The Darkness Within Us

5. The Ride

~Salomé~

I was in front of my mirror removing the makeup from my eyes and putting some cream on my face. My eyes look dark and terrible, maybe the makeup just worsened. I saw Valentin tonight. I think it’s possible that he recognized me back there. Honestly, I didn’t expect to see him there. I wonder if that was his family… Anyway, I’m glad the sword didn’t fall off my head this time, like the last time it was my turn to dance with it.

I was already sleeping when a cold current hit my body. I squirmed under my blankets until I opened my eyes to the darkness of my room. I looked at the ceiling, the branched extension of night lights hanging on the corner right above my bed. They were off but I was too sleepy to feel bothered by it until the realization hit me; they were never off. Every night I sleep with the night lights on, but now they are off. I sat up quickly looking for the little remote on the nightstand. “Vamos, prende!” (come on, turn on) After insistently pressing the on button of the remote, I understood they wouldn’t turn on. I planned on reaching the tall lamp at the foot of my bed but before I could do that, I heard a hoarse voice saying “You”. I froze. A barely understandable whisper called. “Carajo!” (F*ck!) I cursed, throwing myself back and covering my face with the blankets. “There’s nothing there, there’s nothing there…” I repeated that to myself until my heart stopped racing. I peeked over the blankets and my eyes met a cold and dead gaze; its exorbitant eyes looked directly at me. I whimpered pulling the blankets up to my head and squeezing it as tightly as my eyes. “Si no lo veo, no es real” (If I don’t see it, it's not real) I started to repeat that as a prayer but however the voice spoke again “you can see me…” “Look at me, look at me, look at me” Its cold and hellish whispering harassed me, trying to coerce to open my eyes and look at it “Nonono…” I refused to budge “PA—” I wanted to scream but I simply couldn’t find my voice when I felt its freezing touch over my body giving me goosebumps. My tears fell from my eyes hopelessly and I braced myself, touching the bracelet that hung from my left ankle. “Mama…”

“Salo…” a soft voice called, but I was too scared to mind it. “Salomé” this time it called louder, making me raise my head.

“Jesús.”(Pronounced as in Spanish) In the frame of the door, the thin silhouette of a 10-year-old boy rubbing his eyes was standing. “W-Why are you awake?”

“I went to pee but I heard you talking. Why are the lights off?” He asked with a yawn.

“It’s okay, go back to sleep.” He walked toward the bed and turned the nightlights on without any problem.

“Were you scared?” He asked.

“Yes, a little.” Jesús lifted the blanket to accommodate himself by my side.

“Are you seeing something scary right now?”

“No.” I closed my eyes, ignoring the shadow that was hiding in the corner of the room.

“Then why are you shaking?” he asked innocently.

“I’m cold.”

“Then hug me, that will make you warm.”

“Gracias hombrecito” (Thanks little man). I wrapped my hands around his slim waist, hoping the warmth of his body would make me stop shaking. At least his presence made me feel a little less scared.

That morning when the alarm rang, it was really hard to wake up. I was incredibly tired but it couldn’t be helped. Jesús was buried under blankets and pillows, sleeping soundly. I shook him, trying to wake him up, but this boy would only growl at me, so I ended up pushing him off the bed with my feet.

“Witch!” Jesús complained from the floor.

“Go take a shower, I’ll make you breakfast”

I usually make breakfast and have some time to eat while Jesús is taking a shower, and while he eats his breakfast, I prepare myself to go to college. Today I put on a thick pair of stockings, a turtle-neck royal blue dress, and my beige high-heeled boots; it would be rainy today. When I got out of my room with my impermeable jacket that combined with my boots, Jesús was just finishing his breakfast.

“Hey no! What are you doing!?” I surprised him when I started to pull his hair from his back.

“Stay still, I’m doing your hair”

“Nonono, leave it alone!” He complained, squirming in the chair.

“Jesús,” I hardened my tone.“If you’re gonna look like a homeless kid, I’ll give you a haircut, do you hear me?” I said while I dampened his thick, brown curls with hair cream.

“Here, put this on.” I handed him a blue raincoat.

“No, I’m not wearing that.”

“Oh yes, you are because it’s rainy.”

“But it looks ridiculous.”

“Of course not, you are ridiculous for choosing to get all wet when you can avoid it. Now put it on.” I handed it over again. But he just pretended there was nothing in my hand.

“I didn’t ask if you liked it or not, I said you would put it on. It’s raining and, in case you forget you broke the other umbrella, so bear with it. And hurry, it’s getting late.” After a pout, Jesús put the raincoat on and I walked him to the school bus where he stopped feeling silly the moment he saw more children wearing raincoats.

“Love you, hombrecito. Have a nice day.” I gave him a kiss on the forehead before he jumped on the bus.

“Yes, love ya.” He waved his hand from the window and I observed him until the yellow bus departed. Then I walked up the slope to the bus stop.

I made it on time to class, but I was so bored that I spent the time snoozing. After class, I headed to the library to work on some stuff but, honestly, I was so tired that I decided to lean my head on my arms just for a couple of seconds...

~Valentin~

I was walking in the library when my feet guided themselves to Salomé’s spot. The first thing I noticed when I got there was a pair of shiny boots resting on the side and a Salomé sleeping against the desk. She does this quite often, I think. Sometimes I wonder what makes her so tired... Salomé slowly sat up, stretching her arms without noticing my presence. Something smelled like tangerine, she took one out of her backpack and peeled it.

