Kyle lay on his bed. He held Jacob's journal in hand. It was a black leather book with the Celtic Tree of Life on the front. Jacob had always been interested in magic and truly believed it to be real. Kyle turned the book around. The book was completely beaten up. Kyle traced his finger along a slit made from a knife.
He opened the book and flipped through the pages. There were a lot of entries about the mundane routines of Jacob's life. He talked a lot about his close relationship with his mother and even his little sister, but there was barely any mention of Jacob's father. Not a surprise to Kyle though. Jacob's father was always distant. If anything, Mr. Dawson was known for his silent glare.
Kyle stopped on last week's first entry: Monday, October fifteenth. If there was any indication to what happened to Jacob, it would start here.
Monday, October 15
Dad has been acting strange lately. He never used
to pay much attention to me but now all he does is
mention my 17th birthday next week. I think he might be
more excited about it than I am.
I used to crave his attention, hell, I even thought to
go golfing with him even though I hate it. I just
wanted him to care.
Now, it just seems weird. Maybe I’m just expecting
to be let down as usual. What if he really is making
an attempt?
People change, right?
Should I give him a chance?
Kyle stared at his ceiling. “Mr. Dawson was affectionate? That can't be right.”
A strong wind rattled the window. Kyle crawled out of his bed. He approached the window and peered out.
A guy smoking a cigarette leaned against the tree across the street. He stared at Kyle for a minute. After fixing his glasses, the man threw his cigarette to the ground and smashed it with his foot. He shoved his fists into his pockets and walked down the street.
Kyle watched the guy until he disappeared around the corner. “Creep.”
There was a knock on his door. His mom entered the room with a laundry basket of folded clothes. “What are you doing by the window?”
“Just thinking.”
His mom set the basket on the bed. “I know the past couple of days have been hard for you. It’s not easy to lose a friend and harder still when you don’t know what happened.”
Kyle didn’t say a word.
“You know you can talk to us, right?”
“Yeah, mom.” Kyle made it a point to face her and forced a smile. “Of course, I know. I just need to work things through on my own.”
His mom raised a suspicious eyebrow. “Well, alright… now put your clothes away and you better be in bed by nine.”
Kyle watched his mom leave. His focus shifted to Jacob’s journal. Did Jacob talk to his mom before he disappeared? He must have. Whatever they talked about, Mrs. Dawson certainly believed him.
. . .
October 16th
Dad took me on a trip into the woods. He kept speaking
of a tradition passed along from his father and his father’s
father and so on. I didn’t really understand, but I guess the
tradition stands.
A week before their seventeenth birthday, the males of the
Dawson family are to head into the woods for a night
and give thanks to some guardian spirit that
protects our bloodline or something.
I didn’t really want to do it, but Dad is finally opening up
and I’m learning a little about his side of the family
which he had never spoke of before.
So what else could I do but do what he wanted.
I never ended up being so scared in my life.
I followed Dad into the woods to this open space
deep within.
There were torched set about in a circle and this
powdered ring in the center. Dad said it was sulfur and it
was supposed to act like a gate or barrier or something.
Anyway, I started to repeat the stuff that he told me
to and perform this ritual.
When I finished, this pack of wolves approached the site.
They just watched me.
Dad said they were there to protect me from now on.
In theory, I guess having a pack of wolves as protection
Is really cool…
But I can’t help but be frightened.
I don’t know if those wolves are really supposed to help me.
I just feel like they’re dangerous.
A crow’s cry startled Kyle. He glanced over at the lone crow on the telephone line across the street. Kyle focused on the crow. Was it staring at him?
“What you got there?” Brett sat down next to Kyle. He leaned back against the thick tree and stared at the branches overhead.
“It’s Jacob’s journal.” Kyle snapped the journal shut. “I found it in his room last night. Man, you wouldn’t believe what it say-”
“Hold on a second. You went to Jacob’s house and compromised a crime scene? Are you daft?”
Kyle huffed and turned away. “Cops are useless anyway.”
“You could go to jail for tampering with evidence, Kyle.”
“I can’t just sit here and do nothing. There’s something not right about this and I-“
Kyle bit his upper lip in thought. He stared at the autumn leaves swirling at his feet.
