Night Shift

Chapter 18

The city centre is as dark as it was going out to see the stars. I thought there would be streetlights lining the sides of the roads or something, but either they don't exist or they didn't turn on tonight.

"Why is it so dark?" I ask.

Laura shrugs. "I'm not too sure. Maybe the power went out while we were out stargazing?"

I don't think that's the case, but I'm not going to press any further. I feel that this little endeavour is going to be pointless.

I look behind me, out the back car window. The lights from the mines are still on. They most likely have back up generators, but it still doesn't make much sense as to how the entire rest of the city is in total darkness.

Laura makes a right turn, and then immediately a left turn. The car rocks slightly: we've entered into a parking lot that's attached to the only shopping complex the town has town offer.

"What are we doing here?" I ask.

Laura parks into a random spot and switches off the car. "We're going to walk the rest of the way," she says.

I scoff. "What's the point of that?" I cry.

"Because that's what I want," she responds hotly. "Let's go."

I don't say anything; I hop out of the car and close the door harder than necessary. I want Laura to know that I am upset with her. She's stringing me along out of pity, and she probably thinks that she's doing charity work; helping out some sad and lonely slob that is me.

Either she didn't hear or she chose to ignore, but she didn't say anything about me closing the door harshly. She looks at the complex, a giant black shadow that towers over us. I can't see the doors or windows, or even a sign that shows the name of the complex. Everything is extremely silent.

"Let's go in," Laura says.

I look at her funny. "What? How?"

"Come on!" Laura beams. "Haven't you ever wondered what it's like to be in a shopping complex that's completely empty?"

"Yes, but I won't ever do it," I respond.

"Tonight, you will," Laura laughs, walking towards the giant shadow.

It's taking me a few seconds to realise what Laura is doing. What's the point? It's so dark, we're not going to see anything!

"Laura," I cry out.

She hushes me. "People will hear you!" she whispers. She's completely hidden in shadow now, I can't see her.

I'm feeling on edge. I didn't like what Laura insinuated earlier in the car, and I don't like how she's going back to being carefree like she did earlier tonight.

I edge closer towards the looming shadow. "Laura, this isn't right," I whisper.

Laura suddenly pops out from the dark and is right in front of me. She looks a little cross with me.

"You were completely fine trespassing on private property if it meant you got what you wanted. Why am I suddenly being berated by you?"

I laugh, the bitter taste in my mouth again. I don't know what else to say: I just don't want to be here.

"It's going to be fun," Laura suggests, her face lighting up again. "Please, just come with me!"

She grabs my hand and pulls me in. Her hand is still really cold. I can barely see anything, I'm relying on Laura to know what she's doing.

A piercing white light cuts into the darkness: a torch used from Laura's phone. I don't think I've seen her use her phone until now. I wonder if she has anyone messaging her at this time of the night.