Shadows Within (The Dark Mind Trilogy Book 2)

by Matthew Goldstein

  Cole looked up to see a man behind him, and this was enough incentive to get moving again. He held the door open for the man and followed him up to the register to order drinks. He placed an order for two strawberry banana smoothies, but was surprised the cashier heard him over the pounding of his own heart. It was all he noticed as he waited for the drinks to arrive, praying they were ready before Darryl entered. He checked his watch. Darryl shouldn't be there for another fifteen minutes but he could always be early.

  Finally, the drinks were served and he carried them over to an empty table. Now was the terrifying part. He glanced in all directions to make sure no one was watching and then pulled a small pouch from his backpack. It was filled with a fine powder that he had grounded up last night from the Tylenol in his bathroom. He had done some research on the school computers and knew it was lethal in high dosages, but he could not find how much was necessary.

  He opened the pouch, but in an instant he was no longer in the smoothie shop. He was inside another of Travis' memories. Travis was walking down a suburban street, when there was a voice behind him.

  “What you up to, loser?”

  Travis ignored it and kept walking. A hand clamped onto his shoulder, stopping his movement.

  “Are you ignoring me?”

  “Please leave me alone,” Travis said, in a mix of fear and annoyance.

  “That's no way to talk to me.”

  Travis was shoved roughly from behind to the ground, scraping his knee. He finally looked up at the large boy that was talking. He was with three others and they were all smirking.

  “You should learn some respect.” The boy kicked Travis in the ribs, and Travis cried out in pain, clutching his side.

  “Leave him alone!” came a new voice. Darryl came charging onto the scene, standing tall amidst the attackers.

  They all laughed. “What is this?” said the lead boy. “Do we have a new challenger?”

  “No,” Darryl said, his voice faltering. “Just leave him alone. That's all.”

  “Umm...” The lead boy pretended to think for a second before he swung his fist into the side of Darryl's head, sending him sprawling hard onto the concrete next to Travis. The group strolled away laughing and the lead boy called back, “That was stupid. You both need to learn some respect.”

  Darryl turned his head to look at Travis, and he was smiling weakly through his pain. “At least that got them off of you.”

  “Why did you do that? Thanks, but that really was stupid. I don't want anyone to get hurt for me. I can take it.”

  “Nah, don't worry about it.” Darryl sat up, one hand to his head and the other extended. “I'm Darryl by the way. Nice to meet you.”

  Cole was returned to the present, staring into the little pouch of Tylenol. Shut up, Travis. Don't make this any harder than it already is. Come on, Cole. You need to do this. You don't have a choice.

  He hesitated another second before he tipped the contents of the bag into one of the smoothies and stirred, then pushed it to the other side of the table. This had better be enough. He looked around one more time to make sure no one was watching when he saw Darryl walking towards him and waving. His heart caught in his throat but he managed a fake smile as Darryl sat across from his.

  “You got me a smoothie?” Darryl said confused, peering into his drink.

  Cole's heart was once again drowning out all sound, but he forced out a few nonchalant words. “Yeah, it's my favorite and my treat. I thought you'd like it.”

  “Wow, that's so nice of you. I hope that wasn't out of pity.”

  Cole felt sweat forming on his face and he prayed Darryl couldn't see it. He also prayed Darryl didn't see the terror in his eyes. He focused his attention on breathing and speaking evenly. “Not at all.” Without realizing it, he had plastered a smile on his face. “Really, don't worry about it.”

  Darryl put the straw to his lips and took a sip. “Hmm. Tastes... different.”

  “You don't like it?” Cole said, feigning disappointment.

  “No, it's good,” Darryl said half-heartedly and taking another sip. “Just not what I was expecting. What is it?”

  “Strawberry banana with a shot of an energy drink for some protein. Fills you up and tastes good too.”

  “Ah, that's what that is. I couldn't figure out what I was tasting.” He looked up at Cole who was watching too closely. “Hey, are you all right? You look kinda pale.”

