Chapter 4: Perspective

Walking home alone was nothing new to Sara. But given the fight she had just witnessed, and an inability to shake the feeling that she was being watched, she was extra careful. Not caring whether she appeared paranoid, she looked behind herself often.

Relief came only when she was safely in her well-lit house, away from the shadows outside. My house…if only Mom and Dad could see what I’ve done with it…Her parents had died in a tragic car accident, both killed instantly. Sara was at school, and had received the news in class. They had an impressive life insurance policy, and after a few choice investments, she was set for life. At the time, however, this didn’t ease the pain.

Darren had been the only true source of comfort, by saying nothing. I suppose it was odd at the time that while everyone else was offering jewels of wisdom and saying proverbs, only he would choose not to talk. That was five years ago.

She had needed a shoulder to cry on, and his had always been open. They had developed a friendship, unchallenged by the petty things that threatened the relationships of others. A very deep, very intimate friendship that required more words to describe it than to maintain it. She stared at herself in the full-length hall mirror. He’s…what, 5’9…5’10”…I’m 5’7”… She smiled, then mentally berated herself. No! Just friends…that’s all we are. Nothing more. Besides…I’m nothing special. If he really wanted someone, he could get her.

A knock on the door startled her from her musings. This late? Who could that be? After arming herself with a long knife Darren had hung on the wall, she opened the door a crack, fingering the other knife she always carried with her. Nothing. Neighbor kids having fun, most likely.

She closed the door, relieved just a bit that it wasn’t Darren checking up on her. Maybe he finally realizes I’m old enough to take care of myself. And I have the alarm system if anything happens.

Darren left Sara’s house with some misgivings. She noticed me shadowing her home…and she knows enough to arm herself before opening the door this late…but she’s still somewhat naïve. Darren sighed as he noticed the dark clouds gathering overhead.

Not long now…I’ll never make it home in time. Instead of walking directly home, Darren decided to stop by the library on the way. It was officially closed, but thanks to Emily he had a key and the code to the alarm.

The key still fit, and the code still worked. Darren got in just as the torrential downpour hit. That’s some storm. He wandered among the old books in the basement, letting his thoughts direct him, sometimes wandering in large circles. He still had a while before Keith would get worried and call him.

Reaching out to the books, he noticed a large stained journal he had never seen before. He smiled. Usually at this point the journal will contain some unbelievably dark secret, sending me on a quest for something or other, uniting me and the heroine in perfect love, and all is right with the world. He dropped the book with a dark chuckle and spoke to nothing. “Real life doesn’t work that way. There’ll be no storybook ending. Who knows when the ending will come?” There wasn’t an answer. I wasn’t expecting one.

The rain had stopped. He locked up the library, reset the alarm, and left for home. Sleep…tomorrow’s Saturday. Sleeping in…then more research, and possibly a game or two of whatever Sara’s up for. That is, if she’s up for anything.

Keith was up reading a book when Darren walked in. “Hey man, been to the library?”

Darren knew what Keith was staring at. “Yeah, but I’m doing laundry this week, so don’t worry. I’ll get the dust off my clothes.”

Keith stared at Darren. “That’s not what I was worried about. Whenever you go there you come back all…mysterious and disturbingly quiet. You’re not yourself, Deacon. It’s not even the library that does that to you...it’s when you’re alone with your thoughts.”

Darren managed a smile. “I’m just tired, mostly. Not to mention some…physical exertion today.”

Keith’s jaw dropped, then snapped back into place. Darren noticed, and rolled his eyes. “You sicko. That’s not what I meant.”

Keith grinned. “Uh-huh. Sure. So what happened?”

Darren gave him the condensed version. Keith was familiar with Darren’s extensive skill in hand-to-hand combat, but had never seen it put to use. “Man…I wish I could’ve seen that.”

Darren smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you the security tapes from the college. Although they’ll want to pay both me and Antonio a visit…I sure hope he doesn’t think they’re from me. As much as I’d like to have a reason for violence…I’d rather not beat him down more than once. Usually the threat is enough.”

Keith shook his head. “Incredible. Well…it’s getting late. I’m going to turn in. Goodnight.”

Darren sat down on the couch. “Goodnight.” He willed himself to sleep within five minutes, a trait he was always thankful for.

Sleep was the ultimate escape for Darren. No more conscious thinking, nothing to worry about…just pure bliss in a sea of dreams.

When he woke up, from the look of the light, it was about 7 or so. He was still in the same position as when he sat down. He shook his head. Ugh…so much for pure bliss and sleeping in. Talk about soreness…I really should train more.

Thinking about training led to a mental recap of the fight. What could I have done better? Reviewing it in his mind, noting holes in his stance, constantly updating his style. Always working, always thinking. Thinking about the fight led to thinking about Sara. What was that look on her face? I really should go make an “official” check-up on her.

It took him five minutes to change clothes and outfit himself with all the necessary equipment. He scribbled a quick note for Keith. “Went jogging and to check on Sara. Be back before lunch. Of course, you won’t be up by then, so this probably won’t matter.”

