The Things We Do

CW: Substance abuse, violence

In an unordinary world, what is normal?

Jack was having a peaceful Friday evening. No work. The sky was clear. The temperature was just right in that sweet spot between not too hot and just enough of a chill for a sweater and cargo shorts combo-attire.

Sitting in his wooden rocking chair on the front porch of his cabin house on his multi-arche land, a beer bottle in hand freshly twisted open and then relaxing breeze brushing across his body and through his dark hair, filling his lungs from a deep calming breath.

Finally at peace away from a hectic week of house flipping, he regrettably agreed to do with his friend out of pure loyalty.

Closing his eyes the rays of dawn sunlight hit his face as he allows the blissfulness of relaxation to engulf his entire being.

Only for every single piece of it to shatter like glass by a single ringtone coming from his right pocket.

Taking a deep breath, Jack lets out one of the heaviest sighs his lungs and mental capacities could bear. Setting down the bottle and retrieving his phone Jack opens his eyes to see the caller’s ID of his cousin.

Nataly

The ringtone echoes, sending rapid unpleasantness crawling under Jack’s skin, causing an unwelcome forceful state of restlessness. Tightening his lips, squeezing his eyes shut and clinching his jaw before stomping his feet.

Looking back to his phone Jack taps the green button and hits the speaker button in succession.

Jack: Hey, what’s up?

Nataly: What the hell took you so damn long?

Her voice sounds off. Out of breath and on the verge of cracking. Almost as if she just finished on the treadmill or a run with the possibility she fell and is fighting back the pain of a freshly scrapped knee, or elbow, possibly both. and maybe her chin too.

Jack: What’s wrong?

Nataly: I need you to come over to the Cunningham Suites. Like, get here fast too.

A loud shout and commotion reverberate followed by a shattering crash in the background on the other end of the line.

“Throw something at me like that again bitch and I promise you I’ll going to jail tonight!” Jack hears shouting back coming from the voice of Nataly traveling in the distance toward her target.

Jack: Are you good?

Nataly: Just get here, and quick, before I kill this bitch.

Jack: I’m on my way. Get out of wherever you are so you don’t get yourself killed.

Nataly: I’m not the one about to have a caution tape around their dead body.

The line cuts off.

Mustering all his will power and momentum from the rocker to swing himself off-and-up to his feet. Pocketing the phone. He opens the red front door, sets the beer on a table stand just inside the cabin. Grabbing his keys in the clay ashtray made for him by his nephew on the table before grabbing his hoodie hanging on the nearby coatrack. He makes his way down the four steps not before shutting and locking the door behind. Walking on the gravel driveway hesitates briefly, stepping behind the driver’s seat, igniting the engine of his blue pick-up truck. He checks the glovebox for his gun tucked away and ready before forwarding and pulling onto the road.

Passing by his neighbors and homes that’s become accustomed to his travels; Jack zones out, allowing muscle memory to take over. Jack’s mind wonders to the possibilities that lie in a collision course to his immediate future.

It was never simple with Nataly.

Twenty-seven, pretty, and smart as can be, but to say she was the Black Sheep of the family would do a great disservice to the term.

So many situations and circumstances that could’ve been avoided and yet, when presented, it was as if the day couldn’t end without an escalation and climax of complete chaos.

A game of darts ending in the serving bar engulfed in flames turning to ashes. All due to a cheating allegation from the other player.

Stealing a police horse after a cop arrested her friend for public intoxication.

Alleged supply and dealer. Though, nobody could prove it.

Becoming a gigolo, specializing in one-on-one companionship and affection, as a means of financial stability, rebellion and a giant middle-finger to those within the family. Especially her parents.

“If people want a piece, along with my company, then I may as well get paid top dollar in exchange.” As she put it one night staring at the stars.

Causing the end of a twenty-five-year marriage when a client decided not to pay in full for her services.

Not to mention the numerous brawls and borderline riots, she’s influenced out of pure entertainment at times.

Jack’s mind drifts back to reality as Brightmoon Academy appears in the distance.

His truck approaching its compound at the dead-end of the road stopping at the red light. Sitting back to take in its eerie presence. A dark stone structure with blue and gold trim edging. It stands tall ominously behind a large black gate accompanied with “Gifting Light in the Darkness” inscribed across the middle. It overlooks all that comes in its proximity.

Rumors and hearsay spoken of its existence.

Words blurring the lines of fact and fiction.

Stories harboring the weird and strange. Stories of legends and myths. Stories trekking beyond our world, even our universe. Stories expanding beyond the capacity and comprehension of the human mind.

All hidden behind closed doors. Concealed by an ordinary gate. Locked away in a simple small town.

Jack only allows his thoughts to wander so far before the light turns green and his venture continues. Vehicles passing by with their own destinations.

After an inconvenient amount of time traversing through town, Jack approaches the parking lot of Cunningham Suites. Upon his arrival two police cars sat out front. Two officers stand aways-off to the side with a woman in a bathrobe, blonde hair disheveled, smoking a cigarette.

