Dark Layers Volume 2: Dark Layers

by Gray, A L

  Derek sensually strokes my hair, trying to calm me before I sleep. I appreciate his efforts. I peer up at him and as I start to thank him, he stops me and insists, "shhh - sleep Sweetie." He whispers.

  I close my eyes and desperately trying to drift off into the land of nowhere, hoping to dream of a happy place but, my dreams are damned - I have no choice but to dream of compelling blue eyes who stalk me.

  "WHY ARE YOU doing this to me?" I beg.

  "Because I can." A beautiful man replies.

  His face suddenly transforms into a demon. His blonde locks retract into his perfectly bald skull. His dark brown eyes turn black.

  "What are you?" I whisper frightened.

  "I am God." He smiles deviant while gazing down at me.

  I try to run, knowing he must be sent from the Devil himself. Loud vicious screams suddenly assault my ears.

  "Ahhh!" I cry.

  I cannot escape - the pain is just too much. I'm forced to break down to the ground in pain. I'm thankful for the soft carpet that breaks my landing to the floor.

  "Please stop." I beg, tears endlessly flowing down my cheeks.

  "I thought this was what you wanted? The deepest darkest parts of me - I thought you wanted to fulfil my desires?" He says.

  I quickly peer around. I try to recognize my location, but all I see is darkness. I look down. I can see the soft carpet I'm kneeling on. It's illuminated for some reason. It's beige, with small heavenly lights shining towards the dark misty skies - circling me. Why is there a carpet here?

  I suddenly look at my hands because they start to sting. They start bleeding pools of dark red blood that drips endlessly onto the beige carpet. I panic and try to stop the bleeding but as I do, my hands start to vanish, pouring onto the floor like think wet red sand, right before my very eyes. I try to grab my body but notice my entire existence is vanishing, vanishing into nothing...

  "AHHH!" I SCREAM. I wake in a pool of sweat. I sit up in my bed panicking. My hands tremble, my body is heated. I try to remember my nightmare - to be sure it was only a nightmare. Derek is nowhere to be seen. My bedroom is tidy. Did I dream the last week? - My bedroom was definitely messy before I went to sleep. I look at my clock. I grab it in a frenzy and jump, dropping it to the floor seeing it's eight-thirty at night. Shit! I have slept an entire day away!

  Derek's deep voice immediately grabs my attention. I thrash my head to the right, wondering where he is. He's talking to someone on the phone - I think. I now realize the rollercoaster week has definitely happened - my dreams must be punishing me for letting it be.

  I gently slide to the side of my bed, trying to gather myself once more. I listen to Derek as his voice gets louder.

  "He what? - This is outrageous Mr. Gooden - Yes I understand fully - Yes I will deal with the matter - No payment is necessary - No they are not dating - I have no idea why the papers have printed such a story - I have to tell Anile we spoke - Because she will be furious and I do not keep secrets from her Mr. Gooden - Yes I will be discrete - Okay, goodbye Sir." He finishes and hangs up.

  He turns and jumps at my presence. He almost drops his phone and he fumbles trying to insure it doesn't slip through his fingers. I stand firm in front of him; I'm annoyed. I narrow my eyes at him.

  "What the hell - how long have you been there?" He says.

  "Long enough. What was that about and why has my father called you?"

  "He saw the papers Anile - even that is out of our hands."

  I start to pace my living area, my hands are in my messy hair, and my mouth is dry.

  "Shit. What did he say? And do not be coy with me Derek, I want to know everything; do not keep a single thing from me."

  "Anile..." he starts but nearly doesn't finish, "Mr. Darks has paid your father fifty-thousand pounds to cover your uni fees. Please, you cannot tell him I told you, he made me promise."

  My face heats, my eyes widen.

  "That Bastard! What does he think I was? An indecent proposal! Why I... I'm going to give him blue balls!" I almost scream.

  "Anile, you cannot tell..." I cut him off immediately.

  "Oh Derek, be quiet and forget my father! I will tell him I overheard your conversation. I need to take care of this." I snap as I walk back into my bedroom.

  I pick up my phone and to my amazement, I have a text from Elijah! I stare at my locked I Phone screen and wonder whether to open it or not. All I can see is the beginning of his message – know that if you decide to go out,

  My curiosity gets the better of me.

