Dark Mind (The Dark Mind Trilogy Book 1) (14 page)

“You’ve had plenty of time to think about what you did. I understand why you left but you realize what you did was wrong, don't you? If I specifically tell you not to do something, you
must
listen to me.”

“I know, I’m sorry,” Cole said, dreading the coming words.

“You can’t go wandering the streets alone. It’s dangerous. Don’t ever go against me like that again. And don’t try to interfere with others’ parenting. And most importantly, don’t ever
scare
me like that again. I hope you learned your lesson.”

“I did. I swear I won’t ever do it again.”

“Good,” Meredith said, rising. “I can’t stay mad at you. I was more hurt and scared than anything and I think we’re clear.”

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

“You can feel free to come downstairs.” Meredith departed, leaving the door open behind her.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Cole bounded off the bed, unable to contain his relief. It was true that he felt horrible about what he had done and would never do it again but he was shocked that his mother had been so lenient. She was kinder than he had ever given her credit. As sorry as he was for Amy, he could not help feeling a sense of gratitude that his mother was nothing like Amy’s parents, the rotten lying scum that they were.

There was a soft
clink
at his window, startling him out of his joyous dance. He paused, thinking he was hearing things, when it happened again. He went over to the window and, there on the lawn, was Travis, hiding behind a bush and tossing an occasional small stone up at Cole’s window. Cole opened the window and leaned out.

“Hey,” he whispered as loud as he dared. “What the hell are you doing?”

Travis paused, his hand cocked back, holding a rock. The rock slipped out of his hand and he looked up.

“I came to talk to you,” he whispered back. “I’m giving you one more chance than you deserve, against my better judgment, but I don’t think you have any idea what’s going on. Hell, I barely know what’s going on but I know more than you. This is deadly serious. Are you sure you want to go down this road? Since you seem so clueless, do you at least want to know what I know?”

“Can’t you just leave me alone?” Cole said. “Whatever it is, just ignore it.”

“I wish I could but once we made that connection, I couldn’t ignore it. There needs to be resolution one way or another and the sooner the better. I’m convinced that dragging it out will only make it worse in the long run.”

“All right, cryptic boy, explain yourself,” Cole said, “and quickly.”

“You must have felt and heard the same things that I felt and heard that day at the amusement park. I could see it on your face as you passed by. Am I right?”

“Yeah, so what was it?”

A car passed by, its headlights illuminating the front lawn, sending Travis ducking back into the bush. When the car was gone, Travis’ head popped back up.

“Am I safe in saying that you play a game inside your head?” Travis said.

“Yeah, I take it you do too,” Cole said.

“Well, doesn’t it always seem like you’re on one team and there’s another side opposing your every –“

“Look,” Cole cut him off. “I’m not retarded. I already figured as much. My question is, do you have any idea how to resolve it? What are we supposed to do about it?”

This caught Travis off-guard. He stared up at Cole, mouth moving but unable to form words to express his state of confusion.

“I thought as much,” Cole said, moving back into his room. “If you can think of a peaceful solution, let me know.”

“Hold on,” Travis said. “Do you want to put our heads together and try to come up with something?”

Is he an idiot or does he think
I am?
“Tell you what,” Cole said, leaning back out. “You think on it. I’ll think on it. Get back to me. You obviously know where to find me.” With that remark he ducked back inside and shut the window. He glanced back down to see Travis shaking his head as he climbed out of the bush. Cole waited another few seconds and then peeked out his window again. Travis was on the sidewalk, walking away without looking back. When Travis had nearly disappeared from view, Cole reopened his window and began his descent outside. He had never attempted sneaking out of his room before but he knew from Amy that it was feasible. Each step was treacherous and he immediately recognized the trouble that she had experienced. He took a deep breath, pushed the fear out of his mind, and forced himself to keep moving by continuously reminding himself that he could not lose Travis. He focused on one foot and then the other, never looking all the way down, and before he knew it his foot had touched soft grass. He thanked the heavens and ran off in pursuit.

He was almost certain that Travis would be long gone but when he peeked around the corner of his house, he caught a glimpse of him turning the corner. He blessed his luck again as he chased Travis down the block. At each corner he took up a hiding spot where he could watch Travis until he turned out of sight, after which Cole ran off in search of a new spot. A number of times, Travis continued straight for many blocks and Cole had to come out into the open for fear of losing him and not being able to catch up. Every time he was exposed, he expected Travis to turn around at any moment but miraculously he never did.
You’ll curse your self-assurance one day.
Cole smiled to himself.