With one of the police cars, he notices Nataly leaning against the trunk. A backpack sits by her feet, hair tucked underneath a black beanie, jeans, sneakers and black flannel shirt. Her eyes glance at him picking at her bracelets as he pulls pass. She looks more like a guest checking in than someone who, thinking back, seemingly was in a violent dispute from the exchange over the phone.

Luckily for him—and her—the officer speaking to her was his grade school friend Luis Cortez. Jack and Luis have had their fair share of troublemaking growing up. That is, until Luis decides in high school to become a sworn defender of the law. Their relationship remained intact. But their get togethers were few and far between as of late. Conflicting work schedules do hinder friendships sometimes. It depends on the friends in question if it stands the test of time or fades into a good story you share with others.

Jack parks in a space not far off, cuts the engine, and gets out. Making his way over to the police cars he’s met by Luis who somewhat awaited his arrival, leaving Nataly with his partner.

“I still, to this day, can’t get accustomed to you in a cop uniform.” Jack says.

“Neither can my own family. I had to handcuff my uncle last week for trying to fight a bartender when they cut him off.”

“How’d that go?”

“About as expected.”

“It could’ve been worse. The bar could’ve been in flames and he’s trying to fight random people.” Jack mentions.

“Fourth of July.” Luis remembers.

“Fourth of July.” Jack smirks as they both peer over to Nataly who is glaring at them both before holding up a middle-finger under her arm out of sight of Luis’ partner.

“Pretty sure that’s for me.” Jack voices.

“It’s probably for the both of us. I was there to remember?” Luis replies turning back to Jack.

“I’ve never seen a cop almost have their own handcuffs put on themselves by a someone they’re trying to detain.

“It was like trying to control a wild, rabid animal.” Luis defends.

“Oh, I’m aware.”

“You more than most.”

Anyway, what can I do to solve whatever is happening right now?” Jack asks.

“Well, we go a disturbance call and came to find a physical altercation that resulted in property damage, among other things.”

“Is Nataly responsible for any of it. The damage or something where she must be cuffed and taken away?”

“From everything we’ve gathered it all points to Mrs. Greta Holt over there with the other officers.” Luis motions with his head causing Jack to look over.

Greta now paces back and forth communicating with the other officers.

“So, does this mean I can I take her off of your hands?” Jack looks back.

“I would normally take her to get checked out by a medical team, just as a precaution. But she refuses. She just wants to get away from the situation from what she’s said. She told us you were on your way before we started questioning her. Everything including eye-witness accounts points to the other woman. So, as it stands, she’s free to go.”

“Okay, well if you’re done with her, I’ll get her out of here.”

“Alright. She’s all yours. Let’s meet up one night. Get the gang together.” Luis suggests.

“Name the time and place. I’ll see if the others want too as well.” Jack and Luis shake hands and part. Luis walks towards Nataly, while Jack saunters back to his truck and awaits.

Jack opens the driver’s side door, starts the engine and stands looking back. Luis informs Nataly that she’s free to go. Nataly nods, picks up her backpack and strolls towards Jack.

They both filed into the truck, Jack behind the wheel and Nataly in the passenger seat with the backpack in the floorboard. They remain silent. Jack ignites the engine, and steers out of the parking lot and pulling onto the road. The Cunningham Suites fades into the distance with Jack homeward bound.

“Should I even ask?” Jack is the first to speak.

“Dude, I didn’t even know what was happening. I was woken up by screaming and objects thrown at me!” Nataly rubs her eyes.

“So, in other words you got yourself mixed up with a psychopath in disguise?”

“Pretty much! That’s even the worst part. I didn’t even wake and bake today! Do you understand the severity of that? Do you know how long that has happened?” Nataly asks seriousness edging her voice.

“Yes, I do.” Jack replies, his stare faraway in remembrance. The Fourth of July.

“Three years!” Nataly answers bringing Jack’s distant thoughts back to attention on the road.

“Well as much as I’d like to help you with that, you’ll have to wait a bit longer.”

“I know, I know. I won’t destroy the sanctity of your truck.” Nataly sighs.

“Were there red flags beforehand? Anything she said or did that triggered “psycho” in your brain?” Jack questions.

“Nothing until this morning. A tad clingy at times. Always wanting to hold hands and cuddle like we were a couple, but it was what she paid for. So, I went with it. I didn’t think I was being led to a false sense of safety.”

“She had you lower your guard all the way down, like a dope.” Jack pokes.

“My guard was so down I couldn’t react to what was happening until I saw a chair flying my way. And even then, I barely managed to dodge it. Like, my brain wasn’t processing it.”

Brightmoon Academy’s presence greets Jack’s oncoming truck to the left as he approaches coming to a stop at the red traffic light, his right turn signal blinks. Brightmoon towers ominously.

“That place still creeps me out. Like, I shouldn’t be around it. Except when I’m high or drunk. My curiosity takes over.” Nataly smirks.

“That doesn’t shock me”

“I almost hopped the fence with my friends one night.”

“Also, not surprising. If you get trapped behind there do not expect me to come get you.” Jack informs. The light turns green and the truck turns. Jack proceeds further, leaving Brightmoon in the rear.

