by J. L. Drake
“Well, I have a surprise for you,” Garrett said, as I heard him clamoring around the house. It took about five minutes for Garrett to finally come back into the kitchen. When he came back he had a huge smile on his face and two folders in his hands. He set them down on the table, on opposite ends and started to spread papers out from the folders.
“What’s this Garrett?”
“I’ve been researching homes. I had a feeling you’d want to move when it got close to the execution, so I started planning about a year ago. I’m okay with leaving earlier than planned.”
I felt a warm glow surround my heart. It always pleased me that he understood me. He always knew what I was thinking, even without me saying anything. Garrett was special, and I was so glad that I had met him and married him. He made me smile and laugh every day, and I never regretted a moment with him. I felt as if he truly was my soul mate, and it only took a kidnapping to find him.
“Well, tell me all about these places,” I said, opening the topic as I took a seat for the duration of his speech.
“I’ve narrowed it down to two! We could go to Montana, it’s filled with quaint little towns and low crime rates.” He handed me a file on Ashland, Montana. I quickly scanned through it and immediately started to pick the place a part.
“I don’t want to fly, and it’s in the middle of nowhere, Garrett.” I wanted small town, but not a population below seven hundred where there’s nothing to do and your closest neighbor is at least two miles away from you; it made me nervous.
“Then I think this is the one,” he stated confidently handing me a file on Wilmington, North Carolina. It was a coastal town with a large population and a lot of attractions, but mostly the scenery is just stunning. A lake just like the one where Garrett proposed to me and undisturbed nature everywhere surrounding the house he had chosen.
“This is perfect for children,” I stated absentmindedly. I only looked up when Garrett started choking on his drink. He held his chest while he coughed and tried to clear his throat. “Are you okay?” I asked worriedly.
“What did you say?” he asked with a strained tone.
“I asked if you were okay.”
“No, before that.”
“I said this town is perfect for children,” I said in a low slow voice. I had been so nervous to tell him and here it just kind of slipped out. I found out a few months ago I was pregnant. We had tried for the last two years to have children, but because of the abuse my body had taken from Steve, doctors told me it would take longer to conceive and I could have more complications then most women.
“Children, that’s a sudden change in topic. Do you have something you need to tell me, Anna?”
I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. I never thought it would be this nerve-wracking to tell my husband that we were going to be parents. I always wondered why people were nervous about telling their spouse that they were pregnant, now I knew. I was afraid for his reaction as I spoke, “I’m three months pregnant, and we’re going to be parents,” I yelled excitedly, holding my rounding belly.
“Really?” He came over and placed his hands over mine to touch my soon-to-be swollen belly.
“Yes, so I think we need to keep quiet about where we’re moving to so we can keep the baby safe and ourselves.”
“We can move in less than a month, I have it all planned out! Just sit down and don’t do anything,” Garrett said with a huge smile plastered on his face. He sat me down on the sofa and propped my feet up on the table. “I will take care of everything, you just take care of the baby!” he said as he ran off back into the kitchen.
I could hear him making phone calls to the real estate agent. He really knew me well, he had everything planned out and had put a down payment on the house before the day was up. We moved in two weeks, as discretely as possible, and planned to leave nothing behind except a legacy.
About the Author
My name is Sara, I’m 19 years old, and I was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia.
I have always been interested in writing, even started a book in elementary school, but it didn’t get very far. It wasn’t until high school that my friend, and writing partner, more or less forced me to join an amateur writing site. After some convincing from her, I plucked up the courage to post one of my stories. While it wasn’t popular at first, I was shocked and overwhelmed by the support of readers on Wattpad, and they gave me the support and confidence to get where I am today. I continued to write for the next three years I was on the website, starting countless stories, some of which got surprisingly popular.
It’s all thanks to those that supported me over the years, or I wouldn’t have had the courage to post or submit my stories anywhere. I can’t wait to start sharing more works and ideas with you guys, and I hope you enjoy the works.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005224038610
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/SaraNSchoen
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9790618.Sara_Schoen
Darkness Lurks
DARKNESS SERIES, BOOK ONE
By J.L. Drake
Chapter 1
Lasko
I stood motionless, hands by my sides. A skinny cigar, waiting to be lit, twisted between my two fingers. As I fixed my stare on her, my breathing steadied. I watched her eyes scan the pages of her book, and I waited patiently for my opportunity to get closer, to eventually inhale her scent. I knew my time would come soon enough. My polo shirt clung to me as sweat rolled down the back of my neck. My head ached on one side; I squinted, trying to push away the pain. My headaches were getting worse. My breath hitched when she lifted her gaze to the ocean. She looked like she was deep in thought, her full lips parted into a smile. She looked at peace. I slowly lowered my arm, sliding my camera into my shorts pocket.
***
Emily
I could hear the soothing sound of the ocean lapping on the edge of the shore line. The hot breeze smelled sweet and made the edges of my book flutter. The ice in my glass melted slowly, and the rustle of the summer leaves made a comforting sound. I leaned back, took a deep breath, and thought about how school would start soon. I was going into my last year at Orange University, working on my English degree so I could teach high school.