  From: Elijah

  Know that if you decide to go out, and I quote - get stinking drunk - this end of town, your entrance will be rejected everywhere.

  Your safety is important to me Anile and I will not have you childishly put yourself in danger.

  I have a job for you; CB's Law Firm has accepted you with my recommendation.

  You start Monday at nine a.m.

  Take care Princess.

  I grab my throat and gasp for air. My tummy pangs in pain - "stress, this is stress." I mutter to myself. I'm furious, utterly furious. I need to put this Bastard in his damn place - fast! Every pub in London cannot reject me or my money! That's a thought - I wonder if my father accepted Elijah's money.

  "Derek." I shout.

  "Yeah?"

  I walk out to the living area and as I do, I notice that I'm still in yesterdays clothes; yuk! Focus Anile!

  "Did my father accept Elijah's money?"

  He nods his head, "Elijah was insistent and your father knows better than to argue with such a man, Anile."

  I am so damn angry - Lyssa has possessed me! I storm back into my bedroom while mentally chanting, "breathe, breathe, breathe," over and over. I lay down and try to imagine a mentally acceptable way out for myself - I come up with nothing.

  I stare at my flowers - deep red roses. I inhale their scent, desperately trying to feel peace and serenity. My room is also full of calming colours – beige’s, pinks, whites, even my furniture is white - I want to feel as calm as my room! "Please!" I beg, my hands firmly grasping my face in aggravation.

  After a while, I accept what I need to do. Being angry will not help me - I just cannot quit myself of Elijah this way.

  I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow.

  William Blake, he had the right idea. I need to tell Elijah how I feel. A simple Text will have to do - calling him will only result in war. Once I have told him the facts, I need to move on.

  "Damn I need a large whisky!" I gasp.

  I tap my phone screen, wondering what to write. After a few deleted messages, I suddenly wiz all over the keypad and push send before reading it back.

  To: Elijah

  Know that I am no longer your problem. Leave me alone, stay out of my business and move on - I am. I just want you to know that, I am not sorry I met you, because if I didn't, we would not have shared a wonderful evening together - I might add - (before you ruined it) but I am not going to nitpick. I want to be happy and also want that for you to. Take care of yourself x

  I feel... sort of relieved that I finally told him to leave me alone - expressing your wrath really is a great solution as appose to bottling everything up.

  I quickly decide a night on the town is well needed - time is of the essence - I need to get the hell out of my apartment and get so drunk that my brain turns into scrambled egg!

  In one hour, I'm almost perfect, apart from my glowering red eyes - Elijah's quote about tears being the souls inability to show ones restraint, really is true. I should learn self-control - in all aspects!

  I'm wearing a little black number that is skin tight - no straps. My hair is a high messy up-do; sexy red lips command my face; and to finish, Chanel No.5. I seem to have perfected Elijah's double personality disorder in the past hour, and I have to admit, I feel good, really, really good.

  When Derek see's me walk out from my hall, he's on his feet lo
oking shocked as I jokingly model walk into the living area, working my shoulders for a laugh.

  "Where are you going?" He asks.

  "We," I motion point between the both of us, "are going clubbing."

  "Okay then," he smiles questionably, "are you going to drop this thing with Elijah, Anile?"

  "Oh yes, no more Mr. Darks." I smile sweetly. I link Derek's arm and force him to move out of the door with me.

  "Do you need to change or anything?" I ask.

  "Nope, I'm good Sweets."

  He is good, he always looks good; even casual. His jeans look worn but sexy, and he completely owns the red Versace shirt he's wearing - I brought it for him for his twenty-first birthday and I'm visually glad I did.

  Chapter Three

  IT'S NOW ELEVEN o'clock and we have been rejected by four clubs. I try to remain sombre, nothing is going to get me down. We started at a gorgeous wine bar in central London and terribly drank our way through three bottles of wine. Being drunk is not tonight's issue - Mr. Bastard Darks is! How the hell did he actually manage to shut me down? Is there no limit to what he can achieve?

  Derek and I decide to try one last option - Tiger Tiger in Croydon, London - and if we are refused entry again, the only other option is to give up and go back to my place. Admitting defeat is not in my agenda lately but sometimes the war is far tastier than the battle.

