The Darker Shade

The Darker Shade: Chapter 5

Chapter 5...

I toss, sweat beading down my forehead.

She screams... His fist flies... There's blood... A boy walks through a small room dragging a small toy... Rubbing his eyes... he sees her... her is body laid flat, barely moving, barely clothed. He looks up ... There sits Daddy with an ominous smirk "See son, the one thing to always remember they're all worthless!"

My eyes flick open, my breath ragged. I turn and grab my phone looking at the time. It's 3am... Fuck! I sit up and prop my elbows on my knees. Fucking nightmares! I throw myself back on the bed as my mind wonders back to last night. I stood idle across from her apartment building. Quietly lurking, I think of my words, my actions. She steps out and looks side to side seeking my venom. The street lights reflect over her features. Her dark hair, the peak of her nose, the shadow of her fine lips, she stood directly in front of me and for once since we've met eyes I see no fear, just beauty. Yet she had no idea I was there. She began to walk along the sidewalk; I followed, remaining across the street. She walked into a bar and for moment I thought about walking across to meet her inside. But I stopped myself. And now here I am, a quarter passed 3 looking at the ceiling. I pull my phone out in dire need of a distraction, finding my playlist I've slowly developed; I press play and escape to the rasps of Alex Clare.

I roll over, the shadows of the sun stir through my windows. With a stretch of my arms I slowly rise out of bed and into the shower. I call Linc as I step out to get breakfast at the café. "Before you speak you should be aware I have my probation office on my ass. From now on this phone won't account for any business calls. I'm going to call you from now on. Not the other way around. You want to do this shit then we do it my way. Or else. Understood?" He replies "Fine, I'll need to hear from you by Friday. Call at 9am." I end the call without response putting the phone in my pocket. Remembering of a pawn shop that stood only a few blocks from where I live. I decide on a short walk to see an old friend. With a wry grin I spot him, He nods and smiles as I approach. "Had a feeling I'd hear from you soon." "I need a few things, Bobby." He glances around "The usual suspects." My hands stretch at the counter. A bell rings at the door as it opens. "2 burners, a laptop and a new identity by the end of the week" The customers slowly pace, looking around. "I'll come back later for the phones and laptop. I'll return tomorrow for the rest, whatever it costs." He nods and I walk away making a quick exit.

A familiar blonde catches my eyes, avoiding contact she lowers her head walks passed me. I nod to myself, smirking at her swiftness as she moves along. I walk towards the bus stop that Elizabeth took yesterday and look over the map. A crowd forms at the stop area, the bus nearing. As the doors open each passenger steps on leaving me last. The driver looks down to me "Are you coming in, Sir?" I look up and around to the other passengers, nodding I step on. Only a few exits along I get off and look around walking in the direction she did yesterday soon reaching Dexter. I spot her building and walk closer, only a few steps shy I notice her walking out of the front door. A small boy grabs hold of her hand, his hair auburn as it tousles in the light wind. Smiling he says something and Elizabeth laughs, she lifts him in her arms and hugs him tight. I stand back, observing their affection. She stands, looking up towards my direction. Quickly I shift and move away, noticing a coffee shop at a short distance I move fast and step inside.

I hold my latte in my hands, the foam tipping in the shape of a leaf. I take a sip, the heat generating down my throat. She has a kid, a fucking kid, I repeat to myself, my mind going in circles. He looks but only a few years, maybe 4. My eyes widen, fuck... could he be? I furrow my brows. A timeline runs through my brain. I think of our past discretions, the way she gave herself to me, the countless fucks we had, the way I controlled her. A slight grin creases over the corner of my lips, my cock twitching against the zipper of my jeans. Tension rises within my veins, the want, and need of control lacking. Sad thing is I could easily go home and take what I want. But, I want something else, someone else. However elusive I finish the last of my latte and toss it in the trash.

Leaving, I get back to that same stop and back on another bus. Upon exiting I look at the time on my phone and stop briefly at the pawn shop to retrieve the items I'd requested earlier this morning. Making the quick transaction I take my items and walk out. The stands outside the market call to me making my stomach curve with hunger. I pick up a few things, a halibut, green and red peppers, asparagus, even some fruit. Paying the man behind the stand I take my groceries in arm and get to my building. Once upstairs I place my things down. Taking out the food first, placing the halibut down on the counter. I realize I have no utensils or pots and pans. I run my fingers in my hair, great, I didn't think this one through. One person comes to mind that might be willing to extend a few things my way. I take my shot and walk over to her door. I knock, thinking the odds of her opening are... "Hi" She opened the door I stand almost dumbfounded "Hi" I rub the back of my neck feeling awkward. "I need to borrow a few things" "What exactly do you need?" She bites her lip, looking me up and down. I grin. "I need a pan, knife, maybe a plate and a fork." She laughs. "Sure, come in." She tosses her hair off her shoulders and walks into her kitchen. "Are you cooking just for yourself?" She peeks from behind her counter where she grabs her pan. "Yep, just me and my lonesome" I reply trying to keep the chat to a minimum. She steps closer to me with the pan, knife, plate and fork. "Enjoy your meal, stranger." She says with a smile. I give her a crooked smile and take them from her. "Thank you." I turn to walk out "And it's Katie." She says just as she shuts the door. I nod to myself and walk back to my place feeling oddly defeated.

Finishing my meal I fire up the laptop that Bobby gave me. I load my software, create an email and do a main search. Giving myself a brief summary of current events, most of which consisting of the Greys. I learn of his new home, his two children, what new things he has within GEH as well as that of Grey publishing and their commission editor, Anastasia Grey. That poor twit could barely read a manuscript let alone do my job. A familiar rage builds within me as I continue looking them up, some might think it's a sense of jealousy or envy. Truth be told, it was merely the fact that he stole what wasn't his. He took my life not once but twice. A life that from the very beginning should have been mine, A life that I worked hard to achieve and now... I rush out of my chair, infuriated with where my life is. Looking around the room, contemplating where I stand, where I've been. I glance directly at the laptop, Elizabeth once again slipping into frame. I pull the chair out and sit back down. I do a Google search entering her full name, Elizabeth Morgan. That day comes up, Grey's name all over the screen. Headlines reading, "Hyde's scarlet sidekick pleads sexual harassment!" Images of her indignity, her humility obvious. I run my fingers over my lips as I lean in to look further. Trying to find more information about her from then till now and there's nothing. I think about the boy, wondering when she had him, how old he was, how she managed. Shit, I sit back in thought. I need to know if he's mine, now more than ever I need to speak to her.

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