Hidden in the Darkness

Two AM: The typical time where all are fast asleep, listening to nature's sweet serenade. Yet, for a few, the night is just beginning. This night is just like the rest, or is it?...

After an earful from the boss and the remnants of cigarette smoke still present on her clothing, she leaves The Lucky Cup, exhausted and seeking silence. She enters her car, waiting to escape from this hell.

This cool, summer evening suppresses her mind with a gentle breeze mixed with the heavenly scent of nature. The smell of pine and lilacs fill her once bare mind with a spark of hope. This overpowering scent combined with the coolness of the night and the crisp breeze, slowly entices her mind as all her thoughts of failure and helplessness fade away. As a great release of stress seeps out of her and serenity fills the gaps in her soul, the echo of a car horn brings her back to her misery.

Parking in her usual spot, she leaves the car and approaches her apartment. As each step brings her closer to her destination, her thoughts wander back to that of peace and freedom. Freedom: One word that means so much: Not having to worry about anything; having all she ever wanted; Being able to see him one more time; Never having to face one more tragedy, one more sorrow. Love, happiness and serenity without the thought of anything changing...Yes, that's better than anything. Freedom...Freedom from life.

As she passes through the hallway, the feint yells of bickering couples and overpowering stench of week-old rotting garbage brought her back to the unfortunate truth; Reality. After hearing a loud crash, the woman turned to find a tall, middle-aged man lying on the floor with a beer in his hand. As he regained consciousness, he noticed her watching and quickly got to his feet, cursing. Startled, her pace quickened as she approached her apartment door. While fumbling with her keys, his footsteps crescendoed, heightening her anxiety and fear.Finally, she found the correct key and sprinted into her house, quickly locking the door behind her.

A sigh of relief escaped her as the man turned around, mumbling a complaint, and slowly walked back to his apartment. After a few minutes, she headed towards the living room, taking off her jacket and tossing her keys on the coffee table. Her petite frame, covered by only a black, cotton blouse and a similar knee-high skirt, exposed her of her true beauty. Her long brunette hair cascaded down to the small of her back, loosely tied in a ponytail; leading down to her ample hips and sleek, sexy legs.

While walking into the kitchen, the sound of a distant footstep stopped her in her tracks. Assuming the intoxicated man was the source of the ruckus, she shrugged off her anxiety and turned on the coffee pot. While the coffee started to brew, filling the air with a rustic scent, she made her way to the bathroom. As she ventured down the hallway, a louder, more pronounced footstep was heard. After a moment of pure curiosity, her pace matched her heartbeat as her footsteps quickened. As she entered the bathroom, a low whisper startled her and forced her to stop. Too afraid to turn around and face the source, she started inching her way into the room. The moment she stepped foot into the bathroom, a more pronounced sound flooded her ears;

"Hello, Sweetie" the low, yet familiar voice said.

Her fear now melted into an emotion just as dangerous; curiosity. As she slowly turned to face the mysterious figure, confusion took over,

"This can't be him," she thought. "It's been years since I've heard his voice and, for years, I was known to believe that he was dead. My mind must be playing a trick on me. This can't be him, it's been far too long.." Yet, her mind had refused to deceive her. Standing in front of her was the man she had loved and, so she believed, had lost.

Although darkness had taken over, the feint moonlight accented his perfect features. Short, black hair, sea-green eyes and a brilliant smile made her knees weak. He was the epitome of perfection: A navy blue tank-top hung over his defined abs and exposed his cut biceps. A tight pair of black jeans molded to his muscular legs and perfect ass. As he moved into the light, she leaned against the wall, balancing herself. As he spoke, the smell of his cologne blew her away as her need for him escalated.

"I've missed you, baby. It's so good to see you again." As his words intoxicated her mind, he cautiously approached her and wrapped his arms around her waist. For this one moment, time had stopped. Her mind cleared and the only thoughts that flooded her mind were of him.

This moment of happiness faded as she began to think, "Why is he here? Where did her come from? Why have I been lied to for all these years? Oh, how my heart yearns for him but my mind tells me otherwise."

After a few moments, her mind got the best of her and she pulled away. Now, the tables were turned and confused took its toll on his mind. "What's the matter, baby?" he said, sounding more hurt than serious."

"Why are you here?...I mean..." After pausing for a moment, she took a deep breath and continued. "You're supposed to be dead and for years I thought it was true. Reality sunk in after a while and I finally realized that I would never see you again. Now, I walk into my home and you're patiently waiting for me. I won't even ask how it's possible that you have my house key, but I'm just so lost...I don't know what's going on anymore. I just want some answers..and.."

Before she could continue, he motioned for her to relax and she silently fell to her feet, watching his every move.

When he felt she was calm, he wiped his brow, took a deep breath and exhaled into a worried sigh, then began to speak...