by J N Tensley
Please let me get away! Please let me get outta here!
Latrell could see lights ahead of him.
A road! Highway lights.
Latrell continued running. He was losing his breath. His calves were so sore running through that forest.
“Fuck!” He exclaimed tripping over a large tree root hanging out the ground. He was able to catch himself before he fell face first to the ground.
Almost there! I’m almost to the road.
He made his way towards the last bit of trees and towards the shiny black road.
He was on the road now. Running in the middle of the highway.
He could see Malik behind him just coming out from behind the trees.
Latrell couldn’t see the truck coming up fast behind him. Couldn’t see anything except trying to get far away from there.
Then everything went dark. As the truck hit him from behind and Latrell flew up in the air over the truck, everything was dark and black in his mind.
Latrell was unconscious laying in the middle of the road.
Then Latrell could see as he looked down at his motionless body that it wasn’t the cloud that was chasing him, it was Malik.
I was wrong. Everything was happening so fast and I was wrong!
Latrell saw the driver hopped out of his truck and make his way to Latrell.
“What the hell man?” The middle aged truck driver said running over to Latrell.
He was in a puddle of blood. Thick red blood.
“Don’t you worry buddy I’m gonna get you to a hospital.” The man said grabbing Latrell’s arms and pulling him towards the truck.
Latrell was out of his body watching watching the whole thing now. Watching the man load his body onto the truck bed.
Latrell could see Malik walking on the road now. Walking up towards the driver but the driver didn’t see him.
Latrell started waving his hands. “Behind you! Look behind you!”
The man closed the door of his truck bed and started walking around to the driver’s side.
He can’t hear you. He’s gonna get killed.
Malik walked right up behind the driver and pushed him into the door.
The man grunted as he hit the door hard and then fell to the ground.
“What’s your problem buddy?” The man asked, turning over.
Malik grabbed the man with one hand by the throat and walked him over to the side of the road.
The man struggled to break free but Malik was too strong. The evil gave him superhuman strength.
Malik started punching the man, over and over in his face. Blood splattered everywhere.
There was nothing Latrell could do except watch that man get beaten into a bloody mess.
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Chapter 15
Every punch landed with a sickening crunch against the man’s face.
“Malik stop!” Latrell shouted at the top of his lungs. “You’re gonna kill him!”
But Malik couldn’t hear him. No one could. He wasn’t really there, he was just observing everything.
Malik’s face was twisted in fury. His eyes were squinted low. Still white. So white.
Latrell walked closer to him until he stood right next to him. He grabbed at Malik’s back. His hands went straight through him.
“Fuck!” Latrell said angrily balling up his fist.
Maybe I should try to wake myself up?
Latrell ran back over to the truck bed and climbed on the back. He stared at himself mysteriously. It was a strange feeling that swept over him looking at his own body unconscious.
Latrell looked over his whole body and paid close attention to his broken leg. The bone was stuck out underneath his kneecap. Blood had formed under him.
He bent over and swatted his hand at his face.
The same thing happened. It went straight through his face.
Latrell saw Malik standing up now. He was walking back over to the truck.
No! That man is dead! Malik killed him!
Malik climbed into the driver’s seat and slammed the door. He then put the truck into drive and took off down the road.
Latrell sat in the truck bed looking confused. Malik is the one who took me to the hospital? He thought. But that doesn’t make sense. How would he know to do that if he’s possessed?
The wind rushed past Latrell’s head as Malik sped up. I can’t believe this! Malik murdered that guy in cold blood and now he’s taking me to the hospital in his truck.
Latrell heard knocking. “Trell?”
What was that? Who was calling him? A female’s voice.
He looked up towards the bright shiny moon. The voice seemed to be echoing in the night sky.
“Trell?” Are you okay?” The voice seemed to be getting louder.
Then Latrell remembered he was inside of a dream. I’m not really here, he told himself. I’m thinking about this whole thing.
Another knock, this time louder.
Latrell could fill something pulling him towards the sky. Like a black hole. It was strong. So powerful. He let go of the side of the truck bed and was immediately pulled into the air.
Another loud knock.
Latrell now was standing back in front of his bathroom mirror. His hands were wrinkly and soggy from holding them under the hot water all that time.
“Fuck!” He yelled and turned the faucet off. He shook his hands in pain. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his hands.
“Trell? What are you doing in there?”
It was Trisha. Her voice sounded worried.
“I’ll be out in a second babe.” He said, his hands throbbing in pain.
I can’t believe my dumbass blacked out like that while I was washing my hands. I can’t believe I watched my best friend murder someone again. Why? What is it trying to show me?
Latrell stared at himself in the mirror. His eyes were bloodshot. His face looked anxious.
He finally grabbed the doorknob, unlocked it and, pulled it open.
Trisha stood there tapping her toes anxiously on the floor. Her arms were crossed in front of her chest. “What were you doing in there?” She asked in a concerned tone. She looked down at his hands and her eyes grew wide. “Oh my God! What happened?” She came close to him and stared at the white towel over his hands. She grabbed his forearm. “What’s going on Trell?”
