Edge of Darkness Box Set

by Margaret McHeyzer

  “You think one day I’ll be okay? Maybe even normal?”

  Reece chuckles and flicks me on the leg. “You’ve never been normal, Dakota. No need to try to be normal now.” His cheeky smile makes me happy.

  “I just want to feel like I did before prom,” I whisper.

  “Unfortunately I don’t think that’ll ever happen. But it doesn’t mean you can never feel good and strong. It just means you’ll have down days every now and again. You’ll have to learn the signs and prepare for them.”

  “Oh God, why does this have to be so difficult?” I sigh.

  “Dakota, you have so much support and love all around you. We’ll all help you through it.” He reaffirms his words by squeezing my knee. “I’m going to push you.” He hops off the swing, and starts pushing me. Leaning back, I close my eyes and tilt my head up toward the darkened sky. The wind gliding through my hair makes me feel alive. His warm hands on my back spark a longing inside me. I want to be better, mentally.

  We hear a car drive by the park slowly and when I open my eyes, we’re hit with an incredibly bright spot light. “What’s going on?” I question. Suddenly red and blue lights start flashing lights on top of the car. Reece stops pushing me, and heads over toward the car.

  I jump off the swing, and go with Reece. “It’s late. What are you two doing here?” A female police officer asks, shining the bright light in our direction.

  Both Reece and I hold our hand up over our eyes, shielding us from the powerful spotlight. “We were talking, and swinging.”

  She dims the light and gets out of her car. She looks us up and down, then shines her flashlight over toward where we were sitting. “You drinking?” she asks.

  “No, Ma’am,” Reece replies. “Just talking.”

  “On your way home.” She flicks her head sideways, gets back in her car and turns it around. She follows us slowly all the way until we get home.

  When we get inside, Mom and Dad are in the family room. “Did you have a good time?” Dad asks.

  It’s then I finally realize what’s happened. It was a small intervention. A way to get me out of the house so I could take a step toward feeling like my old self again. “It was good, until the police showed up,” I answer.

  Both Mom and Dad’s faces drop in shock. “Police?”

  “Yeah, I think they thought we were drinking, so they made us leave,” Reece chuckles. “It was good while it lasted. Anyway, I’ve got to get home. Walk me out?” he asks me.

  “Sure.”

  We stand on the porch, holding hands and reliving the police situation. But really it makes me feel better knowing they’re patrolling around here. It’s comforting to know they’re close by. “I don’t think I’ll be able to see you on the weekend. There are lots of things happening at home and with Miles away, I have to help out more.”

  “That’s okay. I get it.”

  “I can’t believe the summer is almost over. Back to school on Monday.”

  “Yeah, seniors too.” I widen my eyes and purse my lips together. “I don’t want to go. I can’t imagine how I’ll react if anything gets mentioned.”

  “You’ll have me, Dakota. There’s nothing to be scared of.”

  I nod, but I’m really freaking out. I don’t want him to know how I’m feeling, so I bottle it away and keep it a secret. I’m good at doing that.

  Chapter 43

  Nervously I pace in the family room. Sam’s still getting ready and Mom’s impatiently yelling at her. “Hurry up, Samantha, we’re going to be late.”

  I keep pacing, chewing my fingernails trying to distract myself.

  “I’ll only be another minute,” Sam hollers back.

  Mom goes to the door, and keeps an eye on me. “How are you doing, Dakota?” she asks. But she knows. I’ve been telling her since they found out what happened how petrified I am of going back to school. “You okay?”

  I shake my head, and start on my next nail. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

  “If you don’t go now, it’ll only get harder to go tomorrow. You have to face it. Your father said the social media group has been taken down and there haven’t been any more pictures.”

  “It’s social media, Mom. The moment it’s on the web, that’s it. It’ll never be truly gone.”

  “I know. But I’m holding on to the hope not many people from your school saw it. And even if they did, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Don’t let them affect you.”

  “What if they’re horrible? Or I end up crying all day?”

