The Darkness That Hunts
Chapter 12

My friends crowd around the bed and listen as I explaineverything--from what I know of Ater and Andhakar to the summoning I witnessedfrom Sandra, and her recent psychic attack. I expect Dace and Zakk to followKamiron’s lead, but instead they only nod. I can tell they have reservations,but they keep their minds open. Hamilton is my rock, his unwavering faith myanchor. His hand rests lightly on my shoulder, the warmth of it seeping into myskin, branding me. At intervals, he corroborates my story and provides detailsthat he’s plucked from my mind.

“Then, in a weird way, what I found makes sense now,” Dacevoices. He spreads his replaceings across the bed, smoothing out some creases fromthe printer paper.

“This brand, there isn’t much on it, but what I did replaceleads me to believe it’s some heavy shit, guys. There’s mention of it from theAge of Enlightenment, to the Dark Ages, all the way back to prehistoric times.The lore starts with the belief that our world isn’t the only world. Ourdimension not the only dimension.”

“Like the multiverse. M-theory?”

“Exactly, Z.” Excitement laces Dace’s voice. I glance atHamilton. M-theory? I mouth. He shrugs.

“Science and mathematics are just starting to back this up,but even before theories of the multiverse, ancient people believed that therewere several different worlds, all linked to ours and accessible by doorwaysall across Earth. These access points ‘open’ at different times depending onanything from astral alignment to occult rituals.

“One dimension in particular caught my eye.” Dace shufflesthrough his papers until he replaces the one he is looking for. He hands it off toZakk. “The ancient Romans called it ‘Ater’ which is Latin for ‘dark.’ It’s nota world with a sun, or day and night, or even time as we think of it. But it’ssaid that Ater is a dimension of depraved creatures who replace strength by eatingthe vitality of any who stumble upon their realm, or any foolish enough tosummon them to Earth. There’s even a picture of one such creature, drawn by amystic in ancient Persia.”

Again Dace rifles through his manila folders and removes aheavily pixelated sketch. My breathing stutters when I realize it’s Andhakar.He straddles a black dragon with a single, massive golden eye and wings likeindigo flames.

“I found recurring references to a being whose name changesthroughout history. No matter the language, the being’s name usually translatesto ‘the Darkness-That-Hunts.’ The lore goes that if summoned, thisDarkness-That-Hunts will fulfill a request. Wealth, power, revenge, whatever.In return, you pledge yourself and your soul in fealty to him. To seal thedeal, you receive this brand.”

Dace’s finger circles the insignia that Hamilton had drawn.

Silence sits between the four of us.

Zakk clears his throat to dispel the uneasiness. “Were youable to distinguish the locations of these access points between dimensions?”

“No, but they’re believed to lie in the crossings of ley lines.”

“Which would put it right here at Camp Gen.” Again, Zakkpaces the linoleum and for the first time I see him agitated. The fingers on his left hand twitch and hisshoulders are stiff with tension. “Coupled with the story you told at thebonfire . . .”

“The Legend of Andhakar Lake,” Dace murmurs.

“It’s too precise to be mere coincidence.”

Hamilton folds his arms across his chest. “So what does thisDarkness-That-Hunts want?”

Dace shrugs. “Beats me. Maybe Shari would know?”

My heart pounds in my chest, wiggling against my ribs likemaggots. While my contact with Andhakar was (blessedly) limited, I still wasable to discern some things. “He’s not what he was, I think. He needs power andsouls. Dace is right. In Ater, there are all sorts of creatures at his command.It’s fair to assume The Darkness-That-Hunts wants permanent access to Earth butI don’t know what he’s waiting for or why he’s reappeared now.”

I take a deep breath and dig into my pocket. “There is aman, a druid. He would know what Andhakar wants.” I pass the note to Hamiltonwho gives it to Zakk who then tosses it to Dace. Looking pale, Dace hands itback to me. “I don’t know how to contact him, or what he wants from the threeI’m to replace, but this medium is supposed to--”

The door swings open and Kamiron pauses, his breathinglabored, cheeks flushed and eyes like a grey hurricane. An uncomfortablesilence descends. Kamiron slips past Zakk and shuts the door with his heel. Hisgaze locks on the sketch of the brand and the air rushes out of him, leavinghim deflated.

