Shadowy Truth Read online

  Shadowy Truth

  By

  D. James

  Thanks to

  My parents, Raymond and Anna who kept saying I could do anything - even when I didn’t think I could.

  Also a quick thanks to a dear friend who kept encouraging me to continue writing this book, Fred Rowe.

  Chapter One

  The feeling of waking up from a wonderful sleep is a sad one. Feeling warm, safe and all around in paradise in your bed is something everyone doesn't want to leave in the mornings. But when classes start early and you are used to sleeping in late, that is really a hard blow to your normal routine.

  But sadly that is what is happening now.

  I am starting my second year of schooling at college. My practice of choice is Mythology. All of my life I guess you could say I never really believed in stuff such as dragons, demons and hell or heaven. But I still found it fun to, deep down think that there might be the slightest possibility they exist. Don't get me wrong, I am not one of those people who do not believe in God. I just have a few unanswered questions that keep bothering me about the heaven and hell subject.

  The only bad thing about college is the roommates. And mine isn't one you can just warm up too. Heather McKaine. I mean she is pleasant enough but she is a five-year old, twenty-five year old. If that makes any sense?

  "Wakie! Wakie! Katie! Class starts in forty minutes!"

  I felt someone shake me from my glorious, comfortable sleep. It was Heather, of course. Sometimes I loved having her as a roommate and friend. Other times, I wanted to strangle her with a shoe lace.

  "I…um…okay…" All I could do was mumble the words out. After all it is hard to form a sentence when you're having the life shaken out of you.

  "Goody! Well you better get up and get to class on time! I'm off!"

  Finally, the annoying voice skipped out of the room. Lying on the bed, not moving, I sighed. Mornings, who doesn't hate them? I mean I don't hate mornings in particular. It’s just that I hate going to class and sitting in a room full of all those people, who I know hate me. Why do they hate me? And how do I know? Because I am one of the stupidest, oddest, and most paranoid people you'll ever meet.

  I'm scared of ants. You can't get much more pathetic than that, right?

  I don't really know why I'm like I am. The only reason I can think of is because I don't want to be hurt. Most people can take a little pain, but not me. The mere thought of pain scares me into a shaking fit. Even the sight of blood causes me to get weak at the knees and sometimes pass out.

  Sometimes I wonder if that is why everything bad happens to me. I have even let the thought of suicide pass my mind more than once. But I am a coward. It is sad that I am so much of a coward I don't even have the nerve to end my pathetic existence.

  "Katie?"

  I sat up quickly. The voice I knew, Chris Jager. My boyfriend who was also attending college here in New York.

  Smiling, I said, "Chris? What are you doing here?"

  I had moved so I was sitting on the edge of my bed. Thank goodness I was wearing my paw print pajamas. Otherwise I am sure Chris would have been overjoyed to catch a glimpse of me.

  I watched him as he walked over and sat down next to me. Then I felt his hand reach and wrap around mine.

  Something was wrong.

  He was never so serious.

  "Chris?" I questioned.

  His quietness was really confusing and worrying me. All throughout the two years I had known and dated him. He was never a truly serious person. Chris always was one to lighten a moment with a laugh or a stupid joke. This was a side of him I had never seen before.

  "I finished my exams earlier than expected, Katie." His voice, it seemed a bit saddened. Was something the matter?

  "What's wrong? You sound sad."

  The atmosphere around him was like a thick cloud. Something must be wrong. He was never this serious, ever.

  Letting out a heavy breath, Chris said. "Katie, I'm sorry. I know you'll probably get upset and cry. But I can't stop this…"

  I didn't like the direction this was heading. His voice, the look he was giving me. Everything about it sent my heart into a flutter.

  I felt like I was being scared out of my skin. The look his liquid green eyes were sending me gave my skin goose bumps.

  "Stop what?" I asked with a bit of worry lacing my voice. Really I didn't want to know the answer. But it seemed my heart did.

