The Darkness Within

by Alice J Black

  I was exhausted after a long day. I had so much more new information trickling through my brain that it couldn’t stay focused on one thing at a time and I knew that meant sleep was going to be tough tonight. Changing into my nightclothes, a pair of ratty pyjama bottoms and the nearest t-shirt I could find, I padded downstairs and filled a cup with milk and set it in the microwave. A cup of hot milk might help, though I seriously had my doubts. I watched as the table spun and I leaned against the bench, a huge yawn escaping my mouth as images of the night swept through my mind. I really hoped we had done all we could to help Adele. Somehow it just didn’t seem enough but if it was the first step then it had to be taken and I would just have to hope that the darkness I awoke in that house was now sleeping once again.

  Lying in bed in the dark with my eyes closed, the hot milk long drained and the veil of sleep slowly creeping over me some hours later, the images had stopped flowing through my mind. Instead, my brain was beginning to sink into that sweet oblivion of nothingness. I welcomed it with open arms at the thought of finally falling asleep when the phone on my nightstand vibrated violently, shaking me out of the cocoon and back into reality. Grumbling under my breath, I waited a beat to let my heart catch up and glanced at the phone. Adele’s name flashed on the screen and my stomach dropped.

  Fumbling with the device, I pressed the green button and pushed it to my ear. “Hello?” My voice was thick with sleep. Clearing my throat I tried again. “Hello?”

  “Peyton? Thank God.” There was a deep sigh and I heard a loud noise in the background.

  “What’s going on? Is everything okay?” I sat up in bed.

  “No. Nothing is okay. It didn’t work.”

  My stomach knotted and I brought my knees to my chest. It hadn’t worked which meant the spirits were still in Adele’s house.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Lights going on and off, things moving. Peyton, we can’t stay here.”

  I heard the scared voice of one of the boys in the background as he spoke to his mum. “Come to my house.”

  “But—”

  “Adele, you can’t stay there,” I repeated her own words. “It’s getting dangerous.”

  “We have no way to—”

  “I’ll come get you. Pack what you need. I’ll be there in ten.”

  Hanging up the phone, I shoved the covers back and jumped from my bed. Pulling a hoody on top of my old t-shirt, I grabbed my phone. Then pausing for a second, the realisation of what I had just told her hit me. I was going to get them. That meant in a car. That meant driving.

  I swallowed hard. I learned to drive when I was seventeen, passing my test during my moments of sobriety, but it had been a lot of years since I had driven. I still had my car—the one my parents gave to me when I passed my test—but it hadn’t been driven in a long time. Hell I didn’t even know if it would drive. It probably wasn’t road worthy and it sure as hell wasn’t insured but I couldn’t let her down now. I had to try.

  Opening the top drawer, I fumbled through the papers and other assorted items until I found them: my car keys. Clenching them tightly in my fist, I hurried from the room, trotting down the stairs and shoving my feet into my shoes at the back door.

  I unlocked the back door. Thumper stood there in all her glory. A battered old Clio, the car was old beyond belief. Rust was beginning to wear at her wheel arches and I didn’t even know whether she would start. It had been a long time since I’d driven her and I had to hope that Olivia’ s regular upkeep of the old car—which entailed turning on the engine and letting it run for a few minutes every now and then—kept it ticking over enough for what I needed now. Hurrying forward, I pushed the key into the lock and felt the hammer slide back. The door opened with a dull creak that rent through the night. I winced, hoping my neighbours were deep sleepers. As I lowered myself into the car, the cold air rushed up to meet me and I shivered. I automatically grabbed the steering wheel with both hands. It was cold to the touch and felt alien in my palms. I swallowed hard. It was now or never.

  Inserting the key into the ignition I turned it once, hearing a click. I watched as a couple of lights on the dash flared to life. At least it had juice—and apparently some petrol. Now was the moment of truth. Forcing the key further, I felt it stiffen and then give and the starter motor roared to life, chugging as it tried to fire up the old engine.

  “Come on,” I muttered under my breath. The sound died and the car remained still. “Shit.” Taking a deep breath, I tried again, pushing the key and this time, adding some gas. I revved the accelerator and felt it course through the car beneath me. t was trying. Old Thumper was trying. It soon cut off as the starter died and I cursed again. Hopefully third time lucky otherwise I would have to ring for a taxi.

  Muttering a prayer to some higher power that I wasn’t sure I believed in, I tried again. The starter motor kicked in and I heard it chugging. With my foot weaning petrol through via the accelerator, it finally roared to life, Thumper purring like an age-old cat and ready to go.

  “Yes!” I grinned. I knew she would come through.

  Jumping from the car, I threw myself towards the old, wooden gates, unbolting them and flinging them open with the realisation that they were almost falling apart. But for now that would wait. Hurrying back to the car, I settled myself behind the wheel. Now came the next test—getting it out of the yard and that was even if I could remember how to drive.

  Automatically, my feet moved as they should and I slammed it into first gear as I lifted the hand break off. It was coming back to me like some things do, like riding a bike. As I eased my foot down on the accelerator and slowly let up the clutch, Thumper began to ease forward. Thumper—aptly nicknamed for the first week that I owned her and she bunny-hopped every time I started her up—was living up to her name.

