Darkness

DARKNESS

 The wind is cold

I'm here all alone,

There are secrets that the night hold

A little boy made up of flesh and bone.

A single candle burning far away

I'm trying to reach its heat

But I've barely managed to walk all day

Forcing my heart every second to beat

The thorns are resting in my feet

Tears coming out to play,

All I seek is the heat

Walking through dark finding my way.

The night has made me cold

The darkeness has covered all my hope

All I seek is to hold

A single piece of a rope.

I slammed in the wall

And slipped on a ball

It was harder to get up after every fall

It all seemed like an endless hall.

At last I reached the flame

With wounds and tears on my face

It's the wind I blame

Who extinguished the fire and left me alone in this maze.

Possessed- The Truth- (Story)- 12

 

Before we could speak anything Uncle John had his gun out. He came running and pointed it on us. After realizing that it was me he put the gun down. I was able to see the anger in his face.

‘What are you doing here again?’

‘We came for a trip,’ I stammered.

‘To a forest?’ He raised his eyebrow.

‘We had a project on trees,’ helped Catherine.

He knew that we were lying, ‘Don’t you’ve an appointed today?’

‘I was about to leave,’ I lied.

Catherine was surprised to hear about the appointment. ‘Then you need to check your watch. You are already five minutes late.’

‘Damn! I’ll apologise in my next meeting.’

‘You have to go now,’ roared Uncle John.

‘But…’

‘NOW!’

We both sat on the bikes and rode back. ‘You’ve an appointment?’

‘Yeah I’m going to a psychologist.’

‘Why?’ she was astonished. It was an answer she never expected.

‘I hear voices.’

‘What kind of voices?’

‘Can we please stop talking about it?’

She fell silent; I saw sympathy in her eyes. She rode with me to the doctor and then waved me and left. I walked inside knowing that I was fifteen minutes late.

I flung open the door and saw that he was waiting for me patiently.

‘I’m really sorry.’

‘Have a seat Rodrigo.’

I sat on the couch and repeated, ‘I’m really sorry. I know I should have taken care of time.’

‘You have no need to apologize. Being busy is a sign of improvement.’

He was right. I hadn’t heard Rodrigo from past few hours. These people are really good with words.

                                                                                         ***

Mrs. Baker stormed on me immediately I entered home. Uncle John had told her everything and now I was grounded. I ate the dinner and lied on the bed wandering that I’ll be stuck in this body forever.

‘Stuck?’ ‘You’re living a pretty luxurious life according to me.’ Rodrigo appeared again.

‘What do you want?’

‘I’ve told you so many times.’

‘Where were you all afternoon?’

‘Messing with your dreams is so exhausting, I needed some rest.’

‘Why can’t you leave me alone?’

‘You want to be alone,’ he yelled. ‘You don’t know what alone means. It’s me alone all the time. I don’t feel human touch. I feel hunger but can’t eat. My throat begs for water every second but it can’t be quenched. I’ve no one to talk to. I just see you living in my body and this all happened because of you.’

‘There is nothing I can do.’

‘Then kill yourself.’ Those words hit me hard. Will dying for good end all this? But I wasn’t a coward. I was deep lost in my thoughts that I heard a knock on the door.

I got up and opened the door. It was Uncle John. What was he doing at this hour?

‘Why were you with that girl?’

‘Why can’t I be with her?’

‘Because of her safety.’

‘How?’

‘You’re fooling no one Ashley,’ he yelled.

My heart skipped a beat. Did I hear it right?

‘I’m Rodrigo,’ I tried to correct him.

‘Stop this! I know who you are and what you did. I knew from the first time I saw you…’

Possessed- THE TRIP TO THE FOREST ONCE AGAIN- (Story)- 11

 I walked in, wandering Uncle John’s warning. He was quite serious. But I had no reason to doubt Catherine. She was always there for me whenever I need her. She was the only in the school that helped me.

We had spent summers together, drank gallons of coffee in that shop and spent Halloween nights scaring small kids. But she was the only one who knew about the shop. She was the one who knew Mr. Cocoa.

But why will she kill me or turn me into this. I was baffled not knowing what is right or what is wrong. I needed answers. I walked passing my old locker. It has all the flowers and ‘Miss You’ cards. People who never talked to me or knew me were showing grief.