  “Call me, and I’ll come pick you up right away.” She walks over and rubs her hands up and down my arms. “You’ll be okay. You can do this.”

  “Alright,” I reply, though I have a feeling I’m going to be the furthest thing from okay.

  Sophie, Reece and I are sitting in the cafeteria eating our lunch. Well, they’re eating while I’m pushing my food around, distracted by my anxiety.

  “You okay, doll?” Reece asks as he leans over to give me a peck on the cheek.

  “Doll? You’ve never called me that before.”

  “You’re cute, and little. And cute.”

  “You already said cute.”

  “I’ll say it again, you’re cute.” He bumps my shoulder with his and gives me a beautiful smile. Aw, he makes my heart flutter.

  Sophie laughs and then chokes. “You two are cute,” she manages to spit out between coughs. “So cute you’re making me choke.”

  Lindsey walks past us, and snidely says, “Wow, look who’s sitting at the loser table.” She makes an L with her hand and lifts it to her forehead.

  “How old are you, Lindsey? Even the freshmen don’t do that,” I angrily spit at her.

  “Whatever, loser.” She happily walks away.

  “Skank,” I yell back.

  “Calm down, Rocky.” Reece reaches over and gently massages my shoulder. “I thought I was going to have to step in and referee for a second. Feisty.”

  “I’m sick of her bullshit. She was one of my best friends, and the minute Levi and I break up, she not only goes straight to him, she becomes a raving bitch.”

  “I hate to tell you, Dakota, she’s always been a raving bitch,” Sophie says as she picks up a piece of lettuce and munches away.

  “Sophie’s right, Dakota. She always has been,” Reece agrees.

  “Ugh,” I moan loudly. How have I never seen this side of her before?

  “That’s her, the girl in those pictures,” I hear someone whisper from behind me.

  Reece’s spine stiffens, as he turns to look at whoever whispered. “Have you got a problem?” he asks, standing from his seat and extending to his full, six-foot height. “You want to ask a question, come here and ask.” He takes a menacing step forward, his chest puffed out and his hands balled into fists.

  The air around us crackles as Reece moves into the space of the guy who whispered. He’s another senior, someone I’ve never had anything to do with in the past.

  “Nah man, not saying anything.” He backs away, his hands held chest high, palms out as if conceding to Reece’s anger.

  “You gonna beat up everyone who says your little girlfriend is a slut and whore?” Levi appears and chest bumps Reece. It’s a challenge, a dare to see who’s toughest.

  Reece’s neck muscles tense, while he stands his ground, and pushes Levi. “You want another broken nose? I have no fucking problem busting it again.” Reece steps forward, and Levi steps back.

  “Hey,” I jump up and get between the two before a fight breaks out. I put my palm to Reece’s chest, and give him a pleading gaze. “Please, don’t. He’s not worth it,” I whisper so only he can hear me. Reece’s eyes are glaring at Levi, I can feel the anger rolling off him as he considers my plea. “Please, I need you,” I beg. If he’s suspended or thrown out for fighting, I won’t have my support group around me.

  “Listen to the whore. You don’t want me messing up that pretty-boy face of yours.” Levi’s voice changes into a baby tone wh
en he says ‘pretty boy face’; it’s a taunt to make Reece lose it so he throws the first punch.

  And this pisses me right off.

  I swiftly turn on my heel, and slap him so hard his head jerks to the side. “You’re a fucking pig!” I yell.

  Levi stands stock still, his hand rubbing his cheek and his mouth wide open. He wasn’t expecting that from me, nor was I. He straightens his shoulders, arches a brow and smirks at me.

  Levi moves closer, threateningly, toward me, and Reece grabs my arm and pushes me behind him, as he takes my place so they’re toe to toe. “You’ll get your own, whore,” he spits at me from around Reece.

  “Fuck off, before I lay you out on your ass,” Reece says through a clenched jaw. His arm is behind him, smashing me to his body protectively.

  “Watch your back, Hendricks,” Levi warns Reece.

  “Bring it,” Reece quickly replies, his chest puffed out.