  Cole cleared his throat and tore his eyes away from the drink. “I think I may be coming down with something. Hope not.”

  “Yep, that would suck.” He took another sip. “Is that why you aren't drinking?”

  Cole looked into his full cup and took a big swig. “Yeah, it's so good, though.” He downed the whole thing at once, hoping to set an example, but Darryl was not as interested. He wanted to talk.

  “So, I was wondering,” Darryl began, “what happened with the instructions about your friend?”

  Cole found he had not registered any of the words Darryl had said. “I'm sorry, I spaced. What?”

  “That instruction about your friend dying. Travis went over that day to try and help you stop it. Whatever happened with it?”

  Now Cole was listening. He knows about the instructions of Amy dying? What else does he know? Does he know about Dr. Stern being the other part of that instruction? Does he know I had to kill someone to save her? “She survived. Whatever Travis did, did the trick.” Best to start out innocent.

  “That's great. And there were no issues? She was just okay? Do you know what he did?”

  What's with all the questions? There was a persistent ringing in his ears that was making his head ache. “I'm not really sure what he did to affect it, to tell you the truth, but I wish I did.”

  “That's really too bad. I know he was a hero in his last moments and I wanted to know how. It's okay, though.” He took another sip and Cole heard the telltale slurping sound indicating he was near the bottom. “Did he at least know he had saved her?”

  “Yes.” Cole's voiced cracked. “I don't feel so well. I need to go to the bathroom.”

  “No worries. If you're sick, we can meet another time.”

  “Sounds good.” Cole bolted from the table, heading straight for the restroom. He burst into a stall and locked the door, leaning his head against the side. He balled his hands into fists, but that did not stop his entire body from shaking as tears streamed down his face.

  I hate you! he screamed internally to the now silent voices. I will stop you. You can't keep making me do this. I won't let you. I won't!

  He smashed his fist into the side of the stall, and then yelled out as pain shot up his arm. Feeling suddenly foolish, he waited for a response, but the bathroom was empty.

  After he had composed himself, he waited a while longer, hoping Darryl would leave. When he thought enough time had passed, he poked his head around the corner to see Darryl still in his seat. At that moment, Darryl pushed his chair back and stood up. Cole bolted back into the bathroom stall, praying he had not been seen and that Darryl was just leaving.

  Despite his hopes, the bathroom door opened a second later. “Are you all right in there?” Darryl said.

  In the weakest voice he could muster, Cole said, “Yeah, I'm fine, but I'm going to be a while. You should go.”

  “Are you sure? I don't mind waiting.”

  “My mom will be here to pick me up soon. Really, don't wait for me. I'll be okay.”

  “All right, feel better. I'll see you again soon?”

  “Yep. Soon. See ya.”

  There was no movement on the other side of the door, sending Cole into an instant panic, but after a brief hesitation, the bathroom door opened and closed. He waited another short while, and this time, Darryl was nowhere in sight.

  16

  His mother arrived to pick him up a short while later. By then his eyes had cleared, but the bottomless pit in his stomach was just as potent.

  “Can you take me to Amy's?”
he said as he sat in the passenger seat.

  “Now? Can we at least eat dinner first?”

  “Okay.” He sank into his chair and focused his gaze out the window.

  “How did it go?” Meredith glanced over at Cole as she drove. “You don't look so hot.”

  “Yeah, it was... depressing.”

  “Sorry. Anything you want to talk about?”

  “Not really.”

  “Well, I made mac and cheese. Maybe that will cheer you up.”

  “Yep.”

  It didn't. They had a quiet dinner, and Cole was thankful that his mother did not push him to talk. As soon as he had wolfed down his plate, he called the Williams, who were more than happy to have him come over. Amy was there at the door to greet him, and the sight of her filled him with an overwhelming sense of relief. The relief was short-lived, however, as he realized he could tell her none of what had happened.