At long last, Travis turned up the path of a nondescript gray house. Only the porch light was on; the interior was black. Cole watched from behind a fence across the street as Travis took out a set of keys to let himself inside, and then he crept out of his hiding place and started home. Only one thought crossed his mind as he strolled down the block and it brought a wide smile to his face.
Mistake number one.

Cole had paid close attention to the route and found his way home easily. As he rounded the corner of his street, however, he realized he had been so consumed by thought that he had no idea how long he had been gone. To his horror, he saw a police car parked in his driveway.
Travis of course couldn’t have picked a worse possible time for this.
He broke into a sprint the rest of the way to his house. The front door was open and he burst inside, terrified of the damage he had done.

A middle-aged, scruffy police officer was there to greet him in the living room. “Are you Cole?” he said.

Cole stopped in his tracks. “Um, yeah,” he said in a small voice.

The officer gave an exasperated sigh just as Meredith came running in and, upon seeing Cole, tears began to flow freely down her cheeks.

“Cole?! What is wrong with you?” she shouted through her tears.

“Looks like my job is done here. Have a good night ma’am,” the officer said and then turned to Cole. “I'd better not get another call about you. Ya hear me?”

Cole nodded and the officer left. He then inched his eyes upwards to face his mother’s fury. Meredith's whole body was shaking from the torrent of emotions that were coursing through her. Cole dropped his gaze, unable to stand the agony etched so visibly across her face.

“I don’t know if that was just to spite me,” Meredith said in a deathly quiet voice, “but I no longer know what to do with you. I can’t believe you would do that
right after our talk.
” Cole’s gaze sank lower as her voice rose. “If punishment is what you want then that’s what you’ll get. I shouldn’t let you see the light of day
ever again
after this.” Her voice dropped back down but this time it lacked anger and was filled instead with sadness. “I thought I was always good to you.”

“I… it’s not…” Words were not forthcoming. What could he say? He racked his brains for an excuse, something that would at least reduce his mother’s suffering, but nothing came. All he managed to get out was a mumbled, “Sorry”.

“I would send you to your room but how do I know you won’t leave again?”

“I promise I –”

“And how can I trust you?!” Meredith’s shrill voice cut through Cole’s heart and the tears resumed their progression down her cheeks. “I just... Until I figure out what to do with you, you’re spending the night in my room on the floor.”

Cole accepted his punishment without complaint, knowing that he more than deserved the treatment. However, even in the face of such misery of the one he held dearest, Cole could feel no remorse, only sympathy. He had obtained valuable information, much of which he might never have had a second chance to retrieve. If he had gone back in time, he would have repeated the same actions without a second thought. His mother’s anguish was unfortunate collateral damage that, as he saw it, could not be avoided.

14

Since his mother's bedroom windows were so high, there would be a sheer drop to the ground from them, making sneaking out an impossibility. Thus, Meredith was able to lock him inside without worry. He was asleep before she returned, and when he stirred in the morning, she was already gone. He made his way downstairs to find her in the kitchen sipping on a cup of tea.

“Oh good, you're awake.” Her countenance had become subdued and mellow from the night’s passing but there was an exhaustion around her eyes that suggested a restless night. “You’re going to explain yourself to me,” she said. “I can’t keep you on my floor for the rest of your life.” A weak smile extended across her face and she beckoned Cole to take a seat next to her. “Tell me everything and please, the truth.”

Cole had anticipated this moment but began hesitantly as if unwilling to reveal his explanation. “I didn’t want to say anything because I didn’t want to worry you but that obviously had the opposite effect. There’s this boy at school who’s been bothering me for a while and lately it’s been getting worse. I guess he found out where I live because last night he showed up and threw rocks at my window to get my attention. When I opened it he taunted me and when he left I chased after him. I was so angry I wasn't thinking clearly. I eventually lost him but not before getting lost myself. It took me a while to find my way home. I’m really sorry, it was just an unbelievable coincidence and I feel horrible about it. You know I would never do anything to intentionally upset you.”

Cole recited the end of his speech with such sincerity that Meredith’s remaining anger melted away and her face softened, but as she spoke her features hardened again. “Who is this boy that’s tormenting you? I need to have a talk with his parents.”

“No, really, Mom. Don’t worry about it. I’m going to tell Mrs. Taylor first thing tomorrow morning. I’m sure she’ll take care of it.”

“I don’t know,” Meredith said. “I know he’s only
fourteen but I feel like we should have some kind of restraining order against him.”

“At least let me talk to my teacher and I’ll let you know what happens. Besides, I’m pretty sure I gave him a good scare last night. He did
not
expect me to chase after him.” Cole smiled at the apparent recollection.

