Shadows Within (The Dark Mind Trilogy Book 2)

by Matthew Goldstein

  “Nah, I'm all right. You're picking it up crazy fast. I'd better watch out. You'll be good competition soon enough.”

  Cole laughed. “Yeah, maybe in a year. You know, you're a lot of fun.”

  “Thanks. You too.” Michelle blushed and stuffed another fry in her mouth.

  “I wish I was single when we started hanging out.”

  Michelle's smile disappeared. “Why would you say that?”

  “Why not? I like you.”

  “You just broke up yesterday.”

  Cole found himself grasping uselessly as he was pulled under. “Yeah, but...”

  “Look, Cole, you're going through a tough time. You're not thinking clearly. I want to be there to support you but it makes it tough when you say things like that. I saw how you were with her. I don't care what the reason was for you breaking up, it takes more than a day to get over it. You're depressed and you're reaching out for anyone. Not cool.”

  “No, it's not like that, I...”

  “It doesn't matter anyway. I'm with Arthur now. So please don't let those thoughts cross your mind.”

  “I'm sorry.” Cole hung his head, fighting the despair. She must be right. I'm all screwed up inside right now. I don't know what I want or what to think. Or maybe I do.

  “You're a great friend,” Michelle said. “Can we please leave it at that?” She smiled. “Have another fry.”

  “Yeah, of course, thanks.”

  “You wanna go to the movies this weekend? There's a few good ones I wanna see.”

  “Sure, what are they?”

  Michelle proceeded to describe each of the movies in detail, including actors and plot lines, until it was time to be picked up. Beth was on time, and Cole was relieved to see her and be free of Michelle.

  “How'd it go?” Beth said. “Have fun?”

  “Yep.”

  He was unable to make eye contact with her and she didn't bother him again during the ride home. He wasn't sure why this night had made him miserable, and yet there was something nagging the back of his mind that he knew was related. As soon as he was alone in the library he lowered his mental guard slightly until the distant murmuring became noticeable, in an attempt to contact Travis. It was a dangerous risk, but one he was willing to take to hear a friendly, helpful voice, and the only one who seemed to have a plan. He remained on alert, ready to reestablish the mental shield should any voice other than Travis’ emerge. When Travis did not respond, Cole felt finally, truly alone.

  But then the thought-voice appeared. Hey, Cole.

  I'm so glad to hear you. I have to ask you a random question. Aren't you bored in there?

  Well, no. I suppose this would be a good time to tell you. The truth is, I'm not really Travis. I'm more like an imprint of his former consciousness. I have his memories, and an attachment to his mother, but other than that I have no needs or wants. I know Travis wanted to help you so I am continuing his desires.

  That's... creepy.

  Sorry. That's why I never mentioned it. Figured it would be easier to pretend to actually be him at first.

  All right then, piece of Travis. What have you been doing in there?

  Funny you ask that now. I just finished. There's someone I'd like you to meet.

  A new, familiar voice entered Cole's head. Hi, Cole. This is your grandmother.

  What? How did you get in there?

  I've always been here. Who do you think these voices in your head are? We're all your ancestors.

  Seriously? That's who's been messing with my life? My ancestors? So wait, does that mean you're part of these instructions?

  Not exactly. Hear me out. There's something I need to tell you and I don't think I have much time. As far as I can tell, the sole purpose of these voices is to survive, and they worry what will happen should the bloodline end. They can transfer to those close to you temporarily, but without a descendent as their home base, they may fade away. If you perish before having any children, they are afraid they will all perish with you, and they will do anything to prevent that from happening. They have lived for centuries, and with each generation they grow more terrified of death. The instructions when you were younger were simply to win your obedience. They did nothing. Then, once you were convinced of their validity, they started making you do far worse things.

  The original purpose of the instructions used to be purely to help people, and though I do not know the reason, I feel that at least some of the responsibility for the change must fall on me. When I passed away, thereby joining them, there was a sudden drastic change in their instructions, and the timing seems too perfect to be a simple coincidence.

  It was not long after this change that they murdered your mother's best friend and then forced your mother to murder Peter, that poor innocent man. To this day I have no idea what they had against him. Ever since then, they've become increasingly radical and irrational. Every time someone does something to remotely threaten your future, they just want to off them and it's having the opposite effect they want. Your chances of reproduction are only becoming slimmer because of their interference, but they won't listen. Something has created a monster. It's a miracle they haven't put you in jail by now.

  The only thing I can think of is that they have some ulterior motive, some other plan besides survival. If this was purely for survival then they are doing more harm than good. Unfortunately, I have been unable to figure out what this may be and I will not be around to help you with that. This is something that you may never know either, unless you find a way to get it out of them that I could never think of.

  What I can tell you is that the voices will continue to target those you care about as an incentive to make you do their bidding. And they can infect anyone who has a strong emotional connection to you. Blocking them out was a good first step, but it is not enough. I am so sorry to have to tell you this but your aunt was right. Your only chance is to get away. Sever any emotional ties that they can use and keep no one close. I know this is harsh but you must do it or no one you know is safe.

