Page 1 of Shadows Within
Prologue
Four Years Earlier
Scarlett
When I was around four years old, I would always ask my dad to check under the bed and in my closet for monsters before I went to sleep. We’d laugh as he’d lift the covers off the ground and say, “none under here honey.” As I grew up, I realized that the monsters that would scare me most are already in my life, disguised as people that I should trust.
I’ve always been a homebody, so a house party on a Thursday night is the last place I want to be seen. My best friend, Sophia, basically dragged me out of the house to come. And on top of that, I’m wearing too much eyeliner. The burgundy colour she put on my eyelids helps to make my green eyes pop. Sophia is naturally bossy. After all, she’s the daughter of a lawyer and the captain of a cheerleading squad.
I make my way into the marble lined kitchen to get a drink. The heavy bass drums out of the speakers and runs through my body. There are so many people here, and I don’t know most of them. We only started classes at Langford University a couple of weeks ago, and the transition from our small local high school to an ivy league university has been tough. I’m completing my undergrad in psychology—I doubt I’ll see any of my classmates here. Even if I do, I’m not very social.
Of course, Sophia brings me here and leaves me to fend for myself.I need to find her.I push through the crowd and see herstanding by the pool outside. Her hot pink bikini pokes through her translucent white cover up, showing off her long, tan legs.
“Sophia!” I yell.
She tilts her head back with a drink in her hand and laughs, clearly flirting with the captain of the football team. I chuckle to myself—of course she is.
“Dammit Sophia, you told me we could leave after an hour, it’s been almost two.” I’m glad one of us is enjoying ourselves.
“Chill out, Scarlett.” She laughs and takes another sip of her drink.
I sigh and sit on a wet pool chair. My ass gets slightly damp—now I’m both cold and miserable. I lean back against the chair’s cheap plastic and close my eyes. The music gets louder.I’ll give her fifteen minutes, then we’re gone.
All I can smell around me is alcohol—it feels like poison seeping into my skin. I cross my legs and try to relax for a few minutes.
I scan the area to see if I know anyone. Someone catches my eye. He leans against the pool shed and stares directly at me. His icy blue eyes pull me in. I get lost in them and am unable to look away. He’s not just lookingatme, he’s studying me. I continue to watch him. He takes a swig of his drink—it’s controlled and precise. I notice his dark hair and chiseled jaw.
When we break eye contact, my gaze instinctively drifts down his body. His broad shoulders are concealed by an expensive looking, plain black t-shirt. His dark green shorts accentuate his muscular legs.Damn, that’s a man if I’ve ever seen one.
I look away, breaking the invisible bond between us. I hastily take a sip of my drink.
~~~~~~
I wake up, my head is pounding. The air is hot. My hair sticks to my face. I don’t see anything around me that I recognize. I lie on a bed, the walls around me are a deep red. I pat my body down—thank God, my clothes are still on. As I sit up, my ears ring. There’s a faint light in the corner of the room, and I spot a closed door. Tears roll down my cheeks. I pick my phone up from the floor then lunge for the door handle. My legs ache.I don’t remember coming here, where am I?
I open the door, and I hear the same loud music from earlier. I’m still at the party…I need to find Sophia. I unlock my phone and call her. My hands shake and tears continue to flood my face as the panic settles in.Come on, please pick up.No answer.
I hesitate as I walk down the stairs, slowly finding my bearings. My feet feel unsteady, and my legs aren’t responding as quickly when I move them.
There aren’t as many people here now, and I don’t recognize most of who is left standing in the kitchen. It’s three thirty in the morning. The last thing I remember is sitting by the pool—it was just after eleven then.
Cold sweat covers my back and my chest heaves. I cover my mouth to muffle a cry.
Don’t make a scene.
I finally spot Sophia sitting on the couch. She has a drink in her hand and looks exhausted.
Did she notice that I was gone? No, that doesn’t matter… we just need to leave.
As I approach her, the motion makes my stomach swirl. I think I might puke.
Sophia looks up at me.
“Scarlett, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”
She stands and steps toward me, grabbing my arm.
“Sophia, we have to go now.”
