Stranger in the Dark

Chapter One

Every part of her body hurt. Her lungs felt enraged with the amount of air they were taking in. Her calves felt like they were about to rupture from the force of her feet hitting the pavement and the adrenaline running through her was beginning to make her dizzy. She could feel the pain throughout her body, but she couldn’t stop. Her life depended on it. Someone or something, she wasn’t sure…she wasn’t going to stick around to figure that part out. Honestly, she wasn’t sure it was human but what she did know was that it terrified her. She was waiting for the bus when she’d first heard it in the dark. It had come from seemingly nowhere. A piercing, inhuman screech pierced through the darkness, then she saw them. The luminescent green eyes stared right at her, appearing in the shadows. The scream scared her, but those eyes…there was a sinister evil that lurked there. They grew darker and more sinister as they drew nearer making her bolt. All she could do was run…and pray. Michael was much for prayer, in fact religion had been scarce in her life but she figured now was as good a time as any to start “finding God”. The darkness seemed to stretch to no end as she continued running. She could barely make out what was in front of her. She looked around for anyone to help her or at least anything to defend herself with. The streets were deserted even though it was just past six in the evening, there should be plenty of people crowding the streets, on their way home but there was no one. Not a single soul in sight…but then she saw him. He appeared so suddenly that she was sure he hadn’t been there before. ‘Oh, thank God.’ she said silently as she used the last of her energy to sprint faster towards him. He was leaning casually against a decrepit building, earphones plugged in his ears, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans. The pain in her body was overwhelming. She felt like she was about to pass out but she had to keep going. If she faltered even for a moment, it would be the end of it all. The lion finally catching the gazelle, only she’d be the gazelle. She couldn’t stop. Her life depended on it.

He didn’t even look up as she got closer. He must’ve seen her in his peripheral or at least head her. Her breathing was so labored that he had to have heard her. He turned to look at her…or was he looking past her, at the monster behind her. He didn’t seem afraid, maybe he couldn’t see it because he didn’t even flinch. Well, he could be brave for both of them because she’d left her guts at the bus stop.

***

Brian tried hard to ignore. He’d put his earphones in when he’d first arrived, pretending to listen to music. He didn’t even own a cellphone let alone an iPod. It was for show anyway. All he had to do was stand and wait. Those were his instructions, clear and precise. He was meant to be nothing more than an “innocent unknowing bystander” in this sadistic game of cat and mouse. He didn’t want to do this, not anymore. It had been too long, too many years that he could feel creeping through him. He was getting to old for this even though he knew he couldn’t quit even if he wanted to. Maybe this was becoming too mundane, too normal. It had lost its thrill a long time ago, he didn’t feel the rush that he used to when he was still starting out…or maybe he was just getting soft.

He could see the fear in her eyes he wanted to help her, he felt compelled to but his feet refused to co-operate. It felt strange, he’d never been affected like this before. In fact, he’d never…cared before. He had to remind himself that she was just another one. Another body on their list. She was no one. There was nothing special about her, nothing that set apart from any of the others before her. Many more others. He had to focus. Her screaming was distracting him. How was he supposed to ignore her when she had so much fear in her voice? He forced himself to keep his head down. ‘Just ignore her. Ignore her.’ The mantra chanted endlessly in his head. He knew that if he looked at her even once, all hell would break loose and against his better judgement, he would save her.

Although deep within himself, somewhere in the abyss of his soul, he wanted to save her. Before he knew what he was doing, he chanced a glance at her. It was a split second, but it was enough. Enough to see that she had made it too close to him. She was now practically a few feet away. Behind her, he saw “it”. It was gaining on her but it wasn’t fast enough.

‘Run!’ she yelled at him, and without warning she grabbed his hand and dragged him hastily behind her. Brian followed behind and after looking back, quickly took the lead. Again, he glanced behind them, hanging motionlessly in the dark, it had stopped. A silent warning passed between them, then Brian looked down at her. She was just a scared girl but that’s all she was…a girl.

Suddenly, his brain seemed to activate at that moment. He surveyed the empty streets until he spotted a run-down building. “There!” He gripped her hand tighter, afraid to let go and lead her towards the alleyway on the side of the building.

Michael started blankly at him, shocked by the sound of his voice. It was the first time he’d spoken since their encounter. She looked behind her, afraid that the monster was gaining on them, but she was met with empty darkness. The luminescent green eyes that would forever haunt her had disappeared. It had grown silent now. No grunting or growling, just the sound of their combined breathing. However, she continued running. Still afraid to stop, she followed him towards the alley.

Brian led her through the alley till he spotted a door to the side of the building. He briefly let go of her hand so he could pry the door open. It felt natural, holding her hand. Too natural. Now he was getting scared. What was this girl doing to him? He kept reminding himself that she was nothing and no-one.

