The Evil Within

The wind blew gently through the naked trees, making the autumn day chilly. Emily shrugged her jacket closer to her as she watched the last brown leaf fall from the tree. Winter was fast approaching. Sighing she stood up from the swing porch and walked into the house where her mother was still unpacking the dishes.

Yesterday, she and her mother had moved into the small two story house. Her mother had found a better job and a better way of life, or so she had told Emily, in the little town of Merrillville. But Emily knew it was because of her father’s sudden departure last month that had made her mom’s final decision. Emily herself still wondered what had provoked her father to just pack his things and move out. Everything had seemed fine between her mom and dad before then. She just couldn’t figure it out and her mom wasn’t talking about it.

“Dinner will be in an hour,” her mom called as Emily started up the stairs to her new bedroom. It was smaller but Emily loved the window seat that looked out over the neighborhood. Shrugging off her jacket, she ignored the boxes sitting beside her bed and sat down in the window seat. Tomorrow she’d be starting school. A new town, a new school, and new students. Emily sighed heavily. She just hoped that she could make some friends.

The next day dawned cold and windy. Emily hugged her backpack closer to her as she walked down the long narrow hallway in the high school. Kids hurried from their lockers and one had nearly flattened her as he ran to his class. Tucking a strand of her dark blond hair behind her ear, she opened her locker and dumped her lunch and books that she wouldn’t need before lunch. The warning bell rang and shouts were heard as kids rushed to their classes. Emily followed the students down the hall until she found her classroom.

The day went by slow and for every class she had to go through the teacher’s announcing her to the class. The students would all turn and stare at her as if she was from Mars.

After she got done dumping the books she didn’t have homework in into her locker, she started out to the parking lot where her car waited. She was just walking down the steps and turning the corner of the building which housed the parkinglot when there was loud laughter and something slammed into her.

Emily lost her footing and fell flat on her butt, her purse falling from her hand and it’s contents spilling all over the concrete.

“Oh, I am so sorry,” a voice said from above and she saw the figure kneel and start helping her pick up some stray makeup that had escaped.

“It’s okay,” she mumbled, not looking at the person. She could hear some students snickering around her and she could feel her cheeks grow red with embarrassment.

“No, it’s not okay. I am such a klutz,” the person said and Emily noted that he was truly sincere. She looked up to see blue eyes staring back at her.

“I..I’m all right,” she stammered as she scooped up the makeup the young man had in his hand and jammed it back into her purse. Standing up she smiled and brushed her hair out of her face. “Nothing’s broken.”

The young man smiled and Emily could feel her cheeks growing red all over again. He was very cute. He had blond hair that was a little bit long and his blue eyes blazed when he smiled. He was also very tall and towered over her. She saw the leather jacket he wore and knew he was with the basketball team. “My name’s Ryan.” he said, holding out his hand.

“Emily,” she shook it and returned his smile. “I just came to this town a few days ago.”

“Ah, then I’ll have to show you around Merrillville someday.” Ryan said and as Emily started walked to the parking lot she noticed he stayed right with her.

“That would be nice.” she said as she grabbed her keys. She was flustered and surprised that Ryan was still walking with her. She had never been one to attract guys.

As they reached her car, she turned to face Ryan. “Well thanks for helping me.”

“Helping you? Don’t you mean nearly killing you?” Ryan said smiling.

Emily laughed and shook her head. “That’s okay. Everybody has that happen to them once in their lives.”

“Well, I guess I’ll see you around?”

Emily nodded and waved as Ryan started walking back to the school.

For the rest of the week, Ryan would say hi to Emily everytime they saw each other in the hallway. Emily had to admit, she was glad that Ryan remembered her. She had known to many guys that played sports that would only ask her for homework, paper, or pencils and then they wouldn’t speak to her again. She was glad be friends with one of the cutest guys in the school. She had never been that lucky at her old school.

Soon Ryan would come over and sit with her during lunch or invite her over to his table. He introduced her to his buddies and announced that ‘she was the one he nearly killed’. Emily would blush but the rest of the guys would laugh and introduce themselves. The funny one of the group and a good friend of Ryan’s was Troy. He was shorted then the rest of them but his hazel eyes sparkled in mischief. Emily could tell he liked to get into things, but his funny attitude made her laugh and she became more comfortable around them.

Emily was now finding herself wondering if Ryan had a girlfriend. Most of the basketball players did, including Troy, who was going out with Miranda, a girl in her class. But Ryan never spoke of a girl, although he was very popular and always had girls around him.

Then the day Emily had been waiting for came. It was Friday and Emily just finished stuffing the rest of her books into her locker when she heard Ryan come up to her.

Hey, what are you doing later tonight?"

Emily smiled and looked away, pretending to study her lock. "Um, nothing much."

Well, would you like to join me and Troy tonight at the Hot Spot?" Ryan asked, grinning and leaning on the locker beside her.

Emily's heart hammered in her chest. The Hot Spot was the major club in town and he was asking her to go with him! She tried not to giggle as she smiled up at him. "Well, I'll have to ask my mom, but I would love to go."

"Great. I'll be by at six." With that, Ryan waved and left. Emily felt like skipping to her car. She knew her mom would say it was okay. Emily hadn't made any friends besides Ryan and her mom wanted her to get out of the house. As soon as she sat in the leather seat and shut the door, she let loose, shouting in joy and thumping the steering wheel. She couldn't wait!

