Edge of Darkness Box Set

by Margaret McHeyzer

  “They have so many things. But I’m telling you, don’t smoke nothing while you’re there. They’ll kick you out, and they won’t let you back in. Like, ever.”

  “Okay, well before we go, want to have some more? That way they can’t throw us out.”

  “The women who run the shelter, they won’t put up with shit. So, you gotta be quiet, and not talk back or nothing. Got it?”

  I cross my heart. Then pull out my pipe. “Just one more.” I hand it over to her, and hope she sprinkles a couple more rocks into it.

  “When we get there, we can have a shower. I’ll watch your stuff, if you can watch mine.”

  “Yep,” I say but I’ve actually stopped listening. I’m not even sure what I’ve agreed to. All I can focus on is the delicious rocks in the bottom of the pipe. She lights it up, and inhales.

  My mouth salivates, and I can’t wait ’til it’s my turn. I want to snatch it out of her hand, but considering they’re her rocks, I better not do that.

  “I can introduce you to my dealer too. In case your boyfriend gets held up. He’ll hook you up if you do a few guys for him. It’s really not that hard. You suck ’em off, and my dealer gives you some rocks.”

  “I suppose,” I say as she hands the pipe over to me.

  Yes, bliss. This is definitely the high life.

  Chapter 24

  “You’re insatiable,” Justin, Sky’s dealer, says as he hands more rocks over to me.

  “I can go another two or three guys,” I reply. Greedily taking the rocks from him, I shove it in my pocket and can’t wait to get back to the room we’re renting. It’s not very nice, but it’s enough for me and Sky. We’re sharing, and it works well for us.

  She’s always here, at Justin’s place. I come and go. We get paid in either rocks or money. The rocks are worth more than the money, but the room we’re renting costs a hundred a week.

  “Well, off you go.” He taps me on the butt as I walk out of his office. I suppose you could call this a brothel. I stopped bleeding about a week ago, and since then I figure I might as well try to make some money until Edgar comes back.

  I head out to the reception area where a girl named Misty is working the front desk. “You’re gonna go again?” she asks as she stares at me.

  “Yeah,” I snap at her judgmental gaze.

  “Room three.” She looks down at her phone and keeps playing the game she’s on.

  I walk into room three, and there’s a really fat young guy sitting on the bed. No time for politeness, I know what he wants. “Did they tell you that you have to wear a condom?” I say as I begin stripping the limited clothes I’m wearing.

  “Yeah. But if I wanna go bareback, can I pay extra?” He stands and unzips his jeans.

  “No bareback, I don’t want your cum inside me.”

  “Okay.” He shrugs as if he’s saying, ‘it was a worth a try.’ “Bend over,” he says.

  I do what he tells me, close my eyes, and think of the rocks I’m about to get for having sex with him.

  My steps are fast as I walk along the dark streets. I can’t wait to get home so I can light these crystals up. I’ve been coming down for about an hour, but I really need the money, so I decided to do one more guy before I left.

  “Hannah?” a deep voice calls from behind.

  Turning, there’s a police officer walking toward me. “Yeah?” I answer unsure on who this guy is.

  “It’s me. Martin. Remember?” He approaches me slowly, and I take a step backward. I’m racking my memories, and I don’t recall ever meeting a cop. I don’t cross paths with cops. I shake my head, not remembering who he is. “You punched me, in the face. I arrested you.”

  I straighten my back. The memory is vague, but something’s in there. “Oh yeah,” I say as more of the event floods back. “You tried to have sex with me, and I kneed you in the groin.”

  “No, that’s not what happened. But I did grab your upper arm when you tried to run, and you turned and punched me.” He rubs his jaw.

  “No! that’s not what happened. You and some other guy tried to have sex with me.” Yes, I remember exactly what happened. Why’s he lying?

  “Hannah, it’s the drugs. They alter the truth for you. They blur the lines between reality and hallucination.” He steps closer and I step backward.

  “I’m not a drug addict. I can stop anytime I want.”

