Hidden Monster (The Monsters Among Us Book 1) Read online

  He pointed toward the gurney approaching. “We need to get you up on that. Do you think you can stand?”

  I nodded, though I wasn’t sure my legs would hold. Every part of me was shaking. The two EMTs helped me up; the narrow bed felt stiff and cold to my bare legs. Hands were pushing me back. Dizzy, I didn’t resist. Then straps made their way across my stomach and sternum.

  “No!” I croaked as my hands shot out, ripping the binding out of the EMT’s hand.

  The man with brown eyes said, “It’s okay, just relax.”

  I struggled to sit up, but I ended up rolling off the side instead. Hands grabbed after me. Not another bed, no more ropes! There was a high-pitched screech, as the ground seemed to jump up at me. When my body smacked down, I registered it was my own manic screams I heard. The man with brown eyes was helping me up again.

  “It’s ok,” he soothed. “You’re going to be all right. No one’s going to hurt you now.” I wanted to believe him. “We won’t tie you down, okay?”

  I nodded and let the two EMTs help me up on to the gurney again.

  “We need to start an IV,” the brown-eyed man said, “You’re pretty dehydrated. Can you hold still?” The other EMT touched my arm as the brown-eyed man said, “Just a little prick—”

  Prick? I lost it, clawing the other EMT away. The brown-eyed man tried to calm me, but I panicked at the strong hands pulling me down on to the gurney. Both of my arms were pinned now. I felt the pinch in my arm and sobbed. He’s got me again!

  Brown eyes swam above me. “It’s ok, Samantha. You’re safe now.”

  Chapter 3

  “Samantha? Samantha, are you in the bathroom?” my mom’s voice called from down the hall.

  Staring at the long, blonde locks lying at the bottom of the bathroom sink, I set the kitchen scissors down. With a long sigh, I looked up at my reflection. Better. I tugged the oversized gray hoodie back on over my tank top, leaving the hood down, and opened the door.

  My mom gasped from behind me. “What in the world did you do to your hair?”

  Turning around, I stared at the tan carpet separating us. I stated the obvious, “Cut it.”

  “I can see that, but why on earth would you…” My mom’s words trailed when I met her gaze. She forced a smile. “It looks good, Sammy, but can I take you to my hair dresser to even it out a bit?”

  I shrugged. Great, stupid therapist will want psychoanalyze why I don’t want to be attractive all over again. For the past four weeks since being found, my therapist had grilled me on why I’d only wear worn-out sweatpants and ratty T-shirts. Why’s she so dense? It’s the only way to be safe.

  Riding in my mom’s sedan, I fumbled with a fast food napkin I found in the glove compartment. My mom chatted the entire way to the hair appointment and I never responded, leaving her in a one-sided conversation. I knew she was pretending not to notice.

  Wish I could pretend it all away. I sickened as the memory of Jeremy coming to the hospital popped into my head. It had been the day I was discovered in the woods, and I had screamed accusations at him. The police had ripped apart my now ex-boyfriend’s life and found nothing; he had alibis for everything. We’d dated over a year.

  That’s over now. I’m sure he despises me. Being the biggest story on the six o’clock news, I wanted nothing more than to crawl under a rock for the past month. Some of my friends had come to see me, my best friend, Mack, being my most-frequent visitor. I knew he’d understand anything. He’d become my shadow years ago, not long after my near-drowning experience. He’d never question my fear of water, never balked at being left behind on lake trips; he’d always just hung out with me. Even with all our history, he did all the talking when he came to see me. I said little. Poor guy. I just wasn’t the same.

  “Whenever the therapist thinks it’s a good idea, we can get you back to school. I’m sure you’re dying to start your senior year, right?” my mom asked, interrupting my reverie.

  I cringed. Not really. But I nodded back at her. If it were up to me, I’d never go back. Halls full of teenagers terrified me. The monster could be anyone. I suppose the only comfort is that be Mack will be there… and Jen.

  “Here we are,” she said, shutting off the car.

  Once I was seated in the salon chair, the stylist eyed my hack job. “Mm,” she hummed.

  My mom grimaced. “You’ve seen worse, right?”

  The stylist nodded immediately. “Oh, yes.”