Michael stood back and watched as he kicked the door a few times before it gave way. ‘Hide in here. I’ll lead it away.’ he instructed, pushing inside.

‘Are you insane? No.’ she whispered.

‘I’ll come back when it’s safe, I promise.’ He assured her.

As he turned to leave, Michael grabbed his arm. ‘Hey, what’s your name?’ Brian simply looked at her. He couldn’t speak. He knew he shouldn’t. before he could make an even bigger mess of tonight he turned to leave.

Before Michael could stop him, he’d pulled the door shut and heard him run off. Michael stood alone in the darkness not sure what to do. The moon shone through the stained windows creating eerie shadows across the floor. The silence was deafening, her fear even louder. She had never been this way before. She never thought she could be…this scared little girl she hated.

Michael sank down against the door and closed her eyes. She hadn’t done so in a long time but tonight, in this moment, she began to pray.

***

Brian looked back at the door before making his way out of the alley. He knew he was in trouble even before he reached the road. He couldn’t see it but he could hear it. Then its eyes appeared, suspended in the darkness. He didn’t move as it came closer till it stopped in front of him. Its breath was heavy in his face, then it let a fierce growl into the night.

Brian looked into its eyes defiantly before walking past it towards his truck. He opened the door and waited for it to get in, but it just stood there seething. It was still hungry, he knew that and he had intervened. Reluctantly, Brian shut the door and got behind the wheel. He looked in the rearview mirror to see if it had changed its mind. He was hoping it had. He couldn’t leave her here with it.

‘Come on, Lily.’ he begged quietly. Finally, after a moment, he heard the passenger door open as it climbed in. Brian started the car and drove home without a word.

***

Michael didn’t know when she’d dozed off but her body was now aching from sleeping in a sitting position on the cold, concrete floor. She stood up slowly stretching her body before looking around. The building they had run into must’ve been an old workshop. There were rusted and dusty tools splayed on workbenches all over the place. She couldn’t stay here, she knew that. Michael turned to the door and slowly opened it.

In the distance she could hear the faint sound of a car passing by. She cautiously made her way back to the main road. There was silence. She couldn’t see anything in the darkness. For a moment, she felt relief…briefly. Then the fear crept in once again. She was alone…again. Her life line was gone. The car she had heard was gone. Maybe she’d imagined it. It didn’t matter. She couldn’t stand here, out in the open, waiting for that thing to come back. She slowly began walking home. Maybe she could get a ride home on the way, but for now, walking was her only option.

***

Brian didn’t get the chance to explain. As soon as they got to the house, it ran upstairs and locked the bedroom door behind it. He was frustrated. He knew he had no right to be but the feeling was there regardless. He walked into the living room and sat on the couch staring at nothing in particular. It was hungry. He’d screwed up and the only way to fix this was to feed it. Dammit! He didn’t want to. He swore he wouldn’t, not again but now he didn’t have a choice. It was his own fault. Why couldn’t he just mind his business, like he was supposed to?

The frustration was growing. Gnawing at him and he knew the only way to stop it was to just get this thing over and done with. Without another thought, Brian got up and headed for the kitchen. Hidden among the other knives in the drawer, he grabbed his hunting knife. A gift from his father, he swore he’d never use it again…not after the last time. Yet here he was, again. ‘f**k!’ the frustrated curse died on his lips and he sheathed the knife and stuck it in the back of his jeans before storming out the door.

He didn’t have a plan. He didn’t need one. All he needed was to switch off. It wouldn’t take long anyway. In fact, the quicker he got it done the better. He wouldn’t be seen and then he could go back to the house, feed it and go back and fetch the girl. The girl. He’d almost forgotten about her. Brian sighed heavily. He couldn’t believe he’d forgotten about her. How could he forget about those eyes? The colour of a dust. They mesmerized him till he couldn’t breathe. He had to go back for her…but then again, Lily was hungry. She wouldn’t have been had he not interrupted her. He wouldn’t have been in this situation in the first place if he’d just been an asshole. But he wasn’t. he’d never been heartless like that. Not like Lily. Not even in the very beginning. It had been fun in the beginning but the thrill quickly wore off when he realized that it took too much away from him. More than he had to give.

He knew what he had to do. The hunt would be quick but it wouldn’t be easy. He always made it quick more for himself than the victim. Lily on the other hand would drag it out. He preferred to just pick someone, anyone, and get it over and done with. Lily would pick someone and stalk them for hours. It was all a game to her. Scaring them to the brink of insanity then she’d chase them down, reveling in their fear. Heartless. That’s what she was. Brian just didn’t have it in him, not anymore. His thoughts brought him back to the girl he ran into or rather, who ran into him. He wondered if she was still hiding in the warehouse, waiting for him. He’d told her that he would come back for her and now, looking at his watch, it had been too long. She was probably gone by now. Brian didn’t know why he cared. Even though the connection between them was undeniable. He hardly knew her. In fact, he didn’t know her at all. So, what if she had to walk home…alone…at this hour? So, what if she ran into some more trouble and something bad happened to her? She wasn’t his problem anyway. She was nobody to him.

