Where The Monster Dwells

Chapter 5

I found myself in a maze. The types of mazes you always want to see when you're a little kid. It was night. I was wandering; I was lost. I found myself trying to escape the confines of the maze. I could feel this sense of darkness surround me. The night became darker as I continued to find a way out of the maze. I could feel the presence coming closer to me. My chest felt tight and I broke out on a cold sweat.

"Hello?" I yelled looking around to see if I was being followed. No one responded, so I kept walking. As time passed, it became harder to see the trail and the hedges. It was even difficult to see my hands right in front of me. I felt weak, but I somehow knew that if I stopped the darkness would get to me. In the darkness, I tripped. I stumbled to stand back up again, but I eventually succeeded. By now, it was pitch black. I couldn't see a thing. I felt trapped. I could feel my pulse quicken. I tried to call out for help. Then, I stepped in something. It was squishy and it felt thick. It made me trip. I tried to get out of the mess, but I was stuck. Whatever I stepped in was pulling me with it. I couldn't feel the darkness anymore. Before I was completely swallowed up by this substance, I woke up.

The early rays of sunlight hit my face. I felt the warmth of the sun on my pale skin as I opened my eyes. I smelled breakfast. For a moment, I thought my dad and mom were in the kitchen making a big family breakfast. However, that thought was quickly shattered by the realization of my current situation. I remembered the events of the day before. Going to that Trevor kid's party. Feeling obligated to own up to others people mistakes. Being betrayed by Mom. I sat up from the couch and looked around. I could hear voices. Though I knew that people were close by, it felt like they were really far away. I looked to the doorway of the kitchen. I could see the man from last night standing there talking to Graham and some red-haired woman, but then he saw me. The three of them walked over to me.

"Now that you're up, we can finally be introduced to each other." The man said. "I'm Dr. Aiden Whitfield." He extended his hand to me, and for some reason I shook it.

"I-I'm Carver Langston." I said quietly.

"Yes, I know." The doctor said.

"How'd you sleep, kid?" Graham asked.

"I slept fine, I guess." I said. I felt weird with all this attention everyone was giving me. It was such a foreign sensation—being constantly interrogated by people. Part of me like the attention, for it made me feel important. It was as if someone finally gave a damn about me. Yet, all this attention made me feel uneasy.

"Hurry up and get ready." Graham said.

"Ready? Get ready for what?" I asked

"You know, the doctor's office. The doctor from last night?" Graham said.

"Oh," I said quietly. "That's where we're going?" I asked. Graham nodded which caused me to take a deep breath and sighed. I didn't want to focus on whatever might happen during the doctor's visit. I tried my best to focus on the group home instead of the appointment. "Who are you?" I tentatively asked the woman.

"Oh, where are my manners? I'm Bree Gallagher. I'm basically the glorified, live-in babysitter of those boys," She said as she motioned towards the dining room.

"Y-you both live here?" I asked motioning to Whitfield and Gallagher.

"No," Whitfield chuckled, "Bree lives here. She has a room down that hallway. I have a room-slash-office across from her room. You see, I have my own place, but sometimes I have to deal with certain situations that prohibit my departure. Therefore, I have a room for when this situations arise."

"Situations like my arrival?" I asked as the sense of nervousness grew inside me.

"That would do it," Bree interjected herself into the conversation. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go tend to a room full of hungry teenagers."