The Evil

  Malik didn’t move, just kept staring blankly at Latrell.

  Why is he staring at me like that? He wondered. What happened to him out there?

  The nurse walked in by Latrell. “Are you in any discomfort? Can I get you anything?” She checked his IV again.

  “Yeah my leg is killing me. Can I please get something for the pain?” Latrell kept his eyes glued on Malik while he talked.

  “I forgot to tell you. When you need more pain medication just press this orange button.” She bent over and pulled up a cord attached to the IV and placed it in his hand. “You will feel it immediately so don’t press it too many times at once.”

  Latrell finally took his eyes off of Malik and pressed the orange button on top of the cord. His body instantly felt tingly and cool as the medicine entered his blood.

  “Anything else I can get you?” Heidi filled his cup up with water from the pitcher on the tray next to his bed.

  Latrell shook his head and leaned back into his pillow. His eyes were low now. He felt a little buzzed from the medicine. It made him feel good.

  Trisha led Malik into the room.

  “If you need anything else Mr. Jackson press the nurses button.” Heidi said turning around and heading out the door.

  Malik and Trisha stood by his bed. Malik still stared at Latrell strangely. Latrell wanted to ask him what was wrong with him. He wanted to ask him what happened to him but he was too relaxed now.

  “So where have you been?” Trisha asked Malik facing him.

  Malik stood there quietly. Not taking his eyes off of Latrell.

  “Hello? Earth to Malik. Where have you been?” Trisha raised her hand and waved it up and down in front of his face. “Latrell said he thought he saw something happen to you.”

  Malik finally blinked as Trisha said that. As if what she said brought him back from wherever his mind was on. He turned towards her and started staring at her now.

  “Why are you staring at me like that? What’s wrong with you?” Trisha asked him.

  Malik started taking steps towards her.

  Trisha backed up uncomfortably. “Hey backup Malik!” She barked nervously.

  Malik took another step towards her and then his arms shot up. His hands went around her throat.

  Trisha’s hands went up defensively trying to remove his hands from around her throat. She tried screaming but nothing came out when she did.

  Latrell tried moving but he was too sedated now. It felt like his mind and body were on different pages. He could see what was going on, could hear it. But his body was limp. His body didn’t want to move even though his mind did.

  Fuck! I have to help her. Something is wrong with Malik. If I don’t help her he’s going to hurt Trisha.

  Malik walked back to the wall and pinned her up against it.

  What can I do? I can’t move!

  Latrell tried to yell. “Hey!” He let out softly even though in his mind it was loud, his lips and tongue barely moved when he tried to say it.

  Malik picked Trisha up of the ground by her neck. Trisha was gasping for air. So hard for her trying to breathe.

  Her feet were off the ground now.

  Where did Malik get all this strength from? It didn’t look real.

  Trisha’s eyes started to turn white. She flailed her arms in the air and kicked her feet up against Malik’s body but he didn’t let her go.

  The nurse! I’ll get the nurse in here. She should be able to help. Latrell pressed the nurse’s button on his side of the bed several times.

  A knock at the door a few seconds later and then it opened. The nurse stood there with a horrified look on her face as she watched Malik choking Trisha up against the wall.

  “Hey, put her down!” Heidi yelled as she darted across the room. She tried grabbing Malik’s arm to pull down Trisha but his arms seemed to be locked. He seemed to have too much power.

  Malik removed one of his hands from Trisha’s throat and brought it down and grabbed Heidi with it. He started choking her now. Pinning her against the wall, bringing her up next to Trisha who was barely moving now.

  Latrell moved his hands, trying to get out of the bed. All he could do was moan. Let out little moans instead of words.

  They’re gonna die if you don’t do something. He’s gonna kill the both of them.

  Trisha’s head dropped down now. Her arms started to twitch instead of flail. She was losing the fight. She would be dead at any moment.

  Latrell was finally able to move. He rolled over and fell to the ground hard, landing on his stomach. He tried pushing himself up but fell right back to the ground.

  His arms felt like rubbery jello. His mind and vision was blurry. The room swayed back and forth. It felt like he was on a boat in the middle of the ocean.

  I have to stop him. He told himself. He’s going to kill them if I don’t.

  Latrell struggled to push himself up. He used all of his strength pushing hard against the the cold hospital floor. He grunted as he was able to finally get to his knee that didn’t have the cast on it.

  “Let me go!” Heidi crackled out. She bit his hand and he dropped her.

  She was bent over on the floor holding her throat.

  Malik finally let Trisha go and she dropped to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Limp and motionless.

  Latrell studied Trisha’s face. Was she breathing? Did he just choke her to death?

  Heidi finally gathered herself and stood up. “I’m calling security.” She said before running out the room to the hallway.

  Latrell was able to get himself on his feet. He felt wobbly, like anything that touched him would knock him over. His broken leg hurt so bad as he stood there but, he didn’t care. The only thing that mattered to him was Trisha.

  He started limping towards Malik who just stood there with his back turned looking down at Trisha. Latrell grabbed his casted leg behind him.

  His heart was beating fast. He didn’t even know if Trisha still was alive or not. He made it over to Trisha, moving carefully around Malik. He dropped to the ground. “You ok baby?” He said softly moving his hands over her chest and stomach to see if she was breathing.

  The look on Malik’s face sent chills down his spine. He didn’t look like himself. His body was there but his mind was somewhere else. His eyes seemed lost. Like he was daydreaming now.

  Latrell could feel Trisha breathing slightly.

  She’s still alive! Thank you God! Latrell kissed her forehead.

  The door swung open and two security guards ran into the room. They instantly ran to Malik as Heidi pointed to him as she stood in the doorway.

  Malik didn’t fight. Didn’t even move.

  They rolled him on his stomach and put handcuffs around his wrists.

  Heidi made her way quickly to Latrell. “Is she ok? Is she breathing?” She asked bending down and placing the stethoscope on Trisha’s chest. “She’s got a heartbeat. I’ll get the doctor in here. You should get back in bed or that leg isn’t gonna heal right.”

  “I’m not leaving her. I don’t care about my leg. Please just get her some help.” Latrell pleaded with her, his eyes looking like tears wanted to come down from them.

  Heidi nodded and stood up and left the room.

  The security guards stood Malik up and faced him towards Latrell and Trisha. “You almost killed the nurse and your friend over there. What the hell were you thinking? Are you on any drugs?” The husky white security guard asked Malik.

  Malik didn’t answer just stood there giving Latrell a weird look. His eyes seemed so lost.

  Why was he looking like that? What happened to him in that forest?

  “Come on let’s go.” The black shorter security guard said pulling Malik’s arm towards the door.

  Malik didn’t take his eyes off of Latrell. He gave him this creepy look until he disappeared into the hallway.

  Latrell shook his head. He had to get that look out of his mind. Malik looked like he was under a spell or possessed o
r something.

  Latrell focused all his attention back to Trisha. He kissed her cheek. Please wake up. He said to himself. Please wake up baby.

  Heidi came back a minute later with a doctor and they came and bent down to Trisha.

  “Let the doctor do his work. You need to get back to bed Mr. Jackson.” Heidi told him.

  Latrell kept staring at Trisha as he made his way back to his bed with Heidi’s help.

  I can’t believe all this is happening. I can’t believe Malik acted that way. What in the hell is wrong with him?

  Latrell looked at the doctor work on Trisha. She began to cough loudly now. She backed up closer to the wall.

  “Everything is ok ma’am. You’re ok now.” The doctor told her.

  At least she’s awake now. At least she’s breathing, Latrell thought.

  Heidi helped the doctor slowly stand Trisha up. The doctor said something to Heidi and walked out of the room.

  Heidi put her arm around Trisha’s waist and started walking with her towards the door.

