The Evil

  Latrell stood facing the stove, his back was turned from the door.

  He got a spoon and scrambled the eggs more as they cooked on the hot skillet.

  They’re done.

  He got two paper plates and split the eggs in equal parts on them.

  He heard a sound behind him which made him jump. He turned around.

  He didn’t see anything. His eyes scanned the living room.

  Empty.

  He turned back around and started washing the skillet in the sink.

  “Kill her!” A deep voice said behind him.

  ________________

  Chapter 17

  The words went straight to Latrell’s heart. Making it skip a beat. The voice was so cold. Heartless.

  He dropped the skillet in the sink, the water still running and, turned around again. “Hello?” He called out nervously. He took a step forward towards the living room.

  “We said kill her!” Another voice said loudly.

  It seemed like it was coming from the living room but, there was nobody in there.

  His heart felt like it was going to burst out of his chest at any moment. Nervous sweat began forming on his forehead.

  His eyes continued to scan the living room trying to make sense of what his ears heard.

  But he couldn’t see anything except for the couches and entertainment center.

  He looked around one more time before turning back and to the sink to finish washing the skillet.

  ________________

  Five PM that day…

  Latrell hadn’t been able to stop thinking about that nasty sounding voice all day.

  Kill her!

  He knew it was meant towards Trisha but, why was it telling him that?

  Now the vision began to make sense.

  He stepped out of his van and closed the door behind him. He had stopped at the liquor store on his way home from work. He made his way to the entrance and walked inside the store.

  A gust of cold air rushed past him.

  The store was busy. About ten people walking around getting cases of beer and bottles of alcohol.

  Latrell was there for some beer. A nice cold beer would calm his mind. He walked down the beer aisle and grabbed a case of beer. He started walking towards the checkout.

  “Latrell?” He heard a female voice calling out from behind him.

  He spun around. It was his ex Tracy.

  He noticed right away how good she looked. She always was beautiful. Full lips and hazel eyes. High cheekbones and a pretty smile. She wore a business suit and stood there with a box of wine in her hand.

  Latrell walked back over to her. “Tracy?” He knew it was her but wasn’t expecting her to be looking like a whole snack.

  “Yeah it’s me. How you doing Latrell?.” She smiled. Her pretty light brown complexion shined from the lights above her head.

  “I’m good.” He lied. He couldn’t tell her of all the things he was going through. Especially the ones about hurting Trisha.

  “That’s good. You look nice.” She said staring into his eyes.

  He stared back into hers. “You look amazing.” He said honestly staring her up and down.

  “I haven’t seen you in a long time. I thought maybe you moved or something?” Tracy said.

  “No. Just been busy with work and Trisha.” He replied.

  When he said Trisha’s name it looked like he drove a stake through her heart. Her face instantly had a jealous expression on it.

  “Oh, you’re still with her? Interesting. I thought maybe you two had broken up by now.” Tracy looked away like she was mad.

  “Yeah I’m still with her. She’s great. She’s just too sweet to break up with. She makes me happy.” Latrell said honestly.

  Tracy rolled her eyes. “No one can be that nice. She’s putting on an act for everyone. A hell of a show. I see she has you fooled.”

  Latrell was surprised she said that. He knew she never liked Trisha but she was the one who broke up with him to go to school out of state. “She really is a genuinely nice person. Unlike someone else I know who just ups and leaves me.” He looked at her hard.

  Tracy and Latrell had been highschool sweethearts. He had always thought they were going to tie the knot one day. Thought that they would always be together but, as quickly as she left him he never got over it.

  Until he met Trisha. Then everything changed. He never could understand how someone would want to hurt her. She was just the nicest person. Would go out of her way to please. But it seemed like everyone wanted to hurt her now. The evil wanted her bad.

  “That’s why she was messing with old boy who was beating her ass huh? She likes bein’ roughed up. You need someone strong like me. She’s broken.” Tracy said looking at him seriously.

  Does she really think I’ll take her back after she just left me here all alone? She’s crazy!

  Tracy took a step closer to him and put her hand on his chest. “I know you still miss me. I know you still have feelings for me Latrell.”

  Latrell looked down at her. He did still have feelings for her. He probably always would but, now he was with Trisha and he was a one woman type of guy. He wouldn’t let anything or anyone jeopardize that.

  “I still care about you Tracy. I will always care about you. You were my first love.” He said honestly.

  She moved her hand down to his stomach and gave him teasing eyes. She then went to his crotch.

  He backed up. “What are you doing?”

  She looked down at his crotch. “That was mine first. I want it back. I moved back to Shadow Point a few months ago seeing if I could make things right between us.”

  “Tracy you’ve been gone for five years. Not one phone call. Not even a letter to explain your actions. How do you think that made me feel? I was hurt for a long time.” Latrell’s eyes looked sad.

  “I know I messed up Latrell but, if you just give me another chance I promise I’ll make it up to you. I promise I’ll never hurt you again.” She stared at him sincerely.

  “What about Trisha? Where does she fit into all this?”

