Turned

Chapter Two

When I awoke, I found myself in a shallow grave, tears rolling down my cheeks, sweat covering my shirt as I peeled it off like a grape.

I threw it on the floor, confused and scared, I saw the dark stain on the shoulder, a large patch of brown. I had hoped it was brown sauce but reason told me it wasn't. I shivered with fear, unable to hold back the terror and panic.

Had I been... killed?

Had someone tried to kill me, buried me thinking I was dead?

I shook that thought out of my mind, buried it. I couldn't believe it, I didn't want to think that was even possible. Who would want to kill me? I couldn't think of anyone yet it could've been anyone.

Was it someone at the pub? Had someone been watching me? Had they seen my route and followed me, seeing an opportunity as the fog emerged?

I checked my pockets. I pulled out my wallet, my phone, now dead, completely flat. My wallet wasn't raided, my debit card was still sat, staring at me and my phone, although it wasn't new, was still worth something if robbery was motive.

I had little to offer, I hadn't been in the pub, splashing the cash and making a show of myself, I'd been good, quiet, peaceful. I'd sat and drank a couple of beers with a few mates, buying one round, another friend brought another which I drank, to be polite but made excuses before our other friend offered.

The darkness sung its tune, I could hear the owls and I wasn't cold, despite my lack of a shirt, I felt... warmth, even walking home was easy, the fog must've eased, I could see through it but didn't doubt I'd need a shower, I stunk of dog manure, my jeans were covered in it, stained by it.

I shook off the dirt from my shallow grave. The moon glowed in the sky, almost as bright as the sun while the stars seemed unusually illuminated. It was as if I was seeing the sky for the first time, all its beauty, its magnificence.

I completely forgot about my state, I felt so calm, like the fear had just melted away but I had to get home, I had to keep walking, get home and throw on a pair of clean jeans. I didn't want sleep, I didn't need it, it felt like I'd rested for ages, too long.

My joints felt stiff, achy. I stretched but it made it feel worse, like pins and needles jabbing at my flesh. I could barely hold it together but I wasn't cold, it was like the wind just brushed off me, the howling continued, the wailing of the wind, the weeping tears of rain started but I felt neither wet or cold as I kept walking, following a clear path towards home.

Home was a small two-bedroomed flat I shared with a friend, Matt.

I tried to run the stiffness out of my legs but soon realised that was an awful mistake when I landed in a puddle of water, sighing at its position on my jeans.

I was convinced my day couldn't possibly get any worse, after all, it was already shaping up to be a complete nightmare.

I believed I just drank more than I remembered or something dodgy and fell unconscious or decided to sleep in a shallow grave amongst the beetles, ants and worms, with dirt in my blonde hair and on my clothes, not camouflaging the dog's present on my jeans as it ran down them, turning liquid from the puddle I found myself in.

I was going to have one hell of a story when I got there, I'd have to throw my jeans in the wash or the bin, a waste but I didn't care, I wanted the nightmare to finally end.

I rummaged through my pockets, looking for my keys, sighing as I came up empty. Just my luck, I probably lost them in the pub or in my shallow grave, a place I wasn't going to head back in to find them, if I walked into the pub, I'd look a fright, if I jumped back into that grave, I might not make it out again.

I kept walking, meeting civilisation again, a woman walking her dog. Despite her horrified face, it felt good to see another face, like I was warm and fuzzy inside.

I was near my flat, sharing the ground floor flat with Matt. It wasn't too dark, I guessed at least, the dog was probably out for a late-night walk.

I hammered on the door, begging Matt to let me in. I didn't care about him giving me lip for getting hammered, not calling or coming back, he'd be worried but I'd smooth things over.

I kept hammering on the door until finally it opened, Matt swung it open, I recognised him instantly, I could never forget his mass of thick black curls and a slight tan to his skin. I was glad to see him, shocked to see him practically ripping it off its hinges. In surprise, I looked, confused as Matt stared at me, like he was seeing a ghost.

"Matt, what is it?"

"Jack? I..."

"What? Come on, I stink, I need a shower and some clothes, please?"

"You know the way to your room and your shower" Matt replied, offering his cold, confused look as he moved aside and let me in.

"You trying to tell me you kicked me out?" I asked as I stepped inside.

"Why... why would I? What the hell happened to you?"

"I went for a long walk after our drinks and I... I guess I must've drank too much because next thing I know, I'm waking up and you're looking at me funny"

"Go... go for a shower... you stink" Matt ordered.

He was right, I did. It felt like months since I left with Matt and Leo.

I took my time in the shower, letting my muddy jeans fall in as I washed my light blonde hair, the water so relaxing as shampoo helped clean last night's events from my hair.

When I was done, I rinsed my clothes. Wrapping a towel around me, I hurried into my room and threw some clothes on. Nothing special, a simple pair of jeans, a couple of holes in them but what did I care and a simple black t-shirt I got from a concert I liked.

Matt hovered outside the door, it caught my attention because for him, it was strange, he wasn't the type. I opened the door and looked at him for a few seconds, surprised.

"Matt, are you okay?"

"Where did you go?" he asked.

"What do you mean? You know where. I was with you guys, you and Leo then I tried to head home, must've lost my keys... I'll pay for a new set, I promise" I explained, adding about the keys so I wouldn't forget or look dishonest.

"Jack... you didn't" he explained.

"Ok, stop it, I know what happened and that's not funny, I've had a rough night, I'm tired and I just want to sleep"

"What date is it?" Matt asked me.

Stammering, I tried to think. "It... it must be October the 3rd?" I questioned, looking for a hint on his face. "Or the 4th, why?"

"Matt... it's the 6th, you've been missing for three days"