Cover of Darkness

Chapter 4: “Mike”

  That weekend, they had their mall meeting on both days. For the next thee days, the group met at school and at the mall. They heard on the news that some of the searches were being called off, and since no more attacks were occurring, no more clues were showing up. They made note that Jade’s appearances were getting scarce.

  Everyone was hoping it was all over, but then they heard new news. Attacks were occurring on the houses around where Jason’s house was; the whole block. It composed of six houses that were built five years ago. Jason’s house was burnt to the ground, but the others were left standing. Only one factor linked the crimes together—mauled bodies that were missing arms and legs. Everyone figured that some sick person was behind it, but no clues led to anyone.

  Carol still had odd ideas of the fact that Jade was behind it, but though it did seemed to have been him; she couldn’t help thinking about the way he acted that night in her house.

  The group brought up a conversation about Jade and the drawing they had seen. Tommy made the comment about “Oliver” being “Prototype 05”. In other words, Tommy believed there was more than one of those “beings” running around.

  Mike decided to help his brother do research on the block that the murders were occurring and find out what was there before the houses were built five years ago. The next day they gathered their research and met back at the mall.

  “All right, here’s what we found.” Mike began as he sat down.

  Carol clasped her hands together and looked at the table.

  “Seven years ago, there was a large mansion there.” Tommy said.

  “Now that you mention, I remember it being there.” Amber said.

  “So do I.” Tommy said.

  “A family lived there, a couple and their children.” Mike said. “The man was a scientist and supposedly claimed to have a ‘hidden lab’ somewhere on the property.”

  “During that year, the couple had an accident and died.” Tommy said. “Later that year the two children vanished.”

  “Then two years later, the house was condemned and they tore it down.” Mike finished.

  “So in other words, there is a laboratory ‘hidden’ on that area?” Amber asked.

  Carol looked up. “If the house was torn down, where’s the lab?”

  “Underground.” The familiar voice of Jade said.

  The group turned to look at Jade who was standing behind their table.

  “What the hell do you want, freak?” Tommy asked.

  “If you want to see a freak, look in the mirror.” Jade commented. He turned around and began to walk off.

  “Hey, wait!” Carol stood up.

  Jade stopped. “Watch yourself, or you’ll get hurt.” He continued walking.

  Carol sat back down even angrier at Jade than she was before. “Why the hell does that guy have to act so creepy?”

  Tommy watched the guy walk out of the food court. “Freak.” He muttered.

  They continued their conversation; now taking in Jade’s little comment about the lab being underground. None of them trusted Jade. They believed that he knew too much for being just an “innocent” person having nothing to do with the murders.

  Carol sat listening to the others’ comments about the situation and began staring off into the distance. Something caught her eye next to a tree, in the shadows.

  “Um…guys.” Carol said.

  “What?” Amber looked at Carol who had her eyes fixed in one direction.

  “Have you ever seen a red cat before?” Carol asked.

  “Uh…no.” Mike said.

  “Why, Carol?” Tommy asked.

  Carol took a deep breath. “I’m staring at one right now.”

  Mike turned to see what she was looking at. In the shadows, next to a potted tree, sat a large red cat-like creature. It was similar to the “Oliver” image, but was definitely not it.

  The others turned to look. “That would be one of the other creatures.” Tommy commented.

  The creature turned to look at them making the four in the group pretend that they didn’t see it.

  “We’ve got to try to lure it out.” Mike said. “I have a feeling that that is what is killing everyone.”

  “No, Mike.” Tommy said.

  Mike stood up. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” He began his walk away from the table and toward the shadow where the cat sat.

  “Mike, get back here!” Carol yelled.

  Mike turned around and smiled, and then he continued to walk. He stopped a few feet away from the creature, which glared and growled at him.

  “You are one odd looking thing.” Mike noted, catching the creature’s full attention.

  The thing acted like it was going to pounce, and when it moved Mike began to run.

  The crowd in the food-court yelled and moved away.

  Mike ran as fast as he could from the creature, but it was catching him. It wasn’t long before he tripped.

  The creature lunged at him, but a gunshot knocked it over.

  “Mike!” Tommy and the others ran to Mike, who was staring at the creature next to him.

  The cat beast was dead; whoever shot it, shot it in the head. Its fur was shaggy and red with orange highlights. On one paw it had three claws, and the other had only one. Its red eyes stared blankly over at Mike, who seemed confused at who shot it.

  Mike turned around to see Jade over against the wall holding a handgun. Jade calmly walked away from the gathering crowd.

  “Jade?” Mike muttered.

  “Mike, are you alright?” Tommy knelt next to his brother.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” Mike sat up, still shaken from the close encounter with a rather large deadly cat.

  The police came and questioned Mike and the group of friends. They said that they didn’t know who shot the cat, though Mike knew. The police didn’t know what to think of the red cat. The police congratulated Mike for luring the cat out, but it didn’t make Mike feel any better.

  Mike thought he was able to handle being chased by a cat, but its speed was more than he could have bargained for. If Jade didn’t shoot it, Mike would have been cat food.

  After the police finished their questions, the group of friends left the mall. They decided that they would all get a good night’s sleep and meet again tomorrow to talk about their plans for the prom.

  Carol explained that she wouldn’t come to their meeting tomorrow, and that she would see them at school the next day and the Prom on Friday, since her parents told her she could stay out on Friday.

  Carol went to school the next day, and enjoyed the fact that the possible killer of her friend Alison was dead. Though she couldn’t help thinking about Jade and “Oliver” she tried to make it seem that she was doing well on believing that the red cat beast was the murder.

  Carol had the feeling that no matter how well that day went it could still get worse.