  “Cole!” she said as she flung open the front door, but upon seeing his face, hers dropped. “You look like hell. What's wrong?”

  “Can we go to your room?” he said, looking around for Mr. or Mrs. Williams and dreading having to face them.

  “Yeah, of course. Come on. They won't be back for a while, though. They went to some movie that sounded boring.” She led him to her new bedroom. The Williams had it painted pink and had filled it with small wooden furniture better suited for a young girl, but Amy never complained. She loved it.

  Amy sat on her bed and Cole dropped down beside her, flopping his head back onto the pillow. He closed his eyes, struggling to regain his composure, and felt Amy's hand on his arm.

  “What's up?” she said, concerned.

  “It's just... well, Travis' memories. I got more of them and they're really depressing. I feel awful about everything.” He sat up to look Amy in the eye, but was moved instead to lean in and kiss her. She was so beautiful right then and he wanted nothing more than to embrace her, to have her, fully and completely.

  She accepted one kiss, then pulled back. “Tell me about it.”

  Cole hung his head. “I don't really want to. It was about him and Darryl. I met up with Darryl today after school and that just depressed me even more.” He leaned in for another kiss but Amy pushed him back.

  “I don't think I'm comfortable with this. You're only doing it because you're upset.”

  “I know but trust me.” He took her hand and held her eyes. “This is exactly what I need. I need you. Now.”

  Amy accepted the kiss this time, hesitantly at first, then losing herself in the embrace. Their kissing became more feverish, more intense. Cole forgot where he was, who he was. He was one with her. Without a conscious thought, his hand found its way up her shirt and she offered no resistance. The only thought that managed to sneak its way into his brain was a definitive I love you.

  * * *

  Get Larry Delauney out of his house within the next thirty minutes.

  Meredith's stomach clenched as adrenaline coursed through her body, the same way it always did when she received an instruction. One glance at Peter told her he had heard a similar instruction, as was often the case lately.

  “Check the phone book?” he said.

  Meredith nodded and ran off to fetch it from his kitchen. She was flipping through the pages on her return, and came to a stop a few seconds later.

  “Want me to call?” Peter said.

  “I've got this one,” Meredith said. She grabbed the living room phone and dialed quickly without thinking, her breathing coming in shallow rasps. It rang three times, and she began to dread that he would not pick up.

  “Uh, hello?” a tired voice answered.

  “Larry, I need you to listen to me. This is the police. We just received a threat on your life. We are on our way over, but we need you to leave immediately. We have reason to believe the threat is real and imminent. You must leave now.”

  “That's real funny. Who is this?”

  “This is not a prank, Larry. Please listen to me.”

  “Yeah, I should leave so you can rob my house? I'm calling the cops. I have your number now, idiot.” There was a click and the line went dead.

  Meredith stood holding the phone in fear and indecision. “He didn't listen. Should I call back?”

  “What are you going to say? Would you listen?”

  “I'm trying again.” She dialed, but this time the phone rang five times with no answer. She slammed the phone into its cradle. “We have to go over there.”

  “What about the babies?”

  “You stay here with them. I'll go.”

  Peter shook his head. “I won't let you go alone. Can you drop them with the neighbor?”

  “Okay, fine, but we have to hurry.” She shoved on her sneakers, placed Cole gently but quickly into his stroller, and grabbed the phone book with the address. Together with Peter, they brought Cole and Travis next door and rang the bell. It felt an eternity while they waited at the front door, all the while Meredith fearing no one was home. At last, the door opened and an elderly gentleman greeted them.

  “Hi, Barry,” Meredith said. “An emergency came up. Would it be all right if we left our babies with you for about an hour?”

  “Of course,” Barry said. “Is everything all right?”

  “Yes, it's fine, but we're in a bit of a rush. Thank you so much.” She rolled Cole inside and Peter followed suit with Travis. Once they were back outside, she half ran to the car, Peter at her heels. She flung herself into the driver's side door, and without waiting for Peter to close the passenger door, she slammed the pedal to the floor.

