Out Of The Shadows

Chapter 4-Shattered.

“One foot in front of the other, see? It’s easy.” Darren whispered softly to himself. Doubt tore at his gut. What if Robert didn’t want to see him? Was shocked that he would actually take him up on his offer? He stopped and looked around him, trying to get his bearings.

The darkness spread across the quiet street, covering it gently like a protective blanket hiding the inhabitants from those hidden in the night. Darren felt a knot of fear in his chest and then scolded himself for been so childish. “You’re seventeen, not seven. There’s no need to be afraid of the dark.” The moment the hushed words left his lips a sound escaped the shadows from his right, behind the Oak tree.

“Don’t…Don’t go!” The sentence was whispered with urgency from the dark outline of a man. The figure took a step towards Darren.

Terrified Darren ran, not even sure of where his feet were leading him until he almost tore through Robert’s door. “Mr Cannavale!” he shouted, banging the wood with his fists. “Mr Cannavale!”

The door flung open and his teacher flung the door open a slightly annoyed look upon his face. “Darren? What’s the matter?” The annoyed look was replaced by one of concern.

“Someone…out there…” He whispered breathlessly, barely noticing that Robert wore only a towel.

“Quick get in! Tell me all about it!” He pulled the boy in looking out the door as he did so.

Grinning out into the night.

*~*~*

“No!” Daniel sobbed. He’d had a chance to warn him and only speeded up Darren’s need to see Robert. How could he have been so stupid? He kicked the tree in anger, not feeling the pain that immediately emanated from his foot.

He’d lost him. He’d lost Darren. Robert would take the beautiful innocence that shone from within him as a memento of the conquest.

“I have to think of something fast.” But all his thoughts were just uncoordinated jumbles. He had to act. And he had to act quickly.

*~*~*

“I just spooked myself I guess, probably just someone wanting directions and I run off screaming like a banshee.” Darren gave a nervous laugh, trying too not to stare at Robert’s naked torso.

“Hey, don’t be silly. There’s monsters out there you know.” He smiled down at him and rubbed Darren’s back reassuringly. “You okay? Was there a reason you came here?” He fixed his face in a grin, for a moment Darren thought that the smile didn’t reach his eyes. A feeling of unease fell over him. “Are you okay?” he asked again.

Suddenly Darren felt foolish, he had barged into this mans house shrieking about invisible killers and now expected him to sit and listen to him complaining? Robert deserved better. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have wasted your time. I should go…” He tried standing up from the sofa but Robert grabbed his hand.

“Darren can I ask you a favour? Please?” His eyes pleaded with him. Darren sat back down gently.

“Yeah…sure.” A nervous fluttering began in his stomach as he watched Robert’s face intently.

“We have only a few weeks to the play opens and I have to begin casting tomorrow. I wondered if could you help me?”

“But only teachers can do that can’t they? I mean I wouldn’t know talent!” He blushed deep red; embarrassed that only a moment ago he’d thought Robert was going to confess he loved him or something.

“Well Miss Arnold is a dear but she thinks everything is “wonderful!” This is going to be a one-man job I’m afraid. Unless…”

“I’d love you! I mean I’d love too!” Darren, you idiot! Now he blushed even more.

Robert furrowed his brow and leaned towards him, moving a stray hair softly from Darren’s forehead “Stop hiding. I see you.” He sighed the words.

“I don’t unders…” he trailed off as Robert’s hot breaouchouched his skin, causing a rush of emotions to roar through his body.

“I. See. You…” Then Robert’s lips found Darren’s. The kiss was long and deep, a million thoughts raced through his mind but only one remained steady-he felt happy and he hadn’t that emotion for a long time. Darren moaned with pleasure into Robert’s mouth.

A crash came from the window, shattered shards fell in all directions. Shocked Darren tore himself from Robert and gaped at the brick that lay in the middle of the room. “Oh god!” he exclaimed.

Robert was up and running towards the door, cursing as he went. “You can run back into the shadows, boy. But I can find you! You can’t hide from me! I SEE YOU!” He shouted into the black of the night.

Darren rose, confused and scared. This was too much at once. He had to get out of the house. He couldn’t breathe! “Robert, I’m sorry…I…I have to go” He barely looked at the man as he ran from the house.

He ran for what seemed like an age through the streets until he reached the Oak tree of earlier. Exhausted he leaned against it, all thoughts of his early visitor gone.

What had just happened? What did he do now?