Maybe that’s the truth people only care once you’re gone. I glared at my old picture that was there on my locker. I had that broad smile on my face, I was happy, I had nothing to worry about. Everything was so good.

I was lost in my photo that I didn’t realize Catherine was standing beside me.

‘Nice isn’t it?’ she smiled. ‘Thanks for the ride and sorry I didn’t ask earlier. What is your name?’

‘Rodrigo,’ I smiled.

‘So it’s nice to meet you Rodrigo.’ ‘Maybe we could go to the forest again.’

‘But my uncle has said…’

‘There is something we are missing. I need answers.’

Uncle John’s warning repeated in my head again. But she was my friend and I needed answers too so I agreed.

‘Great!’ she smiled and went away.

I went to my class. I had no interest listening to the teacher. I had survived this all last year. I was just looking at the clock.

                                                                                                     ***

I totally forgot about my appointment but I was in no mood to go. There was no way he could help me out. Catherine came with her bike and said, ‘Let’s go!’

‘Actually I forgot my bike near that forest last evening.’

‘No problem we can walk then.’ She sounded disappointed.

We were walking quietly. I wanted to tell her everything but I stopped. First I needed to talk to Uncle John, I wanted to ask that what exactly he meant.

I’ve walked till that coffee shop for the first time. The roads were much longer on foot. I found my cycle same place where I parked it last evening. I was happy to be with Catherine again, it felt like old days.

‘So what do your parents do?’ Catherine broke the silence.

‘My dad died in an accident and my mom,’ Good question; I had no idea what she do. ‘She works.’

‘Where?’

‘We should ride on bikes to go inside this time,’ I immediately changed the topic.

She understood what I did but didn’t ask again. We rode inside, this time keeping a track of the route. 

It was same as last evening. No sign, nothing. It was waste of time searching her but there was hope that didn't allow us to give up.

Suddenly I saw a shadow. It was definitely a man. I pointed it out and Catherine eyes were wide opened. What was he doing in the forest at this time alone? We climbed down our bikes and were surprised to see Uncle John…

Possessed- The Warning- (Story)- 10

 

I managed to move my neck and saw Uncle John standing. I realized that I was holding my breath for too long. I allowed air to go inside me and asked, ‘What are you doing here?’

‘That is a question I should be asking you.’

‘We were searching clues about Ashley,’ interrupted Catherine.

‘That is a job we are getting paid,’ said Uncle John calmly.

‘But apparently you’re not doing your job,’ Catherine was frustrated.

‘Who told you this? I am wandering in this forest for past few days just for clues,’ he explained. ‘It’s true we hid the story but that was to avoid panic in the town.’

Catherine was shocked. ‘Did you find anything?’ asked Catherine hopefully.

‘We haven’t but we will. I’ve called a special team tomorrow,’ he told. ‘I assure you if I find something I’ll personally come to you.’  

It was never easy to persuade Catherine but Uncle John was doing it great. She had no words left to argue so she nodded.

Uncle John brought us out and dropped Catherine at her house. As soon as she left he scolded, ‘What were you doing in that forest with that girl?’

‘I was helping her to find clues?’

‘But why?’ ‘And why did you go near the forest. I’ve told you so many times to stay away from that place. What is wrong with you? Tell me you were never like this.’

‘That murder has scared me.’

‘You’ve no reason to worry. You’re totally safe. Nothing will happen to you. You will be last person someone thinks of killing.’

I nodded silently. No one talked until we reached home. As soon as we entered I saw Mrs. Baker. She was tensed and was waiting for me.

‘Where have you been?’

‘He was with me. I think staying with his uncle is not a problem,’ Uncle John helped me from a big explanation.

‘He should not stay out for so long.’

‘Don’t be so restrictive. He is a grown up boy.’

‘Whatever,’ she rolled her eyes. ‘Eat something and sleep. You have your appointment for tomorrow evening.’

I moved my lips saying ‘Thank you’ to Uncle John and ran in the kitchen.

                                                                        ***

The night was uneasy. I continuously had nightmares about killing Rodrigo. He was playing with my mind.

