Alone

  Summoning my courage, I decided to confirm the impossible by approaching the person under the tree.

  In the blink of an eye, I found myself back under the tree staring at the grass. Chills snaked down my spine. It was then that I was slammed with the realization that these strange occurrences could be out-of-body experiences.

  I remembered the stranger behind me and turned quickly around. I didn't see anyone. I jumped up and ran in that direction anyway. I was older and wiser now and I wanted answers. When I rounded the building there was a man in normal clothing ducking into a white Oldsmobile Cutlass. He started the ignition and squealed away.

  Frustrated, I watched the car until it turned the corner and wondered if that man had anything to do with the man in black. Unable to do anything more, I remembered Taylor. I circled the school again and came out down the street once more. When I glanced back at the tree where I had seen myself, no one was there. Taylor was still in her front yard.

  I slicked my hair again and slowed my walk. My plan was to stroll by her house and hope she noticed me. I had reached Mr. Dewy's house, her next door neighbor, when she glanced up. She immediately removed her earphones and called out, "Roy!"

  "Hi there," I replied. Taylor was beautiful and I couldn't think what else to say.

  She said, "What brings you to this side of town?"

  "I was just going for a walk to air my head out. Is this where you live?"

  "Yes." She smiled shyly. "Can I go for a walk with you?"

  "Sure!"

  "Let me tell my mom and I'll be right back." She ran in her house and was back in a flash. We walked around the neighborhood.

  "How old are you, Taylor?"

  "I just turned twenty."

  We talked for a long time. She was so real and friendly, and although I felt like I could tell her anything, I didn't mention my mother's death or suspicion of foul play. I didn't want her pitying me or, alternatively, thinking I was a nutcase. We walked and talked until dusk and I forgot my problems. The only thing that mattered was that I had met a girl who made me feel alive.

  Chapter 13: Confessions

  Taylor and I became very close over the next few months. I would visit her almost every day before or after work. She had been looking for a job in Fairview, but no one was hiring. She always had a positive outlook and told me someday the right job would come along.

  Taylor's mom didn't work outside the home. Her dad was a coal miner at the mine located halfway between Fort Carter and Fairview. She was an only child so she always got whatever she wanted, but she never acted spoiled. I was Taylor's closest friend and I loved it.

  A few weeks after my mom's death, we walked across the street to the high school and sat on the front steps. I had come to trust Taylor, so I decided to share my strange experiences with her. I told her things I'd never even disclosed to my best friend, Matt. I told her about Miss King, the movie theater experience, the light at the high school, the mysterious man who had left the note, the dead man in the woods, and even my suspicion of foul play in my mom's death.

  At first I thought she might think I was crazy, but then I could see by her expression that she believed me. It felt good to finally have someone to talk to.

  She asked, "Do you have any idea how the stranger who left the note could have known stuff about you?"

  I told her that I'd wondered about that myself and often speculated as to whether he'd been trying to help or hurt me.

  Taylor asked, "Why do you think you keep having these out of body experiences? Do you think you can make it happen if you try?"

  The thought scared me. "No way am I going to try to make it happen. I don't know why they happen and I sure don't want to voluntarily bring them on."

  "Roy, have you ever told your dad that you were at the meeting at the high school?"

  "No. He'd just try to make me feel like I'm crazy or making things up."

  Taylor chewed her bottom lip, and said, "For sure, I think the stranger in the woods has answers for you, but we don't know anything about him. Maybe he was going to kill you. Maybe he was the one who killed the old man." She frowned. "I wonder what Miss King was trying to tell you before she disappeared? And why you can smell death when nobody else can? That's weird, Roy. Maybe you have a special gift that people in this town don't want you to know about. I don't think we can trust anyone except each other." Taylor put her arms around my neck and pulled me close, then she leaned back and stared into my eyes. "Roy, I really like you a lot and I think you're special in every way." Unexpectedly, she whispered my name and gave me my first kiss.

  My heart was thumping and my adrenaline pumping so fast, I thought I might explode. I closed my eyes to savor the best moment of my entire life.