Meredith remained stern. “You know
I don't like violence. Let me know what happens at school. Now let's have some breakfast.”

“Sounds good,” Cole said through a yawn.

Meredith’s mood was restored after their talk and they spent most of the day watching rented movies. Cole wanted to see Amy but thought it best to spend this time alone with his mom. The next morning, Meredith bid Cole a cheerful goodbye and good luck with resolving his bully problem. Cole was so relieved that his lie had worked that he was, for a rare occasion, in a good mood at the start of the school day. However, as he often reminded himself, his good moods were never made to last long and, at lunchtime, this one was quickly dissipated like all the rest.

Amy never showed up. What had a moment before been carefree bliss was now sickening dread, crawling its way through his stomach like a spider stalking its prey. He kept hoping she was just held up but every second she did not appear, his fear heightened. His gut instinct that had told him Amy needed his help, which was strong enough to force him to go against his mother, was confirmed. Something horrible had happened. He knew it. Even worse, he feared he had only compounded the problem by showing up in the middle of it. What if that had angered her parents more and they took that anger out on her? What if they knew that he showed up because Amy had told him what was happening?

His sick feeling never diminished and the anxiety kept him on edge after he returned to class. He asked to go to the bathroom a number of times, just so he would not have to sit still. He did not dare try to leave the school again, for his mother’s sake. The last thing she needed was for him to cause another problem.

He managed to get through the day but getting home didn’t make it any better. He couldn’t call Amy’s house in case he angered her parents again, but sitting around doing nothing was a kind of torture he couldn’t take.

Meredith noticed his fretful energy as soon as he came in the house. “What happened, Sweetie? Did you get it resolved?”

“What? Oh, yeah. The teacher called his mom and she promised it would never happen again. He got in a lot of trouble.”

“Then why are you so nervous?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I mean, I hope it worked. We’ll see, right?”

“Don’t get yourself so stressed out over it.” Meredith smiled. “If he shows up again, come get me and I’ll handle it. You have nothing to worry about.”

Cole feigned a smile. “Thanks, Mom. I’m just a worry wart. Must get it from you.”

“You’re cute.” Meredith tousled his hair and returned to the kitchen to complete dinner.

Cole went to his room to pace in isolation where he wouldn’t be bombarded with questions. He racked his brains for an hour, determined to find a course of action that would at least calm his mind, but came up empty. The phone rang downstairs, pulling him out of his deep thought. He ran downstairs, expecting disappointment but hoping against hope nonetheless. He burst into the kitchen as his mom told the caller to hold on.

“You must be a mind reader,” Meredith said, holding out the phone.

Cole was in too much shock to react at first, but after his mind had accepted the unbelievable he sprang into action and ripped the phone from his mother’s hand. “Hello?”

“Hey, Cole.”

“Amy, how are you?” Cole said, walking out of earshot of his mother. She sounded normal and he prayed he had once again been too hasty in his presumptions. “Why weren’t you in school today? Are you sick? Your mom mentioned you might be coming down with a cold.”

“’Course she did,” Amy said. There was a distinct bitterness in her voice. “Look, I changed my mind. I want to talk.”

“Serious? What happened?”

“I don’t wanna get into it now. Next time I see you.”

“All right. Tomorrow at lunch?”

“I don’t think so,” Amy said. “It might be a while before I see you again.”

“Wait, what do you mean? Why? Are you okay?” Cole said, concern creeping back into his voice.

“My parents went out for a while which is the only reason I can use the phone but I’m paranoid they could come back at any second. I’ll talk to you later. I’ll be all right. Don’t worry about me. And please don’t show up at my house again. It’ll only make it worse.”

The phone clicked dead before Cole had a chance to say goodbye. He stood staring at the wall, the phone pressed to his ear, consumed by exasperation and worry. Either she had had a random change of heart or her parents had done something awful enough to make her reverse her stand on her situation. Cole was willing to bet it was the latter.

Why can’t she come to school? What are they doing to her? I would do anything for her safety, anything to make sure she was never hit again. I hate those fake assholes who act like everything’s always great and are nothing but vessels of hate. I wish something would happen to them so she could get away. They don’t deserve her.

He twitched, blinked, and swallowed, a common reaction to deep emotional stress, as he thought about Amy. This time it was accompanied by the increasingly familiar inaudible whispers.
It’s not fair for her to have to suffer like this. She’s the kindest, gentlest soul I know and I swear on my life that I will get her out. She won’t have to deal with their bullshit any longer.
He barely noticed his clenched fist or his other hand squeezing the phone against his head or his neck tilted to the side at a strange angle. The whispers in his head were overtaking the forefront of his mind, detaching him from reality, and growing in volume to the point where he thought he could almost make out individual words.

