Ray of Light

Chapter 3- Into the Light

I didn't rush back to work. It wasn't far at all, but I took the journey calmly. Serenity seemed to be pulsing through my veins. I wasn't even sure why I was so happy.

As soon as I reached the lab, Jason inevitably verbally pounced on me with, 'So what did that freak want?'

'He gave me this,' I said, flashing him the brown parcel.

'Open it, dipshit.' He seemed to be more curious than I was. He tore it apart with an explosion of paper... to reveal empty air. 'Huh? Is this it? Some air? Thoughtful little punk.'

'No, I think you dropped it. Here it is.' I ignored his sarcasm and reached for a small white strip of paper that had managed to fall to the ground silently. It was folded in half. Feeling a burst of deep expectation, I stretched it open as if my life's meaning would be scrawled in it.

"Cherry Park, this Friday, 11:30pm. Into the Light", I read out its cryptic guidelines. We were both silent. This was dubious, to say the least. I felt cheated. I hadn't signed up for this bullshit. 'This has got to be some kinda joke...' I muttered.

'So he wants you to go to the nearby park that late on a Friday night? What kind of freak is he? Leon, don't do this. Report this to the police.' Jason wasn't pretending; he genuinely reckoned I should report it.

'Well... I don't know. Not yet. Not until we don't understand it completely. I mean, "into the light?" What's that supposed to mean?

'He's just drawing you into his sick world. Drop it. You don't want to get involved in this.'

'It must be some sort of clue. 'Into the light'... Maybe we need to stay in the park until the morning?'

'Well, assuming this isn't a trap of some sort... I really doubt it. He wouldn't make you wait that long. If he wants to show you something, he'd show it to you at the time and place he's given you. Maybe that's his signature, or something. I mean, does it really matter? I don't think he expects you to understand it anyway.'

Jason had a point. I decided, at least for the time being, I would keep it only between Jason and myself. Today was Monday, so I had plenty of time to change my mind and visit the police station if needed. Otherwise... perhaps I would be giving up my Friday night? I didn't know. Either way, I was glad I had a trusted confidante who had given me his advice. Sometimes I get lost in my own head too easily.

+++

The days were flipped over like pages of a book, except without words. Nothing had happened. No thoughts had entered my head. Whatever we had discussed on Monday, that was as far as I had gotten. It was Friday afternoon already, and Jason was demanding answers.

'You still haven't seen the police? So you're really gonna follow through with this?' He was shocked.

'I... Yeah. I think I am.'

'...wow, man. If that's how it's gonna be... I'm coming with you.'

'What?'

'You heard me.'

It was enough that I risked my own life for this stuff, but I didn't feel right letting my best friend endure the risk of this sketchy plan. 'No, you can't.'

'You can't stop me.'

'...I hate you sometimes, you know that?'

He grinned. It was gonna be his way, or no way. After some discussion, I had to agree.

'Its going to be a hell of a Friday night,' he anticipated.

'Yes,' I replied, 'yes, it is.'