“She has it.”

Zakk reacts first, guiding Kamiron to the chair. Kamironrests his head in his hands. “It’s right at her hairline. When we first starteddating, I asked her about it. She said she got it when she was younger becauseshe thought it looked cool, but afterwards realized it was pretty lame. Shekeeps her hair long to hide it. I--I never thought . . .” Kamiron’s voicepitters out like a stalled car engine. He takes a deep breath and meets mygaze. “I’m sorry, Shari. What can I do to help?”

The boys wait for my response. I want to trust Kamiron, butcan I truly? Does he still belong to Sandra, a spy? Is it worth the risk? At myside, Hamilton shifts, and I don’t have to read minds to know he hasreservations. Even Zakk seems uncertain, and Dace is dead to the world. It willbe up to me. And I feel . . .

I close my eyes, searching deep inside. I don’t thinkKamiron is working for Sandra. It’s a gut feeling and something I can’texplain. I just know. I toss Kamiron the folders and update him on thesituation. A nerve below his left eye twitches as he reads Dace’s intel, but Isee he’s trying.

“What’s the plan?” he ventures.

“When I first found myself here, I had this.” I hold upDivine’s note. “But then Sandra took it from me. She returned it just beforethe psychic attack. I’m guessing she was trying to get in my mind to replace outwhat I know.”

“And you repulsed her.” Hamilton beams at me. “No small featgoing against a psychic vampire.”

I allow myself a small smile at his praise beforecontinuing. “I’m obviously walking into a trap and I don’t want to risk any ofyou--”

“But we can’t stay ignorant. We’re too deeply involved,”Zakk summarizes. “Trap or not, we need to contact this druid.”

“I don’t know how.”

“I do.” Kamiron shoots Dace a meaningful glance.

Dace sighs, defeated. “Not here. I’ll have to prepare. Bestto do it in Firestarter.”

I frown at the pair. “What’s going on?”

“Do you remember when we first told you what Camp Gen wasabout--we all demonstrated our primary and secondary abilities?”

I nod at Kamiron.

“Everyone except me,” Dace reminds. “I told you about remoteviewing, but not my other ability.”

“A medium,” I guessed.

He gives a reluctant dip of his head. “I don’t mention itbecause I hate it. I’d prefer something more badass than getting raped byCasper, ya know?”

“It’s possession, Shari,” Zakk chuckles, “Don’t look sohorrified.”

Dace continues. “I touch an object and I can contact itsmaker or whoever handled it. Or I can just reach out to whatever presence isnear.”

“You think you can contact Divine?”

“I’m sure he’ll contact me. He already tried when I touchedyour note.” Dace sighs and I recall his earlier shakiness. He rises and headsfor the door. The others rise with him.

“Rest, Shari. They should let you out tomorrow. Come byFirestarter tomorrow night.”

The boys file out of the room while I stare at the softyellow paper in my lap.

After replaceing no strange brain tumors or signs of trauma,Doctor Millan discharges me with a clean bill of health. I catch up on myafternoon lessons. For the most part, I replace the lessons boring. My “psychictalent” has further been narrowed down--it isn’t precognition orretrocognition, both of which I’ve learned involve the ability to perceiveinformation either before it occurs, or in the past.

Either would be handy to me right now.

Melissa, wearing a cedar-green hoodie that reads “I <3Iowa,” waits for me outside of the Nina Kulagina building. As I approach, shedabs at her red eyes and nose with the edge of her sleeve. Before I can askwhat’s wrong, she just shakes her head. The sun shifts behind the tree line andshadows grow around our blue jeans.

“Buddy system,” she replies, forcing her voice to workthough it shakes. “Sandra wants us all taking precautions. I thought, sinceyour attack, it’s best I go with you to Starjungle.”

I can’t help myself. I link my arm in hers and we walk insilence. Around us, campers prepare for the memorial later on in the evening.From what I hear, candles and flowers will be placed on Shizuka Lake, a fewwords spoken and a moment of silence. We now know the boy’s name. Maxx. Ageeighteen. Could communicate with animals. Inside, I ache for Maxx’s friends andfamily--and I burn with hatred that Sandra took him away.

