TALES FROM THE NIGHTMARE VAULT: Patricia
Cave creek was pretty much what you would expect.
It was night fall by the time my parents passed the sign for the high school that i would spend the rest of my teenage years at.
"What do you think, kiddo?" my fathers bright white smile could be seen, even in the darkness, in the rearview mirror.
"I don't understand why we couldn't stay back in Chicago for two more years, just so i could finish out high school with the little friends i DID have". I said ripping my air pod out of my ear.
My moms head turned so fast i thought heard her neck crack "Noah!". She hissed through gritted teeth.
"Its ok hon" my dad said softly "Listen Noah i know this isn't ideal but the offer Mr.Kensington made me to open the new quarry was too much money for us to turn down. Please try to remember there will be life after high school and postsecondary is not cheap. You will make new friends. Think of Cave Creek as a fresh start!".
"and maybe even meet a girl" a little voice came from beside me.
I signed deeply, and turned to face Macy. Her spider man pajama shirt was crumpled and had a little wet spot from drooling on it for the last 3 hours.
"Oh yeah?" i smiled and tossed her hair.
She giggled and stuck her tongue out at me.
The last month of summer crept by into an uneventful start to my grade 11 year. Classes were long and boring and my classmates seemed less than interested in meeting me.
One kid, Elijah, had waved me over at lunch on day one and had been a sort of companion at least. He had sandy blonde hair that shook in waves when he laughed, and face full of brown freckles.
My hair was almost black and my skin was darker in comparison, but i guess that what happens when you grow up in a town called cave creek, known for tall trees and more rainy days than sunny ones.
I had convinced myself that that was the way life was going to be till i could finish school and go back to my real friends in Chicago for university.
So on that dreary mid-September morning when everything changed, it came as quite a shock.
Just as i was about to doze off in my first period History class i felt something hit the side of my head.
"Ah!" i startled as my hand slipped out from under my chin and my head hit the desk.
"Noah Martin" My teacher Mr. Garcia announced "Nice of you to contribute, do you know which 4 famous people all live in Vienna in 1913?".
I turned to Elijah, guilt spread across his face, as he was obviously the one who threw this pencil at me.
"Stalin, Hitler, Trotsky and Tito" i spat sitting back in my chair, stretching my long legs under my desk. Atleast with the lack of socialization i had time to study and actually enjoyed it for the most part. Lucky for me in that moment, history was my favourite subject.
Mr. Garcia looked defeated and scoffed under his breath turning back towards the white board.
"Sorry" Elijah said beside me "he called you twice".
"What are you doing after school?" Elijah asked catching up to me after last period just outside the exit doors.
"I promised my parents i would take my little sister to the library to meet her friends" i said hoisting my backpack over my shoulder and starting towards my Truck.
"Man, you have been telling me for weeks now you would come down to ghost rock with me so i can show you what our town is famous for" Elijah whined as my hand found my door handle and pulled. It took everything in me not to tell him i couldn't care less and this move would one day be just a distant memory.
That when everything changed. The moment my eyes found hers, the whole world slowed down. Her long icy blonde hair fell down her shoulders in a straight water fall. Her pink polkadot dress was cut just above her knees, revealing pail petite legs that ran down to white ballerina flats. She was perched against a tree in the school garden with thick book in her small hands.
"Elijah... who's that?" i asked pointed to the back of the school.
Elijahs head whipped around.
"Who? What are you talking about?" he groaned.
"The girl in the garden" i said motioning in her direction, right in front of where Elijah was looking.
"Dude i don't see anyone, look if you don't want to hang out after school its fine, just let me know when you are available because..." i cut him off "i gotta go" and slammed my truck door shut.
I glanced back toward Elijah who had slumped off as i made my was toward the garden at the back of the school, and it sent a pang into my heart. I didn't know why i felt so sour towards him, it was more about my situation, but as i turned back towards her the world cleared again.
Her eyes were still locked on me and she began to lower her book as i drew closer.
"Hi" i said managing a goofy smile.
"Hello" her voice like velvet hit my ear funny and made my knees weak. I stumbled a little which made her jump.
"I... Im Noah" i said thrusting my hand in front of her awkwardly. She downturned her lips and looked at my outstretched palm it like it offended her. When she looked back up at me her beautiful almost sea foam eyes softened.
"I am Patricia".