“What?” Brett threw up his hands.
“I dunno, you’d probably think I’m crazy.”
“Already think that. Just spit it out.”
Kyle glanced up at the crow across the street. It had been joined by at least twenty more and all of them were staring at him. “I think Jacob’s disappearance may actually be supernatural.”
Brett nodded. “Somehow you raised the bar and yet I was sort of expecting it. What are you talking about, Kyle?”
“I can’t explain it. All I know is something weird is going on and it’s not natural.”
“Excuse me. Could you point me in the direction of the principal’s office?”
Brett and Kyle’s gaze followed the tapping combat boot up to the chain rapping against the woman’s thigh. Each finger on her left hand wore a ring with unfamiliar symbols. A leather armlet wrapped around the woman’s right forearm. She wore a black leather jacket with only one sleeve attached to the left side, leaving the right to reveal a tattoo of three moons surrounding a pentacle on her shoulder. A black tree trailed up her arm and stopped before the three moons. Her deep red hair fell over her right eye with a nasty scar.
The two boys stared at the woman with dropped jaws. The woman smirked. “Might be best to wipe the drool, boys.”
Brett jumped to his feet. “Forgive us. It’s not often we meet such a,” He took her in once more and let out a love-struck sigh, “stunning woman.”
“Cute. Talk to me when you’re legal,” The woman flicked an eyebrow up. Her gaze fell on Kyle. “You, where’s the principal’s office?”
Kyle rose to his feet. He stuffed Jacob’s journal into his backpack. “I’ll take you to him.”
The woman cocked her head to the side and smirked. “What a gentleman.”
Kyle led the woman across the front yard. “Are you dating the principal? You look too young to have a teenager.”
The woman laughed. “And you’d be right. I’m only twenty-one. But by the Goddess, no, I am not dating the principal.” She glanced at Kyle. “I’m looking into the Jacob Dawson case.”
Kyle froze. “Are you a detective or something?”
“Or something.” The woman looked back at him. “You knew the kid?”
“He was my best friend.”
“Oh.” For a moment, a glaze came over her eyes. She let out a heavy sigh then returned her full attention to Kyle. “I'm sorry. I will do my best to find him.”
“What makes you different from the cops?”
She raised an eyebrow, “You don't trust the cops will find him?”
Kyle crossed his arms. “No. And I don't think you do either or you wouldn't be looking into it.”
A faint smile came to the woman's lips. “Let's just say I'm an expert at strange cases.” A phone rang. She pulled a cell phone out from inside her jacket. “What's happening?”
Kyle frowned as the red-head stalked off to take her call. Brett nudged Kyle's arm. “She's hot.”
“I don't trust her. There's something strange about her.”
The woman returned while sticking the phone back inside her jacket. She pulled out a card and gave it to Kyle. “I got to go, but here's my number. I can help if anything... unexplainable... happens.”
Kyle and Brett watched the woman walk over to a black car. She glanced back before getting into the back seat. Brett tapped his chest as the car drove off. “Did you see that scar over her eye? I don't know why, but it was so sexy.” He let out a sigh. “A real badass.”
Kyle rolled his eyes. “Weirdo.”
“You should give me her number. I'll call her for an unexplainable.”
“That makes no sense.” Kyle handed the card to him. He walked toward the sidewalk.
“Hey, where are you going? Classes haven't even started yet.”
“I'm going to go pay Mrs. Dawson a visit.” Kyle waved.
. . .
“You're family, ya say?” The crooked-toothed attendant stared at him with an upturned nose.
“Yeah, I'm her nephew,” Kyle said. He smiled as innocently as he could manage without looking like a complete idiot. Hopefully this attendant wouldn't see the sweat beading on his forehead.
“Fine. Sign these documents and sign-in sheet. Empty out your pockets and remove your shoes. Nothing that can be used to hurt herself can enter the room.” The nurse placed out a clipboard and a bin.
Once Kyle finished signing the papers, he placed his keys, wallet, and phone, pack of gum, a pen, and his shoes into the bin. The nurse gave him a pair of slippers and led him into a secured hall. The nurse spouted off a list of rules as they entered the high-risk section. Kyle didn't hear a word she said.