“Another person was found today and another’s missing,”Melissa shares finally. We stop in our tracks. In preparation for evening, thelamppost above us hums as it switches on, washing out all color and dousing usin fluorescent yellow.

“Oh, no, Mel--someone you know?”

“I know--knew--them both. Twins. They go--went--to highschool with me. Back in Iowa.” Her voice cracks and I draw her into a hug. Hersorrow nearly drowns me and I fight to stay on the surface, to ride thecresting wave to the safety of land.

“I just saw them earlier today. Cytheria was so excitedabout a guy she was dating--Jeno. Dalton, he--he . . . They can’t replacehim--what if he’s . . .?”

I rub Mel’s back as sobs rake through her; my mind races.What was Sandra up to? Why kill someone else--two people--when Andhakar expresslytold her to keep a low profile?

“Do they know how the twins . . .?”

Mel shakes her head, stepping away and rubbing her puffyeyes. “Lieutenant Butler won’t say, but patrol’s been increased. If this keepsup, Shari, they’ll shut down Camp Gen---and if they do that, where will we go?I know this is your first year, but I’ve been coming here since I was eight.It’s the only place most of us have where we can feel normal. Where we fit in.”

“Don’t worry, Mel. Whoever’s doing this will be stopped.”

I’m not sure if it’s my tone or absolute conviction, but Mellooks at me sharply.

“You said ‘whoever.’ Butler said the first guy died fromexposure. The twins would have known their way around, so I thought it was ananimal attack.” Melissa’s dark brown eyes narrow. “What do you know about allthis?”

I hastily backtrack. “I don’t know why I said whoever. Iguess I’ve just been listening to Dace’s conspiracy theories too much.” I forcemyself to take a sudden interest in the surrounding woodlands. Thick clouds blotout the sun, darkening the green pines. Campers dot the trails, some relaxingbefore dinner, others working on their abilities.

“Really?” Melissa’s voice belays her skepticism.

“It’s just a feeling---er . . . clairvoyance?” I pull theword out of the air. “I’m told it means---”

“The ability to perceive matters beyond the rangeof ordinary perception.” Despite the sadness rimming her mouth, a bit of thespunky old Melissa peeks at me from beneath thick lashes. “When did youdiscover it?”

“Just recently---a hunch. Ihaven’t exactly been tested---”

Mel brushes aside the last of hertears. “I know just who you’ll need to speak to to undergo your trial--all us‘clair’ people are observed by Doctor Winenheigmer. She’s very pretty---all theguys have a thing for her, but she’s not interested in boys, y’know?”

As if desperate for a distractionfrom our grim topic, Mel clings to the subject of my budding abilities. A pangof guilt stabs me. I didn’t intend to mislead Mel but I’m glad she isn’t cryinganymore. While she briefs me on what to expect in the next few days from theclair-department, my mind wanders to the guys. I know they’ve already set upwatches for Sandra, and while I’m grateful for their assistance, worry gnaws atme. Something in Sandra has changed since that night she summoned Andhakar. Theattack on me yesterday was her most direct confrontation yet.

No doubt Andhakar’s Steel Fang hassomething nasty up her sleeves. Is she feeding on campers, building her powerfor an all out assault?

“Starjungle’s heading to thememorial in an hour.” Mel’s voice as she slides open the door to Starjunglestartles me. We file inside to hear girls’ chatter and bickering. “I’m going totry and catch a shower before the hotwater’s gone---”

“---Too late, Mel,” one of ourcabinmates shouts. Wrapped in a lilac towel, she strolls in from the crowdedbathroom and pads towards the room she shares with girls I don’t know. “Akshi’spolished it off.”

Mel rolls her eyes and huffs. Shethen promises to meet up at Shizuka Lake and trudges into the room she shareswith Sandra.

We adhere to the buddy system onthe way to the memorial. I keep my eye on Sandra and she takes care to ignoreme. Me and security. Due to the nondisclosure agreement, not many parents knowabout the deaths--yet. It’s only a matter of time before word gets out. I hopeto stop Sandra long before then.