“Honey? Is something wrong?”

Cole spun around, instantly releasing all the tension in his body. “No. Amy got a cold so she won’t be in school for a while. Kinda sucks.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. I hope she gets well soon. Next time you talk to her, send her my best.”

“Will do. I’m gonna go get my homework done now.”

Cole spent an uneventful evening staring at his homework and accomplishing nothing. He knew his slacking would come back to bite him in the near future but no matter what he did, he could not will himself to concentrate. He retained an air of minor depression during dinner so that Meredith would assume it had only to do with Amy’s sickness. After dinner he picked up
Les Miserables
for the first time in a couple weeks and curled up on the reclining chair, not intending to read but so that he wouldn’t look strange staring at nothing.

“Finished with all your work?” Meredith said.

“Yep. Wasn’t much of it tonight.”

“You’re so diligent. I’m so proud of you.”

Cole felt a twinge in his stomach. “Thanks, Mom.”

That night, he excused himself to an early bedtime and struggled to get some work done. After a while he couldn’t keep his eyes open any longer. He put his books away, planning to complete the rest of it during lunch before it was due, since Amy wouldn’t be there.

He lay down, but despite his exhaustion, sleep did not come easily. Too many conflicting thoughts raced through his consciousness and he tossed and turned for hours until, just as he thought it was a hopeless cause, he fell into a deep sleep.

A peculiar sensation brought him back from his dream world. His nose and skin were receiving input that his foggy brain was unable to translate. He assumed he was still dreaming but as his senses slowly came back to him he became increasingly unsure of himself. A flickering on his eyelids snapped him into full consciousness and all at once it clicked. Cole’s eyes shot open and he leapt out of bed, his heart thumping so hard in his chest he thought he would have a heart attack.

The flames licked his door frame, the intense heat already suffocating him and the thick smoke choking him. He heard the crackle as the flames crept across the floor towards him. He froze, his mind blanking, and his limbs not responding. He was sure it had to be a dream but it was so real.

“Mom!?” He found his voice first and the sound of it awoke the true terror within him. “Moooooooooooooomm! Mom! Where are you?!”

The only response he heard was the deafening crackle of burning wood. The doorway out of his room was entirely consumed by the fire, leaving only one escape route.

“I’m going out the window!” he shouted in the slim chance anyone could hear him. He flung his window open and began a speedy descent down the side of the house. He dropped the last few feet onto the grass and bolted around to the front yard.

“Mom? Mom?”

He circled the entire house but there was no sign of her anywhere. He looked up at the ghastly sight of his home, with flames licking out of the walls and smoke billowing out of a million new holes, and it wasn’t until that moment that the true gravity of what was happening finally hit him like a lead brick.

Sirens were growing ever more present in the distance but he knew he could not wait for them. “Moooom!” He picked up a heavy rock from the lawn and heaved it through the window, clambering in after it. The thick smoke blinded him and within seconds he was coughing and hacking. He pulled his shirt over his mouth and nose, waved his hand in vain in an attempt to clear the smoke, and charged into the house towards his mother’s room. The heat was unbearable, his lungs and eyes were burning, but he ignored the pain and pressed on, calling out incessantly to his mom. The flames leapt out at him as he passed, singeing his clothes, but he didn’t notice.

He reached his mother’s door and burst through. His head whipped back and forth, his eyes searching, squinting through the smoke, straining to make out a form. The curtains were ablaze in front of the closed windows. He raced around the bed in desperation, putting his nose to every surface to make sure he didn’t miss anything.

He completed a sweep of the room and came up empty. Petrified and confused as to where his mother could have disappeared to, he ran back to the door to search the rest of the house, but by now the ceiling over the doorway had collapsed, leaving behind an insurmountable pile of burning rubble. He was searching the room for something to knock the flaming curtains off the wall when he heard a terrified voice.

“Cole?!”

Cole could not discern the direction of its source. As he opened his mouth to shout back, another piece of ceiling above him collapsed, raining burning embers onto his arm, and he screamed in pain. He heard a creaking and did not have any time to react before a charred plank of wood plummeted from the ceiling, slamming into his skull and knocking him to the ground.

The world grew hazy as the smoke in his lungs restricted his breathing. The last thing he was able to distinguish as his vision faded to black was nonsensical banging and screaming. Then there was nothing.