We sat there for about 2 hours just chatting. She sat cross legged about 4 feet away from me, that beautiful dress blowing occasionally in the wind.
"Noah... thats a nice name" she breathed.
"My mom told me once it means rest" i said leaning in but careful not to get to close.
Her big eyes looked sad at that for a brief second "rest... that sounds nice".
She had moved here last year but had yet to make a friend. It was just her and her father living down on Riverstone drive in an old Cape Cod style home.
"I admit" my cheeks turning purple "i'm not great at talking to people either... you are actually the first person i approached since i started here".
"I saw you talking to that boy earlier" she pushed her hair behind her ear. God her voice was beautiful, and those eyes.
"Thats Elijah, he's very friendly i'm actually surprised you haven't met him yet he approached me on my first day".
"He seems nice but no i haven't spoken to really anybody" she looked embarrassed as the words left her lips.
"He is nice, i feel bad i told him i could hang out with him tonight because..." i shot up startling her into dropping the book she had pressed against her chest into the grass.
"Patricia, i am so sorry. I need to leave i promised... it doesn't matter, can i drive you home?" i half shouted reaching my hand down to help her out of the grass.
"No..." she whispered leaning away from my outstretched hand "Im okay, thank you".
"Okay" i said pulling my hand back "I would really like to see you tomorrow at school".
A small smile spread across her lips and she nodded.
I turned and sprinted to the truck not risking a glance back, fearing she would be gone and i had imagined the whole amazing experience.
Little Macys eyes were red and swollen when i burst through the front door. She sat on the bench in the mud room clutching her back pack with shaking hands.
"Two hours" She chocked out, her lips quivered as i threw my own back pack into the closet.
"Macy, i'm so sorry" i said falling to my knees beside her.
"No" she said wiping a big wet tear from her cheek "This is the only thing i asked you to do since we got here. You never want to see me, all you do is sit up in your room playing music with your door closed" she stood and kicked her shoes off "You don't think it was hard for me too coming here and starting grade 8 in a new school?! I don't even know who you are anymore!".
I watched her bolt up the stairs and audibly gasped when her door slammed shut.
"Shit".
Dinner was quiet that night. My dad made small talk about the quarry and how things "couldn't be running more smoothly". My mom listened intently poking at her mashed potatoes. I looked up once at Macy but she never met my eyes. To be honest i was lost in my own world thinking about Patricia.
The night as i drifted off to sleep, all i could think about was her. She was the most beautiful girl i had ever seen. Her long blonde hair, her pouty soft lips. The way she giggled and cocked her head to the side when i made a joke made my cheeks throb with heat.
The next morning i rushed to get out the door.
"Pancakes?" My dad called as i ran past the kitchen.
"No, i gotta go. Sorry dad" i called grabbing my jacket and flinging the front door open.
Finally a sunning day. I pulled out of our sloped drive way and turned onto the street to start towards school.
Maybe if i went in early i could catch her before class started in the halls, she had said she was in the same grade as me but i would have remembered seeing her in one at least in home room.
The day went on and as hard as tried i didn't see her. lunch rolled around and i spotted Elijah sitting at a far table with a couple classmates, his hands flying in the air probably telling some elaborate story i had already heard a million times.
I slid in next to him with my tray just as another one of the kids started talking.
"I have to talk to you" i whispered poking him in the shoulder.
Elijah turned to me rolling his eyes.
"I expected at least a text last night after you ran off" he said taking a bite of his apple, some juice squirting onto the top of my hand.
"Whatever... sorry... look" I almost couldn't catch my breath "do you know a Patricia?".
"What is this a riddle?" he asked.
"What? No. She's a student here, since last year?".
Elijah shrugged and began collecting discarded wrappers from his lunch.
"Are you actually telling me you have never seen her, she absolutely stunning and funny and..." He cut me off.
"Well i'm glad you found someone you want to hang out with, Noah but no... i have no clue who your talking about" and with that he stood and left me at a table with complete strangers.
The next couple of days were miserable. Elijah had barely said a word to me and i didn't run into Patricia again. The Friday bell let school out and i walked slowly towards my truck.
Out of the corner of my eyes i spotted her. a jolt running up my spine.
"Hey!" i screamed, a little to loud.
There she was perched against the same tree, a different novel in her hand this time.
As i ran toward her she looked up and for a split second i could see fear in her expression.