I don’t pay much attention to thecandlelight vigil. When it’s our turn, Starjungle approaches Shizuka Lake andadd our floating candles to the sea of lights. It looks like the stars havetouched Earth, bobbing along the gently sloshing waves as the sky turns a darkindigo.

The shrill discord of screams.

The iron stench of coagulatedblood.

The acrid flavor of evil on theback of my tongue.

My heart thuds in my chest and Itake calming breaths. My flashes of Ater are less vivid than before--I canalmost pretend it was just a horrible dream--that is, until I open my eyes and spotthe Steel Fang. She hangs on Kamiron’s arm like a deadly ornament. I sigh andturn away from the mix of mourners, curious onlookers, and the indifferent.Ater has desensitized me to torture and suffering as much as any teen who lovesfirst-person shooters and bloody action flicks, but I’m unused to others’sorrow. To feel in Ater was to die.

The echo of screams comes againfollowed by crunching noises, chewing, and loud slurping.

“Holdin’ up ok?”

Dace pauses beside me. Despite thefaint waver in his voice, he looks as composed as ever, hiding behind a mask ofdetachment. The candlelight hits his lenses and obscures his blue eyes.

“I’m better, thanks.”

We watch as the candles begin toflicker out in a northwest breeze. Campers turn away and follow their cabinleaders back to their cabins.

“Come when everyone’s asleep.Bring it so I can have a reference.”

Dace turns and strolls away beforeI can reply.

Of course when I need them to, thegirls in my room don’t go to sleep. They stay awake until early in the morning,pillow talk or whatever. I recline against my mattress and think about whatthey whisper. Who is going to be next? Why can’t we contact our parents--theyshould be informed, shouldn’t they? Are we safe here? What’s going on?

Sandra props against the wall,listening. Mel perches on the top bunk with me, her feet dangling over theedge. I keep my own counsel. I arrange my expressions and regulate my voice tobe invisible and overlooked. It works, except for Sandra who continues topsychically prod me. Buzzing and vibrating with electric energy, her mind stabsmine repeatedly. It takes all my willpower to keep her at bay whilesimultaneously appearing as if nothing’s wrong.

Gradually, the pressure lessensuntil Sandra withdraws entirely. I try not to exhale in relief. The Steel Fangstraightens and offers us all a sweet smile.

“It’s late, ladies. I’m going tobed, but you keep talking if you want. Remember the buddy system and no one isallowed out at night unless it’s an emergency--and that must be cleared with meor Mel, ’kay?”

As soon as she disappears, Melturns to me. I still read the grief and worry in her eyes, but her voice comesout even and confident.

“What just happened?”

I blink at her.

She glances at the other girlsgearing up for sleep. The bunk rocks as she scoots closer to me. Her voicecomes out in a conspiratorial whisper. “You tasted different just now.”

I gulp but keep my composure. “Idon’t know what you mean.”

She studies me for anuncomfortable amount of time before she next speaks. “I’ve told you your tasteis light, like tropical fruit.”

I nod. Her psychic ability. Clairgustience.

“But for a while there I tasted ataint on you. Food gone bad. Sour citrus. And then Sandra tasted different.”

I shudder. Melissa must havesensed Sandra attacking me. As much as I trust her, I can’t have her involvedlike the guys. If Sandra suspected anything between Mel and I . . .

“What does Sandra taste like?” Thewords feel heavy on my tongue. Is this the sensation Melissa feels when she“tastes”?

Before, Melissa ignored myquestion about Sandra. Again, she studies me--as if looking for some kind ofclue. Finally she sighs. “Wrong. She tastes wrong.”

We glance left and right. Somechat still lingers but most girls are beginning to sleep. I slide closer to Melso that the heat of our bodies mingle. She presses her lips against my ear.

“I feel a defamation andemptiness, as if she has no taste and yet what clings to her is a rememberedtaint.” Melissa’s soft curls brush my cheeks as she shakes her head. “It’sabsurd. She’s the nicest person once you get to know her.” Melissa hops down.“Between us. Night.”

