Dark Alteration

Desperate to Control

The sky is thick with darkness, no light except for a full moon glowing radiantly. Silhouettes dance in a trance like state all around as a breeze picks up from the east. It's a strange sensation; almost like a cold ice that's just out of reach of the senses. You know it's there but you just can't grab it.

Sitting up, I'm alone. Where did they go? They were just here. Did they leave me? Certainly not. I can't be alone. Why am I alone?

Reaching for my torch next to my sleeping bag, I stumble to my feet, turning it on. Disoriented as the torch warms up, my eyes blurred. Having adjusted to my surroundings I can see; there's no one here. This makes no sense...alone?

"Jon!" I yell into the trees. "JON!!" no response is given. "Riley?!" and nothing, still.

I begin walking. Walking into thick darkness, my torch seemingly unable to penetrate my surroundings. I can barely see my hand in front of my face. I continue calling for my mates but I feel almost silent. Is anything even coming out? Can anyone hear me? I don't understand.

'SNAP'

Twigs breaking under heavy weight from behind; I spin frantically. The small blade I carry now open in my hand. Will it even do any good? Do I even need it? My heart begins pounding in my ears, I can feel it in my throat. I'm so alone. But am I? Are we every actually alone? Stop. Not now. This isn't happening.

"Jon! Riley! Is that you?! This isn't funny! Knock this crap off!" as if any of that needs to be said. The leaves rustle directly ahead of me, but it's so dark. A heavy breeze blows through the treetops; I want to run but I'm frozen. A bead of sweat drips down my cheek. I can smell something. There's a stench carried by the breeze. Something dirty...something decaying...something -dead. The smell is so overwhelming I have to cover my face, I can practically taste it.

Jon? Riley? What is happening? What is that sound? That smell? It's getting closer. The window of opportunity for fleeing is gone. If I turn my back now I'll never have a chance. Did I ever have a chance?

Everything suddenly silent. The rustling, the wind. Just the sound of my own heartbeat and breath. It's too quiet. Painfully so.

A confidence builds in me and I scream, "HEY!! HEY YOU!! I SEE YOU! I KNOW YOU'RE THERE! YOU BETTER LEAVE! I HAVE A GUN!" but all I'm returned is deep silence. Maybe it's gone. I must have scared it off. Anything to make myself feel better, right? This doesn't explain anything. I'm left with more questions than answers. Where are my mates? Am I alone again?

Suddenly I hear a sound begin to pick up. A soft beating like that of a low base drum. A methodical rhythm building on itself, and it's happening fast; behind me. But it's too late. As I turn I'm hit by a car, at least that's what it feels like. I'm shoved to the ground, something big. It's on top of me, but it's too late. Claws. Teeth. Snarling. I struggle to fight but I'm far overpowered. Slashing. Biting. Growling. I try to scream, but nothing comes out. I taste blood, my throat, cut like paper. Deep into my vocal chords, it's useless. Gasping, punching, pulling, there's nothing I can do. I see the moon, radiating. Silhouettes of the clouds almost dancing in the breeze.

It's cold again; but I can't feel it.

And the sky; thick with darkness.

James wakes in a cold sweat, sitting prostate in his bed. Panting to catch his breath it takes a minute before he realizes his alarm is buzzing. He shuts it off as it ticks past 0431.

"Another fucking dream. Completely useless." mumbling under his breath he throws the covers off and heads toward the shower to rinse the night terrors from his body. He passes by his CD player, hits the play button and Aladdin Sane begins taking his mind to a better place. After his shower he prepares a light breakfast and skims news updates from his laptop. Just another morning in his cozy studio apartment.

His phone begins to ring, it's Jon.

"Hello?"

"GOODMORNING! Are you ready?!"

"Yup. As ready as I can be. Finished packing last night."

"Awesome! You don't seem excited. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. I just didn't sleep well last night."

"Well you'll get plenty of sleep on the plane! It'll be a long flight."

"Yeah, we'll see. When will you and Riley be at the airport?"

"I'm gonna meet her at PDX in about an hour so I'd try to get there by 0600 so we can get through security early. You could even take a nap while we wait to board! I'll buy you one of those neck pillow things!"

"Very funny. Okay I'll see you guys in a bit. Any last minute things I should make sure I have before I leave my house? Anything I need to grab on the way there?"

"Maybe a better attitude. Relax a bit, dude! This is the adventure of a life time! You're never gonna forget this trip. You know that, right?"

"Maybe YOU need to relax. It's not even five in the morning and you are being way too loud."

"Whatever man. You're just jealous."

"Jealous of what??"

"I don't know man, whatever. Hey, I'll see you in a bit. Drive fast and leave a sexy course!"

"Haha, whatever weirdo. See you in a bit."

"HA! I knew I could make you laugh! Alright, see you soon!"

James hangs up the phone and continues his morning routine. He packs some last minute toiletries in his bag and double checks his medication is packed before heading out the door. No harm in being as prepared as possible, he thinks to himself.

James has known Jon and Riley for what seems like a lifetime. They went through high school together only to separate for the first half of James' service in the military. The three were quick to reunite however and like close friends are, they didn't skip a beat. Jon had intended to join the military with James but complications arose in the application process and Jon decided it would be better to just go straight to college instead. Jon had some complications with the law as a kid and that's apparently frowned upon by the U.S. government. Oh, the irony. Riley joined alongside Jon through(<unnamed college>)and she became a physicians assistant while Jon chose the route of an EMT. They were two people with very big hearts and loved to help people.

James couldn't ask for better friends. In his darkest moments of life, there were Jon and Riley. It didn't matter how bad he got, he always had the support of his two friends. The three of them would do anything for each other. James also had his choice run-ins with the law shortly after his service, when his drinking became out of control. A couple of times Jon or Riley had been there to bail his drunk ass out of jail after a stupid bar fight or saying the right thing to the wrong person. James got a mouth on him after he'd had a few drinks. He hopes those days are behind him.

As soon as she saw him, Riley ambushed James with a hug like that hadn't seen each other in years, quickly followed by Jon.

Riley, excited, "How are you? I'm so happy to see you! Are you excited for the trip? It's going to be so amazing!"

"It's good to see you both, as well. Yeah, I'm really excited. A bit tired, I didn't sleep well last night. I'm sure I'll snap out of it sooner or later though."

"Yeah, you'll have plenty of time to nap on the plane!"

"Mhmm. That's what I'm told," sarcastically James replies. They continue to catch up a bit as they get checked in and make it to security to get cleared onto the plane. Jon goes up to the counter and from his bag removes a small box, setting it in front of the clerk. They chat and the clerk separates the box from the other bags and labels it. James watches as the small box disappears down the conveyor belt. They continue through the security checkpoint and find their gate, claiming some open seats next to each other while they wait to board the flight.