As I set my foot through the old creaking gate, a chill runs up my spine and back down again. Sending my nerves into a full on heart attack. the untrimmed bushes sway back and forth in the cool evening breeze. Nothing but fear takes over my slow, frightful steps. When I step onto the chipped stairs that lead up to the patio, an ear piercing sound finds its way into my ears. I pause. I can't do this.
As I turn to start sprinting back, I make eye contact with my "supportive friends." including Derick. with his wavy hair and dreamy eyes that are just urging me to go on. And Rylee. My best friend who was always looking out for me. They would come for me if something happened right?
They stand across the street silent. not daring to take another step.
When I regain full confidence, I turn back to the million year old house barely standing in front of me. I turn the rusted brass knob, push open the door slightly, and my nightmares become reality.
I'm pulled in by a cold, young hand. When I pull away from the bone chilling embrace, I look into the harsh brown eyes standing before me. It was Derick.
No, it was his twin. Andrew. I remember some time last year he had gone missing. and hadn't been seen since. Derick, Andrew, and I were always close. Even after Andrew went missing, Derick, always supported me and we remained friends. (though I had always wished it would have been more than that.)
"Andrew?!" I stare into his eyes in disbelief. He shares eye contact, not nearly as surprised as I am. Catching a glimpse of a long red scar across his neck, I flinch. He simply looks at me, down at his hands, and back at me again. "Miss me?!"
After that all I feel is an earth shattering pain in my head, and the drooping of my eyes as I lose consciousness.
I wake in what looks like an ancient basement, dusty and old. There's only one problem, I'm tied to a post.
When my eyesight completely returns, I see Andrew standing over a long table. Sharpening some kind of knife.
As he briskly swipes the rock down the blade, he starts humming out loud. A song I had heard before. 'Swing low, sweet chariot, comin forth to carry me home' His matured voice caught every little note and recited them perfectly. I never realized how much I had missed him.
When he finally realizes I'm awake, He transfers his song into a whistle, and slowly walks over to me. "Andrew, I have so many questions. Everyone misses you back home, if you come with me now, we can help you. I'm sure we can do something about that nasty cut of yours there."
He pauses, looks at me, holds his stare for a few more seconds, and goes back to his song. When I start to say more, words don't come out, for pain overrules them.
Andrew, Still whistling his tune without a care in the world, was slitting my wrists.
"ANDREW!!What are you doing?!" He doesn't show any type of response. He starts stroking his knife up to my shoulder, and back down to the sides of my hips, my dark red blood spilling across the dirt floor.
I let out a scream, And he cuts deeper into my bleeding flesh. Still whistling.
The more I scream, the louder his song becomes. not even noticing my blood all over his hands. His knife finds its way down to my legs, sending the dark red substance trickling down my feet. I start to bite my lip, trying to relieve myself of the pain; I end up swallowing more blood.
Through tears and pain, I manage to shout "Andrew! WHY?!"
He keeps whistling. After he finishes his ten minute version of his favorite song, He stands up straight and tall, holds the knife up to my neck, and swiftly but quietly, sends it tearing across my skin.
I choke on what little air I have left, and through my millions of tears I manage to make out a smile on Andrew's tired, cold face. His grin grows slowly, and his lasts words that ring into my ears are, "Have fun in hell FRIEND."
"I-I-" Words don't come out of my blood filled mouth. And all that comes after is darkness.... pure darkness.
I wake up screaming on Rylee's couch. Derick and Rylee are standing over me. "Lizzy Are you okay?!" Derick asks, with fear in his eyes.
I look down at my legs and wrists, smooth. I catch my breath and manage to say, "Yea, just a bad dream I guess." "What are you doing here?" I ask Derick.
He explains the situation, "Lizzy, we found Andrew!"
After a long pause, Derick gets into deeper detail. I hang onto every word, watching his warm eyes every second.
"He was living in that forest behind that creepy old house down the street." My eyes widen and I rush over to my sleepover bag to grab a clean shirt and a pair of jeans.
When we get to the hospital the nurse escorts us down the hall to Andrew's room. After a few minutes of hugging and catching up, Andrew asks for everyone to step outside except for me. I get a cold shiver. I was barely able to look him in the eye, how was I going to do this?
Right after the door closes behind Rylee, Andrew invites me to sit down next to him. I notice the same scar on his neck as in my dream.
A handful of other features resemble my nightmare Andrew as well. The tired, droopy eyes, the scar, the small scratches across his cheeks.
The only words that come out of his mouth were, "You know where I've really been for the past year."
After that, whistling. What song you ask? Well swing low of course. As I sit in shock, he lays in his wide bed while staring at the ceiling. Humming, and smiling away.