"Patricia, where have you been..." I went to touch her arm but she pulled back just in time.
"Noah look..." she started.
"I told you i wanted to see you again at school and you were... just gone".
"Noah i'm not really supposed... i have to go". She knelt down to shove her book into her bag.
Thats when i noticed it... the same pink polkadot dress she was wearing on the first day i saw her.
"Patricia..." I mumbled again reaching for her arm.
She fell back this time, bumping against the tree.
"Leave me alone! Im not supposed to speak to boys, my dad... well he..." she stood then, all 5'4 of her to my 6'2.
"He just doesn't like it" she said finally, starting to walk off.
"But" i said "I really like you...".
She froze.
Turning around slowing her eyes were so glassy, those beautiful sea foam eyes.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yes, please stay and talk with me again" i begged.
"Do you know where ghost rock is?" she said.
"I can find out" i nodded anxiously.
"Ok i will meet you there, after 11, i can sneak out" she blinked away a tear and smiled shyly.
"OK YES!" i shouted. She flinched then giggled, "ok i will see you tonight then".
The floor boards creaked as i made my way towards the door.
Mom and dad had gone to bed an hour ago. A soft light came from under Macys door, i assumed she had left her tv on and fallen asleep.
Grabbing my keys from the hook i turned to open the door and came face to face with my very awake little sister.
"Really?" she said placing her hand on her hip.
"Macy look, i met someone" i said.
"What?!" her whole demeanor changed then.
"A girl?!" she grabbed my arm.
"Yes Macy... actually" i said pulling her towards the living room "her name is Patricia, have you seen her... or heard of her in our school?".
Macys jaw worked for a second then her eyes met mine.
"No, what does she look like?".
"5'4, blonde, green eyes... actually i have only seen her in a polkadot dress, does that sound familiar?" i sat in front of her on the couch.
"Actually Noah... no" she said "i have never seen her, but if you like her, thats all that matters" she smiled broadly down at me.
I pulled up to the parking for ghost cave, not a single other car for miles down the road and certainly no sign of life here.
i pulled my jacket closer around me and clicked the flashlight on to begin the decent down the wooden path towards the cave.
The cold night air licked at my cheeks and shiver ran down my spin. An owl hoot in the distant set me back onto my heels.
"Noah" her voice cut through the freeze and i sped up as the cave came into view.
"Patricia?" i called.
Scanning the rock wall with my thin flash light i finally found her, seated on one of the massive boulders.
"I like you too" she blushed and beckoned me over.
When i reached the rock and sat myself down beside her she leaned in closer than she ever had before. She smelled like fresh flowers sitting in a windowsill. Her breath brushed against my cheek, sending shivers down my body and making my hair stand on end.
"Tell me more about growing up in a big city, Noah" she said softly.
And i did. It must have been 2am when we finally fell into silence. She had told me she lost her mom when she was younger and how hard it was on her and her father. We laughed, we cried... it was the best night of my life. When we were leaving she kissed me on the cheek. Her lips were impossibly cold, i had offered her my jacket then but she turned it down saying "i'm used to the cold".
I rolled the thin piece of paper, Patricia had torn out of the front page of her book and wrote her number on, between my fingers. Laying on my bed, i felt butterflies in my stomach. I had had girlfriends before, but no one i ever met could measure up to this sweet girl. I decided i would call her tomorrow evening if i didn't see her at school and drifted into a dreamless sleep.
"Good morning" Macy yawned walking into the bathroom.
"Hey buddy" i said through a mouthful of foamy toothpaste.
Her dark hair was nothing short of a rats nest as he grabbed her comb and began ripping at the knotted end.
"I have something weird to tell you" she said, setting the comb down.
"Mhh?" i rinsed my mouth out under the tap and dapped at it with the towel hanging off the door.
"After you left last night i went on the schools online directory to see if i could find Patricia".
I froze then, looking down at my little sister "why? what did you find?".
"Well i just wanted to see who you were talking about, i thought it was weird i never saw her in the hall ways".
"And?" i said impatiently.
"Thats the thing Noah... i couldn't find her. No record at all. No one by that name".
My head swam heading into school. She said she had started there last year, its impossible for there to be no record of her. Right?
The day dragged, Elijah had obviously let whatever grudge he was holding against me go because our conversation at lunch was light hearted and he even asked if i wanted to come over on the weekend to play video games.
