Falling Into Darkness: The Under Series Book 1

by Dakota Lake

  I pushed the key into the ignition and turned the key, after a few turns the truck started. “It works,” I said relieved. “How much do I owe you for gas? I can't believe you did this for me, you don't even know me,”

  “It's fine it's not a big deal,You don't owe me anything. Just doing my good deed for the day and I couldn't just ignore you parked right in front of my house.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yep I'm sure.”

  “Okay, well thanks and I don't suppose you know the way back into town, cause I don't really know where I'm,”

  “Sure, go back that way take the left then drive until you see a sign for the flower shop and take that right which should take you back into town.”

  “Thanks Emmett,”

  “No problem. Drive careful the rain seems to have subsided but it probably won't last long.” he smiled looking out the front window at the sky.

  He hopped out and I watched him dash across the street and through a side gate. I noticed a receipt on the passenger seat, which must have fallen out of his pocket. I picked it up and looked at it while waiting for a car to pass. The receipt was dated today someone had bought gas, I also noticed the time, I checked my cell display then looked back at the receipt. The time on the receipt said 11.50am my cell said 11.56am and this receipt was from the gas station near town how was that possible? Emmett said he had spare gas in his garage this made it seem like he had somehow gone to the station to get gas, paid for it and made it back here in under six minutes.

  That wasn't possible but I couldn't think about it I had to get the truck back home. I attempted to turn the truck around and I really hoped no one was watching me as I ended up with the back end up the grass verge again.

  I managed to get the truck facing the right way after I swung into Emmett's drive just in front of the gate. I saw a sign on the gate, Rose Cottage, which sounded oddly familiar.

  I followed Emmett's direction's back towards town until I recognised where I was. I followed the quickest route until I was back on the main route with the forest on both sides of the road. The road was wet and I couldn't go as fast as I would have liked to get back sooner. Eggy's Diner came into view and I saw a red VW Beetle parked outside, reminding me of Carly's little red bug that I was so used to seeing every morning parked in my drive. As I drove closer I saw the back of the car had a very familiar bumper sticker of a magic fairy wand. Wait a minute.....

  I slammed on the brakes without thinking, it was a good job this stretch of road wasn't that busy. I reversed and pulled in next to the bug. I looked in through the diner windows and saw a girl by the counter holding a tall drink.

  I climbed out as the girl walked out the front door.

  “Let me guess it's a coffee?” I said catching her attention. Carly looked up and screamed with excitement.

  “Oh my gosh, I finally found you. You changed your hair,” She opened her arms for a hug, moving her drink aside. I hugged her and gave her a questioning look.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Cut a long story short, there was a fire at our school after hours. Complete wreck and they couldn't send all of us to the nearest school which is over a twenty minute drive away can you believe it. So they sent us home awaiting further notice until they find us somewhere. Some of the younger grades are travelling the distance but they sent us older kids work through the mail and told us to stay home. So here I am until further notice. Cool huh!”

  “That's crazy do they know who did it?”

  “My moneys on that Daniel boy in French class you know the one with the older brother already in jail, but it's only a rumour but I did hear the cops went to his house afterwards.”

  “Wow I move away and all the excitement happens.”

  “Want some?” she asked holding her coffee out to me.

  “No thanks, I still hate the stuff.”

  “I wanted this visit to be a surprise so I tried to find Heaven's Point myself, which was an absolute nightmare to find. I searched the internet everywhere trying to find this place. I only had the address you gave me but have you even tried finding Heaven's Point on a map, it doesn't exist. I finally found it on a map with the school for this online school review thing which mentioned it was near the seaside town of Copeland Harbour. So I managed to find my way there then I asked a few friendly fishermen where I could find Heaven's Point. So I drove to the address you had given me which is where I have been sending all your letters to,”

  “Yeah that's Micah's address, the cabin doesn't have one so he suggested I send the mail to his place. I know don't even ask cause I have no idea.”

  “Oh that makes so much sense now. When I arrived at the address which is actually a flat inside a rather posh building. I asked the cleaning lady about the address and all she kept saying was 'no no señor Greenwood'.” Carly said putting on a Spanish accent.

  “That's Micah's surname,”

  “Well that's all I got from her, because I didn't understand anything else and she wouldn't let me in. So I drove around for a bit and then it dawned on me to ask someone about this Eggy's Diner cause you mentioned it was close to the cabin. So here I am, also in a last ditch effort I did try ringing your cell but I've seriously had no reception since I arrived in this place.”

  “Yep one of the many downsides of living out in the woods. Did you get my last email? About everything that's happened recently?”

  “No I completely forgot to check, I was so busy trying to get all my coursework done it was the only way my mom was going to let me leave the house and she thinks I'm visiting you at your new home staying with your mom and Frank. There was no way she was going to let me drive out to see you so I bent the truth a little.”

  “Bent the truth a little, don't you mean snapped it. Lets just hope she doesn't try and ring my mom,” “Well I thought about that and changed a few numbers on her cell so it probably wont ring or it will ring a complete stranger. It's no problem, cause I'm here now, she can ground me and do whatever she likes when I get back. I'm exhausted I've been on the road since 5am.”

