Silenced 2: The Overtaking (Silenced Series) (2 page)

Chapter Two

We're in the hospital for the remainder night. The doctor would like to keep me for further testing but I ask him to do the tests while we're here. I don’t think I need to be admitted. The doctor agrees and does the tests and finally sends us home a little after midnight with prescriptions for the pain.

As we're
lying in bed Landon rolls over facing me. “I should call in sick to work, so I can go to the pharmacy for you. While I go, you can rest.”

“
I don’t think that’s a good idea. If I don’t feel like crap, I can go. It’s not a big deal. Plus, I’m not sure what the co pays will be.”

“
If you’re insisting I go to work, I’ll leave you a fifty on the table. That should cover it and if it doesn’t, they can keep them.”

“
Yeah, I agree,” I say closing my eyes and falling asleep from exhaustion.

****

I'm running down a street. It's dark and cold. The moon leaves an eerie glow across the road, as the wind forces my hair into my eyes. It seems I’m looking for someone. I stroll into a house and amble to the steps. I gaze up at the stairs. I stand there for a few moments before deciding to walk up. The stairway curves slightly to the left as it extends further up to the second floor. Blurred family pictures hang on the sand colored wall, which line the steps. No lights are on. A faint glow from the second floor loft catches my attention.

T
opping the steps, I notice the décor seems familiar, and I realize where I am...North Carolina visiting Sarah. This is Sarah’s house. I start walking towards Sarah’s bedroom. A faint glow of light escapes from around the door. As I open it, I can distinguish someone lying on the floor. Getting closer I realize its Sarah, and run the rest of the way over, kneeling down beside her.

“
Sarah, wake up. Come on!” I scream through the lump in my throat.

She
doesn’t move. My heart stops. I cautiously lay her on her back, as a bottle of pills fall from her hand and I realize what’s going on. She overdosed. I scream for someone but no one comes. I don’t want to leave her, but I need to get to a phone.

“
Someone... please... help me,” I yell towards the empty hallway and begin to cry.

Nevertheless,
no one comes to my call. I feel so confused. I don’t know what to do. My heart is racing and a lump forms in my throat. I don’t want to leave her but I have no choice.

I tell Sarah I’
ll be back. I’m going to call for help. She doesn’t move or make a sound. I run to the hallway. As I run out of the room, the bedroom door slams shut behind me. I hastily turn and start hitting the door as hard as I can to open it. It's stuck. I attempt the knob and struggle to work it open with my hip. Nothing happens.

“
Sarah…the door…it’s stuck. I can’t get back in. Oh…please wake up,” I scream crying harder.

I know she’s
lying in the room needing help and the door is jammed. I feel helpless, like I’m not the best friend I should be. I fall to the floor and continue to cry.

“
Sarah…Sarah…Sarah,” I yell repeatedly as tears roll down my cheek.

****

“Honey…Amber…wake up! You’re having a bad dream,” Landon says shaking me.

My heart
s racing as I sit up and scream Sarah’s name. Landon pulls me close, and holds me tight. After a few minutes I realize what’s going on. I remember my mom gave me the bad news. I miss her. I want to talk to Sarah so bad that it hurts.              

“
If it will make you feel better to cry, baby, you can cry. I’m here,” Landon says caringly.

“
I wish I could’ve talked to her one more time.” I sit and wonder why she did this to herself. Did she do it because I moved? Was she in trouble?

Landon interrupts my thoughts.
“It sounds like she was using drugs. I don’t want to sound too harsh, but when people are addicted to pills…”

“
She wasn’t stupid like that!” I yell, defending Sarah.

“
Sweetie, it’s been how long since you two actually saw each other?”

“
I know, but Landon you didn’t know her.”

We
sit on the bed talking for the next few hours. Landon notices the time as he sits up, “I’ll stay awake. I don’t want you doing something stupid. I want to make sure you don’t hurt yourself again.”

When
sun rises and shines through our sheer curtain, I feel Landon carefully climb out of bed. I guess he thinks I’m asleep. I can hear him breathing, so I roll over. I see him standing beside the bed with something in his hand. My eyes clear as I realize it's my razor. I completely forgot it was in my pocket.

“
What are you doing with that?” I ask playing dumb.

“
I found it in bed. How did it get into our bed?” he asks.

“
After I finished cleaning up, I slid it into my pocket. I don’t know why. I must have forgotten to take it out last night when we laid down.”

“
What're you planning on doing with it?”

“
Nothing.”

“
Well, if you’re not planning on doing anything with it, you won’t mind if I get rid of it; do you?”

I don’t want to start anymore problems.
I really wish I would've remembered to take it out of my pocket. I want it back, but if I tell him the truth it'd cause more problems.

“
Take it. I don’t care. I don’t want it anymore. After last night, I most certainly won't cut again.”