“I don’t know. I just got lost in my thoughts while I was washing my hands. I didn’t realize how hot the water was.” Trell explained.
“Let me help you to the couch. I’ll get some ice and we can wrap your hands up in that for awhile.” Trisha suggested. She stood on the side of Latrell and he put his arm around her shoulder.
He started limping next to her all the way to the living room.
He realized it was a lot harder having someone help him walk in the cast then it was walking with the crutches.
They made it to the couch. Latrell sat down. “Damn this shit hurts!” He exclaimed.
Trisha walked over to the kitchen. “Don’t worry. Some ice should soothe it.” She said opening the freezer. She grabbed an ice tray and brought it back over to Latrell. She twisted the ice tray back and forth to release some of the ice cubes. “Open them up for me.” She said standing in front of him.
Latrell opened the towel up and kept his hands balled up.
Trisha dumped the ice cubes in the towel and then covered his hands back up.
The ice cubes soothed Latrell’s skin, they were so cold. But the pain seemed to be numbing down right away.
Trisha went back into the kitchen and filled the ice tray back up. She set it in the freezer and came back and sat down next to Latrell. “What were you thinking about so hard that you didn’t realize that you had your hands under hot water?”
Latrell looked straight forward. He really didn’t want to think about it. He really would like to just forget it. Seeing Malik like that. Killing an innocent man trying to help him was’nt something he really wanted to think about
.
Latrell shook his head. “It was the second time I’ve thought about it. This time was different than the first.”
“Thought about what?” Trisha asked softly.
“Thought about being in the forest that night. Thought about Malik killing that driver. I saw the whole thing in my dream or vision, whatever you want to call it.” He turned his gaze to Trisha and looked at her seriously. “Malik murdered that guy in cold blood. He then took his truck and drove me to the hospital.”
Trisha’s eyes seemed to pierce into his. “How do you know what you were seeing was what really happened?” She asked curiously.
“It felt so real. This is the second time I’ve had a vision like this. I think the evil wants to show me something.” Latrell stared straight ahead studying a spot on the wall.
“So Malik is the one that drove you to the hospital? It kinda makes sense. The driver that he killed, his truck. Yeah it makes sense.” Trisha declared.
Latrell didn’t know what was happening to him. Why was the evil invading his mind like that? What was it trying to show him?
That it used Malik to kill an innocent man? That it can get into his mind whenever it wanted?
Trisha placed her hand on his leg. “That sounds so fucked up. I’ll never be able to get over Kia’s and Malik’s eyes. They were so intense. So evil looking. That thing that was inside them was real.”
“That’s the evil from the forest. That’s what it does. It shows people it’s true form and then possesses them.” Latrell said.
Latrell scratched at his cast.
Stupid cast! He thought. Don’t worry you’ll be off soon and the next time I’m gonna be careful before I run into the road. I can’t believe how stupid I was!
Two weeks later…..
Latrell had finally gotten his cast off after work one day. The doctor said his leg healed very well.
Trisha pulled up in front of the apartment building and turned off the ignition. She looked over at Latrell and looked down at his leg free of the cast now. “How does it feel?”
“It feels like heaven.” He responded smiling. He rubbed his leg. “You don’t know how it feels having something on your leg for two months. I thought I was gonna go crazy if I didn’t get that damn thing off.”
“She smiled back. “I can only imagine. It probably was itchy and sweaty and would just be hard to deal with. I don’t think I could do it.”
It was a nice evening. It was now five fifteen and there was a beautiful wind in the warm air.
“You want to take a walk with me? I need to get adjusted to walking normally again.” Latrell said.
“I would love to. It’s been awhile since we were able to do that.”
They both climbed out and Latrell stepped on to the sidewalk. His leg did feel good to be out of that cast. It was just a little sore from the pressure he was putting on it.
Trisha walked around the vehicle and stood next to Latrell. “You look like you’re in pain.” She noticed.
He nodded. “It hurts a little but, I have to strengthen it up. It’s the only way I’ll be able to walk normally again.”
And go to that forest, he thought. To see if I can put an end to this.
Latrell grabbed Trisha’s hand and started walking down the sidewalk away from the apartment building. He had a slight limp as he walked trying not to put all of his weight on his leg yet.
“It feels so good out here.” Trisha said a bright smile on her face.
Latrell loved the way she smiled. It was pretty. It warmed his heart seeing her high cheekbones raise up. He lips widen up and her pretty white teeth show.
“It is a nice ass day. Perfect day for a walk.” Latrell added.
They stopped at a crosswalk and waited for the light to turn green.
With every step Latrell took his leg hurt but, it seemed to be becoming less and less intense the more pressure he put on it.
“You okay?” Trisha asked staring down at his leg.
“Yeah, I’m cool. It’s just weird is all. It feels like I haven’t used it in so long.”
“You haven’t the last few months. It’s been all wrapped up in that cast.” She said. “I’m gonna miss that cast on you to be honest.”
