The Dark Side of the Moon

Chapter 21: Florence and Kyle

-Florence’s P.O.V-

The old light flickered above our heads as we all took small bites of pizza, everybody afraid of breaking the awkward silence. Matt was discreetly texting away on his phone under the gnarled, wooden table and Jackson had just settled for staring distantly out the kitchen window. As for my creepy-stalker-man Kyle, he was seated comfortably next to me and munching loudly on a piece of crust.

Rule number one: never let the creepy-stalker-man into your house, because then you’re screwed. Well I may have already broken that rule, even though it wasn’t exactly my idea to invite him in. Our legs were centimetres apart, and it was an effort not to let them touch, then it would be super awkward.

Oh god, how do I get out of this situation? I was dying to excuse myself and dash up to my room – I was due over at Annie’s any minute now anyway – but it was always a family rule never to be rude to your guests. As if sensing my desperation, Kyle cleared his throat, wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood up abruptly.

“Well it was nice of you to invite me in for dinner, but I really must go now. A pleasure to meet you Jackson and Matt,” he nodded at my brothers, who distractedly mumbled goodbyes and smiled.

“I’ll show you to the door,” I offered, scraping my chair back and hastily opening the door for him to slide through. Once he was outside, he smiled at me once more.

“It was... interesting to have dinner with you Florence. I’ll see you around,” was all that he said, and then he turned away and jogged down the limestone steps and mounted his bike, revving the engine while quickly pulling on a helmet. He was gone in a flash, with the hushed sound of a distant purr announcing his leave.

I left the door wide open, calling a goodbye to the boys before grabbing my overnight bag from my room and bounding outside. Annie’s house was two blocks away but it was an easy walking distance and in the odd sunset coloured light from the summer, it was also easy to see.

My ankle boots clip-clopped on the hard pavement as I walked, excitement clear in every step. Annie had promised that we’d watch all of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies tonight, a Johnny Depp marathon and I couldn’t wait to get started.

The path was slightly dim, with lamp posts flickering at odd intervals to illuminate certain patches of asphalt. Looking across the road, I spotted a homeless looking, lone man grinning weirdly at me from the fluorescent light. My pace quickened and I yearned to be holed up inside Annie’s house, safe and sound while watching my favourite pirate actor.

My heart beat thumped distinctively, growing faster by the minute as if my body was tensing and preparing to run, even though I hadn’t seen the danger yet. Alarm bells were sounding in my head as an odd foreboding feeling crawled over me, blanketing me in fear.

Thump. My heart sounded to the beat of the flickering lights ahead, my focal point as I was too afraid to look anywhere else.

Thump. Annie’s house was visible now, standing tall against the bleak background in all of its deep red glory. So close, yet so far away.

Thump. The light ahead fizzled suddenly and darkness shrouded the path ahead for at least twenty metres.

Thump, thump. My heart beat increased double time. Was that a freaky gasping sound that I could distantly hear, the sound of heavy breathing right behind me?

Thump, thump. That definitely had to be the sound of footsteps echoing behind me, but I didn’t dare look. My shoes were pounding now, racing me towards Annie’s house, towards my sanctuary.

A curse sounded behind me, now that had to be real. It was so lifelike, the deep voice of a male and the pattering of feet as my chaser pursued.

Strong, warm arms wrapped around my torso and the air in my lungs whooshed out as I exhaled in shock. The grip grew tighter, and the seed of fear inside my mind grew to a flourishing vine. Excited whispering was heard above me, but I was too scared to comprehend what they were whispering about.