The Dark [part 2]

I hadn't heard from or seen Riley for four years now.  I was sixteen and vulnerable
and now I know not to repeat the words, remind myself of the misery, or talk about
it ever again.  Everytime my thoughts brought me back to him, I took some Tylenol 
and watched America's Home's Funniest Videos.  Then it was all better.  Angela
[my roommate] and I were like sisters.  She understood me and I understood her.
I'd just take that Tylenol and she knows to turn to that channel.  Then we sit
and watch and fall asleep.

But lately, these dreams have been reappearing.  Riley's been entering my thoughts
throughout half the day and I can't stop thinking about him.  Maybe he was still
alive out there, finding his way back home.  I could be safe or I could be in
grave danger, but it didn't matter.  If he was coming back for me, I would
take him back for sure.  No matter how high the price was.  As long as it didn't
affect anyone but me, I would take him back and maybe things could almost go
back to normal.  Well, maybe not normal.  No, not that, but maybe we could work
it out.

But tonight.  Tonight I was going out with Angela, Chris [her boyfriend, and my 
date, Tyler to dinner then movies.  I was going to forget about him and have a 
good time out.  I checked myself once more in the mirror and called Angela to 
hurry up.

                       "Come on, Angela.  You know, Chris hates it when
                       you do this  which is all the time."

                       "Just a few more touch ups..." she called back.

                       "Did you tell him about  you know."

                       "Should I?  Abortions are legal, you know."

                       "I don't know, Angie.  Abortions kill babies."

                       "No, I do." she said, laughing.
                      
                       I shook my head.  "You have horrible humor."

                       "So?  I can't have this baby."

                       "Then you shouldn't have done what you did
                       and waited til marriage like I am."

                       "Thanks, mom.  I'll be sure to put that in mind."

                       I rolled my eyes and grabbed the keys.

                       "You ready?"
                      
                       "No  the question is, are you ready?"

       Rob drove us to Mac's Grill and we ate lobsters and other seafood.  It
was all going fine  Tyler was hilarious  until I saw someone walk in in dark
clothing and the blackest of sunglasses.  I could have just shrugged him off
but I couldn't stop staring at him.  At first, I realised how rude I seemed, 
staring at him like a freak, but when he took his glasses off, my heart just...
stopped.  I knew those brown eyes  so dark it looked pitch black  so very empty.
And when I saw them, I just knew I couldn't be here.  Or maybe he couldn't be
here.  Either way, we weren't supposed to be near eachother.  It was starting up
all over again.  The darkness, the secret romance, the fear.  It would all come
back if I didn't do anything about it.  He took off his hat and I saw his hair.
His curly, black hair.  Sweetly poisoness.  He took off his coat and hung it.
And his pale strong arms  I remembered them wrapping around me.  Protecting
me from the devil.  Where Riley went, the devil followed and it knew.  When 
you sold yourself to the devil, there's no turning back.  You can't forget about
it and move on.  The worst part of it all?  It never failed to find me.

[part 2 end]