  "I'm sorry," His pause seemed like it went on for hours. "But I've found…someone better than you, back in my hometown."

  My eyes would not blink. I felt like I had just been struck with a ton of freezing cold water, knocking my breath away.

  Someone better?

  He found someone better than me?

  I think my heart was in the pit of my stomach. All of a sudden I felt sick and dizzy. The only thing I could think of to say at the moment just slowly came out of my mouth, "Y-you found someone…better?"

  The sound of that sentence again just caused my stomach to churn. I felt like I was going to throw up. This sick feeling wasn't going to leave anytime soon.

  "Yea, she's…more confident about herself. And well…I mean she's not scared of everything."

  Those words, coming from him broke me. I felt the warm water tugging at the edge of my eyes. I knew I was about to break into tears.

  He had found someone who was more confident in themself than I was? But as I thought about it, I guess I should be happy for him. I mean after all I was just a waste of a good life. Someone who would probably hold him back from doing great things with his life…

  "I-I'm…happy for you…" I managed. My voice was shaky I knew that since I could barely breath at the moment, while trying to hold back my tears.

  I felt his hand come up to my chin, forcing me gently to look at him. His eyes showed a bit of concern for me, I could tell. But yet the love was gone. The loving green eyes that he once stared at me with were not there any longer. He must now keep that look for the new love of his life. The one who is better than me?

  "Katie, I'm really sorry we ended up this way. But…maybe…we can still be friends?" Chris asked.

  I felt my heart sink further away from its normal place at the word 'friends'.

  He knew how much our relationship meant to me, and yet now he is just throwing me aside. Wanting to be 'just friends'?

  "Chris…" I couldn't think of anything to say. I was at a total loss for words. "…sure." Was the only thing I could manage?

  Although my heart was screaming that it wanted more. It wanted us to stay together as a couple and be happy forever. But I guess no matter how hard you try; reality never lets you live happy for long.

  "Good," Chris said as he squeezed my hand.

  I watched him as he stood and for a moment kept my hand in his. Then slowly, as if in slow motion, I watched my hand drop back down to my leg.

  "Well…I guess this is goodbye for a while, Katie. I'm going back home for a few months. Maybe…I'll see you…around?" Those were his last words as he turned to leave.

  I seemed to be the one moving as I watched him walk out of my life. Saddened I reached back and grabbed my comforter and pulled it back up over my body. I didn't want to face to world of college today. That is what sick days are for.

  Finally I let the tears flow. I could feel my pillow getting damp already as I wrapped my arm around it to pull it closer to my face. I felt like crawling into a deep, dark hole and dying.

  If I wasn't afraid there might be ants…I probably would.

  Slowly rising up from my now damp pillow I stared toward the door. I could hear a repeated scratching sound. Like nails against the outer side of the door. But what could be causing that sound? I know it couldn't be an animal. No one in
the dorms owned one. Or at least I think they don't?

  Rising up, I walked over to the door and peered out the peep hole to check and see if it was someone, but nothing. I used my sleeve of my paw print pajamas to clean the wetness from my checks, and then I pulled the door open enough to peer through the crack.

  "Hello?"

  No reply.

  Then I heard the noise again and my attention was quickly drawn downwards.

  It was a dog?

  A black coated, large dog.

  "Hello?" I spoke again confused.

  Where did a dog come from? No one in the dorms had any animals. Reaching up I pulled the lock free and opened the door full.

  Kneeling, I checked the dog to see if someone might have lost it, but no collar. No tag either.

  "Are you lost?" I questioned.

  I don't really know why I was asking the dog a question. I guess it just came out.

  Then to my surprise I was almost knocked back as the dog leapt up onto me and started licking my face. "Okay! Okay, that's enough. Down boy…er…girl?"

  It just struck me. I didn't know wither this dog was a male or a female. But I guess…I had to check.

  I used a bit of my body weight to push the rather large dog down onto its side. Gently I scratched its stomach to keep it occupied as I glanced, not really wanting too, downwards.