  Travis, here, finally convinced me to do the right thing and come forward. I hope this information helps you. It's dangerous to go against them and I will pay dearly for this, but killing my daughter was the last straw. No longer can they be allowed to get away with this. I should have come forward a years ago. I've been a coward for too long.

  Why would they kill my mom if they're afraid of the bloodline ending? Cole thought.

  They never thought you would fail an instruction dealing with your mother. Yet, they were willing to take the risk because she was going through menopause. She could no longer continue the bloodline. You are the last important link. Good luck. This will be our only conversation.

  Why? What can they do to you?

  I've already run out of time. They're destroying me. Goodbye, Cole. It's up to you now.

  Travis piped up suddenly. Wait! No! Why are they coming after me too? Get away from me!

  A piercing inaudible wail echoed inside Cole's head, bringing with it a suffocating dread and a cold sweat. What's happening? Travis? Grandma? Someone? Speak to me! Deafening silence greeted his internal pleas. “Screw this, I'm out,” he said aloud to the empty room.

  He waited until the sounds of his aunt getting ready for bed had faded, and then threw open his drawers, tossing every article of clothing he owned into a heap. Careful not to make noise, he tiptoed into the hall and retrieved a large suitcase from the closet. He selected his favorite articles of clothing, folded them neatly, and placed them in the suitcase. He then added his toiletries from the bathroom on top and zipped it up.

  Once his packing was done, he stood in the dark room, surveying the familiar features around him, wondering if this would be the last time he ever saw of them. In the interim, with his defenses lowered, a desperate voice, full of malice, rose to the surface. Unpack your suitcase or -

  No! I'm not listening! He flung up his mental barrier before the voice could finish its thought. He took a few
deep breaths, attempting to wrap his mind around what he was about to do, his resolve strengthened by the newest invasion of a voice. The feeling of detachment had returned as his uncertain near future did not seem real. Can I really do this? He clenched his fists. Yes. Yes, I can.

  “I'm sorry, Aunt Beth,” he whispered into the silence as if to convince himself, “I can't chance having you around.”

  Without allowing any more thoughts, he gripped his suitcase and rolled it out of the room. He paused again at the front door for only a second before unlocking the latch and turning the knob. He had the door closed behind him before he noticed the figure sitting hunched over on the curb in front of the house. In the darkness it was impossible to tell who it was from behind, and Cole crept closer inch by inch until his eyes adjusted to the gloom well enough to make out the distinctive hair.

  “Amy?” he whispered.

  There was a long pause and then a faint, “Cole, oh my God, Cole.” She turned to face him and the tone of her voice as well as the expression on her face sent Cole's already racing pulse running wild.

  Cole licked his dry lips and struggled to speak through the lump in his throat. “How long have you been out here?”

  “All night.”

  Her voice was so faint, Cole could hardly hear it. “Are you okay?”

  “No.”

  It took all his effort to force out the next words. “Speak to me. You’re freaking me out. Why are you sitting outside on the curb?”

  “It doesn’t matter. I just need you to get back inside.” Her eyes flitted back and forth between his face and his suitcase he had left on the porch, and there was a note of desperation in her voice.

  “It does matter. What’s going on? You need to talk to me?”

  Amy hesitated. “Yes.”

  She’s lying. “Then talk. Here is good.”

  “No, inside is better.”

  “How come?”

  “What if Beth wakes up? She’ll freak out.”

  Cole’s eyes narrowed. “Seriously, what’s going on?”

  All at once, Amy’s entire body broke down as if it had been carrying a weight that had finally proven too heavy and she squeezed Cole in a death grip. “Please, just go inside. Please,” she whispered through an onset of uncontrollable sobs.

  Cole took a second to recover from the outburst. “Okay, okay, I’ll go inside if you promise to talk to me.”

  Amy was incapable of further speech, but she detached herself from Cole and nodded. Cole grabbed her hand and led her into the house, leaving the suitcase outside for the time being. They tiptoed into the library while Amy suppressed the noise from her crying, and closed the door behind them.

  Cole embraced her in a gentle hug. “Shh, it’s okay. You can tell me anything. You know that.”

  Amy nodded again and brushed away her tears. “Let’s sit down.” They sat on the floor, facing each other, and Amy, her eyes on the rug, said, “I hear those voices too now. Either that or I’m crazy.”

  Cole’s eyes went wide. It had happened. All of his worst nightmares had been realized. “No. Oh no. Amy. I’m so sorry. When did this happen?”

  “It started today.”

  31

  That morning, Amy had awoken early, feeling a strange sensation that she had assumed was an oncoming cold. She had tossed and turned, trying to fall back to sleep, but the sensation had only grown until she thought she heard a voice. She sat up, straining to hear Mr. or Mrs. Williams outside in the hall, but there was no other sound. Her clock read six a.m.

  Must’ve been a lingering dream. She lay back down, hoping exhaustion would win out, but she had hardly closed her eyes when she heard the voice again, louder this time.

  She bolted out of bed, now wide awake and terrified. Why am I hearing things? I’m completely losing my mind.

  Then, the voice in her head said, distant but clear enough, No, you’re not crazy.

  At that point she had almost leapt out of her skin. She held her hands to her temples and squeezed her eyes shut, almost fainting from fright. No, no, what’s happening? Who are you? Go away.

