FOUR STRANGERS IN THE DARK
FOUR
STRANGERS IN THE DARK
I blink, struggling to adjust to the darkness surrounding me. The dampness of the weathered log beneath me seeps through my clothes as I stir, trying to shake off the drowsiness. Suddenly, a voice pierces through the air, jolting me fully awake.
‘What an odd place to take a nap,’ the voice declares.
I turn my gaze upward, and my eyes meet those of a boy standing before me. He looks about my age, maybe a little older. His olive skin glows despite the lack of light.
Feeling a flush in my cheeks, I scramble to find my composure. ‘I must have lost track of time.’
The boy’s smile widens. ‘Perhaps the allure of the forest overpowered you?’
I can’t help but stare at his neat, jet-black hair. It pairs perfectly with his emerald eyes. There’s an intensity to his stare that is both unnerving and slightly arousing.
Attempting to salvage some dignity, I hop off the log and dust myself off. ‘Well, you know, sometimes a breath of fresh air is all you need.’
He arches an eyebrow. ‘Fresh air? Really?’ His gaze briefly drifts to the ground at my feet. Cigarette ends. Great.
‘Oh, uh… I don’t smoke. I just…’
‘But you’re in Smokers’ Clearing?’
I can’t exactly say I was out here investigating the murder of a girl I saw get killed in my dreams. That might come off a little too intense. Maybe lying is the way out of this conversation?
‘Alright, maybe I was having a smoke or two.’ Could my voice be more high-pitched? I wouldn’t believe me either.
He smirks. ‘Ah, a fellow smoker. Let’s pinch one,’ he suggests, holding out his hand.
‘I… uh… I’m all out. Sorry,’ I say, pretending to rummage in my bag. ‘I should really get going.’ I swing my bag over my shoulder and move past the young man toward the tree line.
‘You shouldn’t be out here alone, you know,’ he says.
His tone is suddenly serious.
I turn back to face him. ‘And why is that?’
‘Because they’ll come for you.’
My heart, which was fluttering mere moments ago, sinks. I can’t tell if he’s threatening or warning me. Either way, it’s not something I want to hear.
‘Who will?’
‘The Dark Friars,’ he responds.
Okay, that’s definitely not what I expected him to say. They sound like an early 2000s punk band, but let’s roll with it.
‘And who exactly are they?’
‘You’ve seen them before. You know them. In fact, they were standing in this very spot less than a week ago. They’re killers.’
My heart sinks further. He knows about the men from my dream. How does he know? How can he know? Killers. Does he know about…
‘Katie.’ It’s all I can manage.
He nods. ‘They killed her. Now they’ll be coming for you.’
My legs are wobbling under me. I’m suddenly very aware that I’m in the exact spot where Katie’s body lay.
‘I should get home,’ I say, turning again to leave.
‘You need to stay here with me.’
For all I know, he is one of them. ‘Leave me alone.’
As I walk away, a chill runs down my spine. I can’t shake the feeling that I’m not going to make it home tonight.
‘You have to be ready,’ he calls after me.
I race through the forest, my heart pounding in my chest. The track is barely visible in the darkness, but I push forward, hoping I’m on the right path. I don’t think the boy is following me, but I can’t be sure.
My foot catches on something and I tumble to the ground. Fear courses through me as I scramble to my feet. I freeze.
Three shadowy figures are lurking among the trees.
I squint in through the darkness. ‘Who are you?’ I shout.
They don’t respond.
Panic surges through me and I dash forward, driven by an overwhelming need to escape.
The rain pours down relentlessly as I burst onto the college field.
I’m drenched within seconds. I glance over my shoulder; the figures are in pursuit, their hoods concealing their faces.
Could that boy have been right? Are they the Dark Friars he spoke of?
Or is he one of them, leading me right into their grasp?
Trust is something I can’t afford right now; all I need is to find a safe place. I need to get home.
Ignoring the cold rain assaulting me, I push myself to run faster than I ever thought possible. Something familiar stirs inside me. That heat again that I can’t describe. It’s bubbling away beneath my skin. It’s willing me on, taking my fear and turning it into energy.
The college in the distance gives me some comfort, but the figures are still on my tail. Their steps slap across the soggy grass. I drive onward despite the burning in my chest.
As I approach the college veranda, a security light suddenly flashes on, casting a ghostly glow on the empty campus.
It’s Friday, well past college opening hours, and everything is locked up.
I dart around to the side of the building, my legs carrying me beyond their limits. I need to find a place to hide.
In the car park, I crouch behind the only car left on the grounds. My hands tremble as I try to unlock my phone, but it’s no use – it’s too wet to respond. The steps on the concrete get nearer. Any moment they will be on me.
Suddenly, the rain shifts direction. The wind picks up abruptly. My surroundings become blurry. I can’t see more than a metre in front of me. I hope it offers some cover from my pursuers.
I dash toward what I hope is the main college entrance, praying that someone, anyone, might still be inside.
Yells echo behind me. Have they heard me?
I don’t look back. I race up the steps leading to the covered area of the entrance, grateful for the immediate break in the rain. The automatic doors fly open and I rush forward in an attempt to find refuge.
My hopes are dashed as I collide with someone.
‘I do believe classes are dismissed, young man.’
I instantly recognise him. The long black trench coat. The well-worn hat. The man from my dream. Katie’s killer.
‘It’s you,’ I say, breathless.
‘Well, well. Another Keeper, so soon.’ His soulless eyes bore into me. His sinister voice is just as fresh in my mind.
He produces a knife. The same one from my dream.
I take a step back, almost losing my balance.
‘Your turn,’ he says.
I turn on the spot, narrowly escaping his grasp. I run back into the pouring rain.
Shaken and desperate, I make my way across the car park, searching for the main road.
There are cries somewhere in the distance, but I can’t let it distract me.
Wind and rain obscure my vision, and I stumble.
My head slams into the ground. The pain is overwhelming, and I roll over, expecting to be caught by killer man.
But there’s a different person now, standing over me. It’s the boy from Smokers’ Clearing. He’s just as soaked as I am, and just as out of breath. Has he been running too?
‘Get up,’ he says, holding out his hand.
Can I trust him?
I’m out of options. I take it.
‘Can you run?’ he asks.
My legs feel sore, but I nod.
‘Then follow me.’