  As we reach our turn in line at Tiger Tiger, the security guard is all over me like a bad smell.

  "You cannot come in Miss."

  I roll my eyes in annoyance, "why not?"

  "I cannot answer your question Love. All I know is, your picture is on the banned list."

  "Banned list!" I nearly scream, "you have got to be kidding me."

  "I am afraid not."

  I turn to look at Derek and he shrugs his shoulders in defeat. I stand silent, trying desperately to conjure up some crazy excuse but my mind is running on air.

  "That is my twin." I say, hoping for the best. Idiot!

  "Nice try, but I have a list on you Miss. You smell like Jasmine - which you definitely do. You have a small birth mark the size of a five pence piece on your neck," he points to my neck - Bastard! "Your voice sounds husky but squeaks when you are nervous - like now," he raises his eyebrows trying not to laugh at me, "and you wear a brass charm bracelet on your left wrist." He points to my wrist.

  My mother gave me this bracelet. It's nothing special. It has small heart charms surrounding it. I sort of smile at how detailed Elijah is, perfectly insuring the security knows who I am. I quickly give up knowing this is hopeless.

  As Derek and I turn on our heels, aiming to leave, a man's voice catches my attention.

  "Anile Gooden?"

  I turn shocked that someone this end of town would know me.

  "Yes." I mutter.

  I turn around, desperately hoping this is our ticket in. Whoa - okay, he may not be a ticket but he's hot - dangerously hot! He's so damn tall, and hansom. He looks a little like Derek, blonde unruly hair, overly tall; and he's wearing a crisp grey suit that hugs every inch of him - hmmm.. I gaze unknowingly. Down Anile!

  "You can come in." He confirms with a beautiful all American smile to match the rest of him - perfect. Derek and I smile with glee and step to it in a hurry.

  "Sorry Sir, she cannot." The security guard informs him, hands firmly held out, eyes narrowed.

  "This is my fucking club. If you still want your job, I would suggest you back off!" Mr. Dark and Dangerous warns.

  Handsome and cocky - me like!

  The security man steps back in defeat. I smile at him, undoubtedly happy that I have won against Elijah.

  "Thank you...?" I elongate every word, hinting for his name.

  "You can call me Cast Darling. I haven't seen you here before; I am guessing you are not from around here?"

  "No I'm not, Cast Darling," I joke, "how do you know my name?"

  He laughs, "just Cast will do cheeky, and I saw you all over the papers today." He winks, "welcome to Tiger Tiger." He gestures as he opens the doors to his club.

  I don't like that he's seen me in the papers but alcohol is endlessly swimming around in my brain, causing me to care less about everything, so I hold my tongue. Pounding music instantly fills my ears and silver disco ball lights sparkle into my eyes. I grab Derek's arm, thrilled that we can now have a dance in peace.

  "I will arrange a VIP area for you both." Cast shouts into my ear over the music.

  As he leans near me, I catch a whiff of his lustrous scent. He smells like he's fresh out of the shower and... hmmm, Musky cologne.

  "Let's go get a drink Sweetie." Derek says, thankfully pulling me back from my dangerously erotic thoughts. I nod in approval, finally cheered up; nothing like a girls night out - or in this case - a Derek night out. I giggle.

  The night is finally going to plan. The drinks come often, as do the people that command the dance floor. Cast took his sweet time but finally he returns with champagne - this only brings my thoughts back to Elijah though, which I cannot stomach.

  "Fancy a drink Anile?" Cast asks and I give in to his beautiful face to damn easy - deflected, I'm deflected. How can trading one man for another be any good?

  "Do you mind Derek?" I shout over the music - I let my deflection go. Lummox!

  Derek is dancing with a stunning Brazilian looking girl; she's dressed in a tight little pink dress and her hair is so damn curly and falls all over her back - she's gorgeous. I know he will not be hurt by my absence. He smiles with raised eyebrows; he dances them up and down. I blow him a kiss - knowing his dirty sexual agenda.

  Cast and I go straight to the VIP area and I now notice how tipsy I am - holy crap! The room looks like fairy dust is falling where the dramatic lights dance all around. The music is electric. It courses through my veins with a thumping rhythm. I feel great - finally!

