 "What
Evil Lurks"
(Excerpt)
by David M. Fitzpatrick
“You’re going to what?”
“I’m going to meet him,” Mary Ann Lacey
said through pursed lips on a white face framed by flowing black hair, but
she was shaking slightly. She knew Ally would react this way.
“You can’t,” Ally said, big blue eyes
wide. “Come on, girl... I’m supposed to be the dumb blonde in this pair.
You don’t even know this guy.”
“I’ve known him for six months.”
“But you’ve never met him.”
“I know him better than most people who
meet for first dates know each other.”
They were on Ally’s front porch, Ally on
the glider swing and Mary Ann on the railing. It was mid-afternoon,
nearing the time Mary Ann had to leave to meet Jack. She’d waited this
long to tell Ally so she wouldn’t have to listen the girl’s rant for long.
“He chased you down on a singles Web
site,” Ally said, curly hair bouncing as she shook her head. “What do you
expect from a guy who does that?”
“Well, I did list myself on the singles
site in the first place.”
“Which shows that you’re not using your
head. You need to think more about this.”
Mary thought about it.
#
I’ve responded to singles ads before,
but never got much of a reply, he typed to her.
Well, I’m not looking for romance,
she replied. Just friends to talk to. Nobody I want to meet in the real
world.
I can understand that, he said. But posting an ad on a singles site is a
strange way to do it.
Maybe, she said.
It was a fairly long time before he
responded. She thought she’d lost him. But then his words popped up in the
chat window: Well, I’m not going to lie to you... I wasn’t answering
singles ads just for friendship. I was looking for someone to get involved
with. But I respect your wishes, and hope we can hang out.
We can hang out—online.
Sure, that’s what I meant. I’m on a
lot anyway, and you seem more intelligent than most of the women I’ve
chatted with here.
I have to go, she typed suddenly.
Okay.
Maybe I’ll catch you on here again
sometime.
Maybe.
#
“Maybe,” Mary Ann said softly.
“Are you listening to me?” Ally said.
“Yes.”
“You don’t know this guy. He could be a
psycho.”
“Why must you harp on that?” she asked.
“I’ve gotten to know Jack intimately over the past six months. I’ve told
him almost everything about me, about my private life. I trust him, Ally.”
“But you don’t know if he’s told you
everything about his private life. He could be setting you up... you could
end up raped or beaten or dead.”
“Setting me up... for six months?” She
grimaced with incredulity. “You live in a fantasy world.”
“No, I live in the real world—where women
and men meet up in the flesh, not in some virtual world where they meet
using recycled electrons.”
“So where’s the difference? You go out
all the time with guys you’ve only just met. You think you know a guy just
because you met him one day and had a two-hour phone conversation the
next?”
“Yes, I do. There are things you can tell
when you hear someone’s voice—inflection, emotion... things you can’t get
from words on a screen.”
Mary Ann sighed. “Well... I think my way
is safer. Six months of getting to know each other... we confide in each
other for everything. There’s hardly a day that goes by when we don’t
talk. And now it’s time to meet him.
Besides, murderous rapists aren’t going
to groom a potential victim for six months.”
“Take a look in the mirror,” Ally said.
“You’re tall, thin, beautiful, and have a body any guy’d wait six months
for.”
“He’s never seen me,” Mary Ann said.
“You’ve sent him pictures, haven’t you?”
#
Wow, he typed. You’re
beautiful.
Thanks.
I didn’t mean it to be offensive. I’m
not trying to hit on you or anything. You really ARE beautiful.
Thanks.
I just stepped over the line, didn’t
I?
No, you didn’t. I’m just not very good
at hearing how beautiful I am. And you know you’re the first person I’ve
ever sent my picture to.
I am honored, then. :-)
Don’t be. It isn’t a good picture.
It looks perfect to me.
#
“Yeah,” she said. “Lots of them. But
that’s not the same as seeing me in real life.”
“Guys get off on women in magazines,
silly. You think a picture on a screen is any different?”
Mary Ann sighed. “It isn’t like that. I
mean, I’m sure he’s attracted... but there’s a connection there. That’s
why I have to meet him.”
