Under The Deck

Chapter 3: Caleb

As I walk down my stairs to go into the kitchen to get breakfast, all I can think is about is my dream. Or at least I think it was a dream.. I hope it was a dream. When I walk into the kitchen and begin eating some cereal, my dad walks in. He looks groggy and tired.
"You okay dad?" He didn't look right. Usually he's up early and he usually looks happy to start a new day.
"Yeah hun, I'm fine... Just that I didn't have a good nights sleep.. I kept hearing crashing noises, but I was too tired to get up and check on whatever it was.." He states. He looks unsure of his words. He looks afraid.
"Yeah I heard some things last night too. I can't tell if my dream was real..?"
"Well, what happened in your dream?" He asks me. I tell him. I tell him everything I remember. I know I sounded crazy, but I done care. I even showed him the deep scratch marks on my stomach. He listens, the whole time with a straight face, until I show him the scratches.. Then he gets a worried look.
"But I'm okay, I promise.." I'm unsure of my words.
"I'm sure you just had a bad dream, fell out of your bed, and scratched yourself on your bed frame. If there was an intruder, we would of known. We have an alarm system on our door, Emma. You are safe here."
"Yes I know... It's just that everything seemed so real.... Too real.."
"Emma. It was a dream. Just a graphic dream. I promise.."
"Alright... I know..." He's so wrong. It was real, and I know it. After about 10 minutes of silence, he gets up, gives me a kiss oh the forehead.
"I'll see you at 6:00, after work. I love you."
"Love you too." I say blankly. He walks out the door, and I'm left alone, in silence.
Well... I think to myself.. Time to look around a little. I need to find out more about this town..
I decided to walk around downtown and check out what everyone here is like...
     I get up, and begin to get ready to go. I brush my teeth, do my hair, and get dressed. I hope this is a good day... When I finally walk out the door, it's 12:00pm. At least it's the beginning summer. So I'll be able to maybe meet some friends before I start school next year. Doubt it. My subconscious says to me. Ugh... I'm not good at making friends... I'm pretty good at keeping to myself, and being independent though. Which I'm happy about. I turn the corner, and immediately see people my age. About 10 feet from me there is a small group of guys. They look creepy.. They aren't even talking to each other? They are just staring off into space. What the hell? They all turn their heads at the same time and look at me. I don't feel safe anymore. Turn around and go home. I can't move. I've stopped dead in my tracks. Their eyes seem evil.. Piercing into my soul.
"Hello??"
No response.
"Uhh... I'm new around here.. I'm looking for some friends."
Still no response.
Turn. Around. Go. Home.
I finally get the courage to turn around and begin to walk back home. What the hell was wrong with them? I begin to hear footsteps behind me. No.. No Nonononononono.. They couldn't be following me. I slowly turn my head to face back at them. They are.
"What do you want?"
No answer.
"ANSWER ME YOU PRICKS!"
"Emma, what's wrong?" One voice says.
"You look like you've seen a ghost." The same voice says.
What? How do they know my name? I didn't tell them.
"How the hell do you know my name?"  I ask.. Shit. I sound scared. My voice is shaky. I just wish I was home. They make me feel so unsafe.
"Why do we make you feel unsafe?" Another boy says with a smile on his face.
Oh my God. What? I didn't say anything to them about them making me feel unsafe? What? Wait... Can they hear my thoughts?"
"Oh Emma, you are one special girl."
"HOW THE DO YOU KNOW ME? I WANT ANSWERS NOW. Whats going on right now?!"
Silence.
"Answer me!" I scream.
"You don't know us, but we know you. Let's just say that your mother was a woman who betrayed us."
No. My heart sinks. Turn around, don't listen to them Emma. I decide right then and there, I've had enough. I begin to run. I am running back my house. Darting through allies, trying to confuse the strange boys. Eventually, I don't hear footsteps behind me anymore, so I begin to walk. Almost home. What time is it? I check my watch. It reads 4:00pm.. Holy shit. I've been walking around for a while. As I turn the corner to head down the street to my house, something grabs me. I fight and fight, but it pulls me into an alley nearby. Fight. You have to fight. Lord, this town is terrible. The person that grabbed me, covers my mouth with one hand. He's a boy. Again, my age. How many guys are in this town?
"I'm not going to hurt you, but I will if you scream when I take my hand off of your mouth." The boy says. I decide that I shouldn't test him, and hear what he has to say. He finally removes his hand from my mouth.
"Good girl. Now I need to ask you some questions. "
I nod my head in response. Then I ask him something I've been wondering.
"Are you one of those boys that I just talked to back there downtown? They said my mother betrayed them or some dumb shit."
"Oh hell no. Listen, I am only here to help you find your mother, Taylor.(my moms name).
"How do you know her name? How do you even know who she is?"
"She was a big help to me a while back...." He says quietly.
"Listen, we should go somewhere more private to discuss these things. Come with me."
"How do I know I should trust you?"
"Because your mother told me to help you." He says lowly.
So she didn't leave me? She really did love me.
He begins to get up.
"Follow me, and by the way, my names Caleb."