***

It was way after ten when Michael finally walked into her house. Not a single car had driven past her. No one to give her a ride and to top it off, her phone was dead so she couldn’t even call a cab. It was a relief to finally close her door behind her. Here, she knew she was safe. Michael wasn’t sure if she should laugh or cry. She was just glad to have finally made it home in one piece. As she walked into the living room, she caught Irene, the nurse she hired for her father, sleeping on the couch. She was supposed to be home a long time ago. Irene didn’t usually stay past seven but tonight had been an extreme exception.

‘Irene?’ Michael softly nudged the young woman, rousing her from her sleep. Irene slowly sat up and smiled.

‘You’re late.’ She teased, checking her watch.

‘Sorry, the bus didn’t show. I had to walk home.’ Explained Michael.it wasn’t the whole truth but Michael didn’t want to scare her. ‘How is he?’ she asked looking towards the stairs.

‘Alright, I guess. No better than yesterday. He was awake before I came down. Probably still is.’ She said as she got up off the couch and stretched her body. ‘you should’ve called I would’ve come to pick you up.’

‘Phone is dead and besides you know I don’t like leaving him alone.’

‘Michael, it would’ve only been for a few minutes. You worry too much.’ Irene grabbed her bag off the coat stand and headed towards the door. ‘I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?’

‘Thank you, Irene.’

Michael headed towards the stairs slowly. Her father never slept. She wasn’t sure why but he just never closed his eyes. Maybe he was one of those people who slept with his eyes open but ever since his stroke six years ago, he never slept. She quietly crept into the room and sure enough he lay there in his bed with eyes open. Instinctively, he turned his head towards her and forced a smile. ‘Hi, Papa.’ Michael moved towards the chair by his bed and sat down. Nothing had moved since she left this morning for work. This was the only room Irene didn’t clean. Michael preferred to clean it herself. Irene only came in here to attend to Papa B. All the while he never said a word and he could hardly move by himself. Michael had called him Papa B since she was a little girl. It was her nickname for him. Papa said he’d found her abandoned on the side of the road by Oak Creek. He said she was alone and calling out to him so he’d saved her. He had taken her home that day and never looked back. Her name, Michael, had been sewn into the blanket she was wrapped in and Papa said it was perfect for her. Unique. They were all the other had but when Papa had his stroke, Michael felt like her world had collapsed. She didn’t know how she would survive without ever hearing his laugh or his stories about ghosts and monsters. Those were the best times…and now they were gone. She had just graduated and received her degree in education when it happened. She was so excited to come home and tell him only to find him sprawled on the living room floor. The hospital bills had almost crippled her. She had to sell her car and she even took out a second mortgage on the house in her name. But it was all worth it. Through physiotherapy and counselling plus the medication that he was taking, Michael could slowly see the remnants of her fathers’ personality returning. He now had mobility from the neck up, although limited, it was better than nothing. And now, he was even able to smile some. It warmed her heart, which is why she couldn’t stop. She wouldn’t. not until he was back to his old self. Even half of who he was, was good enough for her.

‘I don’t know what to tell you, Papa.’ Michael sat in the chair beside her father. He looked so much older than his sixty years. The stroke had taken its toll on his once handsome features. ‘I’m just glad to be home, Papa. It was horrible. I’ve never been so scared in my life.

And those eyes. They were so…so green. They were all I could see in the dark. It wasn’t human, Papa it couldn’t be. I’m not sure what it was but it was…I don’t know.’ Michael shivered at the memory. She was still shaken by all of it. She didn’t want her father to worry but she had to tell someone, just so she wouldn’t seem crazy. Maybe she was crazy. Maybe she had imagined the whole thing. A result of a really long, exhausting day at work. Could she really have imagined it? She couldn’t have. It seemed too real. She could still hear its growling behind her and the hairs on the back of her neck still stood every time she thought about it. And she knew he was real. He had to be. She could still remember the callouses on his hand when she grabbed him and the sound of his voice. The adrenaline was still rushing through her now. There was no way that it wasn’t real.

The thought struck her suddenly. He said he was coming back for her. How? She hadn’t seen any cars nearby but then again, she remembered the sound of a car in the distance. What if it had been him? What if he had lead it far enough away that he was able to make it to his car? What if the car she heard was him coming back to get her? And she had left. He had risked his life for her and she just left. She didn’t even know his name. She had asked but he just walked away. She didn’t know why she cared anyway. Even though he’d saved her from a potentially vicious attack, he was nothing to her. No one but a stranger in the dark.