I stretch out on my bed and ponderMelissa’s words while I wait for my bunkmates’ breathing to even out. Springscreak as someone turns over. A sniff there. A snore here. Starjungle settlesaround me like a mother hen nestling over her clutch.

Defamation. So even Mel sensesthat Sandra isn’t what she appears. Should I tell Melissa the truth? Isignorance safer? She shares a room with a psychic vampire and an evil one toboot. Is my silence only endangering her more?

I sigh and the note scrapes theskin between my breasts. I’ll need to leave soon. Hopefully the boys aren’tasleep. My thoughts return to Melissa.

What if Sandra can read her mind?If I told Mel the truth, would Sandra replace out? Could Sandra psychically attackMelissa like she attacked me?

It’s a question for Hamilton andZakk, at the very least.

I wait for fifteen more minutesbefore I climb out of bed. I slip on a pair of jeans and tennis shoes. KnowingSandra provided my clothes bothers me. Can she sense me through the clothes? Usemy outfits to follow where I go---

Quitit, girl, I chastise myself. First things first---sneaking out of Starjungle.The most direct way is out the front door, but I dare not get close to Sandraand I dare not risk climbing out the window in my room. That leaves the windowin the bathroom. High up and narrow, it’d be a tight squeeze, but I’m sure Ican make it.

My shoes make little noise as Itiptoe for the bathroom. Starjungle sleeps soundly, oblivious to the viper inits midst---and the psycho black girl creeping about in the dark. I snicker.One of the racist jokes I used to endure was that black people blend in withthe night.

At least I’m assured cover.

Getting out of the window isn’t ashard as I had envisioned. The night that greets me is muggy and laden withmoisture. I taste rain coming. Plump clouds obscure the moon and a heavygrayness settles around the woods, making the trees inky blots bleached of allcolor except black and steel gray. I keep close to the trails but not on them.The hiss of wind and the hooting of owls break the silence of the night.Security guards radio to one another as they patrol, scouring the camp for themenace that sleeps in a bed at Starjungle. I steer clear of their curiousflashlights and methodical footfalls.

By the time I reach Firestarter,it’s drizzling. Keeping to the shadows, I knock on the window that I know isnear Zakk’s bed. Kamiron appears and motions for me to head to the front panel.Zakk slides it open for me and I slip inside.

“Took you long enough,” Dacechides as I shake off water.

“Sorry, everyone stayed awake ’tillate.”

Hamilton appears from the backroom with a towel. “Don’t mind Dace. He’s a bigger dick than usual when he’snervous.”

Dace scowls. “Try having your bodyput through the wringer and we’ll see how cheerful you are.”

We march into the main room andarrange ourselves on the furniture. Dace occupies an armchair. Zakk andHamilton join me on the couch. Kamiron pulls up a chair.

“Let’s get this over with.”

Keeping my eyes downcast, I reach intomy bra and retrieve the letter. Blushing, I pass it to Dace who has difficultykeeping the grin from his lips. He props his glasses on the coffee tablebetween us before closing his eyes. “It’ll take a few minutes.”

Anticipation builds in the roomwhile we wait. A sudden warmth steals into Firestarter. Cloying, it settlesaround us like a cocoon. Hamilton takes my hand, threading his fingers throughmine.

“Something’s here,” he whispers. Iglance at Kamiron and Zakk who nod in agreement. Our gaze flickers to Dace. Hisbrows are scrunched and he chews on his bottom lip. The heat increases and astrange presence circles us. I feel it studying us. Its electric heat traces myneck like long fingers. I vaguely become aware of Dace speaking to it.

“I am,” he answers to somequestion that the rest of us can’t hear. “I offer my body to use to communicateyour message if you will leave it as you found it.”

The heat intensifies into aviolent flare. I want to beg Kamiron to crack a window but dare not speak forfear of breaking Dace’s concentration or whatever is needed to commune withspirits. The presence circles us again and then slams into Dace’s body. Heinhales, chest heaving and gasping before he falls quiet.

Languidly, his eyes flutter open.They are tangerine.

“Shari.”