  I wanted to roll my eyes at both of them. As if a hacked haircut is the worst thing in the world. Instead, I pointed at the hair chart on the station next to them.

  “I want that one,” I interrupted.

  Both women stared at me.

  “What?” my mom asked.

  “I want to dye my hair that color.” I purposely stared at the stylist, not my mom, as I pointed at the chestnut-brown sample.

  The woman with auburn hair, caked makeup, and French-manicured nails, glanced at my mom for guidance. My mom’s hazel eyes appeared puzzled. “You want to dye your hair, Sammy?”

  “Yes.”

  “Honey, no one’s going to recognize you with your hair short and brown—” my mom began.

  “That’s the point.”

  “Are you sure? I’m sure Brenda can do a really cute hairstyle for you.”

  Cute? I stiffened.

  My mom must have seen it because she rushed on with, “Sure, hon. You can dye your hair.”

  Brenda tried to work her ‘magic,’ but when she pulled the towel off my head, revealing short, wet, black hair, I could see the pain in my mom’s eyes. It looks boyish. Perfect.

  The ride back home was quiet. Once my mom parked, I wordlessly made my way to my bedroom. I was too tired to keep up pretenses any longer. When sharp pains shot down my abdomen, I collapsed on my bed, curling into a tight ball. Lousy stomach, always killing…

  I hadn’t realized I’d fallen asleep until there was a tap on my door. “You awake?” my dad asked, his 6’3” frame filling the doorway.

  I rubbed my eyes. Sitting up, I gave him a small smile. “I am now.”

  He entered and sat at the foot of the bed. After a moment, he glanced at me. “Mind if we talk a bit?”

  “No.” I let my eyes fall to my fingers clasped in my lap.

  He sighed. “Samantha, I can’t pretend to know what you’re going through right now. When your mom and I got the call that they’d found you, well, we’ve thanked God every day for your safe return.” His eyebrows gathered as he glanced over. “But watching you now, I can’t help but feel maybe my baby girl’s still lost somewhere, fighting to survive.”

  I swallowed. My dad’s eyes welled up as he gazed back at me. I felt a shattering within my heart, and I gasped at the pain. Something wet dripped off my chin. Glancing down, I was surprised to see wet streaks on my arm.

  “I’m sorry, Dad.”

  His arms were around me instantly. “Don’t you ever say sorry; I’m the one who’s sorry. It kills me I couldn’t protect you from this. We just want to help you get through it all.” Though I appreciated his words, I didn’t think there was anything anyone could do to help me. What’s done is done. My dad released me and sat back. “Maybe we need to start over. Move somewhere new?”

  “No, I’ll be fine. I don’t want the whole family to uproot for me.”

  “Your sisters only live here on and off with school, I can put in for a transfer at work.”

  “Dad, you worked really hard to get promoted. Besides, Mom would never want to leave. She’s involved in every kind of committee imaginable.”

  My dad shook his head. “I don’t care about my promotion. And your mom can get involved somewhere else. You’re more important than those things.”

  Never having had a son, I was the closest thing my dad had. While my older sisters coddled baby dolls, I snuck water snakes into the house. My dad and I had a bond that my mom and sisters didn’t understand, but even still, the thought of moving panicked me.

  “
Please Dad, it’s okay, really. I don’t want to move.”

  He waited for me to say more, and it killed me I couldn’t. This wasn’t like me with him. Guess closing my heart to fear means shutting everyone out, including Dad.

  “What more can we do?” He sounded defeated.

  I hated to see him hurt on my account. I’ll be ok, as long as I’m never beautiful again. Why can’t they understand that?

  “I don’t know. I’m sorry I’m not the same anymore.” The words sounded flatter than I intended.

  He flinched and then gave me a halfhearted smile. “Time, we just need more time to heal, that’s all.” His words seemed to be directed at himself more than me.

  I mumbled, “Yeah, I just need time.”

  He paused, the hesitation obvious, and then asked, “Have you remembered anything new that might help us?” His jaw clenched. “I know you were sedated most of the time, but maybe he said something?”

  My face heated at the memory of the nurse checking for DNA on every part of my body. It was a relief to know he’d done nothing to me while I’d been unconscious. There was one thing I hadn’t told a soul. I couldn’t repeat the monster’s promise—that one day I’d fall in love with him. Even thinking the words paralyzed me with fear.