  “Yes, and you said that last time. And I’m positive you’ve said it a million times since then.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” I’m getting edgy. I need the pipe, and this asswipe isn’t letting me get back home. “What do you want?” I ask.

  “I only want to talk.”

  “I’m not talking to you. You’re a rapist. My Dad nearly beat me to death because you sent me back to them. I told you they’re not good people. But you insisted. You were wrong.”

  “Your father didn’t nearly beat you to death. He didn’t even touch you. But you ran away again, and they came straight to the station. I’ve been looking for you.”

  “You’re an asshole.” Why does he have to make this shit up?

  “Let’s go for a coffee,” he says and waits for me to follow him.

  “I’m not going anywhere with you. You’ll shove me in a car, and sell me off to a sex trafficker. Edgar told me about people like you. You’re probably not even a cop,” I taunt him. “Leave me alone.”

  “Hannah, if you don’t stop, I’ll arrest you,” he says.

  “You’ll arrest me for not having a coffee with you, or for not having sex with you?”

  He steps closer, and this time I don’t move. I can see he’s irritated at me. His lips are pursed into a thin line, and his eyes narrow. “Why are you talking like that? Is that all you think of yourself? Because I’m not thinking about that. I’m thinking about how I want to help you because I don’t want you to continue being a statistic.”

  “You think I’m not happy?” I smile at him and jut out my hip. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. My boyfriend and I are going to have a baby together.”

  “Where is he?” Martin asks, taking me by surprise. “Your boyfriend, where is he?”

  “He’s out of town.”

  “When did you last speak with him?”

  “I talk to him all the time.”

  “Do you have a phone?”

  “Yeah.” I reach in my pocket, but it’s not there. “I must’ve left it at home. But I talk to him all the time.”

  “And he allows you to walk the streets at two in the morning?”

  “He trusts me.” I’m getting angrier and angrier at him. Why is he asking about Edgar? “He loves me,” I say.

  “I can see. A young girl, walking through the streets at two in the morning where anything can happen to her. He obviously cares about you so much, he’s driving you.” I go to tell him Edgar’s car has broken down and that’s why he’s not here. “But he’s out of town, right?”

  “No, I never said that. His car’s broken down. God, why are you being so horrible? Just leave me alone.” Why does he think he’s out of town? Edgar loves me.

  “You can come for coffee, or I can arrest you. Which would you prefer?”

  I huff and stomp my foot. “Fine, you can buy me a coffee. And something to eat ‘cause I’m hungry. But I can’t stay for long, because Edgar will be back soon. He’s gone to take his Mom back to the airport.” We begin walking toward the main street, where most of the stores are closed because it’s late, but a few stay open twenty-four hours a day.

  “What did you do tonight?” he asks.

  “I worked,” I respond before I think about what he’s asking.

  “How were the clients?” What? He knows?

  “I’m not a hooker.”

  We walk down the block, and he opens the door to a small, spice-smelling diner. There’s nothing appealing about this place. I wrinkle my nose and roll my eyes. “What, you’re too good for this place?” he asks and chuckles.

&nb
sp; “Actually, I am. I wouldn’t be caught dead in here.”

  “The coffee is good, the pancakes are better, and they’re both hot. When was the last time you had something to eat?” he asks and shifts his eyes suspiciously toward me.

  “I eat all the time. This baby is super hungry.” I place my hand to my stomach protectively.

  He nods his head, his gaze dropping to my stomach for a second before rising again. “How far along are you?” he asks, but I can tell there’s something more to his voice.

  “At least… ” I think back, and I become stumped with his question. “I don’t know.”

  “Have you been to the doctor so they can check that you and the baby are fine?” He’s not asking questions a regular cop would ask. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he cares. Don’t know why though. This ain’t his baby.

  “No, not yet. But I’m sure everything’s perfect.”

  “And what about the drugs? Don’t you know the drugs will affect the baby?”

  “I’m not a drug addict,” I say through a clenched jaw. “I can stop anytime I want.”

  “So you’ve said. But, do you think about your baby and what you’re doing to it?”