My mother traveled a lot, leaving me to live in this huge beachfront house alone. She was home maybe the equivalent of a month during all of last year. I was proud of the work my mother did. It was selfless of her to work for Doctors Without Borders. Growing up, however, it would’ve been nice to have had a mother rather than an absentee doctor.
I closed my eyes and let myself drift off to sleep on my porch swing.
My eyes flew open at the vibration of my phone. I flipped it over and saw a text from my best friend Erin confirming our yoga class the next day. I slowly got up, removing the book that was resting on my leg. I reached for my bookmark, slid it into place, and tossed the book back on the swing. Picking up my water glass and phone, I headed for the kitchen. I hadn’t realized I was so hungry.
I pulled open the large Sub-Zero door, reached for my chicken salad leftovers, and snagged a bottle of water before taking a seat at my kitchen table. I flicked on the TV, flipping through the channels, and settled on Friends. It had always been one of my favorite shows. I could relate because I always surrounded myself with my own friends; there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for them. They were my family.
After the show was over, I washed my dishes and sorted through the mail. I sighed when I came across yet another real estate letter. My mother kept trying to force me to sell our house. “Emily, you don’t need to be staying in a five-bedroom house. It’s far too big,” she said when she called that night.
I rolled my eyes on the other end of the line. “Mother, I’m not selling the only happy memories I have left of Dad.”
My mother sighed. “It’s not right that you keep the house as if he’s coming back.
You need to have some closure.”
I tried to control the anger in my voice. “So am I supposed to do what you did? Pick up and leave everything behind? Start a new life and not look back?”
There was a moment of silence, and I knew I’d hurt her. “Don’t be dramatic, dear,” she said at last. “I had obligations to get back to. If your father hadn’t left you the house and that ridiculous trust fund, I’d force you into a different life.”
I shook my head. It still stung her that he had left me everything. Maybe he had known something was going to happen to him first. It was his way of protecting me from her cold heart.
Lights from the house down the beach caught my attention. Travis, my new neighbor, must be arriving home. He was in his early thirties, single, and seemed to have his eye on a few women in town. I had been grateful when he moved in. It somehow made the house feel a little less lonely. The Stones, an elderly couple, lived only a half mile away, but they mostly kept to themselves.
The kitchen had a faint smell of Lemon Pledge. Maria, my housekeeper, must have come today. There was a fresh loaf of homemade bread and oatmeal muffins packed neatly off to the side in Tupperware containers. She was a wonderful baker and often left me goodies.
I turned off the light and headed into the living room. I dropped down onto my oversized cream couch and rested my feet on the coffee table. I replied to Erin’s text and read some emails that professors had sent out to all their students. After a while, I felt my eyes growing heavy. I turned off the lights and locked the front door.
My fingers trailing along the oak banister, I climbed the long staircase that was lined with family pictures.
Suddenly, I froze when I heard a thud outside my front door, almost like something had fallen. My foot turned slowly, making the step creak. I jumped when I heard the sound again. I forced my stiff body back down the stairs and carefully pulled back the curtain. The porch light was on, but I saw nothing. My lungs begged for air, and I realized I was holding my breath. I shook my head and muttered, “Stupid raccoons,” as I went back upstairs, glancing back over my shoulder once.
I changed and crawled into my bed, pulling my goose down blanket over me. I propped up two of my six pillows under my head and snuggled in. A small shiver ran up my spine as I tried to relax. Normally, living outside of the city had its advantages, but at times like this I felt lonely and isolated.
I stared at my open window. I loved hearing the waves lap up on the beach, but not tonight. I hopped up and closed it, padded back to my bed, and tried to fall back to sleep. The last thing I remembered was looking at the clock and seeing 4:44 a.m.
Beep, beep, beep. “Ugh!” Beep, beep, beep. “Okay, okay! I’m up,” I muttered, throwing the covers off. I grabbed my clothes and trudged to the bathroom. The water felt nice. It helped me wake up. As I reached for my shampoo, I thought I heard a door close. I slowly pulled the corner of the curtain back, “Hello?” I strained to listen. Nothing.
I quickly finished up and dried off, tossing my long, blonde hair back in a messy bun. I quietly walked down the stairs, pausing to listen. “Really, Em?” I said aloud. “This is stupid.” I smiled at myself, wishing I had gotten more sleep. I made a mental note to stop reading James Patterson books before bed. I walked into the kitchen and went straight to the fridge.
“Morning,” a husky voice said behind me. I nearly dropped the jam as I swung around to find Seth Connors sitting at my kitchen table. “You know, you really should keep your doors locked. Anyone could just come walking in,” he said through a mouth full of Cheerios. He looked at me, smiling. “Didn’t mean to scare ya.”
Sure you didn’t. “Ass.”
He wore a blue t-shirt that hugged his body and black workout shorts. Adidas and a pair of sunglasses resting on the top of his short blond hair completed his wardrobe. He always looked good, which made me feel like a slob with my pink yoga top and black spandex shorts. I put toast on and cut up some fruit.
“There’s coffee,” Seth said, trying to feel me out.
