Darkness Rises_Book 1_Prelude To Insanity Page 9

  Laila immediately felt a sense of pity for the girl’s unfortunate illness but she couldn’t stop herself from asking the obvious question. “Is that why all the shutters are drawn?”

  Marissa replied softly, “yep, it’s so unfair that my brother gets to go outside and meet people like you while I’m stuck in here all day. I’m just really lonely.”

  Laila felt sympathetic for the young girl but she could not find any reassuring remarks to offer to the contrary. Marissa was right, it was unfair.

  “Will you be my big sister?” She asked sweetly.

  Laila almost came to tears. She reached for the younger girl’s hand grasping it gently in her own. “I would be lucky to have a little sister like you,” Laila remarked causing Marissa to stop her methodical brushing once again.

  “Do you really mean it?” she asked still staying behind the older girl her but, the tone of her voice hinted that she felt that a new reality had been given to her.

  “Of course sweetheart,” Laila replied finding no harm in placating her. Minutes ticked by in silence and she became incredibly relaxed around the young girl. She was having great difficulty keeping her eyes open and her head from lolling as her body slowly relaxed. Marissa hadn’t said a word after Laila agreed that she would be her “older sister” but instead maintained steady even strokes through her hair causing Laila to feel even more lethargic. She thought to snap to attention but, something inside her kept saying, “Its ok. You’re safe. Rest now.” Laila was happy to oblige closing her eyes as she listened to the voice reassure her. Her body became insubstantial in her altered state as she drifted through a myriad of images and wonderment; some real, some imaginary, but all were given form.

  Laila was now wearing a beautiful white gown that clung to each of her curves like a passionate lover. At first she was startled by the revelation until she was able to focus on a world that seemed to grow and take shape around her. She was on a dirt path that snaked through a corridor of cherry trees. Their pink blossoms blew gently in the wind and the road was covered in a thin sheet of pink as far as the eye could see. She didn’t know why, but she began to walk heading for some unknown destination. Something seemed to beckon her to follow the path to find everything her heart desired somewhere at the end. The sun was warm and inviting heating the ground to a perfect radiant temperature as her bare feet sank lightly into the bed of blossoms. ‘This is a dream.’ she thought however, the soft petals brushing gently between her toes and the light wind that blew against her made her feel otherwise. Each breath brought the scent of recently passed rain and other smells of nature that were familiar and welcoming. She walked for what felt like hours seeing Unicorns, Faeries, Sprites, and other mythological creatures outside of the borders of the cherry trees and yet, she did not stop for them, nor did they for her, seemingly uninterested in her presence. She found herself a little puzzled when she wouldn’t pay more than a cursory glance to the imaginary creatures. The tiny voice constantly assured her that whatever was at the end of the road would be more glorious and surreal than anything she would encounter along the way and she needed to hurry or she would never make it in time. She quickened her pace steadily at first just walking more quickly but, breaking into a full run as the voice continued its crescendo of promises growing louder with each step she took. “You’re almost there.” It assured her as she hurried along. She knew she should feel winded but, with each passing step she seemed to grow stronger, not weaker; her stride became more determined and she would not falter for anything as she ran through the bed of blossoms. ‘Almost there.’ She thought jovially knowing that she was getting close to her destination. ‘Boom’ thunder echoed all about her causing the ground to shake dropping her to her knees. The reassuring voice was no longer present and she found that she was no longer eager to get to her destination. All around her the air grew arid and musky choking her as if she had just uncovered the dustiest portion of some old attic. Day turned to night, instantly illuminating the world around her in the soft glow of moonlight. Its silver rays danced off of the cherry trees which no longer stood tall and blossoming. Instead they were barren and hanging visibly lower as if they had lost all desire to live. The ground was hard and treacherous sending light pinches of pain through her knees as she remained huddled from the first thunderous crash. She looked passed the cherry trees for the first time really taking in the shapes that lay only a short distance outside of her once protective borders that were the cherry trees. They now felt like the bars in a cage. She saw little pinpricks of light that shone at her from varying distances all focusing on her from outside of the tree-line however as a bolt of lightning briefly illuminated the area she was able to make out the sources of the light. Demons and Gargoyles, mutilated horses, and other creatures she couldn’t even begin to describe all stood staring at her as if she was the focal point of their world. Their eyes were glowing in myriads of ominous shades of reds, whites, even greens as they pondered her presence. Some shifted between colors while others remained steadfast. She considered running however she could see in the darkness more and more pinpricks of light focusing on her as seconds ticked by. They were watching her and she knew there would be no escape unless they allowed it. As each lightning strike illuminated the world about her the creatures grew closer to her in what appeared to be a strobe-like fashion. Another flash showed that they all awaited her just outside of the line of cherry trees. None of them made a sound nor did they try to close the distance between them and her yet, they remained with their attentions entirely affixed. All at once they tilted their odd shaped heads to look above her taking an interest in the canopy of the low hanging cherry trees. She didn’t want to look away from the horrifying entourage but, whatever had drawn their attention began to draw hers too. She forced herself to take her eyes off of the monsters slowly tilting her head skyward. There was something in the trees, seemingly insubstantial but, something was there nevertheless. Lightning struck one final time springing the creature into action as it dropped from its perch above her. She could tell she was its goal as it came at her so fast that the split second it took for the lightning to dissipate, the creature was nearly on her. “Stop it,” a familiar young female voice rang out from the darkness and the world around Laila shattered.

