I rolled over still cradling the bed covers between my legs. The night was blisteringly hot with barely any air circulating the room. As I lifted my groggy eyelids a wave of terror slid down my spine from what was laying beside me.
A snake.
Not the kind that hisses and sizes you up for it’s dinner. No, the kind that lures you in with unkept promises of forever and says exactly the right things when you want to hear them. The kind that tries to cuddle into you, hoping you aren’t still mad about the night before.
That’s exactly what he was doing. Planting “I’m sorry” kisses down my neck acting like another woman’s scent wasn’t still smothered all over him and burning my nostrils like the rage within.
“I always loved snakes until I woke up with one in my bed.”
Tires screeched violently across the floor, scratching against the gravel causing a beaten up old car to corner a bend rather sharply. The driver floored the gas pedal, spinning the wheels back in the opposite motion, feeding a flame. The engine roared sending the car gearing forward at an alarming speed. Other cars adorning the road beeped their horns whilst trying to veer out the way of the incoming vehicle.
A blue light flashes reflecting off the side door of the out of control car. Police hot in pursuit as the vehicle breaks every speed limit. Smoke starting to rise from the tires repeatedly skidding across the tarmac. Eventually the car pulls into a car park, ricocheting like a bullet between other delicately parked vehicles. The screeching sounds once again as the car finally comes to a stop just inches away from a shop window. Police cars slam in around, blocking the car into position.
The driver calmly steps out the vehicle at the command of many officers shouting. He looks back at the shop door as handcuffs are tightened around his wrists.
“Sir, were you aware of the speed you were doing?” The officer asked. “Obviously not fast enough if you beat me here.” He replied without remorse.
“All I wanted was the last jar of Nutella!”
I wish I believed him. I wish I took it more seriously when he sat down, fear sparked in his eyes - his usual confidence banished. As he explained the terror he felt, that at every corner and bend the same person was still behind him. How he tried to do a complete loop out of town because who walks alone in perfect circles, aimlessly with no destination in mind? I wish we did something whilst we could. I wish we had believed him. All we have now is the police asking painful questions about my brothers whereabouts and them desperately searching for the last location signal on his phone. But it’s off, and my mother is losing hope. I have to reach over and grab the remote to silence the TV from the horror story it is unravelling. I wish I had done something before it was my brother’s disappearance we were watching on the news.
A forest plunged into darkness. The glow of the moon radiating ghostly shadows amongst the overgrowth. Leaves crunching underfoot startles a hunting badger aloof. The daytime hissing of crickets now silenced. As a chilling wind whips through the willows.
The sun breaks through the myriad of trees. Casting a beam of light through its branches. A flock of birds sit in its palms, ready to sing the dawn chorus. Announcing the darkness is over.