  When I opened my eyes, I was standing at the bottom of the high school steps staring up at Taylor and myself making out on the top step. I was struck with fear realizing I was having another out-of-body experience. I looked down the street and saw Sheriff Tanner's car parked at the curb. He was sitting behind the wheel and looking in the direction of the high school. I walked toward his car, but his eyes didn't move to look at me. I noticed the driver's window was rolled down. Before I reached his car, I said, "Excuse me, Sheriff Tanner."

  He didn't even acknowledge I was there. I got right up to his window and said, "Excuse me, Sheriff." He appeared to not see me. He was holding an open notebook with names, dates, times, and notations. The list was extensive. I recognized my name was written multiple times; as was Matt's and Taylor's. The sheriff seemed to be keeping track of our whereabouts.

  Not quite believing I was having this out-of-body experience, I backed away from the car and returned to the steps of the high school where Taylor and I were still kissing. Climbing the steps and standing over the two bodies, I was amazed that I was watching myself and Taylor with neither of them appearing to know I was there.

  I decided that I'd rather be in my body kissing Taylor, and instantly, I was there. She whispered my name like with the first kiss and put her lips on mine. Pulling away, I grabbed her hands and stared into her beautiful eyes. I said with excitement, "Taylor, I just had another out-of-body experience."

  "What do you mean? What happened?"

  "When we kissed, all of a sudden I was at the bottom of the steps staring up at us. Then I looked around and saw Sheriff Tanner parked in his police car watching us from down the street."

  "Roy, you're scaring me."

  "Don't be scared." I stood and grabbed Taylor's hand. We ran down the school steps and toward where Sheriff Tanner was parked. The sheriff started his vehicle and drove away.

  Taylor stared at me and I wondered if she thought I was a freak or if she really believed in this ability I seemed to have. I told her of the list the sheriff was making.

  Her eyes only widened. "We've got to figure this out!" she said with determination.

  Chapter 14: Another Note

  As the weeks passed, Taylor and I spent every free minute together. We always talked about my experiences, trying to understand them. She made me feel like I could overcome anything as long as I had her on my side.

  One day, while entering the trail to walk to work, I found a folded note attached to the oak tree with my name written on it. With trepidation, I read:

  Roy,

  I have been watching you for many years. You are now of an age to know the truth. The last time we were to meet, I was being watched. Forces you don't understand have been trying to kill me for years so as to keep you in the dark. I know this sounds crazy, but I promise I will tell you the truth. You cannot trust anyone. The events that have occurred in your life are not coincidence. They happened for a reason. Meet me tomorrow night at the old wrecking yard just outside of town at 6:30. And don't tell ANYONE, not even your new girlfriend. No one can be trusted.

  Murdoch

  I remembered hearing the name Murdoch mentioned by my dad and then at the gymnasium meeting all those years ago. I also had a gut feeling I had to meet Murd
och if I was ever going to unravel the riddle of my life. I folded the note and placed it in my pocket. There was no way I would destroy the evidence this time. As I continued along the trail I wondered how Murdoch knew about Taylor and why he didn't want me to tell her about the meeting. I glanced around. Was Murdoch watching me at that very moment? Could Murdoch be a serial killer who intended for me to become his next victim? Was he the one driving the outdated Oldsmobile? Or was he the man in black? Did he know about my out-of-body experiences? So many questions were unanswered.

  The next day I awoke to birds singing and the sun shining brightly. The blind over my window softly swayed in the breeze. Excitement and apprehension vied for preeminence of my emotions. Would I discover the truth today?

  I really wanted to tell Taylor about the note. Not only had I entrusted her with all my secrets, I had come to love her deeply. I didn't want to keep anything from her.

  Later that day I walked to Taylor's house and showed her the note. She insisted on going with me to meet Murdoch.

  "He might not meet with me if he sees you."

  "Roy, if you go by yourself, he could hurt you."

  "Taylor, if I don't return by eight, I want you to call the sheriff."

  "I can't bear the thought of something happening to you. I love you with all my heart. Please don't go. Murdoch may have killed that old man. He could kill again."