  Laila sprang from the chair looking around at the doll filled room panicked. “What’s the matter? Did you have a bad dream?” Marissa asked innocently causing Laila to feel ridiculous as she struggled to catch her breath. “Are you ok?” Marissa probed her curiously.

  She forced herself to answer, “Was I asleep?” she asked feeling incredibly unnerved when she considered what she had been through.

  “Yeah,” Marissa smiled playfully, “you seemed to be having such good dreams that I didn’t want to wake you so I just did your hair while you slept. See?’ she said handing Laila a small silver hand mirror encrusted with red and white gemstones. Not wanting to disappoint the younger girl Laila looked herself over and was pleasantly impressed with the light curls Marissa had given her. “You look really beautiful now.” The younger girl remarked casually as if she had given the makeover of a lifetime.

  “Knock knock,” Cole called through the shut door.

  Before Laila could stop herself, she called out, “come in.”

  Cole pressed the door open and stood in the entryway. Something about how her hair waved ever so slightly in just the right places caused him to pause.

  “Are you just going to stare or did you need something?” Laila asked playfully noticing that Cole was fixated on her.

  “Or do you just like barging into people’s rooms!?” Marissa added immediately before he could respond.

  He was shocked at the sudden outburst from the little girl that he had to think his answer over momentarily. “I’m sorry.” He began to Marissa before focusing his attention on Laila, “It’s just been a couple of hours I figured I’d come back and see what you two were up to.”

  ‘A couple hours?’ Laila thought wonder
ing if she had truly been asleep that long, it seemed like only minutes had transgressed but, she wasn’t sure. “Thanks again Marissa.” She said to the younger girl who continued to eye Cole angrily.

  “Let me guess, you have to go.” Marissa pouted and Laila felt pity wash over her again.

  “We can come back.” She offered to the younger girl who turned to face her once again with a smile plastered on her young face.

  “Can you come back soon?” she asked excitedly and Laila was quick to tell her that she would.

  Matt appeared in the door behind Cole, sheepishly staying off to one side of the doorway. “Things ok?” he asked quietly causing Cole to look at him curiously but, he discounted the question as nothing more than him being a good host.

  “Yeah, everything’s fine,” Cole assured him.

  ‘BAM!,’ A crash echoed from further down the hall as if something had hit the very foundation of the house causing both Laila and Cole to jump visibly. “What was…..” Laila began startled before being cut off by Matt.

  “I think it’s time for you guys to leave.” He said coldly.

  Glancing momentarily at Marissa, Cole noticed her staring at her brother angrily now, however, when he looked back to Matt, he was keeping his eyes averted from the three of them instead focusing on the ground. Puzzled and worried by Matt’s sudden change in demeanor Cole nodded his accord as he and Laila walked passed him out of the room. When the two began to make their way down the hallway Matt shut the door to Marissa’s room as if it were made of porcelain; easing it into place instead of simply closing it. Matt hurriedly led Laila and Cole to the front door though he looked perplexed seemingly with a question on his mind but, he seemed to be fighting an inner battle with himself.

  “What’s up? Are you ok?” Laila asked causing Matt to snap to attention.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” He murmured “I think you guys should go.” He said before he turned to walk inside.

  “See you around,” Cole said stopping Matt midstride.

  “I wouldn’t recommend it.” He responded so quietly that neither Laila nor Cole were sure they had heard him right and he shut the door rudely behind him.

  They walked arm and arm in silence until Laila was certain they were out of earshot of anyone in the house or on his property. “What did you say to him?” She asked her confusion evident.

  Cole mulled over as much of his conversation with Matt as possible looking for any reason he may have given the strange kid to act the way he did. Although Matt was quiet when questioned about anything personal he opened up at random intervals about noncommittal issues and had seemed to have a relatively good time with Cole. “I don’t know what set him off,” he offered, at last, noticing that Laila eyed him closely.

  “So what do you ‘think’ it was?” she questioned harboring a hint of doubt in her voice.

  Cole really couldn’t remember anything going wrong while he and Matt had hung out in the living room. “It was like he began acting like a psycho when we heard that loud crash.” He replied knowing that it was only speculation however, he couldn‘t think of anything else that had transpired except…. “His younger sister seems to have anger issues,” Cole added remembering how the young girl had looked at him when he had come back to check on Laila.

  “What do you mean by that?” Laila asked astonished by what she saw as Cole’s apparent lack of understanding.

  “Did you see how she looked at her brother and me?” Cole retorted causing Laila to shoot him the angriest look he’d ever seen from her.

  “She just wants someone to be her friend is all. She’s sick you know? She can’t go outside and I think it may have been a while since she last hung out with anyone besides her brothers. You have to forgive her if she gets a little jealous.” She said angrily pulling away from him.

