True Dark by Mike Miner

Author:Mike Miner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Down & Out Books

24

Ryan heard her stir, get out of bed.

He was out on the front porch. The stars were uncut diamonds on black felt. He listened to the wind, his ears strained for something out of place. A footstep, a cough, a breath. His eyes scanned the horizon for movement.

Nothing, until he caught the sound of Cass pushing her sheets off and getting out of bed.

He wondered what she would do. Did she need to use the bathroom? Would she call out?

He waited, swaying gently forward and back in his father’s rickety old rocking chair, in the dark. The porch light would have messed with his night vision.

Cass’ footsteps crept. Out of her room. Down the hall. She didn’t call out. She was very quiet. He was impressed. He remembered sneaking in and out of the house as a teenager. He’d learned through practice the quiet places to step. Just like her.

There was a light on in the kitchen, same as when he was a kid. He watched her silhouette move into the room. Quiet and careful as a thief.

He grinned. Would she look outside now?

Part of him still listened for foreign sounds. The breeze picked up, the old windmill turned faster.

The screen door to the porch creaked open. He could sense her wincing at the noise. His sneaky niece.

She looked in his direction, her eyes still adjusting to the dark, he was just a shape—more shadow than flesh.

A low whisper. “Uncle Ryan?”

“Hi, Cass. Can’t sleep?”

“No.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I had a bad dream.”

“I remember when my mom was in the hospital giving birth to your dad I had terrible dreams. I thought that snakes were on the ceiling. Every night until she came back. What was yours about?”

“My mother.”

“I have that dream all the time.”

“About my mother?”

“About mine. Your grandmother.”

“Daddy’s mom?”

“Yup.”

“I never knew her.”

“Your father barely did. She died too young.”

“Were you sad?”

“Very sad.”

“My mommy left us too.”

“I know, kid.”

“We don’t know where she went. Or where she is.”

“Come here.” He put his pistol on a table next to the chair and held open his arms.

She sat on his lap. The tears came now. He rubbed her back for a long while.

Later he said, “After my mom was gone people always tried to say nice things like, she’s in a better place, or her suffering is over. They said she was looking down at us from Heaven.”

She wiped her eyes, sniffed. “Did that make you feel better?”

“Nope.”

“What did?”

“You want the truth?”

“Yes.”

“I finally realized she was as sad as me that she had to leave.”

“Do you think my mommy is as sad as me?”

“If she isn’t, she will be.”

“Will she come back?”

“Truth?”

“Truth.”

“I don’t know.”

“Why did she leave?”

“I’d like to be able to say you’ll understand when you get older, but we might never know. All I know is that it was wrong of her to leave.”

“Papa says you have trouble with right and wrong.”

“I suppose I do.”

Her mouth was seized by a violent yawn.

“Sounds like you could use some shut eye.”

“Will you sit in my room until I fall asleep.

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