Page 32 of Dead By Dusk

The house is as I remember it. Clean, very little furniture, a broken lamp near the door in the living area. Shuffling sounds throughout the floor as the search for anything or anyone is well underway by the time Nate and I join the others. I just observe the organized, frenzied chaos that is the woman roaming the area.

Thunder, loud and commanding, rings out through the house, shaking the very foundation as lightning cracks across the graying skies and sends light through each window, illuminating the rapidly darkening room.

Shadows fall over Silene’s face as she immediately turns to me. Her eyes are wide as tension spreads through her body like a disease making it hard to breathe. For all her talk, she’s never been one for thunderstorms. Never been able to stomach the way the Earth would shake beneath our feet as if it were about to open up and swallow us whole. I never understood her fear, but I remember the first time I noticed it and the way she endlessly denied it. I remember the offered comfort and the shiver that overcame her as she laid her head over my beating heart and let the rhythm lull her to sleep.

She’s looking at me for comfort that I know she’ll never allow me to provide in this moment, preferring stiff muscles and uneasiness over the contentment and safety I used to cocoon her in. She’s denying me the pleasure of taking her fear away.

“If we’re all clear, I say we check to see if there’s food and running water. There’s wasn’t much in the forest in terms of hunting.” It’s Nate’s voice behind me, calm and steady as he speaks. I refuse to tear my eyes from Silene as she slowly nods her head, though I’m not sure if she actually agrees.

“The water ran well enough when we woke up here. I’m assuming it still does. There are nonperishables in the cabinets…I checked already. I still think we should check the room first,” Silene says.

“Who does it hurt if we get cleaned up and eat first, though?” Again, it’s Nate who counters her argument, and her expression of neutrality seems to falter almost as if she doesn’t trust the man before her. As if his argument seems unusual to her, but she easily slips on a mask of indifference to hide the mistrust that seems to linger longer than it should. Longer than she usually allows herself to go without a mask in order to keep her true feelings tucked away from the watchful eyes.

“I think if there is someone in that room, leaving it untouched could causea lotof harm.” The second she saysthe words, we’re plunged into silence and darkness as thunder booms all around the house, shaking the wooden floor and rattling the untouched broken glass lay untouched. Shakes my bones as we all become nothing more than shadows in an impossibly black room. I can imagine the horror on Silene’s face just as well as I can hear the shuffling of light feet after a small gasp.

Carmen, most likely. The woman who doesn’t seem afraid of the dark or creatures that walk within it as much as she fears those who she’s seen in the daylight. Those who have looked her in the eye, walked by her side and promised her safety as much as they have fed her lies. The conversation last night, a short distance from the prying ears of a liar in the midst of confusion…

A liar.

The one I’ve been labeled as but have no recollection of being.

A soft hum sounds through the house before we’re covered in a yellow fluorescent lighting once again. A backup generator, I assume, which does make sense if this house was used often enough. It also makes sense if there’s something else hiding here that we haven’t caught sight of.

Yet.

I look around my peers. Each silent and still, none where they were before the darkness overtook the room besides her and me. As suspected, our dreamer is standing shoulder to shoulder with Silene, their pinkies interlocked again, while Silene’s hand grips the hilt of one of her knives so hard that her tan knuckles have lost all color. Nate is several steps behind me, one foot resting on the first step of the stairs as if he is ready to quickly ascend and disappear. Adonis, the heaviest of us all, managed to move the farthest. His body, strong and wide, is knelt by the bedroom frame. Kneeling by the broken glass. Redblood drips down dark fingers and white porcelain as an edge digs into the palm of his hand.

I can’t explain how I know this for sure, what it is about everything that I’ve seen and heard up to this point, but something urges me to be cautious. Deep down I know…

One of usislying.

It isn’t just a fear of Silene and Carmen’s, it’s a truth.

But who?

Is it the one who cloaks himself in silence everywhere he goes, the dreamer dancing in nightmares, the leader who looks at everyone as if they’re a mystery, or the vicious woman who can’t help but keep running?

Or is it me?

16

A Passing Storm: Silene

The water around me is hot, thank God. I wasn’t sure if it would be after the extensive shower I took, ensuring I was as clean as I possibly could be before filling the tub.

The storm that rages outside is frightening, and the tension still hasn’t left my shoulders. I know breaking the door down first would have been the better option, but after the power went out, I don’t think I had it in me to continue arguing my point. I don’t think I could pretend I wasn’t scared out of my wits any longer than I already have. Not when it’s just a stupid fucking storm. A stupid storm and three days worth of blood and grime coating my body, while my mind feeds me half-truths and circumstance forces me to stand beside those I don’t trust.

I don’t know how long I’m in here before the door slowly creaks open, slightly followed by quick raps against the white wood. I know who it is before I see him. Know exactly what the lean, muscled arms will look like before they even come intoview. Know there’s no reason for my body to stiffen more, but it does anyway when I choose not to look at the man who I hated long before I loved.

The man who I’m supposed to hate now, who I’m supposed to be ready to kill. But I’m not. I would rather keep running from him until my very last breath if it meant I didn’t have to be the one to watch the life slowly dissipate from his eyes as he accepts his fate. I don’t want to do it, yet I’ve already vowed to be the one who does.

“We found a couple towels and blankets. They’re not much, but it’s something. We also took down the rest of the curtains in every room.” His voice is soft and uncertain. It’s…different from what I’m used to hearing from him as he places a towel and large strip of dark fabric from one of the curtains on the counter top in neat square folds. Meticulous, for no reason, since I’m about to use them anyway. Though it may be to keep himself busy and facing away from my body just a few feet away from him.

“You know there’s nothing you haven’t seen, Ronan. You don’t have to be so cautious right now.” The words are lighter than I feel. His shoulders jump slightly as a quiet laugh escapes him.

“You know I would never just look without your express permission, love. And that wasn’t it.”

A sharp intake of breath is my only response as I continue looking at his back and the way his muscles move underneath his shirt as he continues his listless movements.

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