Page 2 of Shadowed With Fear

Dahlia looks at me long and hard, her head titling one way and the next, her dark curls tumbling over her shoulders.

“The Invisible Man.”

I’m disappointed. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

“But why? He’s the one no one talks about.”

“Exactly. You stick to the shadows, Grayson. Griffin is a man who was obsessed with light and optics and understanding their importance. Hence, you and your camera you go nowhere without. Griffin was also a reasonably intelligent man, but he had a hard time making connections with other people. I’m pretty sure this is the longest we’ve had a conversation where I’m not about to punch you in the face. And Griffin had a violent streak. I know you try to hide it, but everyone knows what happened at the football game your senior year,” Dahlia gives me a pointed look and I just shrug.

Fuck, Mitchell Robinson. Dude’s a dick.

“Okay, I see your point.”

“I think you’re both full of shit,” Brahm laughs, standing to head upstairs. “I’ll be back in a second. I’m gonna order pizza and call mom.”

I nod at him as he passes, and Dahlia throws a pillow at him. She has already turned her focus back to the black and white film.

Her eyes are wide with wonder as she watches each scene unfold. The amount of dedication to every little detail is something I can see reflected in myself when I people watch or try to capture moments in photos. Every little thing has to be perfect, and it has to tell a story, one that you can never forget. That’s what makes art so visceral, so real.

Dahlia is like an art that has gone completely unknown for the last fourteen years. She has always been so stubborn and steadfast. I should have known that any argument between her and her brother would just end in her being right. But the way that she views the world through such introspective lenses is admirable. I can see that part of myself in her. She wishes to find the answers behind everything, whereas I want to preserve it.

“Have you ever thought about what you want to do after you graduate?”

My question takes us both by surprise.

“Uh, no. Not really. I still have a few years to think on it though.” She sits cross-legged with her back to the armrest.

“I know that, but you should give some thought to doing film. I’m in the art program with a concentration in photography, you know that, but some of my classes I share with film majors. I think you’d like them.”

There’s a far off look in her hazel eyes but she gives a slight nod and a brief smile. “Yeah, I’ll think about it, Grayson.”

I nod back and we turn to the movie just as Brahm comes toppling down the stairs.

“No answer from mom or dad, but pizza will arrive shortly. What do y’all say we watch a real horror movie?” He wiggles his brows at me, and I choke on my laugh, just as Dahlia begins to screech.

* * *

We’re thirty minutes into The Blair Witch Project when the doorbell rings. I had just sat down, so I don’t move and neither does Brahm. Dahlia huffs a sigh, “Oh no, don’t worry about it. I’ll get it. Not like I just sat down or anything.”

“Pizza money is on the side table, D.” Brahm throws a fistful of popcorn into his mouth, only like two pieces actually made it in, the rest falls and scatters across the floor.

A sharp cry cuts through the silence of the movie. Brahm jumps and looks over at me startled as well, but the cry continues. I jumped and ran to the front door. My heart is pounding and my blood rushes through my ears.

I round the corner to the entry hall and the image before me is burned into my memory forever.

Dahlia is balled up on the floor, weeping, gasping for air.

In the door, Alexander stands with his commanding officer, new uniform, which is usually pristine, rumpled and covered in blood. His dark brown eyes are blood shot, and his cheeks are red. His hands are balled around his hat, knuckles white under his grip.

He swallows thickly, the superior putting a wide hand on his broad shoulder.

“I can do this, son. You don’t have — “

“No, sir. I need to do this.” He turns to me, one of my best friends, and I already know what he’s going to say. “Grays, I need to speak to Brahm. Something happened…” he trials off as Brahm comes up behind me. He pushes past me and steps over Dahlia.

“Alex?”