When Darkness Falls

Chapter 2: Danielle

I put the last file away and locked the cabinet before going back upstairs to my desk, where I sat every day to eat my lunch. I didn't particularly like sitting in the break room with my coworkers as I wasn't much for socializing with other people; not that I didn't want to, it's just that my trust issues of people hindered me from getting close to others. The only person I've allowed myself to get close to over the years was Danielle. She has been my best friend since I moved here to Jackson.

I'll never forget the day we met; I was coming out of a local coffee shop when some asshole ran past me and bumped into me, causing me to drop my delicious pastries. Danielle came running up and helped me to gather all my belongings. I was heartbroken at the sight of ruined food and the fact that I had just spent my last few dollars on these, only for them to become trash before I could even taste them. I believe Dani could see the disappointment in my eyes as she offered me her pastry. We then sat and talked for hours, realizing we had a lot in common. Since then, Dani and I have been nearly inseparable; we even went as far as to get an apartment together.

I sat down at my desk and felt overjoyed at the sight of the delicious salad and sandwich before me. When you are poor, and food is scarce, you tend to appreciate the little things more, and boy did I show my food just how much I enjoyed its deliciousness.

Once I finished my lunch, I carried on with my workday; things were typical and a little dull. But, if I were being honest, maybe it's because I was excited about the task ahead. I was looking forward to making this trip; this was the break I needed, as the anniversary of my mother's death was next week.

I finished writing the Dumont case report when I looked at the clock and noticed it was now 3:00 pm. Then, just as I was about to close everything up and call it a day, Mr. Andrews called my desk phone.

I picked up the receiver. "Yes, Mr. Andrews, how can I help you?" I asked.

He cleared his throat before speaking. "Yes, Ms. Pierce, you may go home now and remember the severity of this task, do not fail me!" He said with urgency, then hung up the phone.

I hung up the receiver before shutting down my computer and locking my desk up. Then, I grabbed my bag and carefully placed the confidential folder inside it, making sure to zip my bag up tightly so it wouldn't fall out.

The humid October air hit me like a brick as I left the office, it was unusual for temperatures to be this high in the fall, but I would take the heat any day over snow and freezing temperatures. A few bus rides later, and I finally made it home. Dani and I lived in a cozy two-bedroom apartment on Harding street in Belhaven; it isn't much, but we have made it our home, and I love the character of the building.

The outside of the building is all original brick, painted grey in colour and whitewash window trimming with access to a large backyard. The inside is original hardwood flooring, a red brick fireplace, rounded doorways and crown moulding accenting the smoky grey walls. Dani and I weren't very good at decorating, but we made do with what we had and what we could find for bargain prices. Our favourite furniture piece was the black Victorian-style love seat sofa, something we found on the side of the road one day. It needed a good cleaning, but it beautifully matches our other furniture and is incredibly comfortable.

Once in the apartment, I placed my bag and keys onto the wooden entryway table that Dani pulled from the dumpster behind her work. I looked around at the coat hangers and then down at the bowl for our keys, noticing that Dani's stuff wasn't here; she must still be at work. Next, I looked at my watch and realized it was only 3:30, so she wouldn't be home for another half an hour.

Danielle worked as a Data Security Analyst for some big company here in Jackson, and she was damn good at her job. She would tell me about her work, talking about algorithms and binary code, some I was able to understand and some not so much, but like a good friend, I listened to everything she wanted to share with me.

I flopped myself onto the couch, feeling a little worn from the day and pulled the blanket on me; maybe I could close my eyes for a few minutes before I started packing. Then, after what felt like only a few minutes, I opened my eyes. However, I was no longer in my living room but in a swamp. I shot up to my feet and looked around carefully, but there was only me.

As I stood there, the feeling of another presence grew, and it didn't feel like I was alone anymore. Then, as I continued to glance around, looking for anything, I suddenly spotted a dark shadow just over my left shoulder and a tremor of fear coursed through my body, making me shudder. Cautiously, I looked over my shoulder and what I saw nearly made my heart stop, a bright pair of red eyes.

Abruptly, a pair of hands were clutched onto my shoulder tightly and shaking the ever-loving shit out of me.

Groggily, I opened one eye to glare at the culprit. "What? Leave me alone." I whined.

Dani chuckled. "What the fuck are you doing sleeping at 5:00 pm? Isn't it a little late in the day to be having a nap?"

I shot upwards and looked at my watch, seeing that it was just after five o'clock. "Shit! I literally just closed my eyes, and it was 3:35 pm." I rubbed my hands down my face and tucked away yet another nightmare. "I didn't mean to fall asleep; I just wanted to rest for a few minutes," I said, ashamed of myself for falling asleep when I had so much to do.

Dani walked over and squeezed my shoulder. "Who cares? You obviously needed it." She said with a reassuring smile, and sure, maybe she was right, but I had to get myself ready for the trip ahead of me.

Speaking of which, I had some news to share with my dear old friend. I turned around and placed my arms on the back of the sofa, resting my chin in my hands. "Guess what?" I said in a giddy tone.

She gave me a curious look, narrowing her eyes and raising a brow. "What?" Dani asked hesitantly.

I smiled at her like an idiot. "Mr. Andrews asked me to deliver important documents to another law firm in Georgia, papers that pertain to a murder trial, and he said that he only trust's me to deliver them," I told her happily. "This could be huge for my career; if everything goes according to plan, I could be looking at a promotion."

Dani stood there for a moment and then gave me a broad smile. "I'm so proud of you, you've come so far, and you'll get that promotion; I just know it." She said assuringly before coming around to sit on the sofa beside me.

We continued talking for a while, Dani telling me how she was creating the next-level security algorithm. Even though I didn't fully understand what she was talking about, I loved Dani's passion for her work. She is an absolute genius with computers, something that was difficult for me to grasp beyond the basics.

I looked down at my watch and noticed that it was almost six now. "Shit! I've got to pack and get everything ready." I stood from the couch, and Dani stood with me.

"Do you need any help?" Dani asked.

I shook my head. "No, I'll be all right. Why don't you order us some pizza?" I asked her, and she beamed with happiness; food was the key to this woman's heart.

She picked up her phone. "Hawaiian with black olives?" Dani asked while scrunching her nose up in distaste.

I chuckled at her facial expression." You know it, babe, sweet and salty, the perfect combination." I said while licking my lips.

Dani pursed her lips. "Yea, the perfect combination to make you puke."

I laughed and shook my head at her words before making my way to my bedroom. I grabbed everything I needed and placed it all into my suitcase, leaving a few things out to be packed in the morning.