“Can’t you at least talk on the phone
first?”
“That would ruin it. I want our meeting
to be perfect.”
Ally gave a start. “Please tell me you’re
meeting somewhere very public.”
“Of course.”
#
I don’t have a problem with you coming
here, he typed, but I just want to make sure you know I’d be more
than happy to drive up there.
Either way, one of us has to drive two
hours, she replied.
True... just wanted you to know.
So where should I meet you?
There’s an Italian restaurant by the
mall... Angelino’s.
I know it.
Is that okay with you?
Whatever you want is fine.
#
“You’re going there?” Ally said with bug
eyes gaping. “In his territory? You should be here, in case he tries
something.”
“I hardly think it matters. It’s in the
most public place down there..”
Ally’s eyes widened again. “Wait... so if
you trust him so much, why are you making sure you’re in the most public
place?”
“Oh, stop reading into everything,” Mary
Ann said. “I just haven’t been down that way in a while. I thought I’d hit
the mall... make him tag along while I shop. If he sticks around after
that, I know he’s a keeper.”
Her broad smile got to Ally, and her
friend chuckled and shook her head. “I give up on you, girl. Hey, you know
I’m just worried about you, right?”
“You’ve done this with every guy I’ve
ever gone out with,” Mary Ann said. “This is nothing new.”
“That’s because on the rare occasion you
go out with a guy, it never works out. You have a history, honey... you’re
beautiful and sexy and smart, but you have no guy experience. You’re too
afraid of them, for whatever reason.”
“You’re the one acting afraid.”
“I’m afraid for you. Most of the time,
you don’t even go out on a second date with a guy—but usually, you get
yourself worked up to go out with a guy and then cancel. What’s with your
fear of dating?”
#
I’ve never told anyone this before,
she typed. Not even Ally.
Okay... you don’t have to... but if
you want to, I’m here to listen.
I do want to. I have to.
Okay.
I was abused as a child... a lot.
I see. Did your parents beat on you?
No, not like that.
There was a long pause before he typed,
Ohhhh.
That turned you off in a hurry. I
never should have done this. Just forget it.
No! It isn’t like that at all! Please,
don’t misinterpret my typing.
All right.
Please, continue.
It started with my father, she
said. As far back as I can remember. Three, maybe four years old. He
started touching me, then got braver as I got older. And his two brothers
touched me a lot, too.
Did your mother know?
I tried telling her when I was ten.
She didn’t believe me.
That’s terrible.
My Uncle Jim forced himself in my
mouth when I was eleven. When I was twelve, my father outright raped me.
It never stopped after that.
Wow... I don’t know what to say... did
your mother ever figure it out?
Eventually, she knew. She just ignored
it and let it happen. But she was scared... he was always drunk, and he
beat her pretty good. As long as he was out screwing someone else or me,
he was happy and she didn’t get hurt.
How long did this go on?
Until I was eighteen. I moved out as
soon as I could. Lived with friends, bounced around... eventually, Dad
died. So I never got to do anything about it.
What about your uncles?
Jim died in a freak car accident just
this past year. And nobody knows where Joey’s been for a few years.
So nobody to answer for any of it...
that has to be rough.
It is rough... I’ve lived like this
all my life... it’s why I can’t have normal relations with men. It’s why
I’ve never been able to meet you. I feel close to you... I’ve never been
close to a man. I’m afraid of everything... but somehow I’m not afraid of
you. I’m just afraid of intimacy.
You don’t have anything to be afraid
of, he said. I’m your friend. I’m here for you. I’ll never hurt you.
#
“I have an idea,” Ally said. “Take me
with you.”
“On the date?”
“Yeah. Then there will be no question
he’ll behave and he’ll get the point you have people watching out for
you.”
She rolled her eyes and laughed. “I am not taking you on my date. Besides,
if he were a psycho and wanted to try something, he wouldn’t if you were
there. He’d save it for a later date.”
Ally sighed in frustration. “I’m just
trying to help.”
