Let the Shadows Play: Nightmares in the Dark, #2

By N.A. Shoemaker

Layla Gray, her mother Angela, and father Nathan, were always a tight-knit family. That is until, one day two horrific storms decide to rip a hole through the town of Korrinton, Ohio; one through their family.

Without a second thought, her mother moves her to Rostel, Connecticut, in hopes they can make a fresh start. Layla isn't fond of the move from the beginning, even more so once she begins to discover this little town's secret, and her father's.

Can you handle her Nightmares in the Dark?

• Language: English
• Publisher: N.A. Shoemaker
• Release date: Apr 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781386363583

N.A. Shoemaker

N.A. Shoemaker was born in 1989 in Allentown Pennsylvania, and raised in Macungie Pennsylvania. He has been crafting stories since around the age of ten. Since the discovery of two large brain cysts he has vowed to speak through his stories, art, and music to children and adults alike, empowering them to yearn for something more in life. He is the Amazon Bestselling, multi-genre fiction author of the Nightmares in the Dark series for teens/young adults, author & illustrator of "The Magic Gem" (children's book), "Inhibitions" (18+ romance), and his newest book "The Many Adventures of Mason: The Hyper-Nap Collection." He is also working on NITD book #3, 2 novels with other authors, and a YA short story.  

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N.A. Shoemaker

Copyright © 2016 by

N.A. Shoemaker

ISBN-13: 978-1534837010

ISBN-10: 1534837019

Published by: NAS

First Print, April, 2016

Written, Edited, and Designed by

N.A. Shoemaker

All rights reserved in all media. No part of this book may be used or reproduced without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

To my son (Mason), my wife (Amber), Beth, Matt, my Mom & Dad, and Brandon for all of your guys' support through this. Thank you as well to my author/writer/editor friends who have provided me with immense encouragement and truly wonderful advice. And, last but not least, R.L. Stine for always being a huge inspiration.

I embrace my shadow self. Shadows give depth and dimension to my life. I believe in embracing my duality, in learning to let darkness and light, peacefully co-exist, as illumination.

- Jaeda DeWalt

Prologue

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Holy cow! What are you doing sneaking up behind me like that? You scared the daylights out of me. So, I take it you're the newbie. Well, welcome I guess. Just a tip, there's nothing exciting about this place, unless you like misery. And, don't step out of line here.

No, I didn't always live in this wretched place. I used to live in Ohio, then Connecticut, but that's all over with now. But hey, nothing I can do about that now. It was my own fault though unfortunately. So, nothing I can really complain about. Anyway, enough about me, what's your name kid? Ah okay, that's a pretty cool one. You like magic? Yeah, me too. No, no, no...not like a magician. Never mind, you'll understand what I mean the more time you spend here.

Who, me? Oh, I've been here a little over two years. It's nice to have a friend now. No, I don't really get many visitors. Then again, why would anyone want to venture here? It's dark and dingy, the smell is atrocious, and the occupants here are a tad deranged, if you ask me.

Yeah, I know, it is a heavy box. It is made of lead, that made the items that it once held undetectable. There's nothing in it anymore though, it once contained four charmed rocks.

Well, that's a long story. But, then again, what else are we going to do with our time? Well, lend me an ear kid and be patient, it's gonna be awhile. Can you handle my NIGHTMARES IN THE DARK?

Chapter 1

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Tears left their trails down my face as I gazed into the bathroom mirror. I hated everything about my appearance. Why did I have to be so different from everyone else? The deep, violet eyes which I thought were so unique, became the torment of my everyday life here at Korrinton high school.

My face was on fire—or so it felt like—but why wouldn't it be? I had been in here for well over a half-hour bawling my eyes out.

Turning to the paper towel dispenser I tore off four sheets, dabbing at my dripping makeup. It would've had to come off before I went home anyway, Mom doesn't let me wear makeup. She would kill me if she found out I had this goop on my face.

The paper towels crunched noisily as I closed my hand around them, forming a tight fist, striking the porcelain sink. My puny knuckles throbbed. That was a dumb idea. The handle on the sink creaked as I turned on the cold water, letting it run over my hand and sooth the inevitable bruise that was bound to form.

The water sputtered as I twisted the handle back around, shutting it off. I dried my reddened knuckles with the sheets already in my hand, wincing at each painful dab.

Heavy footsteps came abruptly up to the bathroom's entrance. I couldn't let anyone see me like this. Quietly, I shut myself inside one of the dingy stalls, hoping that whoever was coming wouldn't notice I was in there. The doors made an eerie whine as two girls came into the restroom, gossiping with one another. The conversation was rather boring, until they began talking about me.

Layla is such a freak. one of the cruel girls chuckled. I knew that voice. It was Mia Sanders, the perfect version of a middle school Barbie. Through the crack where the door met the stall, I could see her. She was wearing a neon pink dress. Mia had lengthy blond hair that came down to her shoulders. Her face was adorned with her sky-blue eyes, which of course caught every boys attention. If you were talking to a boy you had shown interest in, and she found out, forget it. She was stealing him before you even had a chance.

I know, right? the other girl said. She was a tiny thing. She had strawberry-blond hair and was a great deal shorter than I was, and I'm only four foot eight. She didn't look familiar to me though. Then again, I didn't make a habit of getting to know any of Mia's friends. They hung out with her, so, not really the type of people that I wanted to associate with. Everyone that surrounded her was nothing but bad news.

She is such a goody two-shoes, always sucking up to the teachers. Who does she think she is? Mia remarked, smothering her pursed mouth with lip gloss—and way too much if you ask me.

My emotions were battling inside of my head. Should I confront the both of them? Or, should I just let it go? More than anything I wanted to knock that lip gloss off that smug little face of hers. That would make me exactly like them though, so scratch that idea.

She's a complete loser, and so is that weirdo mother and father she has.

They should just take her out of our class, that way we won’t have to look at her anymore. Mia said.

Both of them should just leave the entire state of Ohio completely.

Silently I sat there, succumbing to the torment, letting the tears fall freely onto the bathroom floor.

I never did anything to them. Why did they hate me so much?

They both continued to paint themselves up. Your beauty is only skin deep. I mumbled under my breath.

What was that?