Watchers of the Night

by Matthew Keith

  * * *

  Paul was distraught. It was after seven in the evening and he hadn’t been able to find Lisa. When Stephanie had driven her home a few days previous, she’d dropped Lisa off at a gas station. Lisa had said that she lived just a few doors down and needed to grab a gallon of milk and a pack of cigarettes for her father. Stephanie had thought nothing of it, she hadn’t even thought to question whether it was the truth or not. Paul guessed Lisa had made sure that Stephanie didn’t see where she lived on purpose.

  Not only had he not been able to find Lisa, but he’d left Stephanie’s house feeling as if there was a gap between them that had never been there before. She’d told him that she understood and that she trusted him, but in doing so she’d only made him feel worse. Her disappointment and hurt were evident even though she’d done her best to hide it. She’d said goodbye at the door and closed it softly, without meeting his eyes.

  Looking out his window, he saw the light fading as the day drew to a close. He heaved a sigh and climbed into bed, already sliding toward sleep.

  As he turned out his nightstand light, his cell phone vibrated. Groggily, he held it up to read the message. It was from a number that wasn’t stored in his phone, just two words:

  ‘SWEET DREAMS’