“
I really hope you’re right,” he says crossing his arms.

I notice a hint of unhappiness in his eyes as he le
aves the room. After seeing the hurt this caused him, I want to get rid of the darkness forever. I don’t want to lose the person in my life who makes me happy.

I should get up. The lack of sleep never essentially bothered me
. Sleeping is a waste of time. I can get more done in a day if I don’t bother to sleep. As I go to the kitchen, flashbacks of fun times I shared with Sarah take over my mind.

As I watch
the visions, I realize I don’t remember the last time I talked to Sarah. No matter how hard I try to remember, I can’t. Was our last conversation a pleasant one? My gut is telling me it’s not something I can be proud of. I can’t be completely sure. I make a fresh pot of coffee and get the paper.

I
nstead of thinking about Sarah and depressing myself more, I make Landon breakfast. Bacon and eggs sound good. The coffee is the topping to his morning. The only thing I’m lacking is energy. I have so many things I need to do today; maybe the coffee is for both of us. As I put breakfast on the table, Landon comes into the kitchen.

“
Feeling better now?” I ask.

“
I didn’t sleep last night, so it’s going to be a really long day. Breakfast smells good,” he says sitting down at our small round table.

“
Thanks. Sorry you didn’t get to sleep. How long was I dreaming?”

“
When you started screaming, it woke me up and I woke you, why?”

“
Just wondering, here’s your coffee. Let’s eat.”

I can’t get Sarah out of my mind.
Reading the paper will take my mind off of my dream and Sarah. I think reading the problems others have and feeling sorry for them will help. The re-election of our first African American as president is all over the paper and magazines in the world. The paper can be the source I need. As I'm skimming the paper, I arrive at the obituary column. Someone told the local paper about Sarah, and it’s printed in black and white, right in front of me.

“
Landon, look at this.” I say, keeping my eyes on the paper.

As soon as Landon s
ees it, he decides it’s best I go to my mom’s for the day and he'll pick up my medication.

“
I really don’t think it’s a good idea to go over there. I just want to be here today. I don’t want to worry my mom if she were to find out about last night.”

“
Are you sure you're going to be okay?”

“
Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

“
You lost your best friend and had a bad night. I’m really concerned about you.”

“
Landon, I feel fine and time will heal my pain. You need to hurry before you’re late.”

He
grabs a cup of coffee to go and leaves.

Chapter Three

As soo
n as Landon's out of sight, I lay down on the bed, and begin to cry. So much has happened within the past day. I want to fall into a deep sleep, and let it all pass by. Perhaps when I wake, I won't remember a thing. Then, the phone rings.

“
Hello?”

“
Amber, hey it’s Casey. How are you doing?” she asks.

“
I’m alright considering my current situation.”

“
I'm making sure because my Aunt Jean was at the hospital last night. She saw you there.”

“
Oh…really?” I say with a knot forming in my throat.

“
Yeah, she said when she walked in you were lying on the floor and blood was everywhere. From what she saw... she said it looked like you hit your head hard. Are you sure you're alright?”

“
Yeah, I’m okay. I was having a hard time dealing with some bad news I received. I went into the kitchen to make a late night snack when I accidentally cut myself with a knife.”

“
Oh what bad news? Are you okay? What about your mom and Dave? Please, tell me nothing happened to them?”

“
It’s nothing like that. I lost my best friend from North Carolina last night. Do you remember me ever mentioning Sarah?”

“
Um… not that I can remember. Do you need me to come over? I’m getting off of work and I can be there in ten minutes.”

“
Sure.”

I really don’t want to be alone and spend
ing my day crying. I need to get motivated again. So, maybe if Casey comes over, she can cheer me up a bit and this would make Landon believe me.

“
Ok great, I’m on my way!”

I s
et the phone down, and look around. The apartment is a mess. I begin cleaning the mess from breakfast while I wait for Casey. As I finish the living room, she knocks on the door.

“
Who is it?” I yell towards the door.

“
Oh, come on it’s your worst nightmare.”

“
It’s open.”

I s
it on the couch, and act like I'm reading a book.

“
How are you doing?” She asks.

“
Things could be a lot worse, but I’m making it.”

“
So, what do you want to talk about first?”

“
Neither.”

“
Oh, come on Amber, I’m your best friend. You used to tell me everything. Why can’t we go back to that?”

“
Why don’t we start with you? You haven’t called me for days, and now here you are showing up when I really need you. I have to ask...why do you care?” I ask confused.

“
Don’t start this again,” she said. “I’m here because I’m your friend. I want to help you. I’m really worried about you. Last night was really hard on you, and I want to make sure you’re okay. I can tell you’ve been crying.”

“
What do you expect? I just lost my best friend.”