“I know, but have to do this on my own. I
have to trust him. You have to trust me. Sometimes... sometimes risks have
to be taken. H
w else are we ever going to meet anyone,
for any reason? Risk is part of it, whether we like it or not.”
“I suppose.”
“And besides, we’re just friends. We’ve
always been just friends, and we have no plans to be anything other than
just friends.”
“He might want more than that.”
“He and I have both admitted to the
potential we see in being more than that, but right now we just want to
meet as friends.”
#
I want to ask you a question, he
said, and I don’t want you to be angry with me or think I’ve got
ulterior motives or anything like that.
Okay.
And I just want you to answer
honestly.
Okay.
And I am asking this because I just
want to make sure it’s perfectly clear in both our minds what we’re doing.
Okay.
We’re finally meeting, and I’m a
little nervous... I know you are, too.
Yes.
And we’ve talked about this a lot,
about being friends and not wanting to pursue anything else.
Yes.
But we’ve talked about intimate things
and it seems like we’ve both dropped a few hints here and there... like
we’ve been feeling each other out on this.
Yes.
So my question: Are we investigating
the possibility of heading down a different road in our relationship? Are
we meeting to see if we’re interested in pursuing something further?
She sat back in her computer chair and
let him wait for her answer for a little bit. Finally, she typed, I
think I have always recognized the potential for something more in our
relationship, but all along I’ve been too afraid. So yes, for me I am
meeting you so I can get a feel if there should be something more.
Okay.
Does that answer your question?
Yes, it does. Thank you.
Now my turn.
Okay.
How do you feel about that?
Now he let her wait. It was to be
expected. Eventually, he typed, I feel the same way. I, too, have
always felt a potential for something further than friendship, and I’m
curious to know if there’s somewhere else for us to go.
#
“I still can’t believe you’re doing
this,” Ally said, “but I can see you’re going to no matter what.”
“You’re right.”
“Look, just... just keep the cell phone
handy. If he tries anything, dial 911 and scream for help.”
“He’s not going to try anything,” Mary
Ann said with a grin.
“I’m glad you’re so sure.”
“I’m very sure. That’s what trusting and
taking risks is all about. Believe me, we’ve talked about the potentials
for our relationship and we both know exactly what we’re doing when we
meet at Angelino’s.”
#
Well, I guess when we meet I’d just
like to give you a hug. A friends hug, you know... I just don’t want to
upset you.
You won’t upset me.
Are you sure?
I’m sure.
I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.
If I feel that way, then I’ll tell you
that I am, and you can stop.
Okay, then.
You will stop if I ask you to, right?
:-)
Of course.
I was kidding. You saw the smiley
face, right?
Yes, I did. :-)
#
She let Ally walk her out to her car. The
girl complained all the way, an eleventh hour attempt to appeal to Mary
Ann’s sanity, logic, and reason.
“Give it up, Ally,” Mary Ann said. “It’s
starting to go beyond you being annoyingly concerned for my welfare and
venturing into you being just plain annoying.”
“I see how it is,” Ally said as Mary Ann
climbed into the driver’s seat and closed the door. “That’s what I get.”
“I’m leaving now.”
“Wait, one more thing... you’ve never
told me this guy’s name.”
“And I’m not going to,” Mary Ann said,
pulling her seatbelt on.
“Don’t be stupid. Just imagine, for one
moment, that I was actually right... that he’s a psycho and he kidnaps you
and rapes you and kills you... if I know his name, at least I can tell the
cops.”
“If he kills me, I won’t care. Besides,
the cops would get my computer and figure it out.”
Ally scowled at her, arms crossed. For
the first time, the girl’s eyes didn’t seem like they wanted to leap out
of their sockets and pummel Mary Ann in the head. “Just give me his name.”
Ally wasn’t going to shut up until she
gave in. She decided to compromise. “It’s Dial-A-JAM,” she said.
Ally snorted. “That’s his chat handle!”
“But the JAM part is also his initials,”
Mary Ann said, and then started the car. “You know his first name is Jack.
And that’s all I’m telling you. Now move away before I drive over your
toes.”
Ally backed off, reluctantly, and Mary
Ann zoomed away from the curb.
