Fort Oakley | Part One

5 | Dump The Psycho, Date The Loner

12 February 2022 - Saturday

I woke up drenched in sweat, my heart pounding wildly in my chest as I looked around my room, brushing the hair out of my face. The early morning light seeped through the edges of the curtains, casting soft shadows on the walls.

The nightmares were nothing new. I've had them since I could remember, yet every time I wake up from one, I'm like a little kid, scared of the monsters that were out to get me.

I've never told anyone about the nightmares. I wasn't ashamed or embarrassed about them or anything, but I never knew how to tell someone that these nightmares always felt too real— cloaked figures staring down at me, their faces hidden by masks, their presence suffocating. I could never really make out their eyes, but I could feel their gaze, piercing through me, filling me with paralyzing dread. The fear always lingered even after I woke up, leaving me shaky and breathless.

I released a breath, rubbing my face before getting out of bed and heading downstairs. The house was quiet, the kind of silence that felt heavy, like it was hiding something. I shook off the uneasy feeling and made my way to the kitchen.

Kamala was busy cleaning the counters when I entered, her movements fluid and practiced. The scent of lemon cleaner filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of coffee.

Kamala turned around, a warm smile spreading across her face when she saw me. I tiredly threw my arms around her, breathing in her familiar scent of cleaning products and something uniquely Kamala.

''Morning, Lee.'' She says, using the nickname she gave me when I claimed her as my best friend. ''Claire left a little while ago to do something for her parents, so it's just you and me today.''

I sighed, feeling a mixture of relief and disappointment. "I guess that means no plans then."

I watched her move around the kitchen for a while, for once not knowing what to do. 

''You had breakfast, yet?'' I ask her, an idea popping into my head. Kamala was busy most of the week with cleaning houses while I was at school, and the weekends she had off were reserved for relaxation and spending time with her family, so we barely had time to hang out.

''Not yet. I was planning to grab something when I finished here,'' she says.

''Then finish what you're doing and take a breather. I'm sticking you for breakfast at the diner. I'll clean the rest of the house later. Claire won't know and we have some catching up to do.''

↟↟↟

Fort Oakley was quiet as Kamala and I made our way to the diner, the town's streets nearly empty. Most of the town's residents were members of a church in Delta, which hosted some function every Saturday. That meant that the town practically cleared out every Saturday, leaving the people who were members of the small church in town, and the ones who didn't attend church at all.

We ordered breakfast, and Kamala caught me up on the latest events in her life. I told her about the party, what Elvin did, and what happened after, leaving out the part where he grabbed me and the bruise which formed on my wrist, which was hidden by the sleeve of my t-shirt.

Kamala listened intently, her expression growing more serious as I spoke. 

''You know if I have to beat him up, I will, Charly,'' Kamala says, taking a bite of her breakfast wrap.

''I know.''

''But enough about Elvin," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "Tell me about Jacey. What's happening with him?''

I huffed, shaking my head. ''Nothing's happening with him, Kamala. We've talked on two different occasions, and while those conversations were more meaningful than the majority of conversations I've had with Elvin, they didn't suddenly change our relationship. We're barely friends as is.''