I climbed down and saw Uncle John leaving. I ran up to him and said, ‘Can you please drop me to school? I forgot my bicycle near the forest last evening.’

 We reached school and I climbed down the car.

‘Stay away from that girl,’ warned Uncle Rodrigo. ‘Just stay away from her it’s too dangerous.’

Before I could react he closed the door and drove away. Why did he say that? Did Catherine know something that she was hiding from me? I had to find out…

 

Possessed- I finally found Catherine - (Story) - 9

 I immediately looked back and was delighted to see. It was Catherine. I've seen her for the first time after the funeral. 

'Who are you? What are you doing here near the forest?' asked Catherine.

I wanted to tell her all the things but maybe I'll sound mad. So I just answered, 'I lost my way.'

She didn't care and left saying, 'Be careful! People are murdered here and police do nothing.'

I was able to feel pain in her voice. I was about to stop her but Rodrigo came in front of my eyes again, 'Tell her everything. Tell her how you killed me.'

This time I just ran through him and shouted, 'Stop!'

Catherine stopped and looked back, 'What do you want?'

'I can help you to find the truth about Ashley.'

'How'd you know about him?' Catherine was shocked.

'My uncle is in police.'

'Police is doing nothing,' grumbled Catherine.

'But we can do it. We can find the truth.'

'Why do you want to help?'

'So that someone else don't get murdered,' I was not able to think any better explanation.

She was not satisfied with my explanation but she nodded.

'Where do we start?'

'Maybe we should search the forests because it was the place from where the car came.'

'Nice idea! But how do you know...'

'I told you that my uncle is in police,' I interrupted her immediately. 

We walked inside it. My father always used to warn me about not going to forests alone. But what worse could happen?

It didn't look dense from outside but when we got few metres inside it was crowded with trees. There was no way a car could move here. Something was wrong about it. We just walked in for few minutes and the trees has already blocked the sun light.

Suddenly Catherine screamed. I moved towards her and asked in concern, 'Are you alright Catherine?'

'Yeah maybe there is a thorn in my back.' I checked and pulled it out.

'Thanks,' she said. 'Wait! How'd you know my name?'

Crap! 'Told you my uncle is in police.'

'So? Do you remember every citizen that lives here?'

'Umm... No, actually I'm in your school,' nothing better came in my mind. 'And you're quite famous there.'

She rolled her eyes, 'Yeah whatever.'

There was no way we could find anything there. 'We should go back. There is nothing in here,' I suggested.

Catherine didn't want to give up. She searched for few more minutes but finally agreed with me. We turned around and had no idea how to go back.

Great now I'm lost in a forest too. It was getting late. There were already only few rays of light coming but now they disappeared too. \

'How will we go back?' asked Catherine.

'I've no idea.'

We walked here and there but it was not much help. Suddenly I heard a twig crushed. Someone else was here too.

I could see the fear in Catherine's eyes. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder and my heart skipped a beat...

Possessed- MY FIRST APPOINTMENT - (Story)-8

 'How is this possible? I...' I had no courage to complete the sentence.

'Why'd you stop? Complete it! You killed me.'

'I didn't intend to. I was not knowing what to do...'

'So you killed me,' interrupted Rodrigo.

'Look I'm really sorry.'

'Your sorry won't bring my life back.'

'I am trying to figure something out. We will find a way to get back to our respective bodies.'

'Give me one reason to trust you.'

'With whom are you talking,' interrupted Mrs. Baker. I looked and realized Rodrigo has disappeared. 

'Umm... No one.'

'Come sit in the car. I took an off for your first appointment.'

                                                                                                      ***

I was sitting on the couch. The room was quite impressive. It had an collection on antique stuff. Soon the door opened and a man who was not so young came. He had some white hair and was wearing simple pant and shirt with sleeves rolled up.

He sat in his well cushioned chair and asked, 'How are you doing Rodrigo?'

Suddenly I heard his voice in my head. 'Tell him! Tell how you took my heart with your bare hands.'

'Can you please leave me alone? How the hell you came here?'

'By the door maybe,' said the doctor who wasn't expecting this answer.

I ignored him and waited for Rodrigo to answer. His voice came again more prominent this time, 'I was always there in you. But you were so lost in your anger an regrets that you weren't able to hear me.'