#
I’m excited about tonight, Mary.
So am I. :-)
I have kind of a silly question.
I like your silly questions. :-)
Okay... well, we’ve traded pictures,
but people always look different in real life. Can you tell me what you’ll
be wearing, so I know what to look for?
Sure... I’ll go casual. Denim shorts,
a purple, sleeveless shirt... and brown sandals. I’ll be carrying a blue
sweater, just in case we run late and it gets cold.
Okay... thanks!
And how will I know you?
I’ll go casual as well. Blue Dockers,
white Red Sox T-shirt... glasses, white sneakers...
Great. I’ll see you tonight, then, out
in front of Angelino’s.
I can’t wait.
Me either. :-)
#
She pulled into Angelino’s parking lot
and saw him right away, waiting out front. He didn’t see her drive in, so
she parked around the side and headed to the front doors of the
restaurant. As it was, he almost didn’t see her until she was nearly
there. When he did, he looked her up and down for a moment, and then
smiled a perfect white smile—like he usually had in his pictures.
“Hey there,” he said. His voice was soft
but strong, very pleasant.
“Hi,” she said sheepishly, and felt her
neck warm with nervousness.
He stepped up, seemed to be muddling over
it in his mind, and then he reached his arms out to hug her. She returned
it, but found herself a little less enthusiastic. He squeezed her tightly
for a few seconds, but then seemed to sense she wasn’t feeling entirely
comfortable. He released her and stepped back.
“Wow,” he said. “We’re finally meeting.”
“Yes, we are,” she said. “I’m very glad
we’ve finally come to this point.”
“Me too.”
They stood there, looking stupidly at
each other for a few moments as patrons filed in and out of the restaurant
around them. Finally, he said, “Well, I confirmed our reservations and
they have our table. Shall we?”
“We shall,” she said.
#
The odd feelings during the hug
notwithstanding, Mary Ann truly enjoyed his company over the next hour,
and she got progressively comfortable with him. Throughout dinner, they
talked and laughed. They covered familiar topics and still managed to come
up with things they’d never discussed before. Dinner was over too quickly,
and Mary Ann realized she wasn’t ready for it to end.
She could sense he was feeling the same
way as they walked outside. “I’ve really enjoyed meeting you,” he said
quietly. “I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that I’m a bit
distressed that our meeting is over so soon... and if you don’t want to
turn around and drive all the way back home right yet, I’d love to hang
out with you.”
“Careful,” she said, “I might drag you to
the mall to shop for shoes.”
He smiled. “We can do that if you like.”
She cocked her head. “Do you mean that?”
“Sure.”
“Most guys hate to go shopping with
women.”
“Well, I’m not most guys, and you’re not
just any woman.”
“You’re just saying that to please me,”
she said.
“Not at all. I loved every moment we’ve
spent together. I just don’t want it to end. If you want to go shopping,
and let me tag along, that’s just more time I get to be with you.”
“That’s sweet,” she said, and he smiled.
They locked gazes for a few long moments,
and then both smiled as if on cue. “Tell you what,” she said, “why don’t
we go for a ride? I only ever come to the mall down here, and... I guess
I’d enjoy seeing any of the sights.” She was trembling slightly, nervous
and unsure. But he seemed so right.
He nodded. “I think that would be a
wonderful idea. I feel I should warn you, though... there aren’t that many
sights to see around here.”
“Maybe we could see the remote places,”
she said, and felt her heart beating faster.
He hesitated, and she could almost hear
the gears turning. When he spoke, he was trying not to stammer. “Oh,
sure... if I... there’s not much to see, but the... the surrounding
towns... there are back roads, fields, farms... farms and... farms...” He
got control of himself, clearing his throat. “Yes, absolutely. Shall I...
drive you?”
“I think we should take my car,” she
said, almost breathlessly.
* *
* * * * * *
*
But he's so perfect... he can't be
dangerous... can he? Or is Ally right?
Ordering info will appear here as soon as
it publishes. |
Thanks
to new magazine Cemetery Moon for running this one in its first
issue.