  Cast seats himself in a VIP booth. It's not very private but I'm thankful - my motives regarding my virginity are safe tonight. The VIP area is separated by a steel barred walk way. The dance floor is right next to us. The seats are crisp white leather. Huh - Elijah springs to mind - they must be related - I gasp as I register every damn piece of furniture is bloody leather!

  Cast pats the empty space next to him, hinting for me to take my place. I smile and get seated, grateful for the temporary rest off of my feet - heels really should not be a fashion must for women.

  "Anile, I must say, you are a very, very attractive woman."

  I flush at his compliment, "thank you Cast. That's a very nice thing to say."

  "It's true. You must have men falling at your feet. Your posture is impeccable and the way your facial expressions come across to the world are enthralling."

  His attention to detail shocks me. My mouth is wide open. I should not judge people on first appearances. I thought he was just a bus boy, lying about owning this place and working the club, but I somehow feel a 'punked' moment coming into this scene. I do not really know how to answer him so I think another flume of champagne is in order to make me brave - and that it does. The bubbles go down nicely as my confidence rises.

  "You are also very nice to look at Cast; being easy on the eye is always appealing to me." I smile, giving him a sneaky side glance.

  "I think I am going to enjoy having you around." He smiles.

  "What?" I mutter while frowning.

  I'm sure someone has said those exact words to me? I shake them free from my mind as the memory pangs at my chest - Elijah.

  He strokes my naked arm with his feather light fingers, ignoring my less than elegant pronoun.

  "Your skin is illuminating and beautiful Anile." He whispers.

  Okay, that's enough of his cheesiness!

  "And you are trying too hard." I joke as I get to my feet. I am in no mood for another one-hundred and eighty pound Bastard thinking he can take what he wants from me by whispering sweet nothings into my ear.

  "Where are you going?" He asks stunned. His beautiful fac
e is now full of frown lines.

  "To find someone worth the chase." I mutter leaning towards him.

  I turn on my heel and leave, proud and chuffed. I click my way back to the bar feeling good - all these compliments really are going to my head. No, that is the drink, stupid!

  I order a large cocktail - one more will not hurt. While I sip the freshly poured Sex on the Beach - relishing in the sweet orgasmic flavour - I stand watching everyone dance and make-out in public. My thoughts annoyingly return to sex. How long will I be a bloody virgin? Maybe I should ask Derek to rectify the problem - I don't want to hold on to it anymore. I jump when I think of my best friend - Derek, I need to find him, he's probably worried sick about me!

  After ten minutes of searching the toilets, the dance floor and even outside, I give up, knowing exactly where he is - Skank! I mutter mentally, knowing he is seeing to that girl.

  Upon giving up on everyone, I accept my lonely fate and take my place on the dance floor. I close my eyes and dance away to the enchanting sound of Mariah Carey - Beautiful. The song fills my ears with a sense of passion - all hope isn't lost - I giggle. At least I can get some kind of passion in my life - even if it is only from music!

  Within no time at all, I feel gentle hands slide around my waist. My eyes shoot open to see Cast eyeing me with a 'sorry' expression. Wow, his eyes are so damn blue, and sexy! He's one beautiful man. His touch sadly does nothing for me though - will I ever get the static feeling of lust from anyone other than Elijah? I frown unknowingly.

  "Can we start again? I obviously underestimated you Anile." He asks, leaning in on me.

  I smile while bowing my head. Maybe I can just have some fun with him.

  "What the hell is this?" I hear someone shout from behind us.

  I don't need to see who it is. I know exactly who it is - how can I forget! I quickly turn - mirroring Casts' quick reaction - to see Elijah, simmering almost to the point of exploding. Holy shit! I turn back around so I'm not facing him - his gaze is so damn intense! I try to make a quick getaway.

  Luckily I make it to the back of the crowd - alone. Peering back, I try to catch a glimpse of what's going on. I can see Elijah and Cast arguing with one another. I cannot hear them because the music is too loud but you do not have to be an expert to read their body language. They are both pointing fingers, gritted teeth; Elijah is thrashing his hand all around. I swallow hard, feeling extremely guilty, knowing this is all my fault. No it is not! He doesn't own you! No, he bloody doesn't own me!