Monsters In The Dark

One- Darkness

Running, that’s all Alexander could remember before he blacked out. Why was he running?
Alexander was running from his past; a metaphor maybe, but that didn't make it any less true. About three months ago, his cousin died, leaving him and his brother to fend for themselves. One thing led to another and he smuggled himself on a cargo ship heading to New York. He knew he wasn't the first and probably wouldn't be the last.

Alex woke up drowsed in sweat, shaking. He stared at the ceiling in the darkness, he could only just make out the shape of a chandelier, but it was dark and hard to tell; but to be fair, he didn't have the best eyesight in the light, either. Actually, he was blind in one eye, a small scar visible if you looked for it hard enough. It was an accident as a boy, chose to mess with the wrong man, they didn't take likely to a nosey little brat getting under their feet and so taught him a lesson he would never forget.
Alex shifted, pushing back the silk sheets. He stumbled to the window with a limp and drew back the curtains. He placed a hand against the cold window glass, staring out vacantly. From what he could make out, the moon was full, beaming brightly, an almost reddish glow to it. The window overlooked a fancy looking neighborhood, street lamps dimly buzzed. The sound of the door clicking spooked Alex, he twisted, a look of panic washed over his face. ‘Oh, you’re awake.’ The silhouette of a tall man spoke, his voice deep but gentle. Alex dug his nails into his palm, backed up against the window. ‘Son, I'm not going to hurt you’ the dark figure reached a cautious hand out into the darkness.
‘No!’ Alex cried, throwing his hands out in front of him, wincing his eyes shut tight. He blinked his good eye open after a moment, a hot tingling sensation crawling across his palms; a sphere of light illuminating the room.
‘I want to help’ The man clarified. Alex had a better look at him now, tall, a darker tanned complexion and bold. He gave Alex a warm smile, flicking on the light. Alex slowly lowered his arms, the sphere of light fading. He moved to the bed and patted for Alex to sit. Alex hesitantly obeyed.
‘My son found you, says you were passed out in the harbour– what he was doing there, I don't know.’
‘You’re not scared…’ Alex murmured.
‘No, that's right.’ the man simply smiled. ‘I know what it's like. How old are you?’
Alex thought for a moment. ‘Sixteen’
‘And where are you from, Alex?’
‘Nevis.’ Alex said. ‘But I didn't tell you my name.’ he tensed a little, shifting away a little.
The man made a clicking sound at the back of his throat. ‘My name is George Washington, I'm a witch like you. Are you hungry? Want anything to drink?’
‘Do you have any coffee…?” Alex asked quietly, staring off to the mirror at his dull reflection.
‘Of course. Why don't you take a shower? I'll get something made up for you in the meantime. Bathroom’s just down the hall. There's a change of clothes for you in the closet.’ The man, Washington, dismissed himself with a slight bow. He closed the door behind himself and Alex could hear his footsteps echo down the hallway.

Whilst in the shower Alex thought of home, back when his mother still lived and his father still lived. He hadn't much remember his father ever being in the picture, but he had been aware that they'd receive a sum of money to support them. He remembered how life didn't always feel so hard or complicated. He remembered curling up with James amongst the bedding, their mother making them her special hot cocoa recipe to help them settle and sleep through the rough nights of winter in Nevis. It hadn't even been that long ago, Alex realized; yet it felt like a lifetime ago.
Alex rinsed through his hair, cleaning out any muck or grime he'd gathered in his journeys. Hot water, that too was something he hadn't Experienced in a while, it was a luxury, something their mother's husband by law had reminded them constantly, reminding them that they didn't deserve luxury. Alex especially, in the eyes of that man and their half brother, Alex was a monster, devil spawn even. It was partly why Alex had to leave.