Emily was a nervous wreck by the time six came around. She was dressed in black jeans and a white dress shirt and her hair was hanging loose. Her mom had helped her with the makeup and Emily almost didn't recognize herself.

"You'll have fun, don't worry." her mom said smiling at her. As they walked down the hall toward the living room, her mom put her arm around Emily's shoulders. "Just remember don't be home too late and call if you're going to be past midnight, okay?"

"Yes mom, I know." Emily said smiling.

Just then the door bell rang. Emily let out a shaky breath as her mom went to get the door. She was nervous but excited and she tried to calm herself, knowing her palms were sweating.

"Well, hello, you must be Ryan." Emily heard her mom say as she opened the door. "Come on in."

"Thanks," Ryan said and Emily took a deep breath and went into the living room. She smiled as she walked up to where Ryan and her mom were standing. Ryan looked even more handsome then usual! His blond hair was neatly slicked back and he had on blue jeans and a long sleeved blue sweater over a white tee shirt. Emily saw Ryan smile at her, his blue eyes twinkling and she immediately became calmer.

"You two have fun tonight!" her mom said and waved them out as Ryan led her to a royal blue Honda.

"You look nice." Ryan said as he opened the door for her. Emily slid into the back seat with Ryan beside her and Troy turned around and smiled a broad smile at her from the driver's seat.

"Hey Em." he said and Miranda turned around and smiled also. Emily greeted the couple and sat back as Troy started the car and drove off.

Most of the time going to the Hot Spot, Troy and Ryan talked about the basketball team and when the season would be starting. Then Miranda would pipe in, ending the discussion. Emily could tell Ryan was trying to not make her uncomfortable and it calmed Emily even more.

The Hot Spot was a very popular club and even at six-thirty, people were standing outside, waiting to get in. Emily and Ryan talked some more as they stood in line and by the time they got inside, Emily had lost her nervousness and was enjoying talking to Ryan. The night flew by and Emily was having a blast. The music was hot and Emily felt herself relax and enjoy the dancing. Troy and Miranda had disappeared but Emily didn't worry about them as Ryan danced with her.

It was almost eleven p.m. when Troy finally found them. Emily was tired and had to get a drink and both she and Ryan were sitting at the bar drinking water when Troy and Miranda sauntered over.

"Waz up?" Troy said sitting down next to Ryan. Ryan frowned and turned toward Troy.

"Please don't tell me you had a drink." he said.

Emily looked at Troy and saw Miranda giggle from behind him. Ryan was scowling and not looking the least bit happy.

"Aww don't worry, it was only a sip." Troy said, and flinging his arm around Miranda's waist, swung her up onto his lap. She screamed playfully and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Emily looked away. She didn't much feel like seeing the two of them make out right in front of her. She was also starting to feel uncertain about this whole thing. Had Troy been drinking? Ryan knew Troy the best and he didn't look happy about Troy's answer. Emily looked at her watch and sighed. Her feet ached and she was tired.

Ryan must have seen her because just then, her took her hand and helped her up. "You know guys, it's getting late. Why don't we get on going."

Troy sighed and Miranda frowned but neither argued as they stood up and walked out of the club.

Emily smiled thankfully at Ryan and Ryan winked. He understood.

As Emily and Miranda climbed into the car, Emily saw Ryan lead Troy away and start talking to him. Emily couldn't hear what he was saying but by Troy's actions she could tell it wasn't something friendly. Miranda seemed out of it and had her head against the glass. Emily fingered her purse as she saw Troy shove Ryan away and start towards the car. Troy climbed in the driver's seat, cursing about something and started the car as Ryan got in beside Emily in the back seat.

Emily knew Troy was drunk and she also remembered her classes where they taught you what to do if someone was drinking and driving. But before she could open her door, Troy pushed the gas and the car skidded out of the parking lot, so fast the Emily was flung back into her seat.

Lowering her voice, she leaned toward Ryan. "Maybe we should make him stop the car and call for a cab."

Ryan shook his head. "He won't listen. I tried to tell him to call a cab back at the club but he's too conceited to think of anyone else but himself."

Emily was getting more and more nervous as Troy took sharp turns, oblivious to Miranda's groans of uneasiness.

"Yo, Troy, slow it down a bit." Ryan called, trying to keep his voice under control. Emily could tell Ryan was just as uneasy about Troy's driving as she was.

"Oh come on Ryan my boy. Let's have some fun!" Troy laughed and he seemed to gun the engine even more!

"Troy, could you please pull over?" Emily called. "I'm feeling sick." Which was partly true.

Troy sighed unhappily but seemed to slow down. Emily flashed a relieved grin at Ryan who nodded his head in understanding.

The next few seconds seemed like an eternity to Emily. Just as Troy was rounding another turn, the car's lights fell on a lone figure standing in the middle of the road! The person was just standing there, looking at the car as it sped right for them! Emily cried out as Ryan shouted a "Look Out!" Troy swerved a hard right, barely missing the figure but he was too drunk to control the car.

Hitting a bump, the car skidded and slid, right into a big oak tree. Glass and the sound of crashing metal with wood filled the air and pain erupted through Emily.

Part 2