  "Okay…you're a boy." I breathed. Thank goodness that was over.

  Thinking for a moment I finally came to a conclusion. I would just have to keep the dog here and make some lost ads and post them around the city. Maybe his owner would show up.

  "Well come on," I motioned the dog to enter my room. Then after he finally made his way in I shut the door and locked it as usual.

  As I walked over to the bookshelf I noticed the dog checking things out. He seemed very curious of the surroundings he was now in. Turning back toward the few books I owned, I finally found what I was looking for; Dog Encyclopedia. Not really sure why it was on the shelf, perhaps it was something my mother had packed when I left home. Maybe I could at least figure out what kind of dog he was or whether he was mixed or not?

  I walked over to the couch and sat down surprisingly he came over and leapt up onto the couch next to me. Finally I started to flip through the book, and then I stopped.

  "Well you sort of look a little like a German Shepherd. But you're far more…fluffy than one of those."

  I laughed. He seemed to be listening to me. His slightly rounded large ears perked up and his silver eyes locked on me.

  Wait? Silver eyes? Do dogs have silver eyes?

  I guess I could look in the book and find out. Slowly I flipped until I found the page covering a dog's eyes. "Normal colors include; brown, green and sometimes blue."

  Nothing about a dog having silver colored eyes.

  Hm, maybe the color of his eyes were considered blue? Maybe? I don't know. The only animal I've ever owned was a goldfish and it didn't live more than three days.

  Finally after getting the confusion of his eye color out of my thoughts I concluded that he must just be a stray or a mix breed someone didn't want. But I don't understand why someone wouldn't want him. I mean, he's not an ugly dog. And he seemed to be well taken care of. Unlike most strays his coat wasn't dirty or stinky. He was soft and he didn't smell at all.

  Actually he smelled…sort of nice. For a dog I mean. He seemed to be admitting a floral scent.

  Stretching out onto the couch I found that I was sort of sore in my shoulders. I guess it was from staying up most of the night getting ready for my first classes this second year. But so much for them, I didn't even go. But I could always make an excuse or go to the ER and get a pass for school from the doctor. It’s no big deal. One day isn't going to cause my entire school year to come crashing down like a stone.

  I watched the dog as I laid there, my hands back behind my head and the book I had been glancing over on my stomach. To my surprise he moved and lay down next to my side. Reaching over I was surprised at how large of a dog he really was. He really did resemble a German Shepherd but he was about twice the size of one; Possibly as big as a Great Dane or a St. Bernard.

  But I found out quickly for a large dog he was a kind animal. He wasn't active or aggressive; instead he was mellow and easy going. He just seemed content with lying next to me on the couch and relaxing. Although there wasn’t much room left on the couch with both me and the large dog lying there.

  But like I said before, I've never owned a dog. So I really can't say his behavior is odd or just normal. Maybe some dogs are active and others are in a sense, lazy. I laughed at the thought of a lazy, laid back dog.

  I guess I had better think of a name for this dog while he's here. I searched my brain for a few minutes as I scanned the room, trying to find anything that might give me a spark of an idea for a name.

  "Well let's see…you are rather large and black….what about…Blackie?" I asked. But if I didn't know better when he raised his head to look at me he was giving me a stupid look.

  Can dogs give emotional stares? Well if they can I think Blackie, as he is now called, was giving me a dumb stare.

  I can't help it. I'm not a creative person. So Blackie is going to be his name until he goes or his owners show up and reveal his real name.

  Like I know how to name a dog. I know it shouldn't be that difficult but it still isn't an easy task.

  Yawning I placed my hand over my mouth then glanced toward the wall clock. It was already an hour since Heather had left for her classes. I could still make the rest of my classes if I hurried. But I really didn't feel good enough in spirit to face the cruel, judging world of college. I felt happier just lying here on the couch with Blackie.

