Into the Darkness (Darkness #1)(3)

I didn’t remember a thing.

Having no aunts or uncles, no other family, I ended up in foster care knowing I would spend my life fending for myself. I’d gotten lucky, both to escape the crash, and to end up with two well-rounded people and their two averagely bratty children. I fit in with them as any fifth wheel might, and they tried really hard to make me feel at home; but...well, I was the only foster kid in our upper-middle class suburbia, and though I did have some friends growing up, they never let me forget that I didn’t have deep roots. Their parents couldn’t give them away if we got caught shoplifting. Mine could. And might’ve.

I was forever an army of one, having no one in my life to give me the unconditional love other kids took for granted. My accomplishments were praised with a placating smile and a nod or two where my foster brother or sister would get jubilant commendation and shrieks of delight. I had one picture on the fridge that never changed, pushed off to the side and half covered by multilayers of pictures brought home from the children that belonged. And only a fool would be upset by any of that, because I’d been in a good home with a good family, and sent to good schools, where others were in an orphanage on the bad side of town. I thanked my luck every day. I’d endure a helluva lot more for the chance in life I got.

If only the parent issue was my biggest problem.

Why was I seeing imaginary people? To this day, I didn’t know if any of that was real. I mean, how could they be? Eyes that reflected the light like a nocturnal animal? Invisible people no one else saw?

I was cracked and too afraid to confide in anyone, especially Jared. He was really all I had—my foster parents moved away when all the kids went to college. If he knew I was constantly hallucinating then…well, I didn’t want another appointment for a psych evaluation, I’d say that much.

I lightly traced a finger down Jared’s cheek, then bent over and gave him a light kiss. “Okay, well, pick me up later?”

“Yeah,” he mumbled, drifting off to sleep.

Oh man, I loved this time of night! I exited my one-bedroom apartment as the sun shook hands with the horizon. The cool breeze tickled my face, making me sigh in contentment, picking up the soft smell of roses dotting the front lawn of the apartment complex.

Jared waited in his convertible by the curb wearing the spiffy button-up shirt I loved. “Hey, babe,” I said, slipping into the front seat. I leaned over for a kiss then buckled myself in. “Where to?”

“I have a great evening planned.”

“Oh?”

The corner of his lips tweaked, trying to suppress a smug grin. He shrugged. “Have to give you a reason to…come home with me, don’t I? Make up for…things.”

I couldn’t help laughing. His smirk turned into a full, gleaming smile. With a blast of power, the car lurched forward, pushing me back into the seat. I put my hands up in glee, the wind almost visible as it pushed against my palms and wound its way through my fingers. A girl nearly dying in a car crash should be deathly afraid of cars. Should be…

My teeth became a bug screen and my laughter bubbled up like a bottle of champagne. But I wasn’t afraid. Not of much. In high school, I’d take a dare with a smile. I was always the fearless one, ready for any challenge. Maybe I should’ve thought a few things through, but…well, life was in the journey. The wilder, the better.

An exhilarating ride later, Jared said, “Here we are,” as he turned into a gravel road leading up to a parking lot nestled in the woods. A seemingly plain and simple house waited off to the side, the wraparound porch glowing from the many lit windows.

“My-oh-my, pulling out all the stops, are we? What’s the occasion?” I threaded my fingers through his after I climbed from the car.

“Have to take care of my girl.”

I let my body lean against his as we made our way to the restaurant’s porch, the dark woods around us deep and quiet. Like they always did, my eyes swept to the side, searching.

“What’s up?” Jared asked, following my gaze.

Adrenaline pierced my chest. Stop looking for imaginary people!

“Oh, nothing! Spooky, though, huh?”

Jared squeezed my shoulders. “Nah, biggest thing up here is a raccoon. I’ll protect you!”

“I don’t know, I hear those raccoons are feisty.”

Laughing, we entered the restaurant.

I walked out an hour and a half later with a firm hold on my stuffed tummy. “Why do I always hate myself after a good meal?” I mumbled.

“I feel pregnant.” Jared slipped on a light jacket against the chill of the evening. “Let’s just hope it doesn’t turn gassy.”

“Eww, Jared! You’re so gross!”

“Good thing I have a convertible or I’d fart you out of the car.”

“Would you stop?” I slapped his arm playfully. “Where to?”

“We’re not going to a carnival, I’ll tell you that much. Dancing is out, too. God, I’m stuffed!”

As we stepped off the porch, happily swaying into each other, something tickled my awareness. Almost as if someone called my name, I glanced off to the right, my gaze trying to pierce the syrupy shadows between the trees. A small tug in the center of my chest jerked my body sideways.

Shadows moved, shifted. A huge expanse of shoulder swiveled. A leg stepped to the right. A body tucked further into the darkness, the shadows wrapping it in a nearly invisible cloak.