'It wasn't my mistake. Believe me I'll fix everything,' I apologized.

The doctor didn't say anything. He was observing my behavior patiently. 

'Why do you get to live?'

'Please leave me alone,' I shouted louder.

'Give me my body back and I'll leave you.'

I couldn't handle this anymore. I wanted air, I was suffocating. Seeing me struggling for breath doctor took me outside.

We were walking together not saying a word for few minutes. I was trying to digest the stuff that happened.

After I got enough air to relax my mind doctor asked, 'So who was it you were talking to?'

'I don't know,' I said hoping to end the conversation.

                                                                                                        ***

I survived the session. Somehow I convinced Mrs. Baker to allow me to leave the house at evening. It was important to meet Catherine. 

I rode the bike to her house and rang the bell. It was her mother. 

'Is Catherine home?' I asked.

'No she is out. Who are you?'

'I'm... Never mind.'

I didn't know how to explain all it to her. I rode my bike again. Where could she go? She was always at her home during this hour.

I was in no mood to go back. Rodrigo has finally gone somewhere and left me alone. That memory of dying was still freaking me out. So I decided to face it.

I rode to the same coffee shop. It was closed and the place where the car crashed has been cleaned like nothing happened. I was missing mom and dad.

I parked my bike and stood at the place where it crashed. 

'You've to end it for good,' I remembered Mr. Cocoa words. All this is so messed up.

Suddenly I heard some footsteps approaching... 

Possessed- RODRIGO IS STILL ALIVE (Story)-7

 'What on earth happened to you?' bellowed mom.

I was silent. I had no explanation.

'We are concerned about you Rodrigo. We are your well wishers. Talk to us.'

'He started the fight,' I stammered.

'So you made his face bled like hell,' shouted mom sarcastically.

'He was twice as strong you. Don't you think before picking up a fight,' scolded Uncle John.

I couldn't handle it anymore. 

'You care for me? So where are you guys all the day. No one is home at morning. You come back late at night. Do you really have time to care for me,' words came out abruptly from my mouth.

'We work day and night for you,' explained mom.

'When do you have time for me?'

'We are always there for you?'

'Seriously?' I rolled my eyes and went into my room. I slammed the door behind me.

'It's not so like him. He has changed so much,' I heard Uncle John.

'Maybe it's our fault. He is feeling lonely. I am trying everything to fill his dad's place,' sobbed Mrs. Baker.

'It's not you fault,' Uncle John tried to calm her down.

I moved away from the door and lied on the bed. All the anger was vanished. I felt light and my eyes turned really heavy. I didn't sleep from past few days at all. I closed my eyes and allowed my body to relax. 

'You killed me! What was my fault in it?' said a voice in my head. 'I deserved a future. It's my body you have high jacked. I want it back.'

I saw Rodrigo standing in front of me. How is this even possible. 

'I want my body back,' he said continuously and was coming towards me. He grabbed mt neck. 'I'll kill you like you killed me.'

I shouted in horror and woke up drenched in sweat. I saw Mr. Baker sitting beside me with an ice pack.

'Are you okay?' she said in a concerned voice. She has bandaged my wounds.

'What are you doing here?'

'You are having a high fever,' proclaimed Mrs. Baker.

'I'm okay you should go back to sleep.'

'Why did you scream?'

'I had a nightmare.'

'We should go to a psychiatrist tomorrow.'

I had no strength to argue so I nodded. She kissed me on my forehead and was about to leave.'

'Mom,' I stopped her. She looked at me, 'I'm sorry for my behavior tonight. I don't know what is happening to me.'

She came towards me and hugged me tight, 'Everything will be fine. I love you more than anything.'

Her touch made me feel safe. I felt everything will be normal now. I felt better. 

'Your temperature is coming down,' she said astonishingly. 'Sleep well honey.'

I lied back and closed my eyes. Relaxed for the first time. Soon sleep took over my body.

                                                                              ***

I woke up late next day. My face was still hurting but I felt a lot better from inside. It was my fate that didn't like me happy.

'You look quite happy in my body,' said Rodrigo in front of me. So it wasn't a dream, he is still alive...

