Shade (Revised)

Chapter 10: Chills

Jason's POV:

Natasha began, her voice carrying a hauntingly beautiful melody. "It was a dark, stormy night. There was a girl, young and reckless, like any girl her age. She had gotten a new scooter for her birthday."

Natasha continued her story, her voice hushed and tinged with a hint of melancholy. Her words painted a vivid picture in my mind as she described the young and reckless girl on her new scooter, venturing out into the freedom of the night. I could almost feel the rush of wind against my face and hear the hum of the scooter's engine as she navigated the winding roads.

I wanted to ask her many questions along the way. Like for instance, who the girl in the story was, why she chose to talk about her now..but she was so engrossed in her storytelling that I didn't want to interrupt her flow. So, I chose to listen attentively until she finished. I couldn't help but be captivated by her mesmerizing eyes and her lovely voice.

"She had no idea where she was going, but the thrill of having her own ride was exhilarating. Kids at her school weren't kind to her, and she longed for some peace in the solitude of the night. That's why she quietly snuck out of bed and tiptoed into her dad's garage, where her prized possession was kept." Natasha's voice trailed off, and for a moment, a heavy silence filled the room.

I felt a knot forming in my stomach, a mix of anticipation and unease as I waited for Natasha to continue. She took a deep breath, her eyes glassy with emotion.

As she continued, her voice took on a haunting tone, adding an eerie quality to the story. I could sense her intention to keep me on the edge of my seat, unaware of the actual truth behind her words. Unbeknownst to me, she was aware of my fear and deliberately played upon it, casting her narrative in the form of a scary bedtime story.

"The girl's dreams of freedom were shattered one fateful night," Natasha began, her voice trembling with a touch of sadness. The dim light cast a haunting glow on her face, accentuating the somber expression etched upon her features.

As I leaned in closer, my senses immersed in her words, I could feel the weight of her story enveloping the room, the air heavy with a mix of anticipation and unease.

"On that stormy night, the girl found herself stranded in the pouring rain, her scooter broken down in the middle of nowhere," she continued. The weight of her words pressed heavily on my chest, as if the very air had grown dense with sorrow. I could feel the girl's fear and vulnerability, as though they were my own.

OMG, that totally relates to my situation earlier! I was so into her story so, I didn't utter a word, not only because I didn't want to upset her but because I wanted to know where she was going with this.

"The rain poured relentlessly, drenching the girl to the bone," Natasha's voice filled with a deep sense of empathy. "She glanced around, desperately searching for shelter, her heart pounding in her chest. And then, through the downpour, she saw headlights approaching. A glimmer of hope pierced through the darkness."

Through the dim light of the room, I could see tears glistening in Natasha's eyes as she continued her tale. "A man emerged from the car, his face hidden beneath the cloak of darkness. He offered her a ride, promising to take her to safety."

Without breaking eye contact, Natasha continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "The girl, drenched and vulnerable, hesitated for a moment. Perhaps it was the desperation or the flicker of hope that clouded her judgment.

Tears welled up in her eyes when she said this "She was taken advantage of. After everything was over , that devil threw her off a cliff. And you know what the worst part is? He still roams around free".

"What became of her afterwards?" I asked, my curiosity reaching its peak.

Natasha's voice trembled with anger as she replied, "Can't you guess? She vanished without a trace, and no one ever discovered her whereabouts."

"Let's just get some sleep," she said, rising to her feet. Confusion and concern filled me as I approached her. "But how do you all of this?" I asked. She remained silent, refusing to respond.

"Let's go. I believe it's best to continue the story in the morning," she suggested, her gaze fixed on the ground. "It's a lot to process, and right now, you are in desperate need of some sleep. So yeah!" She gently patted my shoulder, reassuring me.

Her hands were frighteningly cold. Sensing my unease, she turned to face me. "The less you know, the better. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything," she admitted. "Let's stop here. You can sleep now." Her words trailed off, leaving me unsettled.

With that, she left the room, leaving me all alone with my racing thoughts.

Sleep in this unfamiliar, dark place? No way.

I couldn't fathom what she was thinking, leaving me alone here.