Bayou Of Brokenness

CHAPTER 1: DOUBLE DATE

AUGUST 2018

Since the beginning of Eric Tatum's third year at university, he had fallen into a routine, he would attend his classes from 7 am to 1 pm, then went to work at the record store near his campus from 2 pm to 7 pm. He would then go to the library to catch up on homework and study until it was around 9 pm.

But for the past three weeks, his nightly walks home had been giving him this strange feeling. This feeling like someone or something was watching him.

It was past 9 o'clock and he was coming from the library. The feeling of uneasiness swept over him as he walked briskly to the apartment that he shared with his best friend Andrew Boyd.

Eric stopped when he felt a tiny flicker of wind running over the rear of his neck. His hand went up to cup the back of his neck to investigate. His head swiveled behind him scrutinizing the area for something, anything that he could render logical for what he was experiencing, but there was no one behind him; no frat boys playing a prank on him nor were there any drunken students littering the campus that night, most of them were probably still at Victoria Scott's toga party.

The campus light overhead flickered causing the hairs on his skin to rise. Eric clutched his book bag tighter to his chest while he picked up his pace as he hurried towards his dormitory. With every step he took the feeling of fear grew stronger and stronger. His ears perked as he heard footsteps scraping across the corridor floor. The sound was getting closer and his fingers were sweaty as they trembled to get the key card to open his door. He gripped the knob and turn, but the thing didn't budge.

“Ericcc!" He thought he heard a whisper of his name in the halls as the atmosphere got cold.

He began banging on the door in hopes that his roommate Andrew was inside because his key card wasn't working.

"Andrew!" he called out as he continued pounding on the door. A putrid smell began to invade his nose while his heart sprinted away in his chest.

He then heard shuffling inside the room, which signified that Andrew was home.

“Open the damn door, Andrew!" Eric banged against the door, if Andrew didn't open the door soon he would pass out for sure.

"I'm coming punk," Andrew said from behind the door. Eric let out a sigh of relief as the door flew open, revealing a half-asleep Andrew.

Eric quickly shoved Andrew inside the room and slammed the door shut behind him. He slammed his back on the door and slid to the floor. He was out of breath as sweat decorated his forehead.

"f**k's your problem dude? Don't you have a key?" Andrew asked as he rubbed his eyes that were lacking sleep.

"It's not working," Eric sighed as he shuffled to his feet and barged past Andrew.

"Next time you'll have to go to the office to get that s**t fixed," Andrew grumbled as he walked like a zombie and stumbled back into his bed.

"Thank you, Andrew," Eric declared as he threw his bag pack on his bed and headed to the small bathroom.

“Whatever man," Andrew yawned as he drew the covers over his head.

While in the bathroom Eric stood in front of the mirror and stared at his reflection. He sighed and began to undress. He stepped into the cold porcelain bath and turned the shower knob, allowing the water to hit his tense, overworked body. A feeling of calm washed over him as he lathered himself and allowed the warm water to cascade down his body. His mind was becoming contented until he heard a whisper.

"Eric."

He turned off the shower to listen more closely, but he heard nothing so he shook it off and continued his shower.

Three minutes later and he stepped out of the shower and grabbed his towel, wrapping it around his waist. He reached for the doorknob but a voice stopped him as it whispered his name.

"Eriiiiiiic!"

This time it sounded like a whispery moan, emitting from a captivatingly smooth and sultry voice.

He turned around and examined the small space of the bathroom.

No one.

He then turned around, but before he could exit, something grabbed him by the arm, he fought and when he got his hand free he dashed out of the bathroom, stumbling over Andrew's gym equipment and then falling on top of a sleeping Andrew.

Andrew was now fully awake and angry at Eric for disturbing him.

"What the f**k dude! Are you on drugs or something?" he asked, shoving Eric off him.

"I'm sorry, man but I got spooked. I could swear I heard a woman's voice calling my name while I was in the shower," Eric stated. “Plus something grabbed my hand."

"You wish dude," Andrew laughed. "Listen, speaking of women, I have a double date lined up for us this weekend. You don't have to like the girl just be a good wingman while I try to nail my date. Her name is Makenna and she's one fine piece of chocolate."

"What are you trying to do, run through every race on the face of the earth?"

Unlike Eric, Andrew was a ladies' man. He could bag any girl he wanted because of his good looks, his athletic body, and his charming personality, well some called it charming while Eric called it cocky. The two had been friends since elementary school back in Ireland. They both got accepted into Northwestern State University in Louisiana and moved to America to attend.

"Well not the earth, but definitely this campus," Andrew smirked.

"You're not right in the head," Eric said as he threw a book at Andrew.

"That may be," Andrew said as he dodged the object hurling towards his head. It collided with the wall and then fell onto Andrew's bed. "But I'm right in the bed," Andrew finished as he did a grinding motion.

"You're something else," laughed Eric.

"On a serious note, be ready this Friday at 7. So that means no studying. You can afford to put that aside for one night right?"

"Shut up, you d**k. I'll be there just to see that your date goes terribly."

"That's not gonna happen, trust me," Andrew said with a cocky look on his face.

"We'll see," Eric stated as he climbed into bed and then drifted off to sleep.

***************

FRIDAY

It was now Friday evening and Eric was running extremely late for his double date. He reached the quaint restaurant that was nestled between a cafe and a pottery barn. He entered the restaurant and spotted Andrew who then looked up and signaled him over.

"Good evening, What happened to the girls," Eric said as he noticed there weren't any girls in Andrew's company.

"Relax dude, they are using the restroom," Andrew chuckled as he looked over the menu.

"Oh," Eric said as he took a seat.

As he was about to take up his menu a whiff of a cool breeze rose and caressed him. It sent tingles through his body. He raised his head and his mouth immediately went dry as his eyes behold the most breathtaking being he had ever seen.

The first thing that caught Eric's eye was the curvature of her hips. She had the kind of sexiness that would put Shakira to shame. His eyes traveled north and landed on her bountiful bosom, and he swallowed hard before trailing his eyes upward.

Her hair spilled over her shoulder and was as black as coal, yet it held the kind of luster you only saw in shampoo commercials.

Her skin was flawless ivory and her lips plump and rosy. His heart slammed into his chest when he met her gaze. Her eyes were a pool of black orbs that you were sure to get lost in if you stared into them too long. They were almost jet black. A raven... That was what came to Eric's mind as he took in her features.

"Eric this is Makenna and this is Rayna," Andrew said breaking Eric's thoughts.

"Nice to meet you," Makenna said. She was indeed beautiful. Her skin looked like honey-dipped chestnut, her teeth pearly white as she offered Eric a smile.

"Nice to meet you, Eric," Rayna said and it caught Eric off guard. Something about the way she said his name, sounded like a sweet whispery moan.

"Nice to meet you both," Eric declared with his eyes steadfast on Rayna. She smiled.

"Come girls, please sit," said Andrew as he gestured to the empty chairs.

"Yes, yes," agreed Eric as he pulled out Rayna's chair.

They were now all seated.

"I think this is going to be an amazing night," Andrew stated.

"Yes, I think so too," agreed Eric as he stared at his mesmerizing date.