  Tracy stared at him and frowned. Her eyes squinted. Cold. “She doesn’t. You need to get rid of her. She’s in the way.”

  “I can’t do that to her. It wouldn’t be fair. Maybe if things don’t work out between us and you’re still single maybe, we can give it another try.” Latrell said.

  Tracy didn’t like that reply. She was always used to getting her way. Anyone telling her no would just make her want it even more.

  “So, I moved back to Shadow Point for you. I wanted to apologize for leaving you here. I also wanted to try to rekindle that flame that we had.” Tracy’s eyes looked so passionate.

  Latrell really didn’t feel like arguing with her. He just wanted to get home, crack open a can of beer and, relax next to Trisha.

  Tracy pulled out her phone from her purse. “What’s your number?” She asked staring into his eyes.

  Latrell shook his head. “Why?” He asked surprised.

  “Because I want it.” She said sassily, putting her hand on her hip.

  “I don’t think Trisha would like that.”

  “Fuck Trisha!” Tracy said coldly.

  “I really have to go. It was nice seeing you Tracy.” Latrell said. He didn’t like the way she was attacking Trisha like that.

  An older Caucasian man walked past them and smiled. He got to the end of the aisle and started staring at the beer there.

  Latrell turned around and started walking towards him. He felt Tracy’s hand grab his arm and turn him around.

  “I’m not letting you go that easily.” Tracy said smiling seductively.

  Latrell was feeling uncomfortable. The whole way she was acting made him see her in a different way. This was something he didn’t expect from her. Even though he knew she had a hard time getting told no to.

  “Come to dinner with me.” She said trying to soften her tone. She knew she was pushing his buttons by disrespecti
ng Trisha like that.

  “No, I don’t think that would be smart Tracy. Look I really have to get going.”

  “Okay at least let me get your number. I won’t leave you alone until you give me it.” Tracy crossed her arms in front of her chest defiantly.

  Should l give it to her? Should I just turn around and walk outta here?

  Latrell turned around and started walking towards the cashier.

  “Latrell?” He could hear Tracy whine behind him.

  He quickly paid for the case of beer and ran out of the store.

  I have to get the hell out of here, he thought. He threw the beer in the backseat and hopped into the driver’s seat and started the van up.

  He drove off. He could see Tracy standing on the curb holding her phone up.

  “What’s she doing now?” He asked himself out loud looking in the rearview mirror.

  That was close, he thought. Too close.

  Latrell couldn’t believe she was so bold like that. The way she kept touching him and the way she kept disrespecting Trisha. He knew how she would feel if someone did those things to her.

  His phone vibrated. A text message.

  He pulled out his phone and saw it was a number he didn’t recognize.

  “Save this number. It’s me Tracy.” The text read.

  What the fuck? How did she get my number? I didn’t give it to her!

  Latrell started texting her back in between looking at the road to drive. “Who gave you this number?”

  The phone vibrated again.

  “Malik. You should have just played nice and gave it to me yourself.” She texted.

  Latrell frowned. Goddammit Malik!

  Latrell waited until he pulled up in front of his apartment building to call Malik. He was to pissed.

  “Hello?” Malik answered on the other end.

  “Yo Malik man, what the fuck?” Latrell said angrily.

  “What’s wrong bro?” Malik sounded like he didn’t know why he was so mad.

  “Why did you give Tracy my fuckin’ number?”

  “That was like last week man. Why? Did she just called you?”

  Last week? Why did she ask for it if she already had it? What type of game is she playing?

  “I ran into her at the liquor store. She was harassing me. She asked for my number but, I didn’t give it to her.” Latrell explained. “She barely let me breathe in there. She was being really disrespectful towards Trisha.”

  “Hey man, I’m sorry. I didn’t know it would cause problems. I ran into her at the grocery store and she said she just wanted to say hi to you ” Malik said truthfully.

  “Well she definitely wants more than that. I don’t even know what’s gotten into her but, I’ve never seen her act that way before.”

  “My bad man. I guess I’ll ask next time before I give your number out.”

  “Yeah make sure you do. I don’t want any issues between me and Trisha.”

  “Alright man, I’m gonna get off this phone. I’ll holla at you later.” Malik said.

  “Alright man, peace.” Latrell hung up the phone.

  He stared out at the street. Such a nice evening out.

  He had too much on his mind. The voice telling him to kill Trisha was quietly repeating that phrase in the back of his head all day. Now Tracy and her shenanigans really was getting to him.

  Latrell hopped out than van a few minutes later and grabbed the case of beer in the back before locking the door. He went into the apartment building.

  Finally home, he thought, pushing the apartment door open and walking inside.

  Home sweet home.

  Latrell went straight to the fridge and pullbed himself a beer out the case before setting the rest of the inside.

  He walked back over to the couch and dropped down into the soft cushions.

  “Kill her!”

  He looked around quickly but realized it was just his imagination. He was thinking about earlier that day.

  I have to get this outta my head, he thought. He cracked open his can of beer and took a gulp.

  “Kill her!” The voice said again. It sounded angry and creepy.