  “It’s all really hazy now,” I answered, while thinking, If only that were true. With my therapist pushing me to talk about it in our weekly sessions, it was easier to say I was forgetting it all.

  “Okay, well, I’ll let you get back to resting then.” He stood up, giving my foot a squeeze before leaving.

  Lying back on my bed, I counted backwards from one hundred. It was something I’d done in the cabin. It lulled me to sleep, letting me escape my reality.

  Chapter 4

  I really like this. I let the silky, sky-blue material glide between my fingers. Funny, I don’t remember it. Wonder if Mom got it. Guess she’s sick of my sweat suits. I swayed to the right and left, the nightgown shimmering with my movement. Not one for dresses, I thought it strange that I didn’t mind it hitting my ankles. Glancing down at the low-scooped neckline, I stepped forward, my feet landing in cool, damp grass.

  What am I doing outside? A full moon lit up our backyard; the storage shed, the old swing set, and the remains of this year’s garden all bathed in a cool, blue light. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around myself. After the cabin, I thought I’d be permanently chilled to the bone. However, tonight I was comfortable, even warm.

  A breeze lifted my hair, sending it flying into my face. Securing the strands with my fingers, I was shocked to discover the blonde locks stretched down to my waist.

  It’s never been this long. I glanced around again. This must be just a dream. Well, if it is, I’m going to run. I took off, my feet gliding through the grass. I slowed only to unlatch the back gate, and then I plunged into the dark woods. I felt no fear. This was a dream after all. I was glad the nightgown moved with me, not hindering my movements as it should. My lungs didn’t burn, like they would’ve running this hard without warming up.

  Confident it was definitely a dream, I pushed myself to go faster, my feet barely skimming the ground as I shot through the trees. Then in one leap, I wasn’t on the ground at all. Sweet! I’m flying!

  Something expanded on either side of me as I instinctively flexed and retracted muscles between my shoulder blades I wasn’t aware I had. At first, it felt stiff, unyielding, like this was the first time they’d been used, but within a heartbeat, everything warmed up, the contractions smooth and effortless. My lungs felt twice their size as I breathed, the air entering chambers that felt starved for oxygen. I glanced over and gasped.

  This is seriously the best dream ever! A pair of long, slender wings buzzed back at me, their furious movement turning them into a blur of silver against the black night. I soared as I trailed my hands along the tops of the trees, the orange, red, and yellow leaves dancing in my wake. When my cheeks and jaw muscles ached, I realized I was smiling ear to ear. I shot forward. The monster’s finally gone!

  The landscape below shrank as I pushed my wings harder. Then, wondering if this dream meant I should leave Durango, I stopped abruptly. Hovering, I gazed down at the scenery below me. Meandering through the farmland, the Animas River shimmered in the blue moonlight. Cows nestled together, trying to keep warm. Every detail felt so real, even the earthy smell of plowed fields in the breeze. Sighing, I decided to turn around and head back. When the night air pressed against me, feeling cold, urgency engulfed me. I shifted to the right, diving down several feet. Within minutes, I recognized the woods.

  Oh good, I’m close. The panic to get home was intense. I glanced up to see the black night was paling. Watery yellow was breaking through in the east, rosy plumes blossoming in the sky—dawn was close. Back aching between my shoulder blades, I decided not push my wings any further and landed. My naked feet registered the shock of the frozen ground beneath me as I shuffled forward. With every step, my body grew heavier. Crap… I’m not going to make it. I felt myself tumbling down.

  Chapter 5

  I stretched my legs out and then recoiled into a tight ball on my side again. “Brrr, where are my covers?”

  The bright light was making the back of my eyelids pink, but I didn’t want to wake up yet. Just a few more minutes. My hands reached for Grandma Johnson’s quilt, but instead felt cold dampness. Confused, I tried to rouse myself completely, but found my body rebelling. Every muscle felt stiff and sore.

  A snuffling sound in my ear caused me to bolt up, fatigue forgotten. A black nose filled my vision and a large, wet tongue ran up and down my face. I fell back as a dog jumped into my lap.

