Telltale

Red Cup

Shay thrust the red plastic cup into my outstretched hand, saying “Drink this.”

I looked at it, contemplating the decision I was about to make. It was cold against the palm of my hand, and goose bumps rose upon my arms. The cup held a way to freedom—something I could control amongst everything that had changed. A way of release—to feel something different from the ever consuming fear that had plagued me ever since the car crash.

I tightened my grip momentarily, darting my gaze from the crumpled cup in my hand to Shay. She nodded an encouraging smile, her brown eyes gleaming. “Go on, drink up. Last day before the start of Grade Twelve. That calls for some fun!” She raised her own hand, gulping down the contents with a flourish.

Shay. The girl I had meet only yesterday, bursting into the dorm building to interrupt my lonely mopping. Leaving the confines of my room I had went out to exchange a few hellos. The unfamiliar faces and voices breaking through the silence that had been my only companion. I relished in it, and knowing that I shouldn't I had found myself hanging out in Shays room. That leading them to invite me to this party.

And here I am. I threw back my head, the plastic pressed against my lips as I tipped the alcoholic laced juice down my throat. The bitter after taste making me hitch in a cough, and blink back raised tears. “Here, here.” I said, my throat stinging. I knew it wasn't the smart decision, but even with this knowledge I smiled. 

As a way to subside the last of my doubts, I let the smile fill up my face. I tried to sense the darkness within me, but it seemed to be held back. In relief, I suspected that the alcohol might help to muffle its effects. I didn't want to hurt anyone tonight. 

Her voice broke through these thoughts, “Here, let me introduce you to some more of my friends.”

I didn't protest as she grabbed my hand, pulling me along with her. My feet sank into the grass beneath me, we were on the fields near the dorm building. Her fingers were reassuring against mine as we made our way to the large bonfire, slipping between the clusters of people. The sky was dark before me, stretching out to encompass the scene in twilight.

The blazing fire offered a pleasant warmth and light as we neared it. Stopping at the outskirts of the flames, she introduced me to her group of friends. Bright orange light played over there unfamiliar faces, as I hastily introduced myself.

They once again settled into a lull of conversation, me silently sipping from my cup. With each sallow the liquid settled in my stomach with warmth that spread through and heaved my limbs. The shyness that I was feeling slowly eased away, and I began to throw in some comments.

As I drank more and refilled my cup, the night seemed to speed up, an hour passing in a blur. The Irish accented words rolled into one cascade that filled up my ears. The colours seemed to flow together, muffling everything into dark hues. The blaze of alcohol hit my brain, bringing a haze over my thoughts.

At some point a little while later I found myself leaning into someone, supporting my swaying body. Shay come up behind me, saying “Shittered already?! And so early in the night too.”

The laugh bubbled out of my chest, my reply coming out slurred but legible. “Nah, I can handle my liquor.” She sent me a look, before turning the other way.

I then realized that there was a hand around my waist, and I looked up. It was one of the guys I had been introduced to earlier, his name on the tip of my tongue. He looked similar to Eli, with his stock of blond hair and open, kind face. This name seemed to shock some sense into me...I wan't supposed to let myself think about him.

I gently lifted away his hand, stepping away from the shelter of his wide set shoulders. He looked down at me, his gaze filmed over, lids drooping over watery blue eyes. I cast over for an excuse, but nothing came to mind. My eyes strade from his, my focus wavering as I realized for the first time that we were right near the edge of the forest.

I squinted my eyes, attempting to see through the haze of liquor and into the shadows of the forest. A strange hope sprang up into my chest. That I might glimpse the boy I had meet two days ago.

“What are you looking for?” Jeremy said...yes that was his name.

“I don't know.” I replied, my words falling off into silence. What was I looking for again?...my brain went in circles. Before it clicked back onto the boy, the forest/mystery boy.  “Do you see anything?” I asked as I resumed my search. The shadows were complete, the whole forest an expanse of camouflage.

His words were drawn out with his accent, slipping into a hushed deep whisper. “No one wants to look for things in that forest. Gives me the creeps, it does.”

I waited for a time, before replying, my attention diverted from him. A streak of white broke through the black, coming to stop at the edge. There he was, standing against a tree trunk, his figure hazy in my wondering vision.

A gasp must have escaped from my throat, making more people to draw up beside us. “What is it?" One of them asked, seeing the focus of my attention.

“There is someone in there.” I brought up a finger that was hardly steady. My jacket  sleeve slipping down from were it had been pushed up to my elbows.

“Bullshit. I don't see nothing.” That was Shay, disbelieve in her voice.

He stood oddly motionless, the branches from the tree moving as he remained shock still. Was he not going to come forward? 

“Go on then.” This was someone else, issuing the words like a challenge. “I dare you.”

“Into the forest?” I shrugged my shoulders, and met the gaze of the one who had just dared me. “Sure.” I said it bluntly. I wasn't one easily scared, the alcohol running through my veins adding even more recklessness to the one word.

I took my first step forward, my balance wavering. My feet were sluggish bricks beneath me. I hoped I could make it without stumbling and falling on my face. I made progess slowly, only raising my eyes once I had neared the edge of the forest. 

He hadn't moved an inch, his posture stiff and unyielding. He stood out against the backdrop of darkness, his figure etched in unsettling shadows. The moonlight caught his face, and for the first time I was able to totally see him.

His mouth was set in a hard line, but the corners of his eyes seemed to soften, something like apprehension flickering inside the depths.  His gaze unnerved me as he continued to stare, not offering even a blink. All of a sudden, the evening air  seemed very cold, causing a shiver to creep up my spine.

The moonlight lay softly over his angled features, washing out the warm golden of his skin. His eyes seemed to have absorbed all the light. They were a tawny brown, fading into a darker shade towards the pupil. They were absorbed with such a warmth that it seemed to dispel the gloom shrouded around his tall figure.

He shifted over, making me realize with embarrassment how long I had been staring. I felt a flush creep up into my cheeks, and I said the first thing that came into my foggy mind. "Out to join the party?" The words sounded ridiculous as they fell into the silence, high and slurred.

I inwardly cringed, my cheeks growing even hotter as I continued to stand there swaying. I looked down at the ground to avoid his gaze, to find it lurching beneath me. Then I fell, the ground rushing up with such speed that I could only throw out my arms and hope to catch myself. No such luck, I thought sarcastically, with my face pressed into the damp, soft earth.

I moaned, wishing life were over as I felt large calloused hands wrap around my upper arm. He pulled me up with surprising ease, settling me on my feet before he hastily retracted his hand. I brushed off my face before saying in a small voice, “thanks.”

“Drank a bit to much?” The words contained humour, and I saw a smile tug at the corner of his lips.

I was about to reply when I felt an uncomfortable pulling within my chest, like the stretching of an elastic string. My shoulders stiffened. No, it couldn't be, I thought with dread.

It continued to grow in strength within me, creeping forth with a slowness that I recognized as the alcohol in effect. But it was not stopped all together. He must have noticed my sudden change, for he hesitantly stepped backwards, a question displayed over his features.

I opened my mouth to tell him to run, just as the elastic within me released with a snap. A tree branch broke with a crack... right over top of him.