Hide 2: Singularity: The HIDE Series, #2

By Jax Spenser

THIS IS EPISODE TWO IN THE FIVE PART SERIES

 

In Singularity, the second episode of the THE HIDE SERIES, Keegan tries to adjust to his new life in Sedonia Falls and forget the abuse of his mother. But with the start of school, things progress to a level of bizarre he's never been accustomed to--he goes from zero to hero with the hottest girl in school and takes his place amongst the social elite. 

But the reversal of fortune makes Keegan question what's really happening. And for some reason he's just become enemy number one for the scariest maniac in school. The secret to his survival might just depend on the girl nobody wants him to be with.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jax Spenser Books
• Release date: Feb 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393697312

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Copyright © 2021 Jax Spenser Books

Cover design by Matt Delisle

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the author or publisher.

Chapter 1

DAD LEFT A NEW PAIR of sneakers at my door this morning. Nikes. A perfect fit. I didn’t think he even knew my size. You’re trying so hard aren’t you, Dad? As if one pair of shoes makes up for all the other crap.

I head out the front door to try them out, I’m outta here!

Okay, but just run around the neighborhood. I could draw you a map so you don’t forget.

Stop, I warn.

Okay, just not too far, cool?

In Oklahoma, this rarely happened. Mom always tried to keep me at home by standing in the way of the door. She said it was because she thought I would black out and get kidnapped or killed or whatever else mothers say. Of course, I snuck out a couple of times anyway. It never did make sense why she wanted to protect me. If everything she worried about was true she could have gotten rid of me quickly by opening the door, instead of slowly beating me into nothing.

I run out into the street and I can tell it’s not going to be easy. The body’s still sore and my energy’s depleted. Three weeks in the hospital? Shit, it feels like three months.

Even though it’s morning, it’s already hot and the street looks like it might cook my feet if I dared take off my new kicks. The dry air burns my nostrils so I begin with a drag-ass jog. Something I mastered in gym class over the years. It’s all about moving the arms and not the legs. The look of running without really moving.

It’s nice here. A step up from the old hood. Mansions, really, compared to what we’d lived in. The whole street has that just-built look. Crisp, pretty lawns. Peaceful. And now that I’m looking, there are no people anywhere. They probably know better than to be out in this heat.

My legs move quicker beneath me now. At last, I’m actually jogging. Surprisingly. And I won’t push it too much because it will end like it always does if I do. I feel good; the blackout’s not messing with me today. But, I’m not going to risk going back to the hospital. Unless it meant I could see Lizzy. No, she must be gone by now. I still have the image of her in that short gown with her red, wavy hair, big stare-able blue eyes etched into my memory. And her mouth, the word skin sliding out over her lips.

I’m running faster now. Benefits of thinking of a hot girl.

I turn the corner onto a street with ... no sign? No, that’s not right. There’s a sign, but no words. A blank street sign. What’s with this town?

I ignore it and run a little faster. I don’t know why, but I am pushing it. There’s something in me that wants to tempt the blackout to come.

At the next corner, again a sign with no street name. This time my back tightens a bit and my feet go numb. Oh no, what was the address of our house? I never looked. The still, dry air draws sweat to my temples and I feel a flood of it roll down my neck. I look back and notice how similar all the houses look. My hands shake. Stop, it’s not that bad! Should I backtrack? Was it a right down this street I just took, or a left? Shit! I’m lost! My memory, it must be my memory.

I messed up again. I’m where I always find myself. It’s the blackouts. They make me forget to do the simple things like look at an address, or find landmarks, or remember where the hell I am.

I sit down on the curb, my arms falling to my sides. I try to