  “Misty! Where’d you go, girl?” The voice was definitely male. I scanned the area, seeing only golden-brown grass and a thick forest of trees. The dog, Misty, whined and jumped off my lap, disappearing into the woods.

  What’s going on? I staggered to my feet, my joints popping. Feels like I slept on a rock. Misty burst through the underbrush and tried to jump into my lap again, almost knocking me over. I tried to push her down, not wanting another face bath.

  “Oh jeez, I’m sorry! Misty, get over here, girl. What are you doing? Get off her!”

  My head jerked up to see a man emerging from the thick woods. Wearing a baseball cap, a blue sweater, black gym shorts, and flip-flops, he seemed harmless enough. He held a leash in his hand—one the dog was obviously not attached to. Misty instantly flew from my arms and shimmied back to her master, her tail between her legs.

  While the man leaned down and re-attached the leash, I tried to compose myself. Smoothing my hair back with my fingers, I was horrified to discover it was caked in dirt.

  “Sorry about that. Misty’s pretty friendly,” the man said, straightening up. He was close enough now to see the face beneath the hat. He was younger than I’d thought. Nothing about his features was out of the ordinary. He had aqua blue eyes, a straight nose, and lips bent into a crooked smile. The over-all effect left me ogling.

  When his eyebrows shot up, I gasped. Please don’t tell me I’m still in that nightgown! Glancing down, I was relieved to see a white T-shirt and gray sweatpants. Knowing I was bra-less, I gratefully zipped up the matching jacket. Shifting my weight, I realized my feet felt numb. Where the heck are my shoes?

  I caught him studying me. “Uh, no problem,” I replied. “Well, I better get going.” The guy’s gaze darted to my feet and then back up. He arched one brow.

  Yeah, I know I look crazy, I wanted to shout. Embarrassed by his wordless stare, I turned and strode away. He didn’t hesitate to follow. The nerve!

  “Hold up,” he called after me. “You must be Samantha.” That stopped me short. I spun and stared at him. His smile faltered, and he struck out a hand. “Hey, I’m Blake.”

  I didn’t move, and his hand dropped. “My family moved in a few doors down, last week,” he offered, like I should have known this. “My mom met your mom—”

  I cringed. Maybe I should pay better att
ention to Mom. “Oh sorry, yeah I’m Samantha.” He grinned. I hated that it both irritated and attracted me. “It’s nice to meet you Blake, but I better get home.” I wanted him to get the hint and leave me alone.

  “I’ll walk with you. Like I said, I live real close,” he offered.

  My stomach sickened but I nodded and picked up my pace, hoping he’d drop back or just go away. He kept up, as did Misty, who trotted happily between us. Well, at least I’m not far from home. If he tries anything, I can scream and try to outrun him. Although, peeking over, I realized I didn’t feel as afraid as I thought I should.

  “So, what were you doing out here? It’s sort of cold for a walk without shoes.”

  Wish I knew! I tried to deflect him. “You’re one to talk. Aren’t you wearing flip-flops?”

  He chuckled, his exhales producing little, white clouds. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Misty likes to get out early. I didn’t realize how cold it gets here though.”

  I was about to ask where he’d moved from when it dawned on me that if he was awake, then maybe it was late enough for my family to be too. Oh no…

  “What time is it?” I blurted.

  “Uh, six, maybe six fifteen…”

  I inhaled sharply.

  He glanced over. “What’s wrong?”

  “Sorry, got to go!” I called, sprinting away, leaving him and Misty behind. I knew I looked nuts, running barefoot in the woods, leaves strewn through my hair, but I didn’t care. I just prayed I’d be able to reenter our home and get in my bed before my parents discovered my absence.

  At least it’s Saturday. My sisters and parents weren’t exactly early risers on the weekend. I slid the backdoor open and tiptoed through the kitchen. Taking the stairs two at a time, I was relieved to see the house was dark and quiet.

  Once in my room, I shot a glance at my vanity mirror. Ugh. Black smudges under my eyes left them looking bruised, my sweat suit was covered in enough dirt to appear brown rather than gray, and my hair… for a moment, I remembered the feel of it slapping against my back as I ran. I ripped a brush through, pulling out the remaining leaves.