  He stopped mid-stride followed closely by Laila whose tension was evident in the way she folded her arms protectively across her chest. ‘Maybe I’m over-reacting,’ he thought knowing full well that had he been in Marissa’s position he would probably be an angry child as well. “Look, I’m sorry. Matt said something about her not being able to go outside much and that it put her on edge.” He said truthfully understanding her point of view and feeling like a jerk for not being more sympathetic to the child’s illness. “I'm just not used to it is all.” He remarked putting his arms around Laila’s waist never taking his eyes from hers.

  She held firm for a moment longer with her gaze piercing his as she waited for him to make even the slightest hint that he was lying to her. “It’s ok…She’s a little strange but, you still shouldn’t judge her for it.” Laila said, at last, freeing her arms from their locked position and bringing them up to rest gently on his shoulders.

  Cole nodded his agreement thinking that maybe he had crossed into a realm that he should quickly see his way out of.

  “Come on,” Laila said, at last, taking Cole’s hand in hers and they made their way back to Los Olivos. As they walked on silently Laila wondered if she should tell Cole of her dream, however, being that it was nothing more than a dream she kept it to herself.

  CHAPTER 6

  For several weeks Cole and Laila continued their daily meetings with more and more enthusiasm each time. Laila had all but forgotten her strange dream that had occurred while in Marissa’s room and she left it hidden deep in the back of her mind. They had both learned a lot about each other and they concluded that they would remain away from Matt’s house for a while until they were sure that he would be ok with them dropping by again. Cole had been fairly open with her, determined to be honest, to a fault at times, and she assumed that he believed that she had done the same for him. For the most part, she had. She couldn’t bring herself to discuss much about her life at home. Her father’s drinking habits and mood swings were a sore subject and she felt simple embarrassment by her mother’s inability to defend anyone, including herself. Until one evening:

  'What a wonderful day.’ Laila thought absently leaving Cole to walk home alone again after they parted ways for the evening. She had graciously accepted his invitation to walk her home for yet another time. This time she allowed him to walk with her all the way as there were no cars in the driveway to signify that either of her parents would be home to spy on them. She glanced at the beautiful brilliant red roses he had given to her earlier that day. She smiled remembering what he had said about them. “Here’s the rest I meant to give you eight years ago,” he had admitted in his usual shy way. She entered the front door and walked into the kitchen taking no notice of the world around her. Mechanically, she filled a small vase with water and began to set each rose carefully.

  “What the hell are you doing with those?” John Hardcastle's gruff, and noticeably intoxicated voice bellowed from the living room.

  Startled, she froze instantly. ‘How much did he see?’ she wondered. She put down the remaining half dozen or so roses and made her way towards the living room. Peering sheepishly around the corner, she saw her father sitting on his ‘throne’ with a half-empty whiskey bottle resting precariously in his lap. She knew that he had seen her. That much was obvious. With a deep breath, she walked around the corner and faced her dad.

  “Did you get them from that boy?” He asked, his voice hinting that he was on the verge of exploding and that any wrong move would set him off.

  ‘I have to stand up to him.’ She told herself over and over trying not to hint that she was terrified of the impending outcome of their current situation.

  “Did you hear me girl?” he asked more forcefully causing her to jump before she regained what little composure she had.

  “I heard you, dad,” Laila replied softly bringing her eyes level with his. She figured she could try to come up with an excuse that would placate her father but, to what end? Cole treated her like she was the most special person in the world. She wouldn’t cheapen that feeling with lies to her inebriated father. “He is very good to me and treats me better than anyone ever has.” She
said taking a deep breath. “Especially better than you!” She added knowing only after she had spoken the venomous words that she may have crossed the line.

  “So my daughter’s a little whore.” He said angrily rising to his feet dropping the thick whiskey bottle to the hardwood floor with a heavy crash. “Stupid whore.” He continued after he nearly tripped on the freshly discarded bottle. A few steps away from her, his dizziness overcame him and he toppled to the floor catching himself on his hands and knees. Frustrated and embarrassed he pulled himself into a standing position and continued forward.

  Laila didn’t move. Not to catch her pathetic looking father as he fell to the floor nor to back away from him when he managed to regain his feet. She just held him with her eyes, angry and ready to fight him if she had to. “You’re no father!” She yelled before he reached her. He stopped coming forward and reeled. Fueled by the break in his momentum, she continued, “You’re just a pathetic drunk who no one likes. Is that why you treat mom and me like you do? Is it because it makes you feel like a man” She asked finally bringing his ire about full circle. She didn’t care. Never before had she stood up to him, especially not when he was drunk. She knew, 'one could never reason with an alcoholic.'

  “You want to test me bitch?” he slurred stomping the last few steps towards her.

  “Are you going to hit me again you abusive asshole?” she screamed angrily and within an instant, she had stepped into an even more dangerous territory with her father. Her brother had called him that name only once and had ended up with a dislocated shoulder for his efforts. He was quick, too quick for her to dodge him. He slapped her so solidly that her head smacked hard against the hallway wall causing the world to spin all about her. She fell to the floor, her face stinging and her head reeling from the sudden strike.