What Lurks in the Dark

Chapter 9

I awoke to dim light peeking through my black curtains. My grey patterned sheets clung to my nude body. I climbed from my bed upon noticing Nathan's absence. My clock read that it was 4:00. I was grateful Nathan and I had the convenience of being able to go into work later. I slid on a shirt and some sweatpants, almost forgetting to put on my glasses. I tucked my phone into my pocket. I left my room and entered the bathroom, I took my glasses off and splashed water on my face to wipe the sleep from my eyes. I looked in the mirror after I put my glasses back on. I analyzed my face and something looked different, my eyes. They weren't inherently sad anymore. I always looked miserable. I smiled at my reflection.

I walked to Mason's bedroom and saw him beginning to wake up. I knocked at the doorway and Mason rolled over and looked at me with drowsy eyes. He ruffled his raven hair. "Yes?" He croaked and I almost laughed. His sleepy voice was always entertaining. He sounded like a little gremlin. He loathed it when I called him a gremlin but I found it way too amusing.

"Nathan and I are going to go to work soon, kiddo. Matt and Jamie will be here in a little while." He nodded his head and rolled back over. I texted Matt and he said he'd be over in a bit. I walked into the living room and noticed Nathan sitting on the couch. I gazed at him and took in his appearance. He was beautiful even when he looked like a mess. I could never get enough of those hazel eyes. Nathan was a work of art. He spoke on the phone and I listened in on his conversation. His voice was low and smooth.

"I'll let her know," he said sternly. I walked into the kitchen and prepared coffee as he hung up. "Good morning Edy," Nathan said sarcastically with a smug smile on his face. I rolled my eyes at him. "That was Commander Lee. They released Evan because there's no way he did all that from a jail cell. She also said they discovered the camera tightly nudged and covered in the shelf above your desk." I nodded as I put the coffee filter into my brewer. But who the hell put it there was the question. I couldn't think of anyone who'd have the motive to do that. I was just utterly confused, but one thing had stood out to me.

"That narrows down our search," I said, thinking of all the possible culprits.

"How so?" Nathan questioned and raised his eyebrow. Even he could've figured this one out. He always had so many theories in his head but it appeared that today wasn't one of those days.

"It's someone who has or had access to our office." It was like a lightbulb appeared over his head as I said that. He opened his laptop and began typing as I walked over with our coffee in hand. I sat next to him on the couch, lightly setting down our coffee,  and pulled my phone from my sweatpants pocket.

"We gotta go to work soon but I have to make sure Mason is going to be okay. Matt and Jamie should be here in a bit. But I have to find a therapist for Mason in the meantime," I planned aloud. I scrolled through my cracked phone in hopes of finding something affordable.

"He will be okay, Mason is a strong kid. He's a fighter." Nathan kissed my forehead. Butterflies swarmed in my stomach. There was something about Nathan that was just so endearing. It felt like a middle school crush, something that engulfed me and kept me swooning. I was so sure that I had hated him before but it was time to stop running. There was no point in pushing myself away from someone who wanted to take care of me. 

I found a number that belonged to a counseling service. I would've asked Jamie but I felt bad. I didn't want to put a lot on his plate after he was just leaving the hospital. I dialed it quickly and the reception picked up immediately. "Good afternoon, Advanced Counseling, Katherine speaking. How may I assist you?" The woman's voice was bright and gave me a little hope.

I had filed hella papers years ago that put Carter and me as Mason's legal guardians since their parents were fucking crazy. It was heartbreaking that they even signed them. He was almost 17 now and I only had a short amount of time before he was a real adult. Time was moving so damn fast. He graduated at 15 because he was a goddamned genius. When he first woke up in that hospital I almost didn't want to tell him of the time that had gone by but me keeping things from him only made shit worse. Even though he was growing older he would never stop being my kiddo.