  This isn’t my imagination, he realized. This is really happening now. It won’t leave me alone until I kill Trisha.

  He took another sip of his beer.

  “Kill her or we will do it!”

  Latrell looked over his shoulder. “No, I won’t! Leave me the fuck alone!”

  He heard keys rattling at the door.

  Trisha’s here. I have to hold it together. I can’t let her see me like this.

  The door swung open and Trisha walked into the apartment. She had on tight black jeans and a red t-shirt with white gym shoes. “Who are you talking to?” She asked, a weird expression on her face. She closed the door behind her.

  Latrell looked away from her. She heard me?

  “I was just talking to myself.” He said, trying not to let her know what he really heard.

  Trisha kicked off her shoes and walked over to him.

  He was happy to see her but, not happy he kept hearing those voices telling him to kill her.

  He stared at her. She’s so beautiful, he told himself. Perfect in every way.

  She sat on his lap and put her arm over his shoulder. “How was your day babe?”

  His day was fine until he ran into Tracy. The way she kept acting like Trisha wasn’t important really made him feel uncomfortable.

  “It was okay I guess.” He decided not to tell her about Tracy. “How was your day?”

  She sighed. “Busy. My feet are killing me.”

  He pushed her up. “Let me rub them for you.”

  “Oh you don’t have to do that Trell.”

  “It’s cool. I want too.” He said honestly.

  She stood up and sat next to him and put her legs across his.

  Latrell started rubbing them. A few minutes on one and then moved to the other foot.

  She closed her eyes and leaned her head back. “Damn Trell, that feels so good!” She exclaimed.

  Latrell didn’t say anything. Just kept rubbing away at her soles. Squeezing them tightly up and down.

  “So did you see anything interesting today?” Trisha asked.

  Latrell looked at her. Her eyes still were closed. Her head was still tilted back. Why did she ask him that? Did she hear something? Does she know something?

  Latrell decided to come clean. He didn’t really like keeping secrets from Trisha but, he just didn’t know how she would react to it.

  “Actually I did run into someone today.”

  “Who?” She asked her eyes still closed.

  “Tracy, my ex.”

  “Oh yeah? Where did you see her at?”

  “On my way home I stopped by the liquor store. She recognized me. She still….” He paused.

  She still looks good? No I can’t say that even though it’s the truth.

  “She still what?” Trisha finally opened her eyes and stared directly into his.

  “She still thinks there might be something between us. She thinks we could still be together. I told her I’m in love with you and that was that. But she didn’t seem too happy with that answer.”

  “So she just ups and leaves you and comes back years later thinking that everything is supposed to be cool between you two?” Trisha raised her eyebrows.

  Latrell shrugged. “I’m not sure what she was thinking but, she didn’t seem happy when I told her I’m with you still. She basically told me you were in the way. I kept telling her that she shouldn’t be talking about you like that and when she didn’t stop I walked outta there.”

  “Well thanks for sticking up for me babe. I’m not sure what that girl has against me. I’ve been nothing but nice to her since I’ve known her.” Trisha said.

  “I think she’s just jealous is all. She left and messed things up between us. Now she’s back and thinks she has a shot. I told her I’m happy with you.” Latrell looked at her softly. His eyes looking deep
into hers.

  “Really baby? Thanks.” Trisha smiled

  “It’s the truth. You make me happy. We deserve each other. You deserve all the happiness in the world. And anything I can do to help you get that, I’m gonna try my best to do it.” Latrell said.

  “Well you make me happy too Trell. I’m glad you feel that way about me because I feel the same way about you. My life has changed for the better every since you stepped into it.”

  Latrell raised one of her feet up and kissed it. “Feel better now?”

  She nodded. “Very.” She put her legs down and laid her head on his chest.

  He ran his hands over her hair, smoothing it down as he went over it.

  “I love you more and more each day.” Trisha said softly.

  “I love you too angel. My life has changed since you been in it too.”

  “This feels so right. Me and you. I think we were destined to be together Trell.”

  It did feel right. He had never felt that way about anyone before. Not even Tracy. He loved her but, his feelings for Trisha we’re way stronger.

  The only thing he didn’t like was the evil constantly coming for her. Why did it want to hurt Trisha so bad? What did she do to deserve that?

  It just wasn’t making any sense. Latrell had thought and thought about it and still wasn’t any closer to finding an answer.

  His phone vibrated. He took it out his pocket and looked at the screen. It seemed to be a bunch of letters on the screen in no particular order. A bunch of gibberish.

  He looked and noticed it was the number Tracy had texted him from earlier.

  His phone felt hot. It started burning his hand. He dropped it on the floor.

  “Who was that?” Trisha asked curiously.

  . “I don’t know. It was some weird letters on the screen.” He said.

  The phone began to chime and it sounded like something was pressing buttons.

  Black smoke began to come from underneath it.

  “Oh shit!” Latrell exclaimed.

  Trisha sat up and stared down at the phone.

  Smoke. So much smoke began to come from it. Some of the smoke rose high in the air almost to the ceiling and swept down into Latrell’s mouth.

  ________________

  Chapter 18