so far. My dad seems to like you.”

  “Cool. Nikki already has an interview later this afternoon for a waitressing job.”

  Duncan looked at me. “Ruth’s?”

  “Yeah. By the way, did you watch the news this morning?”

  He shook his head. “No, been working.”

  I told him about Amy and then mentioned the face in the window.

  His eyebrow shot up. “Seriously? Wow, it’s weird that you mentioned that, because I’m pretty sure that someone was watching me last night, too.”

  Chapter Nine

  My stomach clenched up like a fist. “Really?”

  He nodded. “It was just before midnight and I was in the kitchen, having a snack. I heard some weird scraping noises near one of
the windows, and when I looked up, I could have sworn someone ducked away. I even went outside to check it out.”

  I shivered. “Did you find anyone?”

  “I didn’t. But I felt like someone was watching me when I was outside, too. I have to admit, it kind of scared the shit out of me.”

  I turned to Nathan. “So, do you think I’m still seeing things?”

  He looked at both of us and shook his head. “Fine, I believe you. Maybe it’s a Peeping Tom?”

  Duncan shrugged. “Could be, or something worse. It also happened to me a few weeks ago, too, but I thought I was just imagining things. In fact, now that I think about it, I believe it happened around the night that girl went missing, Tina Johnson.”

  I looked at both of them. “And last night, Amy was murdered.”

  Nathan groaned. “Nikki, quit it already. You watched the news! They have evidence that she committed suicide. They found drugs in her car and her wrists were slashed. She was messed up. Caleb’s daughter even told him she had issues.”

  “Maybe, but I still have a hard time believing it. Someone could have killed her and covered it up. She was terrified of something. Why would she warn us if she wasn’t?”

  Nathan walked over and shook me playfully. “You’re making something out of nothing. Okay, even if someone was watching both of you last night, it’s probably just some pervert.”

  “And that’s supposed to make me feel better?” I asked incredulously.

  With a determined look on his face, Duncan said, “You know what? I think we should try and catch whoever’s doing it.”

  “How?” I asked, my heart beginning to race. It sounded frightening and exciting at the same time.

  “We could set up video cameras. I have some extra ones in storage that we keep for the marina. Hey, we could monitor both our cabins.”

  I nodded, feeling the surge of adrenaline strike every part of my body. “I think we should! If we get it on camera, the sheriff will take us seriously!”

  “Fine,” replied Nathan. “If it’s going to help you get over your paranoia, Nikki, I’ll help Duncan set it up.”

  “Okay,” said Duncan. “I’m pretty busy this morning, but around lunchtime, I can get them out of storage and start setting things up.”

  “I have to bring Nikki to her interview this afternoon. We’ll stop by your place after and you can follow us out to the cabin to set up something there.”

  Duncan nodded. “Sounds good.”

  “Thanks, Duncan,” I said softly. “I’ve been going nuts about this.”

  Duncan’s eyes met mine. “You’re welcome.”

  “We’d better get back,” said Nathan, looking at his watch. “I’m hungry and Nikki probably wants to prepare for her interview.”

  His eyes lowered and he grinned. “If she keeps that outfit on, she’ll definitely get hired.”

  My cheeks burned red. I didn’t know what to say, although I had to admit, I was beyond delighted.

  Nathan snickered. “Wow, Duncan, I’ve never seen Nikki at a loss for words. Do you want to move in with us? Could sure use the peace.”

  I flipped him the bird. “Very funny.”

  Nathan untied the boat and pushed us away from the dock. “See you later, Dunc.”

  “Yeah, see you,” I said.

  “Goodbye and good luck with your interview,” he replied.

  “Thanks.”

  As we drifted away and Nathan started the engine, I put my sunglasses on and watched as Duncan began fueling another boat. Not only was he cute, but he believed me, without question. So far, he was the only real good thing I’d encountered in Shore Lake.

  Chapter Ten

  Three hours later, I sat across from Rosie, who’d inherited Ruth’s diner from her mother several years back. As she looked over my job application, I studied the rail-thin, bleach-blond woman and gathered she was somewhere in her sixties because of her weathered skin. She did have a cigarette resting behind her ear, so she could have actually been younger.

  “You’re new in town?” she asked in a gravelly voice.

  “Yes, we just moved here a couple of days ago.”

  “Have you ever waitressed before?”

  I sighed. “No. I worked at a boutique, though, so I’ve used a register before and have experience with customers.”

  She nodded. “You’ll be on your feet a lot. Do you have any problems with that?”

  I shook my head.

  “Are you available to work nights?”

  I bit the side of my lip. “I’d prefer days, if that’s possible.”

  She studied me. “To be honest, I really need the help at night. I don’t expect you to work past midnight, but my second shift is really hurting right now. I’m even willing to pay you an extra dollar an hour.”