  Thumper glided forward slowly, moving between the huge posts of my yard gate and out into the back alley. I turned her hard left, the lack of power steering heavy on my arms, but getting the wheel full circle I just managed it without scraping the wall on the other side of the alley and then I was off. Flicking the headlights on as I moved down the alley, everything was lit up and I caught a glimpse of cat eyes peering at me from a wall near the end of the street. I turned left and then right and I was on my way to Adele’s. I just hoped it wasn’t too late.

  I turned onto her street just five minutes later and found that she was already outside with both boys, one huddled under each arm. They all looked exhausted and Adele was close to tears. Pulling Thumper to a stop, I pulled on the hand break and jumped out of the car, rushing over. “Are you guys okay? I’m so sorry.”

  “We’re okay,” Adele answered with a shaking voice. “Just need to get out of here.”

  I nodded. “Climb in.” I opened the doors and watched as the two boys climbed onto the back seat and then closed it again. “Adele I’m so sorry that it didn’t work. I—”

  “It’s not your fault.” She shook her head. “You did everything you could.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m not stopping there,” I told her with a new found determination. My friend was suffering, it was my fault and the precautions I had taken hadn’t worked. This was my mess and I would deal with it. “Come on, get in. Let’s get you to mine.”

  The drive home was silent and I felt the strain drifting off Adele next to me in the passenger seat. Every now and then I caught a glimpse of Peter and John, both looking as dejected as I felt. Well I would make it better. I would sort this out.

  I pulled into the back alley and slowly reversed back into the yard.

  “How does this thing even go?”

  “Peter!” Adele scolded.

  “That’s okay.” I grinned. “Thumper is old but she’s good to go.”

  “I’m surprised anyone would tax this thing.”

  I bit my lip at that one. They didn’t need to know that their lives were in mortal danger with me behind the wheel. “Come on, let’s get you settled.”

 
It wasn’t long before we were all piled in the house. I set up the spare room for the boys and although it wasn’t ideal they had to share a bed, at least they were safe. I made Adele share with me which caused less of a fuss since she was grateful for my help and at five that morning, we finally bedded down in the darkness. But sleep continued to evade me as my mind worked a million knots a minute as I tried to figure out a solution.

  When seven o’clock came, so did the rude awakening. It started with Adele’s alarm. She snoozed it once and I was just drifting back into a restful slumber when it blared again. Another snooze and repeat. The third time it went off, I sat bolt upright in bed and nudged her. “Adele, you have to get up.”

  “What?” she mumbled.

  “Adele. You have to get the boys up for school.”

  “School!” She flung herself up in bed. “What time is it?”

  “Just after seven.”

  She wiped her face with her hand and turned to look at me, confusion registering on her face. Then as the seconds ticked by, realisation dawned and she yawned. “Okay, okay.” She nodded. “Time to get the kids up.”

  She swung her legs over the side of the bed and, offering another mammoth yawn, padded out of the room. I heard her gentle voice as she roused the two kids next door and then it wasn’t long before all hell broke loose. For two guys they could sure hog the bathroom. The shower was on for an hour and by the time I got in there to pee, the whole place was so fogged up and hot that I came out sticky and wet.

  Downstairs, I found my kitchen in disarray as the boys looked for breakfast and without saying anything, I put the coffee pot on. Pushing my hair back from my face, I gritted my teeth as I resisted cleaning up instantly. I needed a strong coffee if I was going to get through the day.

  Adele appeared at the bottom of the stairs made up and smart in her work clothes. “Is that coffee?” she asked.

  “Yeah.” I nodded. When it was finished, I poured us both a cup and handed one over.

  “Thank you again for having us,” she told me as she took a sip of the coffee, taking five minutes to pause.

  “Not at all.” I shook my head. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I know it’s not ideal but for now, you’re welcome here until we can figure out the thing in your house.”

  “Thank you.” She beamed. “I might stop by after work and grab a few more things to bring over, if you’re sure.”

  “Of course.” I nodded, hoping I sounded sincere. After all, I lived in a pig sty for long enough when I was going through the madness, I was sure I could put up with it for a few days now. “I’m going to go and see someone today about everything and I’ll figure out what I can come up with.”

  Adele nodded. “Thank you, Peyton.”

  “Hey don’t thank me, I think I’m the reason it’s happening.” That got me a glare from both boys. I ignored it and continued to look at Adele.

  “Peter, give Peyton your key please,” she instructed.

  “Why?” he moaned, but he was already fishing it out of his pocket.

  “Peyton might need to get in the house and that will make it easier.”

  With a huff, he flung the key towards me and by some magical force I managed to snatch it out of the air. “Thanks.”

  “Right come on, boys. It’s time to go to school.” She ushered them into action and within a few minutes, my house was left like a bomb had dropped, silent and complete with utter destruction.

  I let out a deep sigh as I stared at the mess around me, cradling the coffee in my hands. I contemplated cleaning it up but there was no way in telling how long they might be staying and I sure as hell wasn’t running around after two teenage boys every day. No, today was about figuring out the problem. I would clean when they left.