  “Where are you taking her?” Latrell asked curiously.

  “The doctor wants to run some tests to make sure nothing is broken or damaged in her throat. I’ll bring her back if the tests come back ok.” Heidi said looking back at Latrell. They walked out of the room and the door closed behind them.

  Latrell looked around the room. So quiet now. Everything so peaceful compared to a few minutes ago.

  He poured himself another cup of water and slammed it down. The water felt cool and hydrating going down his throat. He definitely need it after what he just went through.

  Images of Malik’s blank stare filled his mind. He couldn’t help but think about it. What was wrong with him? Why did he try to attack Trisha and the nurse like that?

  He sighed. He wished his leg wasn’t broken. Wished he could have gotten up to help. Now Trisha may be hurt bad and he felt it was all his fault.

  He clenched up his fists and grinded his teeth together.

  This is bullshit, he thought. This is all bullshit.

  Now Latrell had to sit there playing the waiting game. Whenever he heard footsteps in the hall his heart raced with excitement waiting to see if the door would open and Heidi would tell him what was going on.

  Five minutes passed by. Then ten. Now thirty whole minutes had gone by and Latrell was still sitting there with questions unanswered.

  He felt so bad for Trisha. Poor Trisha.

  Just another second under Malik’s powerful grip and she would have been dead. Just a few more seconds that seemed like minutes.

  His leg was itchy already and he scratched at his thigh through the hard cast.

  He watched the news on the TV trying to take his mind off of what had just happened.

  Can’t focus, he thought. I can’t even focus on the TV. That was too much. Where did Malik get so strong to hold two adults in the air at once?

  The more Latrell thought about it the more his stomach churned. It was something he’d be sure never to forget. Something that would stick in the back of his mind for years to come.

  Latrell turned his head towards the window and tried looking out it. The moonlight peeked in around the half pulled curtains casting it’s light on bed and floor.

  He would love to be out of that hospital. Be outside with the cool moon rays running over his skin. Taking in big whiffs of fresh air. Anything would be better than being stuck in that room. Having to think about what was wrong with his friend. Having to worry about was Trisha doing okay.

  A knock at the door made him turn towards it about twenty minutes later.

  It was Heidi. She stood there with her arms crossed in front of her chest.

  Oh great, he thought. Some bad news.

  He saw someone standing behind her but couldn’t make out who it was.

  “I have good news and bad news.” Heidi said, a serious expression on her face.

  Latrell waited eagerly to hear what she was going to say.

  “Which one do you want to hear first?” Heidi asked taking a step in the room.

  “The good news.” Latrell responded quickly.

  “The good news is she’s alright. No damaged vocal cords or anything. The bad news is you’re stuck here till tomorrow.”

  Latrell finally felt like he could breathe. That’s all he wanted to hear. He didn’t care about being there another day all he cared about was Trisha being okay.

  The person behind Heidi stepped out from behind her. It was Trisha. She stood there with a smile on her face.

  At least she’s in a good mood. Not sure I would be after all that.

  Heidi moved out the way so Trisha could fully show herself.

  Latrell looked at her, feeling sorry for her.

  This is all my fault. If I never called her she wouldn’t have came down here and almost died. His eyes were glossy.

  Heidi closed the door.

  Trisha made her way over to Latrell and threw her arms around his neck tightly.

  Her tight grip hurt but he didn’t care. He was just glad she was okay. Glad he could hold her again. Glad he could see her pretty smile.

  He hugged her back putting his hands on her back and holding her close. “You ok baby?”

  She nodded and took and deep breath. “I’m just glad it didn’t end up worse.”

  Latrell had his chin on top of her head. He smelled her hair which smelled freshly washed with a hint a hint of strawberries.

  “They’re taking your friend to be evaluated at Shadow Point Asylum. They want to make sure he’s not a danger to himself. We’ve already witnessed that he’s a danger to others.” Heidi said. She stood next to the bed.