  Turning I wrapped my arm around him. He felt so warm and smelled like heaven. Which was odd to say about a dog, but it is true. He didn't stink like most animals. No, he had a scent of his own, sort of a fresh mountain breeze or maybe a newly blossomed flowerbed.

  The scent slowly got to me as I snuggled up closer to his fur taking in the wonderful scent. Before I knew it I had my nose buried in his neck fur and my eyes closed. I felt oddly enough, safe. Warm and comfortable. It was strange feeling.

  I felt Blackie move a bit as if getting comfortable himself. But he didn't seem to mind me as close as I was to him. Instead I felt him lick my arm, as if comforting me.

  As memories of Chris and what had happened this morning came flooding back like a tidal wave, so did the tears. I could feel the wetness dripping down my cheeks and onto Blackie's shiny black pelt.

  Quickly I sat up and sniffed back some tears, while using my sleeve to wipe away some stray tears on my nose. Then I just paused. I felt a rough, warm sensation on my cheek. Blackie was licking my tears away from my face.

  I stared at him confused then I could have sworn I saw a small, gentle smile on his chops. You can say I'm crazy but I know what I saw for that spare moment. He seemed…almost human. But I didn't think freaking out over such a small thing at the moment was the right thing to do. Instead I just smiled and patted his head gently.

  Slowly I pushed myself up from the couch and started toward the bathroom.

  Which I should have already been in, since I had yet to take my morning shower or brush my teeth…

  "You stay here boy. I'll be back out shortly." I called to him.

  Glancing back I noticed that he was still sitting on the couch. Not moving. He was very well trained and obedient.

  Whoever had lost him must be missing him a great deal. He seemed like a dog who would be one's best friend, not just an animal companion.

  I shut the bathroom door, and then locked it. A habit I had never broken. I guess locking the door made me feel a little more secure in the bathroom. Like I knew I was alone.

  Then I got a thought.

  Maybe if I went down to the pound they could tell me if anyone had reported a missing dog. Yea! That's it. That's how I could find his owner. My shower could wait until later.

 
; I knew better than to leave Blackie in the dorm room alone. So I found a piece of cloth that I could use for a lead and then another for a collar and got creative for once.

  Standing back I looked at Blackie and smiled. I was pretty proud of myself for the temporary leash and collar. But sadly, Blackie must have not been too happy with the collar, since every time I glanced toward him he was trying to scratch it off.

  "Is it bothering you?" I asked.

  Then kneeling down I used my hand to scratch behind his ear and smiled as he leaned his head toward my hand.

  Standing again I walked over and picked up the phone book and searched for the nearest animal shelter. Then finally after scanning for a few moments I found one. It was only about a block away from the college, luckily.

  Smiling, I said. "Well come on, boy. Hopefully you'll be reunited with your family soon."

  I reached and picked up the homemade leash and started toward the door. I was surprised to see that Blackie was also trained to lead. Most dogs would either not want to move or would pull your arm off trying to out run you, but not Blackie. He stood next to my leg as if waiting to see what I wanted him to do. I was really amazed at his intelligence.

  Opening the door I peered out to see if anyone was standing, chatting in the hallway. To my pleasure the hallway was clear and unoccupied. Slowly I moved so Blackie could walk past me, out into the hallway then I turned and locked the door after I was standing beside him.

  "Well," I paused when I heard someone's voice. Turning I saw two men go into their dorm room and completely ignore me as if I wasn't even there.

  Sighing, I continued. "I guess we'd better get started. I bet you have some worried family looking for you." Smiling down at him I reached and rubbed him behind the ear again. Since he seemed to enjoy my touch I had to smile.

  After leaving the building I found that the streets weren't crowded for this time of day. Usually people were rushing around like mad, but surprisingly it was a beautiful day. Clear skies and the weather was wonderful.

  Turning I noticed some flower petals blowing off of a tree. I smiled as I noticed Blackie was watching the petals as well. But sadly we had to move on, since the woman standing in the yard was giving us a strange look.