Possessed- I HAD MY FIRST FIGHT (Story).-6

 I again woke up without alarm. Actually I didn't sleep at all, mom's voice was coming in my mind again and again. The voice of dad sobbing destroyed the core of my heart. Nothing was looking happy around me. Only hope was keeping me alive.

I took a bath and noticed that Rodrigo didn't have too many clothes to wear. Maybe he would be a simple kid. I must act like him to avoid any doubt by his mom or uncle.

I checked his books and stuff to know something about him. He was a junior and his full name was Rodrigo Baker. I climbed down and saw that there was no one home. Maybe they both have gone to work.

They were pretty upset last night because of my behavior at the church. I found a cycle in the garage assuming it must be of Rodrigo I rode it to school. Riding the bike brought all the memories back.

'I should have gone back home,' this thought paralyzed my brain.

I shook my head and peddled harder. All the anger, sorrow and pain was travelling in my legs. I was riding pretty fast. I pedaled harder. 

'He was a part of me,' dad's voice came in my mind. I heard mom sobbing again. It made me stop again. The speed was reducing now.

I wanted to get rid of these thoughts. Catherine! I will talk to her. She will definitely find a way. Everything will be normal again.

                                                                                     ***

For the first time in my life I reached school fifteen minutes early. I went to my locker but it won't budge. 

'What the hell are you doing with that locker?' roared a voice. It was James, six feet, muscular, short hair. Half school has a crush on him. I remember Catherine telling me that he asked her out and her rejection made him mad.

'It's my...' Holy crap! I was dead two days ago. I'm Rodrigo now. How could I do such a stupid mistake. 'Sorry, I was thinking something.' 

I walked away but he blocked my way. 'You think you could steal with me here?' Steal? Has he lost his mind?

I didn't possess anything that would be worth keeping. Who will think of stealing it. Wait! I got it. He was trying to be a hero to impress Catherine. What a jerk!

'Who are you FBI?' words jumped out of my mouth. Worst mistake!

He punched me hard on my face. My nose was bleeding. If I would have been in my clear state of my mind I would had acted smart and left silently.

But all the anger rushed in me again. I threw my bag on the floor and pushed him on the locker. Half of the school came to see the fight.

I realized for the first time. Rodrigo had maintained a good shape. Now I started a battle from which there was no way out.

James couldn't tolerate the insult of being pushed by me. He closed his fight tight and punch my face hard again. My teeth must have been broken. But I didn't feel any pain. All the anger was running in my veins.

I pushed him on the floor and sat on him. I punched him like a machine. I wasn't thinking anything. My dead body, my mother's cry, my dad's tear and Catherine scream all came in my mind.

I felt stronger every second. James was lying on floor unable to do anything. Suddenly a hard grabbed me from waist.

I resisted that pull and kept on punching. He pulled me harder. It was our principal. I finally stopped. All the anger was going away. Suddenly my muscles felt exhausted. 

'Rodrigo I want you in my office right now!' shouted the Principal...

Possessed- I ATTENDED MY OWN FUNERAL (Story)-5

 'We can go to church,' I requested.

Uncle John was not at all expecting to go to such a place. 

'I think there is a funeral going on,' said Uncle John hoping that I'll change my mind.

'No problem, I want to go to the Church!' I went towards it without listening to his reply. Uncle John was left with no option other than come with me.

'I thought kids nowadays want something fun. The definition of fun was much more better when I was a child,' grumbled Uncle John under his breath.

I came inside and the funeral had just started. I saw mom and dad sitting on the first bench. I sat on the last seat and soon Uncle John joined me. All the sorrow was crushing me from inside. A simple event changed everything.

'I would like to call Ashley's dad to speak,' said a voice on mic.

'Ashley was not only a son but piece of my heart,' his voice was filled with grief. 'It still seems like yesterday when I brought him home. It was like the most happiest day of my life, it was like no problem could take away my smile. It was like... like' tears rolled from his eyes.

'Sorry I won't be able to speak more,' he climbed down wiping of the tears and asked mom to speak.

She had tissue in her hand which was drenched. She was not able to balance herself. It was clear she didn't sleep since yesterday.

