The Midnight Within

Chapter 25

 Dark shadows surrounded Zakk and Daniel as they walked down the overgrown path. It was meant to be a private path but almost all the kids knew where it would lead them. Although in the dark it was almost impossible to see and if you took the wrong fork you could end up in the swampy reeds and cattails. Quite a few had even lost their shoes the muck, and of course the rumors abounded about the kids who had never come back. Through the brush they could see a soft glow of light and knew they were there.

" OH hell no Zakk! "

" It's not forever. Dip-shit. " Zakk pushed open the gray wooden gate with one hand and snagged the collar of Daniel's coat with the other, dragging his friend through the weeds and up the rotting wooden steps. They had meant to come out sooner, but got distracted when they stopped for supplies, followed by lunch the little burger shack . Zakk made Daniel ride in the back with his hoodie up over his head. It was probably over the top but Zakk didn't want to take any chances.

" Fuck this, Zakky, It's a stupid idea. " Swatting at Zakk, Daniel stepped off the rotting wooden porch steps with an irritated frown.

" Yeah well we won't know how stupid it is until we ask now will we? "

" Ask me what? " Chester was peering suspiciously out the crack of the door with the barrel of his shotgun pointed directly at Zakk's belly. Behind Chester his huge mastiff Tiny began to growl softly.

It was all Daniel needed to see. He was out from under Zakk's hand and backing away. " I'm outies. You two have a good chat. "

" Don't be a dick. " Shifting his weight from foot to foot, Zakk forced a salesman like smile as he launched into his spiel. " You always said that if anybody needed help to come to you, and I know you don't know us very well but can we come in and talk to you? "

The gun never moved as Chester eyed them both. " My help? What do you need my help for? You got a body in the trunk or something? "

" No, not quite. " Zakk laughed as he grabbed Daniel's arm to keep him from bolting. " My friend Daniel needs a place to crash for a few days someplace no ones going to want to look for him if you know what I mean. "

Still eyeballing them, Chester stepped back. " Just mind the dog. " He shooed the huge dog into the tiny kitchen before shuffling over to his favorite chair. Dropping into it he placed the shotgun over his knees. On the little TV the Vikings had just scored a touch-down too win the game. Zakk dragged Daniel inside, happily taking over the small couch and leaving Daniel the lone chair by the door. The place looked like it had not been cleaned in ages, but it was warm. Better than sleeping in the car tonight.

Chester was delighted to have company and more than happy to share his beer. The only other people he saw were some of the actors, Paulie the watchman, Jack and his snotty daughter Britt. His nephew Thane had been missing for a few months now and he didn't blame the kid one bit , with the winter coming and the lack of crappy jobs anyone would have skipped town. Just in case Thane decided to come back, Chester always left the light on.

" Beer's in the fridge if either of you boys want one. It's not much but it's cold and wet. "

He flashed them a toothless grin, waving at the salmon colored fridge. " So what can I do for you? "

" Like I said, Daniel needs a place to crash for a few days and we thought maybe he could stay here. It's a good place to hide out and we can help with whatever at the haunt. "

Chester speared Daniel with a knowing look as he fished a lucky strike from his shirt pocket. " Got yourself into some hot water did you? Ayup, I been down that road before. Can't say I see a pretty boy like you lasting very long in the pokey either. Eat you right up they would. " Cackling he brought his warm beer to his lips, his faded grey eyes dancing behind the lip of the can.

Zakk, burst out laughing so hard he started to cough. His face tuning as red as his shoes. He tried to catch is breath and lost it again when he saw the look on Daniel's face. He never knew Chester had such a great sense of humor.

Before Zakk stopped laughing, Daniel was up out of his chair and out the door, screen door banging loudly behind him as he pounded down the old wooden steps. He was so mad he could have spit nails. How dare they joke about him like that, it was his life they were making light of.

" You stupid asshole. " Zakk was huffing behind him after catching up. They were almost to the parking lot.

" Fuck you! You think this is funny? "

" Dude! I was trying to help you or have you not noticed. "

" Look, I know your trying to help but it's not your problem. "

" Shit. You're always my problem. Now get you're ass back to the trailer. There's a pot of Squirrel stew on the stove.

Daniel's face whitened, as his stomach growled. " And what do you plan to be doing while I'm stuck in hell?

" Make phone calls as I try to track my missing friend or did you forget the fight we had the other night? "

" What about Mia? "

" What about her? "

" I can't, NOT let her know where I am, or that I am ok. "

" You can call her when you get out of town. "

Still feeling a bit sullen Daniel turned around and headed back towards Chester's. He was shivering under his long trench now that the sun had sunk behind the tall pines. A cold beer was sounding better and better, besides the actors for the haunt would soon be showing up, and over half knew him by name, and probably knew more about what happened than he himself did. It didn't feel real. It felt like a dream he couldn't wake up from.

" OK, just a few days, until I can figure out where I want to go. "

" Good, I think my balls have frozen solid. "

" Maybe you could ask Chester to warm them up for you. " Daniel teased as he blew a kiss at Zakk before gleefully running down the path with Zakk hot on his heels.