The Panic of Fear (Book One of The Fearful Trilogy)

Chapter Twenty Two

  As I walk into the darkness I flick on my flashlight. The Floofics had a mountain of batteries just sitting there. So I had taken a few to make sure my flashlight wouldn't go out, and then a few extra for backup.
  I'm walking through the darkness even with the flashlight it seems like the darkness is closing in on me. I start hearing childlike laughter behind me. I turn around and swing my flashlight towards the source.
  There's nothing there. I shake it off as nerves and continue walking. After a few steps I hear the creepy childlike laughter starts up again but I ignore it. As I walk my flashlight suddenly flickers and goes out.
  I swear at the flashlight and bang it against my hand. Nothing happens. "C'mon. Work!" Nothing. I put it in my pocket and continue walking through the solid wall of darkness.
  The laughing gets closer to me and I swear I feel something breathe on my neck. I spin around but only see darkness. Now the laughing is all around me.
  "What are you?!" I yell into the darkness. The laughing increases. I take off sprinting trying to get away from it. I can't see where I'm going and slam into a wall hitting my head.

Four years ago

  I wake up the same way I was when I fell asleep. My head on Jordan's chest. I go to sit up but an arm wraps around me. "Don't get up yet please." He mumbles half asleep.
  I smile and lay my head back down. I just lay there with his arm around my waist feeling warm and happy. My mind starts to wander as I drift off again.

Long nights in the hospital...

Pain filled days waiting for school...

Joining the basketball team to escape...

  "Hey, Alex?" Jordan says pulling me out of my thoughts. "What?" He starts fiddling with my hair. "Why don't you stand up to him?"  He asks me.
  My happiness dissolves instantly. "I- I can't." He starts rubbing my shoulder and I start feeling better. He sits up moving my head with his chest.
  "You know... Me and my family could say you live in an unstable home. Take you in." He looks at me but I don't answer. "Alex? If you don't like that idea you don't have to go along with it."
  I look at him and smile. "It was a good idea. But. It won't work." I say. He sighs and I feel bad. But I can't accept his offer. It'll almost work but my dad will find a way to keep me.
  And hit me. I find Jordan's hand and grab it. We sit there like that for awhile until his parents say breakfast is ready.

  I wake up in total darkness. My head hurts and I regret running like a terrified little kid. It's just the dark. I tell myself. And then I see it. The big creepy smile.