  I slam a fist to the table, and stand. “If you’re gonna lecture me on my non-existent drug addiction, then you can go to hell.” I turn to walk away, but he stands and grabs on to my hand.

  “Don’t go. I just want to talk. Two adults, talking. That’s all. And hopefully, you’ll have something to eat. Sit down, Hannah.” He sits and picks the flimsy paper menu up. “I’m starving. I think I’ll get pancakes with bacon on the side. What about you?” He looks up to me, waiting.

  Hesitantly, I take my seat again. The rocks in my pocket are calling me though. I grind my teeth to stop the anger from coming through. I want to go home and light up the pipe, but I’ll have to wait. “Pancakes too,” I half grumble. “And a mocha.” He looks to me and smiles. “And hash browns.” He nods his head. “And some fruit.” Man, I haven’t had fruit in a while. Strawberries. My absolute favorite. I haven’t had the sweet taste of a strawberry since… I sigh out loud. Since I was at my parent’s house. That’s a long time. But they wanted me gone. They told me to steal from Kristen, and if I didn’t I was no longer allowed to stay at home. It’s all their fault.

  “Tell me about your boyfriend,” Martin says. A smile immediately lights up my face.

  “He’s the love of my life.”

  “Yeah?” Martin looks over to the guy standing behind the counter and says, “Two stacks of pancakes, both with a side of fruit, bacon, and hash browns, one mocha and a coffee.”

  The guy nods to Martin and disappears out the back. There’s another couple sitting up the other end, and they’re giggling and hugging each other. I stare at them longingly, hoping Edgar returns from his business trip soon.

  “Yeah, he’s overseas. He had to go for some family business.”

  “Oh yeah? I thought you said his car’s broken down.”

  “No!” I say way too forcefully. “I never said that. He’ll be back next week.”

  “Yeah?” Martin asks.

  “Don’t you believe me?”

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  The guy from behind the counter brings over our coffees, and places one in front of me, one in front of Martin. “Anyway, I’m moving from here when Edgar gets back. He said he’s taking me to Hawaii.”

  “When did he tell you this?”

  “The last night we spent together, just before he left.” The days are a bit blurred, but I definitely know he said Hawaii.

  “Tell me about him. He sounds like a great guy.”

  “He is.” I place my hand to my heart, feeling it beat rapidly beneath my touch. “He’s got this bodyguard I don’t like, but Edgar said he’s going to get rid of him because he makes me feel uncomfortable.”

  “Wow, really? Getting rid of people who work for him because you don’t like them. He sounds better and better. Have you ever been anywhere with him? Edgar, not the bodyguard?”

  “Edgar used to take me to loads of parties. They were so much fun. I met so many nice people. They were all really friendly. Except this one guy, he freaked me out a bit.”

  “Yeah, who was that?” He picks his coffee up and sips it.

  “Um, I don’t remember his name. But the girl he brought over to the party, she was really nice. But she’s a heroin addict, and I don’t really associate with addicts. They make me look bad. Sky does ice sometimes, and heroin sometimes, but not a lot. She knows when she has to stop. You know, it’s more recreational than anything else.”

  He looks down to his coffee, and a strained smile stretches his face. “I’m sure you can both stop anytime you want. That’s a comfort to know. I’d hate for this to take over your life. I mean, I couldn’t imagine what being a drug addict would feel like. How lonely they’d be, or what they’d have to do to get drugs. I’ve seen some turn to prostitution, stealing. And my God, the lies they tell. But the worst thing is that they actually believe the lies themselves. But, I’m glad you’re not like that.” He reaches over to squeeze my hand and quickly pulls back.

  “No way. I couldn’t do anything like that. It’s just not in my nature.”

  “Drugs change people, Hannah. I’ve seen sweet girls who fall victim to drugs, and I’ve seen kids who come from drug-affected families. It doesn’t discriminate. Once you start, it’s hard to stop.”

  “Well, you’re not describing me.”

  He nods his head, the same pained smile still stretched across his face. “Why were you walking in the middle of the night?’