“Thanks.” I reached for a mug. I was running through the night before in my mind. I was so sure I had locked the door, although sometimes the lock didn’t always latch properly. I must have been deep in thought, because Seth came up behind me and moved me aside with his hip.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, just tired,” I lied. He reached around me and grabbed the coffee pot.
He was much taller than I was—6’3”. The top of my head only came up to his shoulder. His eyes were Caribbean blue, and his body was something out of a GQ magazine. He had joined the Orange Police Department two years ago, and every girl I knew was in love with him. However, he didn’t seem to be interested. He focused most of his attention on his work.
“You off to your class this morning?” he asked as he glanced at his watch. I nodded as I chewed a piece of my toast. He rinsed his dishes and leaned against the table. I did the same. I couldn’t shake the unnerving feeling that I had from the night before.
“Do you?” Seth said again. “Hello, Em, are you there?” He swatted my butt.
“What?”
“What’s wrong with you?” Before I could answer, he spoke again. “Do you need a ride? If so, we have to leave now.”
I rubbed my butt and smiled. “Sure that would be great. Thanks.”
I gathered my bag and my yoga mat, and we headed out the door.
Arriving a few minutes late, I found Erin right away in the back. She was easy to spot. She had golden brown hair and legs that went on for days. She also had a huge smile that could bring you out of any bad mood.
“Hey,” I whispered as I slid in next to her.
“How’s Seth?” she asked, smiling in the direction of his car. He had waited until I found Erin. She gave him a wave, and he smiled, nodding back.
“Fine,” I muttered, bending into the downward dog pose.
“I don’t understand you two,” she said with a laugh. “Clearly, he likes you. He always makes sure you’re okay before he leaves.”
I let out a long, controlled breath. “He’s a cop. It’s ingrained in him to do that.”
Erin shook her head, smiling. “Mm…hmm.”
After class, Erin and I decided to walk to the beach and go to our favorite coffee shop, Dell’s. It was right off PCH in Huntington Beach. We talked a lot about school and what classes we were taking. We both wanted to teach high school. I tried to avoid the topic of Seth, but Erin being Erin, she brought him up. “So if you’re not with Seth, why is he always around?”
I shifted in my seat. “We’ve been over this how many times?” She shrugged, not letting up. I sighed. “We’re just friends.” My cheeks heated with discomfort. My second lie of the day, and it wasn’t even noon yet.
Erin paused for a minute. “Perhaps, but have you ever noticed the way he looks at you?”
“No,” I insisted shooting her a look. She knew to let it go. Seth and I had been friends for a long time and…something…had always been there, but he had never acted on it.
Besides, I was scared of falling in love. My mother had scarred me for life. Though my parents had remained together all those years, their marriage had been anything but perfect.
After coffee, we went shopping and caught some sun at the beach.
Erin drove me home around six. I knew I needed to do my laundry, so I decided I should start that. As I went to unlock my door, I noticed the book I had been reading had been moved off the swing. It was now lying on the table, and the bookmark had been moved.
I set my bag down and went over to it. Looking around, I picked it up.
“Hey, girl.” I reached down and scratched Penny’s ears. Ever since my neighbor Travis moved in, his calico and I had developed a close relationship. She circled my leg twice before her back tensed. I heard something fall inside the house. She bolted around the corner, leaving my stomach where she had just stood.
I jumped when my phone vibrated. “Holy shit.”
My phone was ringing. That was all. My hand dug quickly around my bag. I checked to see who it was. Seth. “Hi.” My voice shook.
“What’s wrong?” His voice was gruff.
“Nothing, I just scared myself. I just got home, and I heard a noise in the house.”
“Don’t go in,” he ordered. “I’ll be right there.”
“Honestly, Seth, it’s fine.” Feeling like a bit of a wimp, I added weakly, “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“Start walking down your driveway,” he snapped and hung up. I looked around, not enjoying the feeling creeping up my back. I decided to do as he said. I hadn’t heard that tone from him before—well, at least not with me.
A few minutes later, I heard a car engine. Seth pulled up and hopped out of the car. “You all right?” he asked, placing his hands on my shoulders. He could tell by the look on my face that I was worried, but I forced a smile.
“It’s nothing…I just heard a noise...” He looked up at the house. I followed him up the front stairs.
“Wait here.” He reached behind his back and pulled a .40 caliber out of his jeans. I froze. A few minutes later he came back out, tucking his gun away. “There’s no one here.” His face looked a little more relaxed. I nodded, letting out a long breath.
He studied my face. “Come on, it’s all right.”
I followed him inside. I stood in my entryway, feeling stupid for overreacting, but somewhere in the back of my brain, something still didn’t feel right. Seth turned on a few lights and flicked on the TV. I glanced up the stairs. I wanted to shower off and change. He noticed my hesitation, because he came over and motioned with his hand. “I’ll come up with you.”
I slipped off my shoes. “Thanks.” He walked into my room and flopped on my bed, making himself more comfortable, turning on the baseball game.
I dug through my dresser. Come on, clean clothes. I finally found a deep red tank top and a pair of jean shorts. Thank God. Grabbing a few other essentials, I headed to my bathroom.