Screams and hysterical laughter came from the patients as they passed by. Kyle rubbed his arm nervously. He couldn't believe sweet and kind Mrs. Dawson was in an asylum with these lunatics.
The attendant stopped in front of a highly secured door. She motioned for the guard to let them pass. Kyle watched the heavily-muscled guard unlock a set of various locks. Once unchaining the last lock, the attendant used a card to authorize access.
The door slid open. The nurse frowned down at Kyle. “You'll have ten minutes. You get her too riled up and we'll be forced to cut your visit short.”
“Thank you.” Kyle took a step inside.
“And don't forget, your aunt is now a cold-blooded murderer.” The door closed.
Kyle took in the padded white room. It was incredibly bright within and not a single window to be seen. Only a mattress was left on the floor and a urine pot for the needs of the body.
In the corner stood Mrs. Dawson. Trapped in a straight-jacket, she stared at Kyle through her mangy, unkempt hair. “Kyle Rantin. To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Mrs. Dawson?”
“Please, you know I prefer to be called Samantha. I'm not my mother.” She stepped out from the corner. The straight-jacket had been chained to the wall.
“I can't believe this.”
Samantha laughed. “It's only a matter of time before the darkness consumes the rest.” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “They got my boy. They took my girl. I'm all that's left in this bleak dark.”
Kyle took a step forward. “Who? What happened to Jacob, Mrs. Dawson? Where has he disappeared to?”
Samantha held her chin high. “Jacob is gone. All that's left is the shell of my boy.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “They beat him until he could no longer fight and then they took him. And it's all his father's fault.”
“What? Please, I'm trying to find him, but you're the only one that can help.”
Samantha's eyes grew wide. “No! Leave this alone, Kyle Rantin. Stay as far away from this as you can and leave it to the police.” Samantha laughed to herself. “Those incompetents will never find him. They aren't ready for what they don't believe.”
“I don't think the cops can find him either,” Kyle said. “I just have this feeling that they won't. But I feel like I can. With your help.”
“No! Ignore that feeling! It's a trap! You can't let them get you too.”
“Who?”
“One of the many things we are not prepared for.”
“What's that?”
“The end of the world.”
He opened the book and flipped through the pages. There were a lot of entries about the mundane routines of Jacob's life. He talked a lot about his close relationship with his mother and even his little sister, but there was barely any mention of Jacob's father. Not a surprise to Kyle though. Jacob's father was always distant. If anything, Mr. Dawson was known for his silent glare.
Kyle stopped on last week's first entry: Monday, October fifteenth. If there was any indication to what happened to Jacob, it would start here.
Monday, October 15
Dad has been acting strange lately. He never used
to pay much attention to me but now all he does is
mention my 17th birthday next week. I think he might be
more excited about it than I am.
I used to crave his attention, hell, I even thought to
go golfing with him even though I hate it. I just
wanted him to care.
Now, it just seems weird. Maybe I’m just expecting
to be let down as usual. What if he really is making
an attempt?
People change, right?
Should I give him a chance?
Kyle stared at his ceiling. “Mr. Dawson was affectionate? That can't be right.”
A strong wind rattled the window. Kyle crawled out of his bed. He approached the window and peered out.
A guy smoking a cigarette leaned against the tree across the street. He stared at Kyle for a minute. After fixing his glasses, the man threw his cigarette to the ground and smashed it with his foot. He shoved his fists into his pockets and walked down the street.
Kyle watched the guy until he disappeared around the corner. “Creep.”
There was a knock on his door. His mom entered the room with a laundry basket of folded clothes. “What are you doing by the window?”
“Just thinking.”
His mom set the basket on the bed. “I know the past couple of days have been hard for you. It’s not easy to lose a friend and harder still when you don’t know what happened.”
Kyle didn’t say a word.
“You know you can talk to us, right?”
“Yeah, mom.” Kyle made it a point to face her and forced a smile. “Of course, I know. I just need to work things through on my own.”
His mom raised a suspicious eyebrow. “Well, alright… now put your clothes away and you better be in bed by nine.”