  “I just needed to stretch my legs. You know what I mean?”

  “No, not really. When I’m home, I like to stay home.”

  “You must’ve had a good family upbringing. I didn’t.”

  “Here are your pancakes. I’ll bring your sides in a minute.” The guy from the counter places our food down in front of us. My stomach rumbles with hunger. I could eat. I’ll probably eat all of mine, and all of his.

  “I had a great upbringing. Both my parents were in law enforcement, and my older brother is in law enforcement, and my younger sister is studying to be a lawyer.”

  “See, you’re all smart. I got beat up by my parents often.”

  He nods his head, then it slowly turns to a shake. “I’ve met your parents, Hannah. And they’ve never raised their hand to you.”

  “What would you know? You didn’t live with them.”

  I want to leave, but I’m also really hungry. If I stay, I’m going to have to hear his lies about my parents, but at least I’ll get to eat. I’ll gorge myself really quickly, then I’ll leave. Ha! Sucker, I’ll leave him with the bill too.

  “I’ve met them,” he says slowly again. “And I’ve been in contact with them often.”

  “They pretend to be great parents, but really they’re not. Do you know, I’d go days without food? They’d turn the water off to the house and make me so thirsty, I’d have to sneak out to the neighbors and have a drink from the yard faucet? Do you also know, they’d chain me to my bed and leave me there for days before they’d come back? They’re swingers, and they’d bring all types of people over to the house and let them do anything they want to me.” Tears well in my eyes. They’re the most horrible people I’ve ever met.

  “And Edgar saved you?” Martin asks as he eats his bacon.

  “Edgar is my light. Before him I was trapped in darkness, but he flicked a match, and suddenly, the world became good, not bad anymore.”

  “And when did you say you last saw him?”

  “It was only a couple of days ago. He loves me more than his own life.” I can’t wait ’til I see him again.

  “These parties he’d take you to, did you ever do anything you didn’t want to?”

  “Like what?”

  “Were you ever forced to do anything?”

  “Like sexually?” I giggle. He nods his head. “Everything I did, I did because I wanted t
o.” I lean over the table and motion for him to come closer to me. He moves in and I whisper, “Sex is so much better with a bit of rock.” I wink at him and giggle again. “So much better. You should try it.”

  “Not my scene,” he says as he waves his hand in front of me. It’s like he thinks it’s addictive or something.

  “You’re so missing out. It’s honestly mind-blowing.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.” He pauses and takes a few more bites. I’m inhaling my food, like I haven’t eaten in days. Grabbing the fruit, I’m disappointed there are no strawberries, but the banana and apple pieces are nearly as good. “So, I’m thinking, why don’t we try to get you into somewhere else to stay?”

  “Like where?”

  “A place that might be able to help you.”

  “Help me? What’s wrong with me?”

  “Maybe to teach you other ways to deal with things instead of drugs.”

  I throw my fork on the plate. He’s gotta be kidding me. Here we go again, about the drugs. “This is the last time I tell you this, Martin. Get it through that stupid head of yours. I’m not an addict.” Why is he insisting on attacking me?

  “No, I know you’re not. But wouldn’t you want to get clean for the baby? Maybe, go back home with your parents?”

  I burst into tears. “I can’t go back there. I can’t. They hate me,” I say through the blubbering.

  “I’m sure you’ll find they’re worried sick about you, and they’d do anything to help you.”

  “No, they hate me. They told me they’d kill me if I ever went back there.”

  “Hannah, I know that’s not real. But I also know that you actually believe what you’re saying. That’s the drugs talking. It’s not reality.”

  “I’m not a junkie.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  “I’m not. I swear I can stop… ”

  “Anytime you want,” he finishes.

  “See, you get it.” I smile, suddenly forgetting what I’m actually angry about. That’s right, I need to get back home.

  “Why don’t you let me help you?”

  “Why do you want to help me so much?” I start laughing, like something’s really funny. I’m not sure what, but I think he said something to make me laugh. “Did your momma die from a drug overdose?” I keep laughing, how funny would that be if she did?