'Ashley was a part of me,' she managed to speak. 'He was such a wonderful child. He didn't deserve it. He had a future, a life all destroyed in a seconds. He deserved a life to live to enjoy the moments. It's not fair, I want him back...' she burst into tears.

Dad and Catherine helped her and brought her back to her seat. All this was too much for me to handle. My heart scattered. Every tear of her was breaking me down. I wanted to go but my legs weren't allowing it.

Uncle John seeing the unrest in me helped me up.

'Time to go kiddo,' he pulled me outside. This all is so painful. All the emotions was flowing inside me. I wanted to run inside and hug mom and dad. It was better when I was a ghost. When I didn't feel anything.

I wanted to get out of it. I focused to jump out but nothing happened. I was stuck in this body. I heard Catherine voice.

Suddenly I had an idea. She saw me last. She knew what happened. She can help me, she will believe me. I just need to talk to her. I turned around to move back inside but someone grabbed me.

'What is wrong with you Rodrigo? You never behaved like this,' Uncle John complained.

'I just want to go inside for couple of moments,'

'We're going home and that's my order,' he pulled me in his car and drove home.

So I'll talk to her tomorrow in the school. Everything will be fine. She will help me...

Possessed- I got to know about Rodrigo (STORY)-4

 I didn't realize time passing away. I had no idea for how long tears were endlessly flowing from my eyes. I came to my senses after the third knock on the door. 

'Honey are you alright?' said a female voice.

I immediately got up and wiped my tears. I opened the door and saw a tall lady wearing suit. it looked like she just came from and hectic day.

'I saw the dinner still in the fridge. Why didn't you eat it?' 'Uncle John is late again today, Wait! You were crying? Is everything alright?'

'I'm fine,' 'I was playing my video game and maybe my eye sight has gone weak.' She knew I was lying but she forced a smile and went away.

I closed the door and decided that I needed my body back, I needed my life back. For that I needed to know more about this new me. I understood by now that this boy name was Rodrigo. I decided to join the dinner with that lady to know more.

I climbed down the stairs and sat on the table. Soon after that lady came in her night dress and it was clear with her expression that she wasn't expecting me. But I was able to see the happiness on her face.

She sat on the table and started a conversation, 'So how was your day?'

'Fine.'

'Everything good at school?'

'Yeah!' I guessed that she must be Rodrigo's mom. Maybe I should ask something otherwise she will doubt me. But what can I ask?

Suddenly door bell rang and I said without thinking.

'I'll get this, it must be dad.'

After hearing this she immediately stopped eating. I ran happy to come out of an awkward conversation not realizing the mistake I did. I opened the door and saw the same cop. He looked at me with strange look.

'You're still awake?' 'Won't you be late for school tomorrow?' Who was he? How was he related to Rodrigo? Maybe he was his dad so I said, 'No dad I'll be fine.'

I turned toward the table not looking at him. But I saw tension on mom face. 

'Are you alight honey?'

'Why?'

'Your dad died in an accident years ago.'

Holy crap! I needed to cover up for the mistake I just did. 

'I know mom. It's just...'  What should I speak? ' It's just, I was missing him today. I don't know suddenly all the feeling hit me hard.'

'But...'

'I think I need rest,' I didn't wait for her reply and ran back to my room. Close! 

'He is missing him John,' I heard mom saying.

'He is a kid everything will me alright,' 'Maybe I could take him out tomorrow.'

'That would be great!' 

                                                                        ***

I was lying on my bed. For the first time in history I was not able to sleep. I was feeling devastated. I killed her son. All this guilt was destroying me from inside. My eyes which were tired from crying got heavy so I closed them.

I woke up before the alarm clock. I took a bath and changed into fresh clothes. I needed to find a way to get my original body back. I climbed down the stairs and saw Uncle John.

'We are going out today!'

'But school?' it was the only thought that came up in my mind to escape from here.

'You want to miss a fun trip with your uncle for school. C'mon one day relaxing won't make any difference.'

He pulled me out and started walking. He was happy or was acting to do for me. 

'What a good family it is,' I thought.

Uncle John was speaking some jokes and laughing but my mind was only thinking way to get my body back.

Suddenly we passed the church and I saw there was a funeral going on. Wait! It was my funeral going on...