Keepers

I was running. My bare feet hit the ground nosily, clothes clung to my body like a second skin and my heart threatened to explode at any second. I slowed my pace and collapsed into a heap. Where was I? I wondered. I looked around and became even more puzzled. It was night; light dew hung on the trees above. I inhaled, breathing in the earthy smell. It had happened again. I sighed and closed my eyes. Not being in control was driving me crazy. I curled my body into a fetal position. When would it stop?

It had started 5 months ago, right after my 17th birthday. I had noticed the changes in my body; I was stronger and more energized. I didn't need much sleep, but when I did succumb, this was the outcome. The constant, uncontrollable running was frustrating. I would go to bed and wake up in some strange place, always running.

'Help me, please.' The soft whisper filled with agony floated through my mind. I gripped my head and curled into an even tighter ball.

'Someone, anyone. Please.'  Tears ran unheeded down my face. I felt as if I was going mad. I had heard this voice in my head for the past four days and I had no clue what it meant. Was I going crazy? Should I tell someone? What would I say? They would surely lock me away if I even suggested I was hearing voices.

"Are you okay?" a soft voice asked. I quickly scampered to my hands and knees; my body geared for whatever attack would come next. I breathed a momentary sigh of relief when my eyes landed upon a boy about my age. At least I wasn't hearing things still. I recognized him immediately and flushed with embarrassment as I struggled to develop a plausible reason for being all the way out here in the middle of nowhere. I glanced at him and twisted my face in confusion. What was he doing out in the middle of nowhere at this time of night? I got to my feet and took a few steps back, effectively creating distance between us.

"If you touch me, I'll rip your eyes out," I hissed. His eyes widened and he raised his hands in surrender. He was taller than me, maybe 5'10 or 5'11, his skin the color of the desert sand and his eyes were dark as the night sky.

"I wasn't planning on touching you," he replied with a hint of sincerity. "Truthfully." I bit my lip indecisively as I eyed him with suspicion.

"So, what're you doing here?" I demanded. I kept my eyes trained on him, just in case he was planning something sneaky.

"Same as you," he quipped. I tilted my head to the side and looked at him questioningly. "You hear her, don't you?"

"Hear who?" I wasn't falling for his trap. If he was somehow hearing the same voice I was, I would thank my lucky stars, because either that meant I wasn't crazy, or that we were both crazy. Either way, I wouldn't be alone anymore.

"I've seen you running," he stated eyeing me curiously. I shrugged nonchalantly.

"So, I like to run, no news there, stalker," I responded.

"I know you're scared. But we don't have time for games. There's a girl who's missing. You've probably seen her picture in the newspaper and posted all over the bulletin boards at school."

"Okay, what about her?" I asked. There was no way to miss the posters and prayer vigils that had taken place in the last few days after a junior named Sandy Matthews had disappeared.

"You hear her," he stated softly. I laughed humorlessly.

"I hear her?" I asked feigning confusion.

"We're called the keepers," he stated confidently. "We beat back the forces of darkness."

"The keepers? Wha....? I didn't ask for this," I lamented. "I don't want any part of this. I don't understand anything that's coming outta your mouth. 'Beat back the forces of darkness'? I just want things to go back to the way they were."