Page 13 of When Darkness Calls

His words hold a lot of truth and rawness that I hadn’t expected to get from him, or even today for that matter. It’s hard to forget that we are temporary, and even harder to remember that living as if we aren’t is the only way to make what little time we have fulfilling. My mom always talked of living each day in a way that if we were to die tomorrow, we would have no regrets.

And as I sit here for the next forty-five minutes, listening to Ethan and Professor Logan discuss the semester’s syllabus and expectations, I can’t help but think I have let her down. I’ve been hiding. Shying away from the hurt, the pain, the euphoria, and the fear of life. Only going through the motions expected of me, an obligation to perform human. I can’t keep doing it anymore. I miss the person I used to be. I need to find that girl again. If not for Cade, Liz, or me, then I should for the person I know I really am, and for my mom. At least then it would be like the time that was taken from her won’t be wasted.

Professor Logan wishes us all a good day, shuffling out of the lecture hall with the groups of students filing through the doors. I’m slow to pack up my things, pondering over everything that has stolen my thoughts in quiet moments today.

“I hope you don’t mind if I properly apologize for the near decapitation earlier.” Ethan stands in front of me rubbing the back of his neck. “I wasn’t paying attention and I really hope you’re okay.”

My laugh is soft as I shake my head. “You’re good, dude. Honestly. It seems like you were having a rough day. No harm, I promise.”

“Yeah, you could say that. So, uh…” he trails off, scuffing the floor with the toe of his shoe, mussing his hair nervously.

Okay, I can admit, maybe he’s kind of cute in a very “this is the most normal guy on Earth” kind of way. Super boy-next-door, guy-you-bring-home-to-meet-your-parents way.

“Maybe I can make it up to you sometime?”

I grin. “Yeah?”

“Yeah, if that’s alright with you? Coffee, or lunch, or—”

“I’d like that.” A small blush heats my cheeks as I nod.

Together, we walk through the halls and exchange numbers. Ethan waves as he turns toward the parking lot behind the building. My feet carry me back to the Commons Plaza, finally finding an empty table in the shade. Most of the people loitering around had left while I was in class, leaving the grounds mostly empty aside from a few people leaving class or heading to their dorms.

I’ve just pulled my phone out to text Nick, so he knows I’m ready to go home whenever he’s done with his class, when I feel that grip take hold again. The incessant presence of a thousand eyes watching me. Or in this case, just two.

Off in the far corner, by the alley on the right of the library, leaning against the trunk of a large oak tree, a figure stands. I can’t see much of their features, and I really don’t know how they were able to withstand this heat in a hoodie.

The watchful gaze was definitely theirs. The small nod in my direction confirmed it.

Seconds pass, and they make no move to leave or approach me. Their eyes never strayed. It’s unnerving to be watched this way. No where to hide or run from so much scrutiny.

It leaves me reeling, floating between an icy chill racing down my spine and liquid flames burning beneath my skin. The brief rush of adrenaline—life flowing through my veins. I hurriedly grab my things standing to leave when I run straight into someone.

“You were supposed to text me, Dani.” Nick’s hands steady me with a soft laugh that causes his dimple to make a rare appearance.

“I-I was just about to but there was someone…” I trail off glancing back at the hooded figure only to see they had vanished. Nick stands straighter looking over my head toward the alley. The shift in his demeanor gives me whiplash as it always does. His dark eyes are almost black behind the thick frames of his glasses.

“C’mon. Let’s get you home.”

No, I never felt those watchful eyes on me constantly nor was I ever scared of the monsters in the dark, not until that night. The night everything changed when my mom died. But I think…I think I want to see them. I want to know them. Befriend them. At least some of them. I just hope they want to do the same. Anything, if it means I feel like myself again. If it means I will feel alive.

four

Grayson

“Bro, you’re shitting me, right?”

I roll my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose, sighing softly.

My voice is rough with annoyance. “No, Alex. I’m not fucking shitting you. I’ve been tailing this piece of shit for two fucking weeks. He is definitely planning to meet someone at the fest. If we want to get him, and whoever it is he’s meeting, alone without any kind of suspicion, this will be the time to do it.”

Alex throws his hands up, pacing the small space by the island in Cade’s kitchen.

“How the hell am I supposed to be there then, jackass? You know Roberts has me on night shift tomorrow because of the stupid thing. I can’t be in two places at once.” He crosses his thick arms in front of his chest, lifting a brow.

“Alex, stop whining. We know you’re working. That’s why you’re literally planned to not be present. Now shut the fuck up, and listen to Grayson,” Cade barks at him and Alex does this weird thing where he almost submits, but the fact he does pisses him off. His cheeks turn red, and his eyes glare down at Cade sitting on a barstool.

Unsurprising, though, is the fact Nick hasn’t spoken a word. While his brother has his temper fits, Nick’s eerie silence is far more alarming.