Chapter 1
PREFACE
The human mind and soul has only begun in its evolutionary development. The psyche not only exists within our brains, but is now able to reach out and connect with the physical and natural elements that surround us. This story chronicles an average family’s first and terrifying introduction into this new condition of humanity.
David Richards entered the house from the patio doors, trying not to laugh as he approached his father, mother and aunt at the kitchen table. He began to sing as he shook his hips, bursts of laughter coming from those watching outside. His parents reacted with gazes of confusion, and then David turned and exited back outside, bursting into laughter himself.
Joe, Nick and David’s brother Tyler awaited him there. David and Tyler Richards, at the ages of 14 and 11, were younger cousins of Joe and Nick Sutton, both in their early 20′s. They often hung out together, for David and Tylers father Johnny often liked to visit his sister Patricia, Joe and Nicks mother. This night, the four were playing the game ‘Truth or Dare’ to pass the time. Completing his dare, David stepped onto the patio past the threshold, but he didn’t get far. Both his feet crossed paths and he ended up tripping himself. David fell to the brick ground hard, slamming his left knee to the concrete.
“Ow! My knee! My knee!” David wailed in great pain.
Tyler covered his mouth, suppressing the sudden urge to laugh and failing, “You dummy!” He shouted while pointing.
Alarmed, Joe kept his eyes on David and tried to figure out what to do. He half expected to see blood and teeth lying on the ground, because from Joe’s angle it looked as if David smashed his face. Luckily that wasn’t the issue.
Composed, Nick bent down over the injured teen, “Are you okay, man?! Don’t move your leg.”
David clenched his hurt knee. It felt broken, and for a short while he believed he had indeed broken it. To test his theory, he reluctantly flexed his leg. It was tense, but able to bend, so it wasn’t broken after all. Johnny suddenly came to the door to see what happened.
“What did you do?” He asked in surprise.
“I’m fine.” David gritted in pain. “I banged my knee.”
Patricia peeked out as well. “Nick!” She fired. “What the hell you doing with your shirt off?”
The temperature was about forty degrees that night, and Nick had his shirt off from a previous dare to remain shirtless out in the cold for the remainder of the game.
“We’re just playing around, Mom, don’t worry.” Nick argued, putting his shirt back on. “Go back inside, its fine.”
A small argument ensued for a minute or two and then ceased when the parents had enough and shut the door. David got to his feet. His knee stung but it stopped bothering him. Over time the pain would dissipate.
“Maybe we should do something else.” He suggested.
All four nodded. They silently tried to think of the things they could do.
“Kick the can, anyone?” Offered Joe.
“I forgot how to play that.” Said Nick.
David and Tyler had no idea how to play either, so Joe let it go, not in the mood to teach them again.
“I got it…” Said Nick. “…Hide and Seek?”
Tyler’s eyes widened. He swallowed nervously. “Hide and Seek?”
“Yes!” Exclaimed David. “We haven’t done that in a while. Let’s go!”
Joe agreed to the game, and they all headed back into the house. Tyler hesitated and then proceeded behind them. The four passed their parents seated at the kitchen table, who were having a few beers and making somewhat loud conversation. The boys paid no attention to them usually, and would always stay in their own group and do their own thing whenever they got together. They gathered into the living room where they removed their jackets and shoes.
Nick cleared his throat, and then spoke. “I request the first seeker of the night be Tyler. All in favor say ‘I’.”
“I.” Said David and Joe simultaneously.
“Wait!” Tyler opposed. “Why me? I hate seeking.”
“I know.” Replied Nick, amused. “You can get it over with by going first.”
Tyler had a certain phobia of this game. He feared that whenever he would find one of the hiders they would jump out and scare him silly. Those jumpscares always got him.
“Just do it.” Said David, nudging his brother. “I’ll seek after you.”
Joe agreed. “It’s settled then. Tyler, you know where to go.”
The small bathroom on the first floor of the house was the seekers usual waiting area while the hiders scattered throughout the house. Nick handed Tyler one of two walkie-talkies, so the hiders would be able to tell the seeker when he could begin the search. To them, Hide and Seek wasn’t a kids game, they thought of it more of a creative challenge, therefore it became more interesting. Tyler took the walkie-talkie into his hand, stared at it for a moment and then sighed in disappointment.
“Come on,” he pouted. “I don’t want to.”
“Man up, boy.” Nick demanded calmly. “It’s only fair.”
Tyler slouched, then slowly slumped away. Nick watched him, amused. Once the bathroom door shut behind Tyler, Nick and Joe led David upstairs to discuss potential hiding places. They entered Joe’s room, shut the door and switched on the lights.