He raised his eyebrows and looked at her surprised. “What do you mean? Didn’t you get tired of doing all the driving and constantly having to get up for me?”
“To be honest, I didn’t really mind it. You looked so cute in it. So helpless. Not the big strong man I fell in love with. It was just nice to be able to be there for you.” Trisha said honestly.
“So you saying the cast made me look weak? I’m glad it’s off!” He chuckled.
She chuckled too. “No I meant that you just looked like you needed help. And I didn’t mind giving it to you. Even if it took six months, or a year to heal. I would have been right there by your side.”
“I know you would have baby and I appreciate you for helping me. Lord knows I wouldn’t have been able to do it without your tender touch.”
“Awww, really Trell?”
“Really Trish.” He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer.
She put her arm around his waist.
Latrell had a strange feeling. It felt like they were being watch by someone. By something.
Why am I feeling this way? He wondered looking around him and Trisha nervously.
He noticed the sky was starting to darken up a little. The storm clouds were moving in.
“There goes our perfect evening.” He whined to Trisha.
“Yeah it was nice while it lasted.” She said.
“How about we walk down one more block and then head back before we get soaked?” Latrell suggested.
“That sounds good babe.”
They looked both ways and crossed over to the next block. The wind was starting to pick up more. It sounded like someone was whistling faintly.
Latrell’s leg felt better now. Not so sore. He stopped walking and raised his leg up and down a few times.
They made their way to the end of the next block and turned around.
Something felt like it was sitting on Latrell’s chest. It was a heavy feeling. So heavy. It was hard for him to breathe.
Latrell placed his hand on his chest and took deep breaths.
Trisha looked at him concerned. “Everything alright babe?” She stared at his hand on his chest.
He nodded. “I think so. It’s just that I feel like something isn’t right.” He said.
“What’s wrong?” Trisha asked interested.
He stared at her pretty face. “I been getting these feelings every time that evil cloud comes around. It’s like it wants me to know it’s close. I start breathing funny and then sometimes my head feels weird.”
“Really? Damn! That sounds horrible.” She said honestly.
“Yeah it’s not fun.” I don’t know why I seem to be able to sense it but I do.” He looked around him nervously, trying to see if he could see anything out of place.
Everything looked normal. Just a beautiful evening. The sun was playing hide and go seek with the clouds. It was warm out but, not too warm. A couple jogged together on the other side of the street. A couple kids were tossing a football back and forth to each other.
Why do I feel this way? He wondered. Why am I feelin’ so anxious?
They came to a corner and looked both ways before crossing over to the next block.
An old loud car was coming down the street once they got over. It’s muffler was so loud.
Latrell stared at it. The sound of the muffler made him even more anxious. It sounded like loud bursts of thunder.
Trisha covered her ears. “Damn that shits loud!” She said, her voice muffled under the loud sounds coming from the car.
Latrell felt uneasy. It felt like the evil was closer than ever. He just didn’t know where.
Such a dreadful feeling in the air now.
The car stopped.
Latrell got a good look at it
. A brown rusted older model Toyota. Thick white smoke coming from the muffler. The smoke gathered up in the air, seeming to stay right behind the car.
“Trell?” Trisha pulled on his arm.
Latrell was out of it. Something about the smoke didn’t seem right to him.
The car continued to just sit there, idling. Now the smoke turned to a gray color.
What the hell? Latrell told himself.
Trisha kept pulling on his arm and calling his name.
But Latrell couldn’t bring himself to hear her. His mind was only focused on the smoke and the loud sputtering of the muffler.
Now the smoke started turning black. Dark black. It hovered in the air for a moment then, swooped down close to the ground.
The voices! Latrell could hear the voices. So many, so loud.
“Trell, how come you’re not listening to me?” Trisha asked in a whiny voice.
Latrell tapped her on the shoulder. “Do you see that?” He pointed to the cloud hovering above the ground.
She turned her head to look at what he was pointing to. “Yes. It’s, smoke.”
He shook his head. “No it’s the evil. We have to get the fuck outta here!” He grabbed her hand and started running with her back towards the apartment.
He turned around while running and saw the cloud lifting up in the air now. It started to follow them.
“Fuck!” He yelled. He was hoping he was wrong. Hoping the evil didn’t find them this time.
Latrell picked up speed. I have to get me and Trisha outta here. I have to get her to safety.
Trisha looked behind them. She screamed. “What the fuck is that?” She asked grabbing on to his hand tighter.
“That’s the evil. I told you I could sense it. It wants one of us. It keeps coming after us.” Latrell said.
His heart was racing. It felt like it was going to fall out of his chest at any moment.
Just a block away now, he told himself. If we can just make it into the apartment, maybe we’ll be safe.
His leg hurt now. Hurt so bad. He didn’t expect to be putting this much pressure on it this fast.
Latrell needed to take a break. He needed to catch his breath but, he knew if he stopped, the evil would catch up to him.
No! I’m not gonna stop. I’m gonna save me and Trisha.