My engine roared as i pulled back into my driveway after school that day.
I signed heavily putting the old truck into park and leaned back into my seat.
I closed my eyes and listened to the wind hitting the metal on my door, the truck swayed slightly with the gust.
When i opened them again i saw something stuck under my wind shield wiper that i hadn't noticed the whole drive home.
"Huh?" i muttered, grabbing my backpack and stepping out the door.
I unfolded the paper as i stepped through my door. Written with wobbly black ink were 4 simple words, that sent a stab of panic through me.
"Stay away from her".
I squeezed my cell phone in my hand so hard i though the poor thing would crack. The clock on my bedside table read 11:02.
Sitting on the edge of my bed i though, her dad has to be asleep. I need to talk to her, to ask her about the school, why they had no record of her. Why was i getting threatening notes about her?
The line rang only twice when a soft voice picked up on the other end.
"He... Hello?" she said in a whisper.
"Hey Patricia, i need to talk to you" i ushered.
"Noah? I cant right now im sorry my dad might..." she started.
I cut her off "The school has no record of you ever attending it, and i found this note on my truck" the words came out so fast.
"Patricia..." i said slowly "i have this weird feeling like... you might not be real... like im imagining you or your..." i didn't know how to finish my sentence.
"Oh... yeah well" suddenly a loud bang could be heard through the phone speaker.
Patricia screamed and the line went dead.
"Patricia!" i pressed the phone against my ear but the dial toned hum was all i could hear.
"Oh shit" i hit the redial button but i hadn't even rung.
I grabbed my keys from the night stand and ran off into the freezing night.
It was started raining as i turned down River Stone Drive. I didn't know her address but she had mentioned she lived in an old Cape Cod, which i googled and had a vague idea of what i was looking for.
As i got closer to the end of the street i thought i saw it. The moon was reflecting off the steep of the gabled roof. The central chimney was a dead give away, it was the only one of the street that had one.
This couldn't possibly be where she lived though? It didn't look like anyone had lived there in 50 years.
Stepping out into the rain i noticed the boarded up windows. The front door appeared to be hanging at a weird angle, and slightly ajar.
As i approached the house another load bang sent me running full speed through the front door and into a dimly lit foyer.
Patricia lay sprawled out wailing on the floor. A ridiculously large man towering over her small frame.
I panicked and rushed the man only to be knocked back by his brick like body.
"So this is the boy?!" he yelled thrusting his thumb in my direction.
"I homeschooled you to keep you safe! To keep you away from people like him, who just want to take you away from me" he howled.
"Im sorry daddy!" she cried, pulling herself up from the floor.
"You just want to leave me, like your mother did!" his face was beat read as he reached down and wrapped him hand around her throat.
"There was only one way i could keep her safe, keep her with me" he lifted her off the ground by her neck.
All i could do was stare stupidly as she clawed and kicked at the large man.
All at once, he threw her at the fire place. Her head made a sickening crack as it connected with the jagged grey rocks that made up the ledge.
I dove for her then and bundled her up in my arms. The cold skin of her forehead pressed against my lips.
"What did you do?!" i cried at the man now panting heavily walking towards me.
"Same thing i did to her mother and the same thing i'm going to do to you, boy" he outstretched his arms and reached for me.
The blood pouring from Patricias beautiful head soaked her light hair and ran down my arms and legs.
I smelt him before i felt his rough hands grab me by the shoulders, pulling me away.
"Let me go!" i screamed. He was only a few feet taller than me but ungodly strong.
"You made me do this, i warned you with the note!" he said lifting me off my feet the same way he did Patricia.
I felt myself fly through the air and land abruptly on the fireplace ledge.
"You want to be with her... fine be with her" he grunted and stalked out of the room.
I could only turn my head enough to see the pretty girl out of the corner of my eye.
Her chest had stopped rising and falling and despite her face only being and inch from mine, i couldn't feel her breath.
I grabbed her hand and squeezed as hot tears poured down the sides of my head.
Well she was real... was real. Not a ghost. Not a figment of my imagination.
The red and blue lights started pouring in through the big bay windows of the open living room.
Macy must have heard me leave, tracked my phone and called the cops.
I gotta tell you... Cave Creak wasn't feeling like the fresh start my dad had hoped for me.