  After he buckled himself in, Peter took the phone book and found the address. “He lives on the opposite side of town. We can't make it.”

  Meredith was focused on the road ahead, an intense determination in her eyes. “I don't care. We have to try.”

  Even driving at maniacal speeds, it took sixteen minutes to find the street and another three to find the right address. They screeched to a halt in front of the house next door the same moment that a hooded figure ran out of the open front door. Meredith glanced back and forth between the front door and the fleeing figure, and slammed her foot back on the accelerator.

  “What are doing?” Peter shouted.

  “We can't let him get away.” Before Peter had a chance to respond with more than a garbled protest, they had caught up to the man. Meredith veered the car to the side, jolting them over the curb and onto the sidewalk in front of the man, cutting him off. She flung her door open and looked up... right into the barrel of a gun.

  “Get back in the car and drive away,” the man growled from beneath his hood.

  Meredith froze, halfway out the car door. “Put the gun down. There's no need for violence.”

  “I said get back in the car.”

  “Meredith, please listen to him,” Peter shouted from inside the car. “It's not worth it. Let him go.”

  Still she hesitated, until a hand grabbed her shirt and yanked her back inside the vehicle. The man stuffed the gun into his pants and took off.

  “What the hell, Meredith? What is wrong with you?” Peter said in controlled exasperation once the man was safely out of sight. “Don't ever mess with someone who has a gun.”

  “Yeah, you're right. I wasn't thinking clearly.” Meredith shook her head to clear the disappointment of letting the criminal escape. “We need to get back to the house and see what happened.” She backed the car up to the house and the two of them ran up the pathway, Meredith leaving the car door open behind her.

  The front door was open and Meredith burst through first, almost stumbling over the body on the floor. She choked a gasp as she bent over the man. He was still breathing but his breaths were laborious and were accompanied by a wheezing sound. It was immediately obvious as to the reason for this wheezing when she saw the bullet hole through his lung.

  Panic-stricken she covered the hole with the base of her hand, knowing it was hopeless but not having any other ideas. She inspecte
d his lined face, his eyes squeezed tight in pain, his mouth open as it struggled to get more air, and she couldn't help but think that he looked like a nice person. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered, “I told you to leave. Why couldn't you just listen to me?”

  The man's eyes opened and found hers. “I wish I had.” His words were barely audible. “So much... I want to do.” His eyes glossed over and he became still, his breathing ceased.

  “No, why?! Wake up.” She pounded her fist into his chest. “Wake up! Don't die on me.” She continued her mindless blows until a hand on her shoulder interrupted her.

  “It's too late. There's nothing you can do,” Peter said gently.

  She burst into tears, racking her whole body with spasms. “I could have saved him. If only I said the right thing. If only I had driven a little faster. If only I had...”

  “Shh.” Peter wrapped his arms around her and pressed her head to his shoulder. “There's nothing you could have done. It wasn't meant to be.”

  She pulled away from his embrace. “I don't believe in that 'meant to be' crap. I wouldn't have gotten the instruction if it was impossible.”

  “I can't speak to the truth of that, but either way, think of all the people you helped. You can't help everyone, but you do what you can, which is more than anyone else could. No one can have a flawless record. This was just too difficult to fulfill.”

  “Yeah, well maybe if they gave me more time. Stupid voices. How do they decide when to say something?”

  “Don't I wish I knew the answer to that one.”

  “I still feel like I could've saved him. I can't deal with this. It's too much pressure. All the time. I can't handle it anymore. But I can't do nothing or more people will die. What do I do? I'm stuck. We both are. I'm starting to think these voices are more a curse than blessing.”

  “Don't say that. You're helping people. The losses are tough but the successes make it worth it.”

  “I wish I felt that way.”

  They were startled by a shout at the front door behind them.

  “Put your hands up and back away from the body. Slowly.”

  They lifted their hands in the air and turned around to face the officer.