Alex still remembered the smell of the embers that night. That night was the final straw for James and he.
It was late, past eleven o'clock. Sleeping didn't seem like an option, too much has been on his mind. They were saving up to get off of the island, they needed to get off the island. James was brewing their mother's hot cocoa recipe, Alex didn't know what it was, just that it was a ‘weird one’ was all James had said. Alex was watching the window; there wasn't anything out there, but he could sense something, and so refused to look away. James set a piping hot mug next to Alex as a knock came from the door.
‘It’s late.’ Alex merely commented.
James nodded. ‘I’ll see who it is.’
‘Is he home then?’ Alex heard a raised voice after some awkward quiet shuffling, it was that man, their mother's other husband. First he kicks them out onto the street to fend for themselves, then he comes looking for them? Those were some very mixed signals right there.
There was a pause, Alex could tell, James likely biting his cheek; some kind of hurtful comment restrained. ‘Who?’ he heard James finally ask, as if he didn't know.
‘Don’t be coy with me, boy.’ He spat, Johann; he'd always been a grim man. ‘You know who we’re here for.’ At that point, Alex had noticed the light ablaze, the sky becoming smoky and a burnt hazy orange. He glanced out the window, cocking his head slightly, to see the mob. At least half the island were gathered, each with torches or pitchfork’s– or other sharpened weapons entirely– in their hands. Both Alex and James knew this had been a long time coming.
It wasn't even that anyone had seen Alexander use magic, they didn't have to. It was all speculation and rumour, but Alex had always been a strange kid, always managed to get himself in trouble in strange unexplainable ways. All it took was their slimy half brother Peter, to suggest it. Johann was a reasonable man at times, or at least they'd thought at one time, but he wasn't going to defend the misfit Hamilton brothers, they weren't his real children nor did he like them; even if they were blood relatives or had a fondness for them, he wasn't going to go against the crowd.
‘I’m feeling generous…’ Johann spoke up again. ‘Give us your brother and you might even get a decent place to sleep out of it.’
Silence.
‘Give me a sec, I… I’ll get him’ James’ voice was laced with guilt and regret already. He closed the door to and swiftly floated back in to see Alex.
‘No!’ Alex cried, face paler than a ghost, even sicker looking than that winter he and his mother got sick, the year she'd died. ‘Jamie please…’
James put a finger to his lips as to warn him to go to sleep. He picked up some cushions, arranging them in the bed space in the corner, as to look like a sleeping body; a blanket spread out over the top. In the darkness, it may by them time at least. They froze as a banging came from the door. James gestures to the window at the back of their cabin.
‘I'll meet you on the beach, but then there's no going back, do you understand?’
Alex nodded. As he started for the window, James grabbed his elbow and hissed. ‘Take a fuckin jacket, idiot.’
Those were James’ last words to the boy. He made it to the beach and waited, but James didn't show. Looking up, Alex could see his and James’ little cabin set ablaze. His eyes watered as he watched. Had they killed James in his stead?
Alex waited, waited. He waited for a ship to sneak on to. Practically starved while he waited. A couple of days past and a cargo ship pulled into port. If he'd not been so malnourished and zombified, perhaps his eyes may have sparkled with hope, albeit seeming so hopeless. He was tired, he found himself a nestled hidden spot at the back of the ship, in the dark.

Alex stepped out of the shower. He wrapped a towel around himself and snuck back across the landing to the room he'd awoken in. A set of fresh pyjamas had been laid out for him. He swiftly dried off and slipped into the soft fleecy material– never had he felt so comfortable… almost enough to put him on edge.
Downstairs, light emitted; a soft and warm glow, inviting. Alex proceeded cautiously.

In the kitchen, there were three people; Washington's, a boy whom introduced himself as Lafayette and a woman, Washington’s wife. Friendly enough, Alex had come to realize after some light chatter. Things were discussed; one thing led to another and it was decided that Alex would be staying with the Washington's indefinitely– and he was to be enrolled in school, school!
Alex hadn't been in an actual school in quite some time, nearly a decade. He never really knew what he'd done, but the school on the island refused to take him back one day. He was nervous about the idea, but excited.