  Carly sipped on her coffee while eyeing up Seth's truck.

  “What is that you're driving is it even road worthy? I thought Seth said no driving?” “Damn, I forgot I need to get the truck back. If anyone asks, you finally got me on the cell and I gave you directions to the cabin. If Micah or Seth find out I took this I will be so grounded and not allowed out tonight,”

  “Why what's happening tonight?”

  “Party, but if anyone asks we are staying at Caitlin's for a fun all girls sleep over, I'm sure you coming will be fine it is a party the more the merrier right?”

  “So basically don't speak to Micah or Seth encase I put my foot in it. When did you get so good at lying?”

  “I don't exactly trust Micah at the minute, I will explain everything back at the cabin.” “I thought he was meant to be looking after you and keeping you safe? I haven't met him but from everything you've told me, yes he has a lot of secrets but I think he's a good guy for the way he's been watching over you,”

  “Well you might not think that when I tell you about this afternoon. Come on follow me in your car. Oh and the road is a little bumpy,”

  “It's fine the bug can handle anything,”

  “Remember that when the wheels fall off,”

  “What!”

  “I'm joking it's not that bad. Your face,” I laughed. “that was classic.”

  “Ha ha ha,” she said looking at me over her car door as she got in.

  Chapter Twenty

  “That is a big dog, when you said big I didn't think you meant that big. How much does that thing eat?” Carly asked looking at Gunner who was sniffing her bag.

  “More than you and me combined he's like a food dumpster.”

  “So this is the Cabin, it's sort of cosy. I mean a few cushion wouldn't hurt, along with a nice rug and maybe hang some curtains and you could call this place home, you can so tell a guy lives here. I bet it
's lovely in the evenings with the fire burning, I can just imagine Seth with his feet up on the table relaxing,”

  “Seriously, you've started already,”

  “What we're all grown ups now. The way you described him big and beefy, I had some very steamy fantasies about Seth and I cooped up in a cabin in the middle of the woods.”

  “Well feel free never to share that information with me. Well you're in for a treat because for some reason this town has no shortage of hot guys, wait until you see Micah or Cam, he seems to follow me everywhere maybe we'll bump into him sometime this week?”

  “Cam, the janitor boy, blonde hair, black eyes. What about Mack, you've been awfully quiet about him, normally in your emails you manage to squeeze his name in about fifty times. I can't stop thinking about Mack, in English I just want to reach over and touch his perfectly layered black hair and run my fingers through it.” she giggled.

  “I have never said that,”

  “You don't have to, I know you and the way you think more than I know myself sometimes and I can tell you're crazy about him.”

  “No you probably just read the emails wrong, I think he's crazy. One minute he's this amazing guy that takes me for a ride on the back of his bike the next he's ignoring me like I'm invisible.” “There has to be more to the story than that, something must have happened?”

  “Yeah I looked into his eyes and passed out the same as when I looked into Micah's.” “But you said you didn't think it was possible you went into Mack's memories because it was of a memory from someone following us a year ago, which is really creepy may I add,” “Exactly I think I just fainted and had some crazy dream of someone stalking us.” “Unless it was Mack's memory?”

  “That's crazy we've never met him before why would he be following me? I mean boring old me, it makes no sense,”

  “You're not that boring remember, being able to hear someone's thoughts isn't exactly boring Ruby,” “Then what is it?”

  “You're something else and after all the stuff you've told me I think you're finally going to get to get to the bottom and find out why you are the way you are. Even if that means finding out that you're different and not entirely human.”

  “Did you really just say not human?”

  “Well with everything you've told me you might be something else. Ruby I'm human, I cut myself I bleed and I'll have a sore spot for a week which usually scabs but I normally knock the scab of a few times so it takes even longer to heal. You told me you cut yourself you healed straight away last time. That's definitely not human,that's like super human.”

  “All right you don't have to rub in how weird I am.”

  “You've always been weird. Come on show me, do you have anything sharp?”

  “I have a pocket knife” I said digging through my bag.

  “What is that?” she said snatching it away to inspect it.

  “Who is J.M?”

  “I have no idea? I found it under the stairs. Give it here then,”

  I took a deep breath and Carly clenched her fists like she was the one in pain watching me through squinted eyes. I cut the back of my hand with the knife not to deep though, I didn't want blood all over the floor. I walked over to the kitchen sink and rinsed it under the cold water it stung like any cut would but after a few seconds it had worn off, I took it out from under the water and we both looked at it.

  “Yep it's confirmed you're definitely not human. That is insane, you hurt yourself but your body healed itself in seconds, how is that going to effect your ageing process?”

  “I don't know I haven't really thought that far ahead yet I'm just getting used to this,” “What about the heightened smells and hearing?”

  “It comes and goes,”

  “Because you're changing?”

  “What? That's the same thing I overheard Micah telling Seth.”

  “Because it's true, oh my gosh I didn't see it at first but now I see loads of things have changed.” “What are you talking about?”

  She walked out the kitchen then came back in holding her compact mirror.