  "Realistically, I don't think he's a murderer. He could have done something to me before now. I believe he's telling the truth. Taylor, I have to know the truth."

  I could see the worry in her eyes and I knew she really did have deep feelings for me.

  I arrived at the wrecking yard at six. The yard was quiet and weeds had overtaken most of the cars. The place had been closed for years. The evening was warm with a light breeze and I walked through the salvaged vehicles looking for evidence of Murdoch.

  The grounds appeared to be empty so I sat on the hood of an old Ford Pinto. Every few minutes I glanced at my wristwatch. My nerves were on edge.

  Unexpectedly, I was out of my body, but I didn't fear it as I had in the past. I moved away from my reclining self on the old Ford. It was amazing! I was beginning to get a glimmer of understanding that when I became anxious or excited, some part of me stepped outside of my physical being. Although everything felt surreal, there was also an invigorating energy that accompanied the detachment.

  I looked around the yard and didn't see any sign of life. I walked the grounds searching for another person. There was a small hill at the back of the yard and I walked to the top to get a better overall view. On the other side, Sheriff Tanner stood with three of his deputies, their guns drawn.

  That stopped me dead in my tracks. "It's almost time," Sheriff Tanner whispered to his deputies as he checked his watch. "Now remember, we want to catch him alive and make sure Roy thinks we received a trespass call. That's the reason we'll give for being here. Let me make this clear, I don't want Roy knowing his girlfriend tipped us off."

  "No problem, Sheriff," said one of the deputies.

  I couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing. Why would Taylor betray my trust? I had to warn Murdoch. I turned and ran toward my body. As soon as I reached it, in a flash, I was back inside myself. I looked at my wristwatch, ten after six. What? Had time stopped? I jumped off the Pinto and ran throughout the yard looking frantically for Murdoch.

  Sandwiched between two old junkers I could see a figure leaning against an outdated white Oldsmobile Cutlass. Quietly, I walked toward the vehicle, careful not to give the sheriff a reason to come down the hill.

  Paradoxically, I felt comfort knowing Sheriff Tanner was nearby, but also nervousness. I wanted to hear what Murdoch had to say before the lawmen came down on us. I walked closer and was greeted by a Caucasian man, maybe in his forties or fifties, dressed casually in jeans and a blue shirt, who stepped forward. He had a welcoming face with dark blond hair and bright blue eyes.

  "How are you, Roy?" he asked with a huge smile.

  "Okay, I guess."

  "It's been a long time."

  "Are you going to hurt me?"

  "No, Roy. Believe it or not, I'm on your side. Did you come alone?"

  "Yes, I replied, hesitantly."

  "Are you sure you're alone? You don't sound so sure. I know you have a gift and perhaps you saw something you'd like to share." The man's voice was so soothing and calm.

  "How do you know I have a gift?"

  "I know everything about you, and its time for you to learn who you are."

  "Sir, I have to tell you the sheriff and his deputies are on top of that hill with guns. I thought I could trust Taylor, but she told them. I'm sorry."

  "Roy, it's okay. I know your life has been hard, but we haven't much time. How many times have you left your body?"

  "I don't know, maybe five or six."

  "Okay, listen carefully. You can control when you leave your body. Don't ask me how I know, just trust me. If I'm caught, I'll leave you notes to read. If I'm not caught, we'll meet again. Remember Roy, I'm your only friend. No one else can be trusted."

  "Who am I?" I asked.

  Suddenly, the truck was surrounded by Sheriff Tanner and his deputies. They pointed their guns at Murdoch.

  "Who am I?" I yelled, as one of the deputies grabbed my arms and held them behind my back.

  "Why, you're Roy Clawson," replied Sheriff Tanner. He turned his attention to Murdoch. "It's been a long time Murdoch." Speaking to his deputy, he said, "Put Roy in my car." The deputy walked me to the sheriff's vehicle hidden behind a garage near the entrance to the yard. The other deputy handcuffed Murdoch and put him in another police car.

  The sheriff climbed into the backseat of his car beside me. "Roy, do you have any idea who you were talking to?"