  All Latrell could do was listen. That sounded like the best place for him to be was there. Maybe they could figure out what was wrong with him. Maybe they could figure out why he attacked the nurse and Trisha like that.

  “How long do you think he’ll be in there for?” Latrell asked rubbing Trisha’s back up and down gently with his fingers.

  Heidi shrugged. “It’s a mandatory thirty days so they can observe his behavior. Then they might keep him or release him depending on if there’s any charges pending on him.”

  Latrell raised his eyebrows. “Charges?”

  “Yeah well he almost did kill your girlfriend and knocked me around pretty good. But I’m not pressing charges. If your girlfriend wants to press charges she needs to call the police department. The detective left me his card.”

  Trisha shook her head. “No. There was definitely something wrong with him. I don’t think jail is the place for him to be. I think they should keep him at the asylum for now.”

  “Well it’s settled. I guess he’ll be staying at the asylum until they decide whether to keep him or let him go.” Heidi said.

  “Can I get something to eat?” Latrell asked still rubbing Trisha’s back.

  “Sure thing. I’ll get you a menu.” Heidi smiled, she pulled a menu out from a plastic pouch on the foot of his bed and handed it to him.

  Latrell looked through the menu with his free hand. “Everything looks good. Do you want something baby.”

  She shook her head but didn’t speak.

  “I think I’ll take the cheeseburger and fries. That sounds good to me.”

  Heidi placed the menu back at the foot of his bed. “Okay I’ll tell the kitchen to send that right up.” She turned and walked out the room.

  Latrell sighed. One more day and i can get outta here. I don’t like hospitals as it is but now I really don’t like them!

  Latrell closed his eyes and relaxed to Trisha’s breathing on his chest.

  So soothing. So relaxing. He was glad to have her back. Safe in his arms.

  Don’t worry love, nothing will ever happen to you like that again. No one will hurt my sweet angel again.

  Latrell started running his fingers through her hair softly. Soft, slow strokes.

  A patch of her hair came off into his fingers.

  He opened his eyes and
looked down.

  What in the world?

  Another patch of her hair came off with the next stroke.

  “Trisha!” He called out nervously.

  She raised her head and the side of her face that was laying on his chest skin fell off revealing nerves and muscles. Bright red blood covered her face.

  ________________

  Chapter 3

  Latrell tried backing up but, there was nowhere to back up to. His mouth dropped open in horror as he watched her skin stick to his chest.

  Blood all over his cover. So much blood. But how did it happen? How did half her face seem to fall off?

  She put her face back to his chest and then turned her head so the other side was now laying on his chest.

  It was gone. All the blood, the nerves and muscles showing was now gone.

  What’s going on? Am I losing my shit?

  Latrell finally realized he was imagining the whole thing. He had fallen asleep on the bed holding Trisha. He stared at her pretty face and exhaled a relieved breath.

  I don’t know what I would do if that really happened to her, he thought. I don’t know if I could take it.

  “I love you Trell.” Trisha said softly, her warm head comfortable on his chest.

  “I love you too sweetheart.” Latrell responded. He leaned his head over and kissed her forehead.

  ________________

  The next day came quick. Trisha stayed the whole night there cuddled up next to Latrell. It felt good having her in his arms even though it was at the hospital.

  It was now three in the afternoon. Heidi walked in his room rolling a wheelchair in front of her. “Are you ready to go home Mr. Jackson?” She asked loudly.

  Latrell nodded. “I been waiting to hear those words every since I got here.” He said honestly.

  Heidi held a sheet of paper in her hand as she wheeled the wheelchair close to the bed. “These are your discharge papers.” She handed him the papers. “I’ll be right back. I’m gonna go grab your crutches.” She turned around and headed out the door.

  Great! Crutches. I’m gonna be unable to walk normally for awhile.

  “We finally get to get outta here.” Trisha said. She yawned.