“Can’t you see the signs that say No food in the library?” Salomé jumped in her seat, turning back.

“Oh, it’s you, Valentin. You scared me.” I curved up my lips.

“Do you mind if I sit next to you?” I asked, pointing to the adjacent desk.

“Not at all, please.” She made a gesture with her hand as I placed my backpack on the desk beside her. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

“Thank you...” “Do your feet hurt?”

“Uh?” I got her off base.

“I mean, you took off your heels.”

“Oohhh… no, no. It’s not like that. I mean, I am resting my feet but they don’t hurt. These are my boots for rain, since I’ll be walking I don’t want my shoes to get wet.”

“I see... You work at the restaurant.”

“I see you recognized me. I only work there on Sunday nights.”

“That thing with the sword was impressive. I would’ve never guessed that you danced too, you’re like a box full of surprises.”

“Oh my… Thank you, I guess.” She looked down, accommodating her hair behind her ear. “Do you work at something Valentin?”

“Yes, I work in my uncle's car workshop from time to time since I was 15.”

“Oh wow, I bet you must know a lot about cars.”

“Yeah, sorta.”

…

During English class, I could see through the window the clouds getting darker, it was about to rain. Something came to my head. I had thought of offering Salomé a ride the moment the class ended but, conveniently, professor Mann called to speak with me as Salomé disappeared through the door. I didn’t see her on my way out of campus, so I went home. I put on my helmet and got on my bike; it was enough to roll a few meters to find Salomé waiting for the bus. I stopped right in front of the bus stop and removed my helmet, calling her name. She was distracted.

“Salomé” She flinched.

“Valentin. You startled me.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, leaning my weight on the bike.

“I didn’t know you rode a motorcycle.” I could notice some amusement on her face.

“Well, now you know. Would you like a ride home?”

“Eh? No, no. That won’t be necessary, thank you. I’m waiting for the bus.” She said nervously.

“Are you sure? I really don’t mind at all, I think we actually live pretty close, so the route should be the same.” She opened her mouth to reject my offer again but she was silenced halfway by the crashing sound of a thunder.

“Em…well. But only if it is no inconvenience to you.”

“Not at all.” I smiled at her as I jumped off and then I took out a raincoat. “Do you mind putting this on?”

“This?” She looked with curiosity.

“Yes. It’s not raining yet, but the road might be wet and I’d hate it if you got some water on you.” She nodded and put on the raincoat before she sat right behind me. “Hold onto my waist, don’t be shy to hold me firmly” I put on the helmet as she placed her thighs wrapped by dark stockings by my sides and leaned onto my back. I started the bike and we started rolling. From time to time, her grip was either more loose or tight. It became tighter when we were on the highway, surrounded by vehicles, and some people honked their horns. I could tell she was nervous. “Have you ridden a bike before?” I asked while the light was in red.

“Just once.” I tried to drive as steadily as possible until we finally reached the zone we lived in; the road was clearer and quieter. You could virtually feel the swap of two worlds, just a signal dividing the noisy and busy side of the town from the quiet and lush green side, where the traffic was not as crazy. I could tell now she was enjoying the ride, and I guess me too. Maybe I was simply enjoying the sensation of her arms wrapped around my waist, and the warmth of her closeness. For some reason, I feel that if I shifted, I’d be in the mood to wag my tail. I know, I know it’s ridiculous, but that’s how it feels and I don’t know why. Maybe I just like to have her close…

As I predicted, we took the same route I take every day. “This corner,” she said, pointing her long index finger, adorned by a thin, silvery ring. I stopped by the corner she pointed to, and then she jumped off and returned the raincoat. I missed having her behind me instantly. “I live down this street.”

“And you walk up and down these slopes on heels? That’s crazy” She shrugged, giving me a slight smile. “Well, I technically live all the way up, straight. We live close.”

“I see... Thanks a lot for the ride, Valentin.” She waved her hand, giving me a shy smile, and continued her way. Without reason, I just stayed there, watching her walk for a little while until she looked back. I smiled, waved my hand at her, and put on my helmet to be gone.

After five or so minutes of driving straight, I took a curve to the left, entering the small road that led to the last house on the way. However, in only two minutes the sky cracked, letting down heavy rain, so I was all dampened upon arriving. I parked my bike in the back and entered through the kitchen door after leaving my shoes outside.

“Terr, you’re here,” I said, striding to the fridge. I was hungry.

“Yes. This weather makes me lazy, honestly.” She was sitting in the aisle looking at her phone. “Hey, you’re all wet. Why didn’t you change first? You smell like a wet dog and you are dampening the floor.”

“Not your business.”

“You’re just an eating machine” maybe I was, but I thought of Salomé, and she definitely wins. I shook my head fiercely as I passed by Terry's side, so my wet hair splashed her.

“Don’t be an i***t, Valentin!” I opened the door of the fridge looking for something that I still didn’t know what it was when I felt Terri’s hand on my back. “What’s this?” I turned to see that she was holding in her fingers two shiny and goldish, long hairs.

“Oh, I gave a ride to someone.”

“Pft, rather to a cat.”