Terror Of The Crypt

 

Terror of the crypt

        

 

 

Chapter 1:  The burden of Life

The muscles in my eye lids franticly flinched as the golden rays of sunlight fell upon them. The sun was talking to me. It was telling me to get up. Then I heard a voice, was it really the son talking to me? How could this be? And then it was clear.

“Trevor!”

It was my mom. Her fulminating voice erupted up the stairs, off the walls, through my hallow wooden door and into my ears. Without hesitation, I gripped my cotton pillow and slung it over my head drowning out the shrieks of my mother. Suddenly, my door erupted open and with quickness I felt the soft cotton of my Joe boxer pillow get lifted from my ears. In retaliation I drew my dark comforter over my skull shielding my eyelids from the sun’s harmful rays.

“Trevor. Get up.NOW!”

I expected to hear my mother’s voice, but this voice was deeper, it was more agitated and it held more force. It was Dominic. My step father. I let out a sigh in displeasement before replying to Dominic whom was hovering over my shrouded body.

“Alright. Alright. Give me minute geese.”

I lay there basking in the suns dim glow until I heard Dominic’s footsteps enter the lengthy hallway that stood before my room. I lifted the dark sheets from my face and let my light body effortlessly raise catching site of Dominic standing at the edge of my doorframe. I squinted at him viciously sending him back on his way down the soundproof stairs.

“Fucking creep.”  I muttered to myself lift the covers from my body.

I quickly crept over to my drawer and withdrew a V neck which I carelessly tossed over my neck letting it drape over my fragile body. I slipped on a pair of my old fitted denim jeans and ran a comb through my short black hair.

“Boy, aren’t you one handsome mother fucker?” I asked myself as I eyed my dark brown eyes in the large mirror that stood before me.

I stretched my arms towards the ongoing ceiling as I made my way to the dark bathroom. I gave the bathroom door a light shove and let it close it behind as I began to relieve myself into the white toilet bowl. Boy was I tired. I had only gotten four hours of sleep due to my energetic mind never allowing me to fall asleep when I want to. It kind of just drifts off on its own. Slowly, I tugged the golden zipper to my denim jeans towards my body while simultaneously flushing the toilet with my left foot.  Upon accomplishing both, I gave myself a satisfied grin in the mirror, flipped on the hot water, and began brushing my teeth. I used to be able to fall asleep with ease. I used to get good grades, didn’t slack off, but things change. Nothing stays the same. The thing I hated most was that when you started to get comfortable with something the most that’s when things spontaneously shift out of your control. I tossed my ocean blue tooth brush into its holder and started back towards my room as Dominic's voice filled my ears.

“Trevor? Are you up yet?”

I didn’t answer him. I put on a mismatched pair of black socks, tossed my Nike string bag which was filled to the brim with papers over my shoulder and headed for the staircase. I hummed a tune to myself as I started down the brown oak stairs but quickly encountered Dominic’s large, bird like chest at the edge of the staircase.

“Why didn’t you answer me?” Dominic asked locking his blue eyes on my pale skin.

“Because.” I said starting down the stairs causing him to trail me.
 

“Didn’t think I have to. Morning mom.”

I allowed my mother to plant a wet kiss on my forehead while she firmly balanced a dark pan over the stove.

“Morning sweetie.” She grinned the grin of a thousand mothers.

My mother looked well for her age. She really did. She was average height with short curly hair. She had almost no wrinkles and was curvier than most of the girls I went to school with. She was beautiful. I can’t really say the same for Dominic. I sprawled my Nike bag across the granite topped island and fetched a plastic bag from one of the light brown cabinets that stood over the stove.

“So. Trevor.” Dominic said as he slowly sipped from his dark mug while eyeing a news paper that lay on the wooden table before him.

“That’s my name. Don’t wear it out.” I replied while tossing the plastic bag across the granite topped island.

“How’s your job?”

“My what?”

“You’re. Job Trevor. You know the thing you-“

“Alright, I get it.”

I began filling the paper bag with a cluster of random fruits. I cleared my throat and answered without breaking my gaze with the fruits.

“Well. I got fired.”

“Wait, Trevor you got what?” My mother hesitantly asked while turning the stove off.

I gazed at Dominic whom still held his lips to the dark and hadn’t taken his eyes away from the news paper. What a prick he was. He must’ve known already.