  I sighed. “That’s fine. Is there a chance that I can switch to days in the future? When school starts, my mom won’t want me working past ten.”

  She nodded. “We won’t make you work past nine during the week, but we’d need you until midnight on Friday or Saturday. Would that be an issue for you?”

  “No,” I answered.

  She asked me a few more questions then hired me on the spot.

  “Wow, that was fast,” I blurted out.

  She smiled. “We need the help, desperately. Can you start tomorrow?”

  I nodded. “That shouldn’t be a problem.”

  “You’ll be training with Susan. So, we’ll see you around four, tomorrow afternoon?”

  I agreed and then she found me a uniform, which wasn’t easy with my short frame. When it was all said and done, I left the diner so giddy that I wanted to scream.

  “Let me guess, they hated you,” smiled Nathan as I got into his Mustang. He’d been listening to the stereo and waiting for me in the parking lot.

  I held up my hand. “I start tomorrow.”

  He slapped it. “Good job. I also have awesome news; Sonny called my cell phone and I start next Monday. Pending a drug test. I’m sure Duncan had everything to do with it, but I’m not complaining.”

  “That’s great!” I said and then swore. “So, how are we going to work this out? I need a ride to and from work until I’m able to get a car. They want me working second shift.”

  “If I’m at the marina, I’ll try and work something out with Sonny. Maybe I can take my lunch break and pick you up at the cabin? I’m sure he’ll be cool with that. It’ll just be for a little while, anyway.”

  I smiled. “Thanks. I know it isn’t easy driving me around everywhere.”

  “Yeah, you’re kind of a pain in the ass,” he smirked.

  I smacked him in the shoulder again. “You are an ass so I guess it kind of makes sense.”

  He rubbed his arm. “I must have a permanent bruise there from you beating up on me all the time. Show your brother some love,” he pouted.

  “Shut your yap and you won’t get hurt.”

  “Ho, ho… big words from such a little twerp,” he said.

  I raised my fist again. “You don’t listen very well, do you?”

  He snorted and shook his head. “You’re so violent.”

  I smiled. “Just remember that.”

  “So, let’s head over to the marina and check out the surveillance equipment,” he said.

  “Okay.”

  Nathan gave me a sideways glance. “Although I’m sure Duncan will be monitoring someone else.”

  “What?”

  Nathan smiled. “Oh, come on. You know he has the hots for you.”

  “Whatever,” I said, looking out the window.

  “He does, but that’s okay because he seems like a decent guy. I think you should go for it.”

  I snorted. “Go for it? Look, I’m not interested in going for anything right now.”

  “Right. That’s why you blush every time he looks your way.”

  “I do not!”

  “You’re face turns as red as a tomato.”

  I could feel it burning right now as
he teased me.

  “See!” he laughed.

  “It’s just a sunburn!”

  He shook his head and gave me a knowing look.

  I turned up the radio and tried avoiding his smartass grin.

  When we arrived at the marina, we walked over to the cabin next door, where Duncan was adjusting his surveillance equipment.

  “All set?” asked Nathan.

  He nodded. “Yeah, I’ve got cameras set up all around the perimeter of this place. There’s no way I’ll miss this guy if he comes back.”

  “You still want to do our cabin, too?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, I’ll follow you in my truck. I’m ready whenever you are.”

  “Shoot, I just remembered, I have to pick up mom’s dry cleaning. Is it okay if Nikki rides with you and shows you where we live? I’ll meet you both at the cabin as soon as I’m done.”

  My eyes narrowed, I didn’t remember her requesting anything like that. In fact, she was supposed to drive into town herself sometime today. I didn’t mention any of this, however. I didn’t want Duncan to think Nathan was trying to play matchmaker.

  “Sure,” replied Duncan. He looked at me. “Should we get going?”

  I nodded and then followed him to a white pickup truck with “Sonny’s Boat Repairs” on it.

  Duncan apologized. “Sorry, it’s nothing fancy but it gets me places.”

  I smiled. “It’s better than what I have, which is nothing.”

  He turned the radio on and glanced at me. “You look nice. How did your interview go?”

  I smiled. “I got the job. In fact, I start tomorrow evening.”

  “See, I told you, you’d get it.”

  I looked down at my clothes. For the interview, I had worn a peach silk blouse and mid-length black skirt with heels. My feet were already killing me.

  “I guess I know where I’ll be eating dinner from now on.”

  I laughed. “It’s your stomach. I’m not cooking, you know, I’m only serving.”

  He shrugged. “That’s okay. I’ll come in and be one of those annoying customers who sits and drinks coffee all day long, but I’ll leave a much better tip.”

  “As long as you tip, I’ll save you a booth.”

  “So,” he said, changing the subject. “Do you remember anything about the face you saw in the window?”