I’m not sure why she showed up. All she’s doing is stating the obvious
, and it’s getting on my nerves.

“
Let’s stop talking about me and my sorrows. How are things for you?” I say.

“
Well, let’s see... the job's going great. I’ve gotten a raise.”

“
That’s great. I’m still waiting for Target. Things are pretty good there. I was supposed to work today but Landon called my boss on the way to work, and told him what happened. So, he gave me my first day off.”

“
Well, that’s good. It’s surprising to hear your new boss gave you the day off. So, how are things with you and Landon?”

“
Great. He’s wonderful. I can’t say how much help he's been since last night. I’m happy he and I met that night at that party. The bond we share is indescribable.”

Casey looks down.
“It’s great to hear you guys are still strong. I want to clear it up... I’m not jealous you got prom queen. I'm happy for you.”

I don’t know if I believe her. She didn’t act very happy that night.

“I’m happy to hear that. So, what’s with your college friend?”

“
Oh, you mean Teddy?”

“
Yeah, I guess that’d be him. I don’t remember you telling me his name.”

“
Oh, well… his name is Teddy. He and I are dating. Everything's going well. He took me to a surprise dinner and movie. It was so romantic.”

“
He sounds romantic.”

“
So, how’s Patrick?” She asks.

“
He’s finally out of the hospital. He recovered well. You’d never know he spent most of this past school year in the hospital.”

“
That’s good to hear.” She says as her cheeks turn pink.

B
y the way, she says that I can tell she still has strong feelings for him.

“
I don’t know if you heard, but he quit doing drugs.”

“
That’s a surprise. I figured he’d get his fix as soon as they let him go.”

“
No, he didn’t want to deal with that anymore. He totally let it go.”

“
That’s great, but hard to believe. He was totally stuck on it.”

“
Casey, people change for the better. There are people out there all the time that are stopping nasty habits they're addicted to. I see him just about every day, and I see a huge change within him. It’s great, and I’m proud of him.”

“
I’m not saying I don’t believe he stopped. I’m glad he did. The drugs were one of the main things in our relationship that bothered me. Hopefully, he can keep himself away from them and find a decent woman that'll treat him well.”

“
I’m taking it that you didn’t hear he found a woman, either?”

“
He what?” Casey says surprised.

“
He’s dating a girl named Stacey. I met her a few times. He’s supposed to be bringing her over this weekend for a movie night.’

“
Why wasn’t I invited?”

“
I didn’t think it was a good idea, seeing how you and Patrick aren’t really talking.”

“
Oh
… look at the time, I have to go. I have to get home and get some clothes washed. Then, go shopping for my lunches for next week. I hate being out after dark. I better go.” She says jumping up from the couch, and heading towards the door.

“
Yeah, me too. I need to get to the store to get my meds filled. You take care and thanks for coming over.”

“
Oh, anytime. Take care and if you need someone to talk to, you can call me anytime. Later chick!”

I know Casey may feel
like I’m leaving her out, but that’s what Patrick wants. He doesn’t want to be anywhere near her, because he doesn’t want her dragging him down again. As soon as I hear her pull out, I dress. Landon will be home in a few hours, and I want to be back before then.

While I’m out, I
decide to stop by Mom’s.

“
Mom, are you sure you’re all right?”

“
Oh, Amber, you worry too much about me.”

“
I don’t want anything to happen to you. I love you and I’m glad we worked out our differences.”

“
I agree. Are you okay?”

“
Yeah, why do you ask?”

“
I went to the store, and I saw Casey’s Aunt there. I didn’t know who this woman was when she came up to me and started talking.”

“
She did? What did she say?” I ask while my heart skips a beat.

“
She told me she saw you at the hospital last night, and she wanted to be kept updated. Amber, what happened last night when you left here?”

My mouth goes dry as I’m thinking of what to say,
“Oh, nothing major. I was cooking dinner, and when I went to put the knife in the sink I cut my arm. It was deep, and needed stitches.”

“
You know you don’t have to be there. You can come back here where your dinner is prepared for you every night.”

“
Oh, no Mom, it’s fine.”

“
Why did Jean say you bumped your head really hard, and it was bleeding badly?”

“
It’s nothing, Mom. I didn’t hit my head. I’m fine. There’s nothing to worry about.” I said trying to get her to believe me.

Man, word travels
way
too fast. I hope she doesn’t hear the true story. She'd kill me. I continue talking with my mom, until I realize time has gone by quicker than what I thought.

“
Oh crap, I have to go.”

“
What are you in such a rush for?”

“
Landon’s at work, and I want to make him a special dinner. He’s getting off in an hour, and will be home in two. I need to get back and get started.”

“
That’s so sweet. I don’t want to hold you up. Call me tonight, and let me know how dinner turns out.”

“
I will Mom. I love you.”