  "No, sir."

  "Well, that man's a murderer and we've been searching for him for years. What a lucky break we were called out to the yard on a trespass call. Great job, Roy! Son, you'll be rewarded for this." The sheriff started to get out of the car, but paused. "What were the two of you talking about?"

  "Not much, Sheriff."

  "Why did you come to the wrecking yard, Roy?"

  "I just wanted to be alone in a place where I could clear my head."

  "Son, this killer lures his victims in by telling them things they want to hear, and then he kills them. It's very important that you tell me what he said."

  "He told me he wanted to talk; that's all. We didn't talk because you showed up before we could."

  "Roy, I know you've been having a rough time since your mother died, but remember, I'm here to help you."

  "Thanks, Sheriff. I'll remember that."

  The sheriff patted my shoulder and told me he would give me a ride home. I looked out the window of the vehicle and saw Murdoch in the backseat of the deputy's car. He just stared at me and smiled.

  Chapter 15: Apology

  I asked Sheriff Tanner to drop me off at Matt's house rather than take me home. Matt and I hadn't spent much time together in the past year, and even less since I'd met Taylor. However, he was still my best friend. The gap in his front teeth had closed over the years, but he remained pretty dorky looking. He'd been hired as a manager for the movie theater in Fort Carter right out of high school, and after a few months he was able to pay his mom back for the car she'd purchased for him to go back and forth to work. It was a four-door, 1982 Pontiac J2000, two-toned brown and tan. It was definitely not a "chic" magnet.

  When I arrived at Matt's, he was on the porch. He said, "Roy, where the heck have you been lately?"

  "I've been working a lot and spending time with Taylor. That's about all."

  "We need to hang out more. I miss my best friend. So what's up with you?"

  "Well, I don't know if I'm going to be hanging out with Taylor anymore."

  "Why not? I thought you liked her. Is something wrong?"

  "I just can't be in a relationship with a girl I can't trust."

  "Oh,
wow! Did she cheat on you?"

  "No, nothing like that. Let's just say that I asked her to keep a secret and she didn't."

  "Man, that sucks. I'm sorry to hear it. Hey, I noticed Sheriff Tanner dropped you off. What's up with that?"

  "That's part of the problem."

  Matt waved me inside the house. "Let's talk. My mom got called into work early."

  I followed Matt into the house and we sat on the couch. I finally said, "Matt, I'm sorry I haven't been a best friend for awhile, but I need someone to talk to."

  "I'm listening, buddy."

  "Do you remember the time Miss King disappeared?"

  "Oh yeah, that was crazy. It's like she just up and vanished."

  "Well, I think she was trying to warn me of something and that's why she disappeared."

  "Warn you of what?"

  "Over the years I've had lots of experiences I can't explain and I think Miss King knew something about me."

  "What kind of experiences?"

  I sighed. "Matt, you're my best friend, but I never told you because I thought you'd think I was crazy and not want to hang out anymore."

  "Roy, no matter what, you'll always be my friend," he chuckled, "even if you are crazy. So what kinds of experiences are so weird you couldn't tell your best bro?"

  I looked past Matt's shoulder and then back at him. "I have out-of-body experiences."

  Matt wrinkled his brow and didn't say anything.

  "I know you don’t believe in that stuff, but it's true. The only other person I've shared this with is Taylor."

  "Roy, what do you mean by out-of-body?"

  "Well, whenever I get really emotional, like nervous or excited, I leave my body and walk around."

  Matt scratched his chin. "You do sound crazy! But if you say so, I guess I believe you."

  "Oh, it gets better. There's a man named Murdoch who's been trying to make contact with me over the years."

  Matt grabbed both my arms with a force that almost toppled me backward into the cushions. "Did you say Murdoch? Holy Shit!"

  "Yeah. What about him?"

  "Roy, you mean to say you really don't know?"

  "Know what?"

  Just then the doorbell rang and Matt jumped up. He said, "I'm like freaking out, Roy!"

  The hair on my neck stood straight up. Matt grabbed a baseball bat leaning against the wall. He yelled, "Who is it?"