Kyle watched his mom leave. His focus shifted to Jacob’s journal. Did Jacob talk to his mom before he disappeared? He must have. Whatever they talked about, Mrs. Dawson certainly believed him.
. . .
October 16th
Dad took me on a trip into the woods. He kept speaking
of a tradition passed along from his father and his father’s
father and so on. I didn’t really understand, but I guess the
tradition stands.
A week before their seventeenth birthday, the males of the
Dawson family are to head into the woods for a night
and give thanks to some guardian spirit that
protects our bloodline or something.
I didn’t really want to do it, but Dad is finally opening up
and I’m learning a little about his side of the family
which he had never spoke of before.
So what else could I do but do what he wanted.
I never ended up being so scared in my life.
I followed Dad into the woods to this open space
deep within.
There were torched set about in a circle and this
powdered ring in the center. Dad said it was sulfur and it
was supposed to act like a gate or barrier or something.
Anyway, I started to repeat the stuff that he told me
to and perform this ritual.
When I finished, this pack of wolves approached the site.
They just watched me.
Dad said they were there to protect me from now on.
In theory, I guess having a pack of wolves as protection
Is really cool…
But I can’t help but be frightened.
I don’t know if those wolves are really supposed to help me.
I just feel like they’re dangerous.
A crow’s cry startled Kyle. He glanced over at the lone crow on the telephone line across the street. Kyle focused on the crow. Was it staring at him?
“What you got there?” Brett sat down next to Kyle. He leaned back against the thick tree and stared at the branches overhead.
“It’s Jacob’s journal.” Kyle snapped the journal shut. “I found it in his room last night. Man, you wouldn’t believe what it say-”
“Hold on a second. You went to Jacob’s house and compromised a crime scene? Are you daft?”
Kyle huffed and turned away. “Cops are useless anyway.”
“You could go to jail for tampering with evidence, Kyle.”
“I can’t just sit here and do nothing. There’s something not right about this and I-“
Kyle bit his upper lip in thought. He stared at the autumn leaves swirling at his feet.
“What?” Brett threw up his hands.
“I dunno, you’d probably think I’m crazy.”
“Already think that. Just spit it out.”
Kyle glanced up at the crow across the street. It had been joined by at least twenty more and all of them were staring at him. “I think Jacob’s disappearance may actually be supernatural.”
Brett nodded. “Somehow you raised the bar and yet I was sort of expecting it. What are you talking about, Kyle?”
“I can’t explain it. All I know is something weird is going on and it’s not natural.”
“Excuse me. Could you point me in the direction of the principal’s office?”
Brett and Kyle’s gaze followed the tapping combat boot up to the chain rapping against the woman’s thigh. Each finger on her left hand wore a ring with unfamiliar symbols. A leather armlet wrapped around the woman’s right forearm. She wore a black leather jacket with only one sleeve attached to the left side, leaving the right to reveal a tattoo of three moons surrounding a pentacle on her shoulder. A black tree trailed up her arm and stopped before the three moons. Her deep red hair fell over her right eye with a nasty scar.
The two boys stared at the woman with dropped jaws. The woman smirked. “Might be best to wipe the drool, boys.”
Brett jumped to his feet. “Forgive us. It’s not often we meet such a,” He took her in once more and let out a love-struck sigh, “stunning woman.”
“Cute. Talk to me when you’re legal,” The woman flicked an eyebrow up. Her gaze fell on Kyle. “You, where’s the principal’s office?”
Kyle rose to his feet. He stuffed Jacob’s journal into his backpack. “I’ll take you to him.”
The woman cocked her head to the side and smirked. “What a gentleman.”
Kyle led the woman across the front yard. “Are you dating the principal? You look too young to have a teenager.”
The woman laughed. “And you’d be right. I’m only twenty-one. But by the Goddess, no, I am not dating the principal.” She glanced at Kyle. “I’m looking into the Jacob Dawson case.”
Kyle froze. “Are you a detective or something?”
“Or something.” The woman looked back at him. “You knew the kid?”
“He was my best friend.”
“Oh.” For a moment, a glaze came over her eyes. She let out a heavy sigh then returned her full attention to Kyle. “I'm sorry. I will do my best to find him.”