  I’m not going anywhere. Now get out of the house before the Williams wake up.

  At the instruction, Amy’s first thought immediately went to Cole and the way he had described the instructions he heard. No, I can’t be hearing his voices. You’re not real. You’re not real.

  I am very real. Now get dressed and get out of the house or both of them will die. You will only get one warning.

  Too terrified to resist, Amy had thrown on some clothes over her pajamas and stumbled and ran out her door, through the house and into the early morning sunlight. She shivered in the chill of the damp morning, shoving her hands in her pockets and bunching up her shoulders. There. You happy?

  Very. You can go back inside.

  So you’re just screwing with me?

  No. That was a test to make sure we’re on the same page. Whenever I tell you to do something, you do it, no questions asked. Trust me, you want to.

  Why are you doing this?

  Desperate times call for desperate measures.

  What does that mean?

  The voice said no more. Amy trudged back inside to her room, but since sleep was no longer an option, she debated what to do. As the morning wore on, she decided that, as awkward as it would be after the previous day, she had to contact Cole as soon as he was awake.

  You are not to contact Cole.

  What the hell? Why not? I’m going to see him in school anyway.

  Once again the voice fell silent. Amy growled in frustration, picked up a book from her desk and hurled it against the wall. She waited to see if anyone heard the noise but the house remained silent. She flopped onto her bed and stared at the ceiling, wondering if this was how Cole felt every day of his life, lost and terrified. If so, it was a miracle he appeared as normal as he did and did not crumble under the pressure.

  The entire morning, Amy dreaded the voice appearing in her head, but, as it remained elusive, she once again questioned her sanity. On the drive to school, Mrs. Williams commented that Amy seemed distracted by something and asked if she was okay. Amy mentioned she had a fight with Cole but would not elaborate further. Mrs. Williams respected her privacy but Amy knew she was hurt that Amy would not confide in her.

  She was inside the school when it spoke again. Stop walking. You are not going to school today. Before the throng of students thins out, go back outside and cross the street. Keep your head down and do not get caught.

  She paused only a second before fear compelled her to sneak back out the front door and across the street, checking around to make sure no teachers saw her.

  Good, now keep walking around the corner, out of sight of the school. Find a good place to hang out because you’re going to be there for a while.

  But you won’t tell me why?

  Cole may attempt to run away today. Your only purpose it to stop him. If he leaves the building I will warn you. It isn’t likely to occur during school but you’re going to make certain.

  I would be better able to keep my eye on him if I was in school.

  We have a close watch on him. We can’t risk having a teacher holding you up if you try to leave.

  Fine. But why would he run away? As expected, there was no response. Fine, I’m going to walk around the block if that’s okay with you. She took the silence for an affirmative. She walked around the immediate neighborhood, the brisk weather helping to keep her calm. When the cold began to seep through her clothes, she found a secluded spot behind some trees and sat on the ground against one, wrapping her arms around herself to keep in the warmth. It was peaceful beneath the trees and, due to her sleepless night, she dozed off.

  The voice woke her abruptly from her nap. Wake up. You need to make a phone call.

  “Huh? Wha-?” In her drowsiness she had forgotten where she was and thought the voice had come from outside. As her mind regained consciousness, the morning’s events snapped into place in her
memory, bringing back the sense of dread. She picked herself up from the ground, stretching her stiff limbs and yawning.

  It’s lunchtime. Call Sarah and inform her you will not need to be picked up. You will also not be coming home tonight.

  So I’m going to be staking him out all night? How long do you want me to do this for?

  No response.

  What do you want me to tell them?

  I don’t care. Make it up. Just make sure it’s believable.

  Amy pulled out her cell phone and dialed her house. Mrs. Williams picked up on the first ring.

  “Hey, Amy. Everything all right?”

  “Yeah, I was just wondering if I could go home with Alexia after school and possibly stay the night.”

  “Stay the night? But it’s a school night.”

  “I know. We have a big project due and may need to stay up pretty late. I promise it’s just this once.” It’d better be.

  “Well, I suppose that would be all right. What about a toothbrush and change of clothes?”

  “Don’t come out here for that. She said they have extra toothbrushes and I can borrow clothes.”

  “If that’s okay with them. Guess I have a lot to learn about modern teenage girls. Make sure to thank them profusely. I’ll pick you up tomorrow after school?”

  “Sounds great. Thanks so much.”

  “Have a good night.”

  “Bye.” Amy hung up. “How was that?” she said aloud, angrily. Ahh, this is screwing with me.

  You dug yourself into a corner with that one.

  Are you saying this may be more than for today?

  We’ll see.

  Amy emitted a guttural scream and kicked the nearest tree, sending shooting pain up her leg.

  Don’t injure your leg. You may need it soon.

  Shut up! She resumed her aimless pacing, eventually returning to the patch of trees when her legs grew weary. At last, when the school day drew to a close, the voice instructed her to wait near the corner of the building out of sight. After the students dispersed, she was told to take the bus to Cole’s house and wait in a concealed location. As there was no good hiding spot, she paced the block behind his house, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible.