“Bre, I don’t see it.” He was getting concerned.
He slowed and pulled the truck off the road. Turning in my direction, he squinted. Whatever it was had disappeared.
“Austin, something’s out there. You believe me don’t you?”
Austin smirked, raising his eyebrows, and I exhaled, long and weary. I sounded crazy, but I know I saw something.
“Bre, I don’t see anything. It’s gotta be the shadow of the truck. I get it. It’s creepy out here. It’s okay to be scared.” He brushed my arm with his hand and sat back up in his seat, dropping the gears into drive.
“I’m not scared.” Austin wasn’t being mean, but I wasn’t some scared little girl, either. “I know I saw something out there.”
“Sure, sure,” he teased.
“I did.” I wanted to smile at him, but couldn’t. I was trying not to freak out. Whatever it was was giving me chills.
“Was it an animal?” he asked.
“I…” Suddenly, it passed in front of the headlights again, but this time I got a better look at it. It was a dark, gray color and it looked to be see-through, transparent. Maybe seven to eight feet in length. Surely, Austin saw that.
“Did you see it?” I blurted.
“Bre, now you’re really beginning to worry me,” he replied.
“No, you’re starting to worry me! How could you not see that? It passed right in front of the truck, right in the headlights?” My voice was raised about five octaves and I couldn’t calm myself down. My heart was beating so fast I thought it was going to pop out of my chest.
“Hey, it’s okay.” He grabbed my hand, finally taking me seriously.
I scanned the dark, back and forth rapidly, searching for this unknown form that slithered and jolted through the forest around us, almost serpent-like, and fast. I wondered if we should just turn around and forget the party.
We were far past all the houses, and the forest was growing thicker by the minute. It was so dense it was hard to believe anyone would live this deep in the forest so far from civilization. The night was beginning to feel terrifying.
“If you see it again, let me know.”
I nodded. My nerves jabbed at my skin and the intimidation of the unknown was suffocating. What is out there? Every part of me screamed, don’t look, but I couldn’t stop my eyes from searching.
“There!” It was at three o’clock, matching our speed, faint but visible enough to see the shape.
“You sure?”
“Yes! You don’t see it?”
“Bre, I don’t see anything. I’m sorry.”
Then it flipped around and stopped. Two, white cat-like eyes were staring straight at me. Within a split second, it vanished, quicker than humanly possible.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I unbuckled and slid all the way over until I was thigh to thigh with Austin. Fastening the middle seatbelt, I clung to his arm, pressing my face into his shoulder.
“Bre.” My name on his lips was soft and compassionate. “Are you going to be alright?”
“I don’t know. Just get to the party, okay?”
We drove for another couple of miles before Austin spoke up. “Here it is, Whispering Gallows Lane.”
“Sounds creepier than it did before.” I said.
He stayed silent, eyes on the road. The street was unpaved and narrow, lined with huge trees. I truly hoped that this was it because if it wasn’t, there was no place to turn around.
“Now where?” Austin asked.
“Take this all the way down until we see her house.”
I gasped as I heard a high-pitch shrill come from beyond the truck. I shot forward to find the source. Night was all my eyes rested upon. I held Austin tighter.
We drove on the straight, narrow road for about a mile before the road opened up and the trees started giving way, showing a faint light that had to be Eve’s house. The large driveway was lined with cars.
“Finally,” Austin sighed in relief.
But I wasn’t so sure I held the same emotion. Being here didn’t ease the tension at all. It was dim and old. The faded white ranch-style home was worn and tattered as evidenced by the chipped paint and broken shutters on some of the windows. Weeds grew high in the front, replacing what used to be a lawn, and dirt stained the bottom rim on the house.
Austin stopped the truck. We couldn’t see any available parking spots close to the house so he made a three point turn and headed back to the edge of where the trees began to narrow. Pulling up behind a car, he cut the engine and opened the door.
“Austin,” I muttered, not letting go of him.
“Yeah?” He hesitated with one leg hanging outside the door.
“I’m not sure I want to go outside.” My body involuntarily shook.
“It’ll be okay.”
“I don’t think so.” I looked out the window, but everything was still and quiet.
“Come on, I’ll be right by you.” He put his arm around my back and helped me out.
He shut and locked the door while I stood out in the open, chills prickled down my neck. I didn’t move my head, only my eyes searching for anything out of the ordinary. I came up with nothing. The wind picked up a little, sending tiny strands of hair in my face, startling me. In the silence of the night, with only the wind rustling through the trees, my mind was running away from me. I couldn't break away from this fear of the unknown.
Austin put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me in tight. The house was about fifty feet away and the further we got from the truck, the more hurried I became, speeding up, trying to get out of this unprotected forest and into an enclosed building where I hoped to feel a little bit safer. Austin locked me to his side. I would’ve run if I could, but I didn't want to separate myself from him, not out here.
“I don’t see anything,” Austin tried to reassure me.
Then a crack came from our left, making us both jump and stop suddenly. Austin squeezed me tighter.
Breathing heavily, I whispered, “I know you heard that.”
“Yep,” he whispered back. He stood still, frozen like me, either waiting to hear something that would explain it, or for another sound that might send us bolting to the house. The row of cars parked along the driveway made it difficult to see into the forest.
“Do you see anything now?” I asked.
“No,” he whispered.
I looked up into the trees and there they were again, those two white eyes staring down at us.
“A-Austin,” I stammered, poking him in the ribcage.
He followed my gaze but for some reason he couldn’t see it.
“Bre...let's just get moving.” We pressed forward, but not for one second did I take my eyes off of the ‘thing’ hovering high above us. It never moved, not one inch. It didn’t blink.
My heart pounded. I forced my wobbly legs to move. With every step closer, I waited for it to pounce. I was preparing myself for anything. But we managed to make it to the front steps of the porch without it doing anything. Taking a quick look in the front of me so I wouldn't stumble, I glanced back up at the tree and the thing had disappeared.
I wanted to ask Austin about it, but he couldn’t see it. Why could I see it and not him?
For my own sanity, I asked, “You did hear something, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, let’s just go inside.”
He didn't even knock, he just threw open the door and slammed it shut behind us. I let out a big breath, releasing some stress, at least for now.
Inside, it was warmer but the air was thicker and hard to breathe. People were everywhere and I felt disoriented as I looked down the hall and up the staircase for Becka.
“You alright?” Austin faced me, rubbing my arms up and down, maybe to calm himself also.
“I'm not sure.” My voice was unsteady, trying to get my bearings.
“Hey!” I spun around to see Stephanie walking up to us. Her face fell with relief. “There you guys are! Becka’s been looking all over for you
. Come on.” She grabbed my arm and led me through the house to the kitchen.
Despite the outside appearance, the inside was much nicer. The furniture went well with the country-style theme. The couch and chairs had a faded flower pattern. The coffee table and end tables were a light knotty pine that gave it a cottage feel.
In the kitchen, Becka was at the sink, washing her hands.
“Beck,” Stephanie yelled from across the kitchen. “I found them!”
Beck looked up and smiled, then dropped immediately as we approached.
“It's about time.” Becka slurred her words a bit, she’d been drinking. Not completely drunk, but she was getting there.
“Where’ve you guys been?”
“Ummm...” I started to say.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m fine...why?” Was it that obvious that something was bothering me?
“Because you look like you just saw a ghost or something.” She chuckled, and the soap flew out of her hands, flipping onto the floor.
Most of the bystanders around us overheard her.
I lowered my voice. “I'm fine.”
“Oh um...did you have another...?” She held her finger to her lips and smiled as she wavered a little back and forth, stumbling to one side and then steadying herself against the counter.
“No. Can we drop it? I’ll talk to you later,” I whispered through my teeth.
“Well, well, well…look who it is?” A sarcastic male voice came from behind us, without turning around, I knew exactly who it was.
Trevor passed us and slung an arm around Becka’s shoulders. Josh was on his way in, a beer in his hand.
“Josh, you said you were gonna be nice tonight,” Beck warned.
“I am being nice.” He said. “I'm glad you came,” he announced loudly, as he took a drink of beer and then looked back at us.
“Bre. Austin.” Josh saluted us with his beer. “Look at the happy couple,” he slurred. He was drunk and all I could think was just be nice to him and don’t say anything wrong. I really didn’t want a fight tonight.
Megan walked in behind him and stared me down.
“Hi, Josh,” I greeted, nervously.
“Trevor,” Josh pointed his bottle at him, “you leave thessse two alone.”
Trevor’s jaw tightened.
“Rebecca let’s go. He’s drunk and doesn’t know what he’s saying,” Trevor growled.
Rebecca hesitated, looking at me. “No. I'm staying with Bre.”
Trevor gave her a sharp look before storming off into the other room.
“Trevorrr,” Josh called after him, “Don’t be mad, buddy.” He turned and whispered to us with hot breath that reeked of alcohol. “He gets this way sometimes.” He followed Trevor out. “Trevor, come back!”
“Sorry about that. I'm still working on him,” Beck apologized.
“Don't apologize for him. I'm sorry you have to deal with this,” I said.
“No, it's fine.” She shook her head, taking a drink of something.
“Soooo? What do you think? Pretty cool, huh?” She waved her red cup around the room.
“Is great, but who are all of these people?” I didn't see one person I recognized.
“I don't know, but who cares. Parties are supposed to have a lot of people. I’m sure you know some of them.”
“Hey, Austin,” Stephanie said. “That reminds me…Kyle was looking for you awhile ago. I think he’s out on the back deck.”
“Thanks. Bre, I will be right back.” He headed out of the kitchen.
I watched him walk out of my sight before turning back to find four very curious eyes looking at me.
“So?” Becka asked.
“How was the date?” Steph added.
“It was really nice.” I couldn't help smiling a little.
“You have to give us more than that,” Beck insisted.
“Um, well, he took me to this park in Ashland. I’ll have to take you there sometime. It’s the most amazing park I’ve ever been to. And then we went to lunch...”
“Okay, okay, so you went to a park. That's great. But did he kiss you?” Becka and Stephanie were closing in on me, waiting for details.
“No.” The disappointment on their faces was pitiful. “But when we went to his house―”
“He brought you to meet the parents?” Beck cut in. “Wow he moves fast.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Tell me about it. Anyway, we were outside by the river and when his Mother was watching us from the window he leaned in for a kiss, but I pulled away.”
“Why didn't you kiss him?” Stephanie asked a little on the louder side. A few people glanced in our direction, then went back to their own conversations.
Quietly I responded, “Because his mother was watching.”
“So,” Becka said.
“Plus, he was just doing it to get a reaction out of me,” I pointed out.
“Yeah, a kissing reaction!” Becka laughed.
Rolling my eyes, I knew I couldn't win.
“I'm gonna go and find Austin now.” I turned to leave.
“Fine,” Becka called out. “Be that way, but you’re coming to my house tonight and you know I'm not letting this go. I want to know everything.”
I couldn't find Austin anywhere. Eve was nowhere to be found either. I circled the house a couple of times and looked out over the patio. The only place that I hadn't gone was upstairs.
At the top of the staircase, I frowned. The hallway was dark. All that lingered was the sound of thudding music beneath my feet. I opened up a couple of doors only to find an empty closet and a bathroom with a sign on it that read “out of order, bathroom downstairs.” I should’ve turned around right then, but I was curious and wanted to make sure the other rooms were empty.
One appeared to be an office and the other possibly Eve's parents’ room, I saw one last door at the end of the hall that had to be Eve's.
Looking over my shoulder to make sure that no one was following me, I turned the knob slowly and slinked into the dark room, shutting it behind me. I fumbled for the light switch and flipped it on.
Like I thought, it was Eve’s room and it was kind of how I expected it to be. It was all dark colors, dark purple on the walls with black trim around the window frames and floorboard. The bedding was a deep blood red and throughout the entire room were dozens of black candles everywhere. The pictures on the walls looked evil to me ― weird art that made me squirm. My heart picked up pace. I had the weird feeling like something was in the room with me.
There was a tiny desk in the corner that caught my eye, I crossed the room and opened the drawer. There were only a couple of pens and some papers. Closing it, I rifled through the contents on top of the desk, and something popped out at me. Eve's school schedule with a letter attached to it. I went to pick it up and jumped as the door to the room began to creak open.
I froze in place, hyperventilating, not knowing what to do.
“That's not the bathroom,” a voice said from the hall. “It’s over here, but…bummer, it’s out of order.”
The hand holding the handle disappeared and the voices faded. Walking over to the door, I peeked out to see an empty hallway. All clear, I closed the door again. I went back to the desk and picked up the paper. It looked like the old schedule, because it only had the one class on it from the first day. All the other classes were different from mine. Flipping it over, I read the attached note.
To whom it may concern,
It has come to my attention that my daughter isn't happy with her class schedule and is in need of changing it. Here is a list of the changes that need to be made. 1st Algebra two trig (Mr. Wright), 2nd PE (Mrs. Johnson), 3rd French (Mrs. Neville), 4th Home-ec (Mrs. Jones), 5th English (Mr. Anderson), 6th History (Mrs. Brown). I’m sure that this will not be an issue.
Irene Larsen
I stared at the note, thinking. There was something familiar about it and then I remembered! The handwriting was the same writing as the
note from Josh, the one that told me to meet him at the football field the other day.
I didn't have it to compare, but I knew it was the same handwriting. Same curves of the pen stroke, even the same cream-colored paper. I shoved the paper in my pocket and frantically started searching for anything else. I came across normal junk mail. There was nothing out of the ordinary until I opened up the very bottom drawer. There, sitting on top of a pile of papers was a plane ticket from the Medford airport. I examined every detail on it. It was the same date when I was at the airport for the Andersons. It was a one way pass from Medford to San Diego, California. Take off was 6:15pm. I thought back to when I was there. I remembered looking at the clock thinking I was about to miss the Andersons plane because it was 6:20. If Eve needed to be on a plane, then she would’ve missed her flight, but she wasn't even trying to catch her plane. She wanted to buy me a coffee, as an apology for almost running me over.
I couldn’t catch my breath. My heart beat against my ribcage and I felt dizzy. I looked around the room, not taking anything in as my mind ran a thousand miles a minute. Why did Eve transfer into all of my classes? And why was she at the airport with a ticket just to miss her flight? Why would she want Josh and I back together? Panic was setting in. I knew then, with absolutely certainty, that she was after me, and going to great lengths to twist my world upside down. But why?
I couldn't take it anymore. I shoved the drawer closed and started for the door. I stuffed the ticket in my back pocket and stopped just as the door opened and Eve stepped into the room.
“Oh!” I jumped. “Eve. There you are.” My voice shook against my will.
“Yes, here I am.” Her narrow eyes cut into me.
“I was just looking for Austin.”
“He’s downstairs.” She paused and then asked, “I thought you were looking for me.”
“Um, well, both of you. I thought I saw someone come up here and I couldn’t find the two of you anywhere so...” I tried to slow my breathing down, and I hoped she couldn’t tell I was worked up. All I wanted was get out of there.
Awaken (Awaken Series Book 1) Page 21