  After a third cup of coffee and a meagre breakfast of one slice of toast because that’s all there was left, I made my way upstairs to get ready. I made the bed and smiled at Adele’s small stash of belongings at the side of the bed. I didn’t know how she was up this morning after the night she’d had. I suspect I would have phoned in sick but then again, as a fellow addict I knew how important it was to keep going with the usual daily grind.

  I took a quick shower, savouring the heat and then got dressed in a pair of black skinny jeans and a tee. As I glanced at myself in the mirror, I noticed how slimming the jeans were. So much so in fact that I realised with a start just how thin I was. Alcohol had a way of doing that to you, sucking you dry from the inside. Probably the lack of food for several years didn’t help. I needed to put on some weight. I waved my hand and turned away from the mirror. Right now I couldn’t worry about me. Adele had bigger problems that I said I would help fix and so far I had done nothing but create chaos. It was time to do something bigger.

  Opening the curtains, a blast of morning hit me and I breathed in as I glanced out over the row of houses and the lawns. I saw the glisten of dew drops clinging to blades of grass and the shadow that fell over the other side of the houses. That shadow moved around to my house and coated it by mid-afternoon usually.

  I was about to head out now and although I wouldn’t say it was for an enjoyable task, I knew it was the right thing to do. Grabbing my bag, I hoisted it onto my shoulder and made my way downstairs. Then I let myself out the front door and into the brisk morning air. I sure hoped that Sylvia would be up this early. I didn’t know what sort of time psychics kept.

  I started off at a brisk pace, shivering in the shadow that lingered across the small pathway. I considered going back and getting a jacket but it wouldn’t be long until I was in the sunshine and then I knew I wouldn’t need it. My arm swung with each step and my bag bounced across my hip, a solid reassurance it was still there. It still always amazed me that when I was in the madness, I didn’t have a bag. I shoved everything I needed into pockets. Now I couldn’t live without one and of course, I was already beginning to fill it full of pointless shit I didn’t need but I liked that in a way. I had my organisation over my shoulder and that was something I never had. My life was back in order and my bag was proof.

  Finally, I made it out onto the main street and the sun hit me full belt. I smiled up at the rays as they caught my face but it didn’t last long as I remembered my mission. I had to see Sylvia. I powered on through the streets, making it to the high street which was already bustling with activity and I swept past it all, right up to the familiar old door. I bit my lip as my hand pressed against it and I pushed inwards. It didn’t give.

  “Damn!” I muttered under my breath, staring at the door and searching for something that might tell me when I could expect to find her there. Of course there was nothing. I could have stamped my feet then and there. Instead, I reformed the plan.

  I decided I would go for a coffee a little further down the road and then try again. There was no way I was giving up this easily.

  Turning around, I headed back down the high street and found the little café that Olivia and I had stopped at many times before. The morning crowd was quiet and I joined the queue. With just two people in front of me it wasn’t long before I was served and seated with my coffee in the window, watching the world go by. Normally, this would have been one of my favourite pastimes. Despite not wanting to be harassed by the dead, I loved to watch people. Funny creatures full of many different traits and attributes. They would never fail to amuse me.

  It wasn’t long before I started to become restless as Adele’s plight forced its way further into my mind. Instead of the light morning that the coffee shop brought, I was weighed down. What if I couldn’t help her? What if there was nothing else I could do? I woke the evil in that house—the second time over anyway—and it was for me to put right. I had no clue how I would go about doing it. This was down to Sylvia’s knowledge. I bit my lip and took another sip of my coffee, resisting downing the whole caffeinated drink in one go. Rushing myself here would do no good. It was still early and I knew that the shop would still be shut.

  When I drained the last of
my coffee and set my cup down I glanced at the clock on my phone. It had just gone half past ten. I doubted whether the door would be open yet but I had to try. Standing, I headed back along towards the shop, making myself amble at the slowest pace I could muster with the hope that the longer I took, the more likely she would be there.

  I made it to my destination after ten minutes and took a deep breath. I pushed against the door only to find it was still locked. “Shit,” I cursed. Now I was stuck. I had already put this off as long as I could. I needed answers and I needed them now.

  “Are you okay, Peyton?” a familiar voice asked.

  When I turned, I saw the woman herself, walking towards me with a set of keys in her hand. “Sylvia! You’re here. I’ve been looking for you.”

  “I don’t normally open this early but something told me I was needed.” A grim smile flicked across her lips.

  I only nodded, standing aside as she unlocked the door, motioning for me to follow.

  Upstairs, the shop looked much like it did every other day. The curtains were drawn and a sheer darkness surrounded us. From nowhere, Sylvia struck a match and then a candle flared to life. She followed the process around the room until it was light enough that we could see.

  “Come and sit,” she told me, pointing to the worn sofa in the corner. I took it like it was my own seat and looked at the woman as she shrugged out of her coat and set it through the back somewhere. When she finally came to join me, she looked at me with serious eyes and a grim expression. “It didn’t work?” It was posed as a question but she knew it to be true.

  I shook my head. “I did everything like you said. But my friend called me last night to say things were happening. She’s staying at my house.”