  Levi backs away, taking a few steps backwards while he continues to watch us. When he’s halfway across the cafeteria he yells, “Me and you, Hendricks. Me and you.” Pointing a finger at Reece.

  Reece’s protective stance doesn’t let up. He keeps a watchful eye on Levi even as his arm is wrapped around me, shielding me from any danger.

  “Reece,” I whisper trying to step away from him. But his arm tightens and he doesn’t let me move. “Reece.”

  His shoulders are visibly shaking from the effort it’s taking to control his anger, and the muscles in his arms are flexed, making the sleeve of his t-shirt cling to his arms. “You okay?” he asks as he turns to cup my face, making sure I’m not hurt or frightened.

  “I’m okay,” I answer staring into his wide brown eyes.

  He grabs my hand and almost drags me over to our seats. Sophie’s smiling at us, and she looks like she’s got a secret she’s busting to tell us. “You alright, Sophie?” Reece asks.

  “I am. Wanna know what I heard?”

  “What?” I ask, pushing my food away because now I’ve lost the little interest I did have. I fold my arms in front of me, waiting for Sophie to speak. “Well?”

  “Lindsey was standing close to me, and when Levi walked away, I heard her say, ‘it’s so cute how Reece is so protective of Dakota.’ He told her to shut up and stop being a bitch. Then he walked away. She ran behind him saying how sorry she was.”

  “I’ve come to the conclusion that Lindsey is not the smartest of people,” Reece says joining his hands and steepling his fingers to tap on his lips. “Not smart at all.”

  “She’s still a nasty piece of work,” Sophie pipes up and says. “Real nasty.”

  The bell sounds for the end of lunch and we all head to the last few classes of the day.

  Mrs. Walker’s English class is the last of the day. As I head there, Aaron and Jordan cross paths with me in the hallway. I decide to be the bigger person here and say hello to Jordan. “Hi,” I say as I pass her. She looks me up and down, and she ignores me. “I’m well, thanks,” I sarcastically add while she’s beside me.

  “I didn’t ask,” she snaps bitchily.

  “I was talking to someone who actually has a heart, clearly that isn’t you.” I flip my hair and walk away from her. I wouldn’t normally be horrible like this, but she deserves it.

  I head into Mrs. Walker’s class, and Reece is sitting at the back, with a spare seat beside him. He smiles at me the moment he sees me, and he winks.

  And my heart jumps.

  Chapter 44

  “Sam, want to walk this morning?” I ask as we have breakfast. Last night’s counseling session went really well. I didn’t break down, and surprisingly I didn’t cry. It feels like that’s all I’ve been doing lately, is crying.

  “Yeah, let’s walk,” Sam eagerly answers.

  Mom hears us and smiles.

  “Be ready in ten. Okay?” I quickly finish my breakfast and go to brush my teeth and grab my bag. I’m not so nervous about school today, I handled the events of yesterday better than I’d thought I would and I know each day will get easier.

  There were a few slurs, murmurs and even-name calling, but I know what the truth is, so it didn’t bother me as much as I’d expected.

  “Ready?” Sam calls from the front door.

  I grab my bag and head out. “Bye, Mom,” both Sam and I yell out at the same time. We start walking toward school and Sam says to me, “A few of the kids were talking about that group yesterday. They asked me if I knew about it.”

  “What did you say?” I kick a small pebble down the road and watch it go skittering across the asphalt.

  “Told them I hope when they pee it feels like razor blades.”

  “Oh my God, you didn’t really say that, did you?”

  “Hell yeah, I did! They stopped asking when I told them I was going to flush their heads down the toilet and see how they like walking through school with pee on their head.” She smiles at me triumphantly, and adds a swagger to her walk.

  “You’re one of a kind. Never change, Sam, never.”

  “I’ve got sparkle, and if you’re lucky, I may share it with you.”

  We round the corner to get to school and a white car slows down and drives beside us. “Who the hell is that?” I ask, pushing Sam off the sidewalk and further away from the white car.