“Yea. Did you know you were supposed to deliver the pizza on time? That’s incredible?” I started chuckling as I finished.

“Trevor , this isn’t a joke.” My mother stated crossing her arms across her breast.

“Mom, I’ll get it back. Don’t worry about me. I promise.”

“Oh yea. Just like you promised to be on time for school today?”

“But I will be on t-“She wiggled her finger at the cat clock that stood over the sink which read 8:30.

“Aw man.” I franticly tossed the fruit into my bag and tossed it over my shoulder.

“Aw man is right. Look Trevor you’re going to have to be a lot more responsible around the house. I’m serious Trevor. I can’t keep looking after you like you’re some type of kid. I can’t do it any more Trevor. You’ve got to grow up.” My mother explained placing her palm on the island next to mine.

“I told you the kid was irresponsible. That’s why you shouldn’t have gotten him that damn truck. The hell does he need with a truck any way? The kids 17 for Christ sakes joy, it’s called the bus.” Dominic brought his mug to his dry lips again as he finished his statement.

“Well how about you mind your own god damn business alright?” I felt the blood rush to my brain as I lividly let my words spin off of my lips.

“Trevor. Now you watch your damn mouth! This is my house do you understand me?” My mother began to raise her voice as her eyes peered deeply into mine. I began to speak but Dominic’s lips moved quicker.

“Nah. Let em talk. Trevor, I’m just trying to help you. You don’t have to get all sassy mouth because you were careless enough to let a well paying job slip right off of your fingertips. Kids these days” He rose the grey news paper to his pale nose as he finished speaking.

My eyes remain latched on Dominic's forehead as we sat in the silent kitchen for half a minute.

“Trevor, look.”

“Mom saves it. I’m running late.”

I retrieved the keys to my pick up from the counter nearby and practically jumped into my shoes. My mother began to say her goodbyes but I was already out the door.  I planted a kiss on my warm, long, black, glossy dodge pickup truck before sliding my body into the boiling seats. I put the key in the ignition and franticly turned it but the truck refused to start.

“Fuck. Not now, not now.” I said to myself in the silent vehicle.

The truck finally sprung to life after three more attempts of jimmying the key in the ignition.  Suddenly a loud knock at the driver’s window shook me in my seat. I quickly slung my neck towards the window meeting Dominic's dull gaze.

“Can I….help you?” I asked rolling down the window only to the middle of the frame.

“Look. I’m throwing your mother a surprise birthday party next Friday. I just thought I’d let you know in advance. You can either show up or be where ever; honestly I don’t give a shit. Have a nice day.” He flashed an obnoxious grin and started back towards the tan house stopping once to fix a stray lawn ornament.

“For the love of god. Just drop dead.” I whispered to myself while backing out of the drive way.

When I made it to the school the halls were empty. I needed to make a quick run to my locker but I was already running late so I headed directly to class. I reached for the door knob which led to my American Literature class but the door sprung open before I could even get a grip.

“Morning Mr. Clinton.” Mr. Roberts greeted me with a dull look in his eyes.

I attempted to speak but Mr. Roberts hushed me silent the moments my lips parted.

“Just take your seat. You’re just in time for the announcement.”

I quickly stepped into the dim lit class room. No one seemed to notice me. Either that or they just didn’t give a shit. Everyone was talking amongst themselves when I took my seat next to Angela.

“Hey” Angela greeted me without looking up from her pocket mirror.

Angela was a real looker. She was beautiful, smart, you know. The whole package. The catch is, she’s a cheerleader, and what comes with a cheerleader? The football jock prick of a boyfriend that’s what. Angela was of average height. African American, long dark hair, caramel skin and big beautiful brown eyes. She reminded me of a Barbie of some sort. We’ve been best friends since middle school. As long as I live I’ll always have Angela’s back, and I know she’ll have mine.

“Hey Angela. You talk to Stacy?” I asked quietly as I took my seat.

One thing I didn’t mention is that Angela is Stacy’s best friend. Stacy being, my ex. My horrible, absolutely disgusting piece of shit human being of an ex.

“Why are you still worried about her Trevor? I thought you wanted to move on?”

“Angela, chill. It was just a question.”

“Yea whatever.” She sharply replied clamping shut her mirror and began endlessly rummaging through her dark brown purse.

“Hey, have you seen Alex by any chance lately? I’ve tried calling him a few times last night but no answer.”