“Wait, has the gate ever been slightly open like that?” Nataly asks looking back.

“What’re you talking about? It was shut. Its always shut unless there’s a bus going through.”

“Yeah, no. it was open. Maybe not all the way but definitely open.” Nataly doubles down turning back forward.

“I think the lack of joint is starting to really hit you, stoner.”

“True, but I’m sticking to what I saw, at least until my mind is clouded in cannabis smoke.”

“By the way, where is your car? I didn’t see it at the suites.” Jack notices.

“I was going to meet her there, but Greta decided she wanted me to be her passenger princess all day.”

“You really are in a world of your own.” Jack states.

“It’s a better one than the alternative.”

“Well, I’m not taking you home. I was about to have a beer and then fire up the grill before you bothered me.”

“Let me edit that for you. What you mean to say is: “Nataly you’re staying at my place because before you called, I was having a lonely, boring Friday.”

“I hope you left your stash at the hotel.” Jack responds.

“Don’t even joke about that. I would literally have a full meltdown.”

Jack pulls onto the road leading to his cabin passing by familiar tree lines and scenery. Relaxation sets in briefly as his truck climbs the gravel road trail.

“Um, do you see that too?” Nataly cautions.

Jack hadn’t noticed, focusing on patches of grass he missed when mowing the front yard. He looks up to where Nataly’s gaze is fixed. On his front porch is the shape of a figure standing motionlessly at his front door.

“What the hell?” Jack slows down as the truck gets closer to his usual parking space. The figure is still unmoving but upon closer examination is discovered as the silhouette of a woman.

Jack stops abruptly. A cold chill coats his body momentarily. They both stare ahead.

“Stay here.”

“Leave the truck running.” Nataly utters as Jack gets out slowly.

“Can I help you!” Jack calls out. His words reach their intended target. The woman turns around revealing to be a young woman dressed in a dark blue overcoat. Somewhere between the ages of seventeen and twenty, but it was hard for Jack to deduce at that moment. She flashes a wide grin to match her intense leer. A predator finding its prey. She glides swiftly and properly down the steps. Jack takes a small step back.

“Why, yes. Yes, you can Jack.” She answers, cold harshness edging her voice. She begins speedily approaching breaking into a skip.

“Who are you? Why did you say my name like that? I don’t know you.” Jack retreats.

“It won’t matter even if I told you.” She replies, her voice chilling and soothing. As she closes in her pupils shift and overlays her eyes in pitch blackness.

“Shit, Shit Shit!” Jack swears. He reaches the truck door, the girl not far behind.

Sharp cracks and pops radiate loudly in quick violent succession from the other side of the truck. Jack ducks to the ground, covering his head.

The ringing in Jack’s ears steadily declines. He rapidly turns onto his back, his fists up, as a hand grabs onto his shoulder. Eyes wide she stares up into the familiar face of Nataly, who holds his pistol.

“It’s just me.” Nataly assures. She helps Jack to his feet and steadies him against the truck tire.

“Holy Shit, dude.” Jack reproofs, his hands shaking and nerves in shambles.

“Get it together. We’ve got a bigger issue.” Nataly waves the gun ahead to the front of the truck.

Jack recomposes himself, slowing his heart rate. He pushes off the tire where Nataly leads him to the sprawled body of the girl laying on the ground. Her black eyes opened. A red streak of blood leaks down the sides of her face. Her overcoat wide open. Her attire revealed sends Jack’s heart rate into a full sprint. A blue collared shirt underneath a black sweater ripped with bullet holes, a square stitched patch of two stars and a waxing crescent moon in gold coloring. Along with black dress pants and black slip-ons.

“Holy Shit.” Jack utters his hands wrapped over his mouth. Realization clicking in his head.

Brightmoon Academy.

“I’m sorry if this affects your pride and joy of a vehicle but I need to sit and take a hit to deal with this.” Nataly walks back.

“Did we just kill a teenager?” Jack asks, unable to turn away from the scene.

“I don’t think she’s a teenager.” Nataly calls out from the passenger seat.

“She’s a student though.”

“Doesn’t mean she’s a teenager. Her face, before the bullet in the head, reads twenty, maybe twenty-one.”

“How’re you able to tell that?” Jack looks back. A puff of smoke floats from engulfing Nataly’s face and up into the air above.

“I just know these things. It’s a hidden talent.”

“How are you so calm right now?” Jack vocal octaves heighten.

Nataly holds up her freshly lit blunt.

Jack sighs in return. He walks over and leans against the truck hood.

“I’ve got to message Luis.” Jack notifies. The passenger door shuts. Gravel smushes under foot.

“Should be fun. It’s starting to be our thing, him and I. I’m somewhere and he shows up, cuffs in hand. It’s becoming a game at this point.” Nataly joins him as he types.

Jack: “SOS”

Luis: “Where?”

Jack: “My Place.”

Luis: “On my Way.”

Jack pockets his phone taking a deep breath.

“That’s settled. Now, come live in my world for a bit. Unclench your asshole and take a hit.” Nataly holds up her blunt.

Jack abides.