  “All I saw first was your hair it looked so different it distracted me from everything else,” “Huh?”

  “Look in the mirror, your teeth,”

  “My teeth,” I asked looking at them in the mirror.

  “Ruby haven't you always had a tooth near the front that stuck further out than the rest?” I had and I quickly looked at it in the mirror wondering what she was talking about? “I'm guessing you didn't get braces while you've been here,”

  “What's happened to it, it's flat. Actually all my teeth look different, straight and strangely perfect. How did I not notice this, I thought my gums felt sore this morning, this is crazy.” “You're not wearing any make up either, are you?”

  “No.”

  “I am so jealous right now, perfect teeth amazing black eyelashes and your skin looks amazing. We both know it's not the water you've been drinking. You've changed physically now that I see it, it's hard not to notice it. You look completely different.”

  I heard boots on the floor and realised someone else was in the cabin. I grabbed the pocket knife and snapped it shut and slid it into my pocket.

  Micah walked into the kitchen but stopped dead still when he saw Carly.

  “Micah this is Carly, my friend from back home. I didn't know she was coming she just sort of showed up unannounced,”

  “Hi Micah,” she said politely but he didn't reply he just looked at her but didn't say anything, I couldn't tell what was wrong with him but he was looking at Carly strangely.

  Wow he's really hot you lucky thing, I can't believe you get to look at that eye candy everyday, she said to me in her thoughts.

  “I know I should have probably told Ruby I was coming but I wanted it to be a surprise.” “Well I'm over the moon you're here and I don't think Seth will mind he knows how much I've missed you. Micah it will be all right for Carly to stay with us wont it,” I asked. He looked vacant I wasn't sure he was even listening to me.

  “Micah are you all right?”

  “Y....you were at my place? The cleaning lady phoned me but you were gone when I got there,” he stuttered as he said it.

  “I had your address I went there looking for Ruby, but when she wasn't there I phoned her and she gave me directions to this place.”

  “Because you gave me your address to give to Carly remember?” I said to him, he nodded slightly then went into the other room and stood in the corner looking at his cell.

  “Your brother has to work late tonight.” he said loudly from the other room.

  “It's okay I'm going to Caitlin's tonight remember I told you yesterday,”

  I cleaned the sink up and washed any traces of blood away.

  Ruby...Ruby. He keeps looking at me. What's he doing?.....

  “I have no idea he's been really weird.” I whispered back to her.

  I grabbed my cell and walked to the bottom of the stairs. We'll be upstairs if you want us, you know you don't have to wait around, Carly has a car to drive us tonight.”

  He ignored me and leaned against the wall typing on his cell.

  “Hey if that's Seth could you let him know Carly's staying for a bit.”

  He nodded but didn't look up.

  I closed the bedroom door behind us and Carly flopped on my bed.

  “What was up with him, is he always that strange, you saw the way he was looking at me. That was weird right?”

  “Yeah I dunno he's acting stranger than normal. I need to message Caitlin I can only get signal standing on the toilet, back in a minute,”

  I stood on the toilet to message Caitlin.

  Hi Caitlin, change of plan. My friend Carly has turned up, is it all right to bring her to the party?

  I stood looking in the mirror at my face, I looked the same but I could see the changes it was like looking at a better version of myself. My cell beeped with a reply.

  That's fine Robbie won't mind. Are you coming to mine
first? Carly has a car and I have Robbie's address so we can meet you there :)

  Okay see you later. Going to be so much fun x C x

  I went back into my bedroom to find Carly spinning around in Emmett's green military style jacket. “Everything all right?” she asked.

  “Yeah it's all sorted you're driving us over there tonight and we're staying at Robbie's but if Micah asks......”

  “Yeah yeah I got it, we're having a girls sleepover at Caitlin's. Hey I've never seen you in this before?”

  “It's not mine, that's Emmett's.”

  “Remind me who Emmett is again?”

  “The friendly boy from the nightclub that somehow already knew my name before I had told him.” “The one that went to the gas station and back and filled your gas tank up in six minutes flat which must be a record.” she laughed.

  “Yes that guy, it's not funny it's worrying,”

  “Well personally I think there's something weird going on in this whole town. Ooooo what's this?” She pulled out the flask from the inside pocket, she shook it and I could hear the liquid slushing around inside.

  “Time for a little pre party drink, you want some?” she asked undoing the cap and holding it out to me.

  “No that doesn't belong to us and you're driving remember,”

  “Just one sip wont hurt,” she said raising the flask to her lips.

  I picked up my bag about to start filling it with stuff I wanted for tonight, when Carly spat the drink out. The dark liquid went all over my bed sheets.

  Carly started cringing and held the flask out for me to take. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and smeared the red liquid across her lips.

  “What's is it?” I asked looking at the flask in my hand.

  “That's not alcohol, I need my toothbrush.”

  “Your mouth looks like it's bleeding.”

  She shook her head and looked at the flask.

  “Blood, it was blood, oh that's sick. Quickly move,” she said dashing out the door with her toothbrush. I looked down at the flask and sniffed it, it didn't smell like alcohol. I quickly found the lid and put it back inside jacket.