“Uh. No, I thought he’d be here in class. He probably ditched. Don’t worry about it.”

“Trevor, he didn’t ditch alright? I know Alex. He should’ve called me back.”

“Angela chill, he’s probably ju-“

“Alright everyone settle down.”  Mr. Roberts roared effortlessly interrupting our conversation.

“I, along with several other teachers have been asked by the assistant principal to make an announcement in each of my class periods.”

With this statement the classroom was dead silent. Not a pen drop, sniffle or movement was heard. It was utterly, quiet.

“One of your fellow students, Well, Classmates actually.”

I edged my head to the side and stared at Alex’s empty seat which sort of glew in the sunlight as Mr. Roberts went on.

“Has come up missing.”

These words sent my heart into frenzy; I could hear it beating over the sudden gasps that erupted throughout the room. Several heads aimed towards Alex’s seat. It was obvious it was him.

“Alex Carmichael never came home last night. The staff here at Glendale high was asked to alert the students and be on the lookout for anything suspicious. Well. Let’s get started with the lesson shall we?” As Mr. Roberts finished speaking his eyes peered deeply into mind as if he was trying to tell me something.

“Mr. Clinton?” Mr. Roberts said causing me to flinch in my seat.

“Uh-uh yes Mr. Roberts?”

“See me after class please.”

“Will do sir.”

I flashed him a cheap smile as he turned towards the bored and began his lecture. I gazed at Angela whom fingers endlessly slammed against the keyboard on her phone; I assumed she was trying to reach Alex. I faced Mr. Roberts as he began streaming notes down on the glowing smart board that stood before the vast classroom.  I reached into my dark Nike bag and snuck a few grapes into my mouth.

“So where do you think Alex may be?” Angela asked without breaking her gaze with her phone.

“I don’t know. Maybe he just didn’t feel like going home.”
“Trevor this isn’t a joke. He could be in serious trouble, or worse.”

“Angela chill he’s probably fine.”

“You better be right Trevor.”

“Aren’t I always?” I finished swallowing a mouth full of grapes. I attempted to dig my hand into my bag again but was blocked by something cold and soft, it was Angela’s fingers.

“Thanks for the grapes.” She said tossing a handful of grapes down her throat. I chuckled and began copying the notes Mr. Roberts had prepared for us. Throughout the period I couldn’t stop thinking about Alex. Where was he? Why didn’t he show up? I was worried but I didn’t want Angela to know.  Suddenly the bell rang and everyone quickly shifted out of the room with their belonging clenched in their forearms. I trailed Angela out of the room until Mr. Roberts’s voice stopped me.

“Trevor.”

“Oh. Sorry Mr. Roberts It must’ve slipped my mind. Angela I’ll catch up with you later.” 

I piled my bag on his desk as he tossed a green marker on the metal rack that hung below the dry erase board.

“Is there uh, something I can help you with Mr. Roberts?”

“Why Yes. Yes there is Trevor I’m glad you asked.”

He took his seat and clamped his hands together across his large metal desk and began speaking.

“Trevor. If you know anything, anything at all about Alex’s disappearance doesn’t be afraid to tell me.”

“I won’t Mr. Roberts. You can trust me.”

“Trevor, I don’t want you to think of me as just your teacher. I’m here for anything you need to get off your mind. Anything.”

“Thanks Mr. Roberts but there isn’t really anything I know about Alex suddenly missing, I’m sorry.”

“Trevor you haven’t been smoking lately has you?”

“Why of course not.” I chuckled as I finished my statement.

“I really want to believe that Trevor.”

“Excuse you?”

“Trevor I understand you’ve had problems with marijuana.”

“That was last year. I’m clean now.”

“Well…”

“Look, you don’t fucking know me, Or Alex. So stop pretending to be our parents and acting like you care. You’re just our teacher and nothing more. How dare you make this situation about me? You’re full of shit.”

“Now you watch Yo-“

“Fuck you.”

I lifted my bag from his desk and lividly barged out his class room feeling Mr. Roberts eyes on my back every step of the way.  Who was he to bring up my personal life and where was Alex? Was he dead? Was he safe? How was I going to get my job back and why am I suddenly catching feelings for my ex? My mind raced as I stormed to my second period class. I didn’t exactly have the answer to all of my questions but I was almost for sure that I was about to.