  When I duck to see who it is, they take off down the street do a U-turn. On the way back, I see it’s Mr. C, and the hair on my body stands to attention as he slows again, looking at us.

  “What the hell is that about?” I ask.

  “Creepy, there’s something seriously wrong with this. Come on, let’s go.” She starts toward school at a faster pace.

  I head over to my locker the period before lunch to grab my math book. Mr. C’s class. Cringe. Thank God both Reece and Sophie are in this class, and I don’t have to sit there on my own.

  Reluctantly, I head to class, and when I get there, I spot Mr. C is sitting on the edge of his desk. He has his phone in his hands and he’s looking down at the screen. Reece isn’t here yet, but Sophie is, and she’s got her head down in a book, reading. “Hey,” I whisper as I walk past Mr. C and shudder as I feel his beady eyes flick over my body.

  “Mr. C’s class.” She gives me a wicked smile, hiding the truth of how we both feel about him.

  Everyone filters in slowly, and Mr. C watches as we all take our seats. He looks agitated, like something’s wrong. He gazes down at his phone, types something, then looks around the class again. Standing, he heads over to the door and closes it, but not before he steps out to the hall looking to see if anyone else is coming.

  “What’s going on with Mr. C?” Reece asks me and Sophie.

  “No idea. He’s acting weird, though. This morning he drove past me and Sam on our walk to school, then turned around and came back again. Now he’s been sitting on his desk, probably playing Candy Crush on his phone. He looked up, then went out there.”

  The door slams shut and Mr. C re-enters the classroom. “I trust you all had a good vacation?” he asks us all.

  Excited murmurs and whispers burst forth from the class. Then the door swings open, and Levi strolls in like he thinks he’s a goddamn king. His eyes flick to me and he winks. Sleaze.

  I know why he’s acting like this. It’s obvious he’s seen those pictures and he thinks I cheated on him. I get it, really I do. I’d be beyond hurt and humiliated to think that someone had cheated on me. and I hope once the police’s solid lead pans out, he’ll understand what really happened. Hopefully, we can at least be civil. I don’t ever expect an apology for him acting like an idiot; I just don’t want to be on the receiving end of his hurtful comments.

  I look up at the front of class, and Mr. C is still on his phone. “I’ll be with you in a minute, class; I’ve got to send this urgent text message,” he says.

  “He’s so weird,” I whisper to Sophie.

  “Tell me about it.”

  The class starts and we’ve already begun working on calculus. We’re half-way throu
gh the lesson, with Mr. C showing examples and breaking them down, when suddenly everything changes.

  The door opens, and two uniformed police officers walk into the room. Mr. C steps back, then quickly regroups and steps forward toward the police.

  Students are moving, scraping their chairs, and a lot of gasping noises as these police officers invade our room. They take a moment to look through the room, and walk toward the back . . . toward Levi.

  “Levi Matthews, you are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent . . .”

  Levi is pulled up from his desk by one of the police officers. He turns Levi around and quickly handcuffs him.

  “What . . . ?” I whisper as I watch this incredibly intense exchange happen in a matter of seconds. The police are in our room, and out before anyone has a chance to get their head around what’s happening.

  The two burly officers leave with each holding one of Levi’s arms, still reading him his rights.

  I look around the class. Some girls crying, some guys’ mouths are hanging open. “What just happened?” Sophie asks loudly.

  We all look to Mr. C, who’s standing at the front of the class, looking as disconcerted as we all are. Our principal appears and stands at the front of the class. “Mr. Collins, I’ll take the class. Go grab a coffee.”

  Mr. C slowly nods his head, apparently still in shock. He grabs his phone and his briefcase and leaves the room.

  We’re all looking around us, still trying to figure out what happened.

  “Class.” Mr. Preston, our principal claps his hands twice to get our attention.

  Sophie puts her hand up.

  “Yes.” He points to her.

  “What just happened?”

  “I’m not at liberty to discuss it. Now, where did Mr. Collins leave off in your lesson?” Sophie sticks her hand up again. “Yes?”