It was an incredible day. Not a cloud in the sky, and at 7:38 in the morning according to his watch, it was a great temperature, and a perfect day for jogging. It had never really appealed to him, but Darren figured he could use the exercise. Good thing I don’t need a car. Where would I find the money for a car? Who among my friends has…oh, right. Sara. Heh. That would look interesting. “Hey, listen, I came to see how you were doing after I insulted your boyfriend, then beat him up. Oh, can I get a loan for a car?” Darren laughed aloud. Ah, good stuff. Although not to her.

Darren rarely took the front door anymore. A quick hop over the side gate and he was in her backyard. A few small jumps from beam to beam, and he was on the second story awning, where on the other side of a window Sara waited with folded arms.

Darren gave a weak smile. “Hi?”

She stared him down. He made as if to jump back down, but stopped when she opened the window. Darren stepped through.

Sara rolled her eyes. “Regular people use these things called ‘doors.’ They exist on the top AND the bottom floor, and coupled with ‘stairs,’ they can really make life easier.

Darren ignored the slight jab. “You’re not normally up this early. Sleep well?”

Sara kept her tone light. “I kept expecting you to show up at my window with a spotlight like that one time.”

Darren acted hurt. “It was only once, and it was funny. Besides, I promised never to do it again, right?”

Sara decided to take the conversation towards more current events. “You also promised to stay out of whatever relationship I had, and give me space with anyone I dated.”

Darren folded his arms. “I do believe I also promised to step in if I saw anything that looked wrong from either perspective, be it yours or his. And I hold that what he did was wrong.”

Sara sat on the edge of her bed. She hadn’t bothered to think of any more excuses for Antonio’s behavior, so she was honest. “How am I supposed to say ‘stay away,’ huh? Over the phone? In an email?”

Darren could be honest, but sometimes bluntly so. “As long as you don’t meet face to face, I’d say whatever works best for you. He’s a violent control freak, and if not you, then someone else. Personally, I’d rather he learn from this. But he won’t.” They never do…

The phone rang. Darren walked over to it and picked it up. “Hello?”

Sara watched Darren absorb information. Whenever he talked, he would always play with the cord of the telephone.

Darren was still listening. “Right. Really. No, that’s fine. I’ll take care of it.”

Sara waited for Darren to explain. After a few moments, she couldn’t wait. “Well? Was it him?”

Darren looked up. “He called the apartment.”

Sara was shocked. “How did he…?”

Darren shrugged. “He knew my last name when we first met at the library. My personal info is probably listed somewhere in the college directory. Too bad he woke Keith up. Antonio got some…choice words.”

Sara gave a small smile. “And what did Antonio say in return?”

Darren smirked. “He told Keith to tell me to tell you that he doesn’t really think you two should be seeing each other anymore.”

Sara laughed at that. “He…actually said that?”

Darren grinned. “Well, my guess is that he couldn’t bring himself to make a pretty girl cry, couldn’t bring himself to cuss her out, and couldn’t save face by calling her so ‘early’ in the morning.”

Sara blushed. “Be nice.”

Darren frowned. “You said he was…late? Missing dates, and the like?”

Sara sighed. “Let it be, Darren.”

Surprisingly, Darren agreed. “Alright. But if I see him again, it’ll be awkward for him and him only.”

Sara yawned an acknowledgement. Darren smiled. “I’m guessing you didn’t sleep well, then. I’ll let you get to that.”

Sara was grateful for what he’d done. “Darren…I wanted to apologize for what I said last night…about needing time away from both of you.”

Darren shrugged it off, as she knew he would. “It’s not that big a deal, you did need the time. And it all worked out, didn’t it?”

Sara nodded slightly. Darren looked at her as if slightly amused. “Get some sleep, Sara.” He walked out of the room and down the stairs.

Sara heard the front door open and shut. She sighed, and rolled over onto her bed, burying her face in a pillow. Did it really work out?

A hand on her shoulder stirred her. Antonio loomed over her. How’d he get in here? He doesn’t have a key! She tried to fight, but only got as far as the top of the stairs before he dragged her back to the bedroom. He seemed faster somehow. There were shards of…something on the floor. Something broken in the struggle? Antonio couldn’t have gotten in, he just couldn’t have…none of her defense techniques came to mind. Nothing seemed to help.

He dragged her past the bed, towards the window. I guess I should be somewhat relieved. The window seemed bigger than she last remembered it. He was so strong…Antonio picked her up; tossing her through the window and watching her fall.

It seemed to last forever.

Endless dropping, with time slowing down and vision darkening, until she fell into wakefulness.

Bright light streamed through the white curtains, hurting her eyes. It was just a dream? At least I’m alive…great, now I have something to look forward to every time I sleep. Sara shook her head. It was just a dream…so why did it seem so real? Even now, it’s more of a memory than anything else.

Sara glanced at the clock, which read 2:33 PM. She still had some time before her schedule caught up to her. Right now…I need time to think. She almost laughed in spite of herself. Time…
- posted by Nick @ 4/01/2004 11:35:00 PM