Into the Darkness Second Draft

Back Into the Maw

"Is everything okay, dear?" his mom asked as Doug walked into the kitchen for breakfast

"Yeah, I think so," he replied glancing back up toward his room. The picture of Mr. Baker was stashed inside of his notebook and stuffed into his backpack, but he still felt uneasy about it. Where had it come from? It was signed by him, but he didn't remember drawing it.

"You want some eggs?"

"Sure. That sounds good, thanks mom." While he waited for his food, Doug replayed English class again, but even with this new piece of the puzzle, he could not make heads or tails of it all.

"Don't forget your dad and I are going to play cards with the Schumakes tonight. You're sure you don't want to come along? It'll be fun." His mom said as she laid a plate of scrambled eggs before him.

"I remember, and nothing about watching Brad play video games and listening to him talk about sports sounds fun."

"Oh come on, he lets you play."

"The last time I went over, we played Madden, and he wouldn't let me move my guys so that he could break some record. No, I'll be fine here. You guys have fun."

"Okay. I'll make sure there's some food in the fridge, anything you want?"

"Pick me up a pot pie and some popcorn." Doug caught the glare from his mother before he added "Please."

"Did you finish your homework, like Dad asked?"

"Yeah."

"Ok. In case I don't see you again, don't stay up too late, and make sure you lock up. And if you do go out, don't forget your keys."

"Yes mom," Doug replied with a sigh.

"Do you have plans for today yet?"

"I'm not sure."

"Well, don't stay inside all day. Go out with your friends or something."

As Doug nodded, the phone on the wall behind him rang, and he jumped at the sound.

"And you're sure you are okay?" his mom asked as she crossed the room to answer it.

"I'll get it," Doug protested, but it was too late.

"Oh hey Sam... Yeah, he's right here. How are you doing after what happened yesterday?"

Doug concentrated on cramming as much of the eggs in his mouth as his mom talked to Samantha, and with his mouth full of food, his mother finally handed him the phone. "Hang on," he tried saying but it came out as just a muffled jumble. Swallowing, he added "Hey Sam, how are you doing?"

"I'm fine, I think. Had some weird dreams but, you know."

"What about?" Doug asked.

"Remember yesterday when I said I might tell you what I thought I saw? It was them."

"Them? Who?"

"I- I'm not sure. I still don't believe it myself. You'll probably think I'm crazy."

"You said that yesterday, and I," he glanced around the room, glad his mom had finally left him alone, "I'd probably believe you, because, man, have I got something to show you."

"What've you got?" She asked.

"It's a drawing I, uh, didn't draw."

"Now it's your turn not to make any sense."

"I mean, I signed it so I must have drawn it, right? I mean, my signature is on it, and it looks like something I would've drawn, but it's in charcoal and I've nev-" his words came out rapidly.