“What makes you different from the cops?”
She raised an eyebrow, “You don't trust the cops will find him?”
Kyle crossed his arms. “No. And I don't think you do either or you wouldn't be looking into it.”
A faint smile came to the woman's lips. “Let's just say I'm an expert at strange cases.” A phone rang. She pulled a cell phone out from inside her jacket. “What's happening?”
Kyle frowned as the red-head stalked off to take her call. Brett nudged Kyle's arm. “She's hot.”
“I don't trust her. There's something strange about her.”
The woman returned while sticking the phone back inside her jacket. She pulled out a card and gave it to Kyle. “I got to go, but here's my number. I can help if anything... unexplainable... happens.”
Kyle and Brett watched the woman walk over to a black car. She glanced back before getting into the back seat. Brett tapped his chest as the car drove off. “Did you see that scar over her eye? I don't know why, but it was so sexy.” He let out a sigh. “A real badass.”
Kyle rolled his eyes. “Weirdo.”
“You should give me her number. I'll call her for an unexplainable.”
“That makes no sense.” Kyle handed the card to him. He walked toward the sidewalk.
“Hey, where are you going? Classes haven't even started yet.”
“I'm going to go pay Mrs. Dawson a visit.” Kyle waved.
. . .
“You're family, ya say?” The crooked-toothed attendant stared at him with an upturned nose.
“Yeah, I'm her nephew,” Kyle said. He smiled as innocently as he could manage without looking like a complete idiot. Hopefully this attendant wouldn't see the sweat beading on his forehead.
“Fine. Sign these documents and sign-in sheet. Empty out your pockets and remove your shoes. Nothing that can be used to hurt herself can enter the room.” The nurse placed out a clipboard and a bin.
Once Kyle finished signing the papers, he placed his keys, wallet, and phone, pack of gum, a pen, and his shoes into the bin. The nurse gave him a pair of slippers and led him into a secured hall. The nurse spouted off a list of rules as they entered the high-risk section. Kyle didn't hear a word she said.
Screams and hysterical laughter came from the patients as they passed by. Kyle rubbed his arm nervously. He couldn't believe sweet and kind Mrs. Dawson was in an asylum with these lunatics.
The attendant stopped in front of a highly secured door. She motioned for the guard to let them pass. Kyle watched the heavily-muscled guard unlock a set of various locks. Once unchaining the last lock, the attendant used a card to authorize access.
The door slid open. The nurse frowned down at Kyle. “You'll have ten minutes. You get her too riled up and we'll be forced to cut your visit short.”
“Thank you.” Kyle took a step inside.
“And don't forget, your aunt is now a cold-blooded murderer.” The door closed.
Kyle took in the padded white room. It was incredibly bright within and not a single window to be seen. Only a mattress was left on the floor and a urine pot for the needs of the body.
In the corner stood Mrs. Dawson. Trapped in a straight-jacket, she stared at Kyle through her mangy, unkempt hair. “Kyle Rantin. To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Mrs. Dawson?”
“Please, you know I prefer to be called Samantha. I'm not my mother.” She stepped out from the corner. The straight-jacket had been chained to the wall.
“I can't believe this.”
Samantha laughed. “It's only a matter of time before the darkness consumes the rest.” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “They got my boy. They took my girl. I'm all that's left in this bleak dark.”
Kyle took a step forward. “Who? What happened to Jacob, Mrs. Dawson? Where has he disappeared to?”
Samantha held her chin high. “Jacob is gone. All that's left is the shell of my boy.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “They beat him until he could no longer fight and then they took him. And it's all his father's fault.”
“What? Please, I'm trying to find him, but you're the only one that can help.”
Samantha's eyes grew wide. “No! Leave this alone, Kyle Rantin. Stay as far away from this as you can and leave it to the police.” Samantha laughed to herself. “Those incompetents will never find him. They aren't ready for what they don't believe.”
“I don't think the cops can find him either,” Kyle said. “I just have this feeling that they won't. But I feel like I can. With your help.”
“No! Ignore that feeling! It's a trap! You can't let them get you too.”
“Who?”
“One of the many things we are not prepared for.”
“What's that?”
“The end of the world.”