Sarah - Darker Times

By Sam Hain Winchester

You can dispose of a person to silence your sins, but just because you take their voice, doesn't mean you're off the hook. A dirty secret will still remain. The halls of this nightmare will awaken and the dead will speak. Vengeance, revenge and rage only lead down a one way path; to a total blood bath.

In this instalment, (the prequel to Sarah) skeletons will be revealed and monsters will be shaped ready for the final chapter to this trilogy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Dec 19, 2020
• ISBN: 9781716317033

Book preview

began."

Chapter One The Beginning

She walked into the classroom peering at the ‘strangers’ that now surrounded her from behind her twin brother Josh’s back. She watched silently as he handed a note to the teacher.

Hello. She smiled softly.

I’m Miss Jenkins.

Josh replied in kind, as Sarah just nodded politely.

Take a seat. She instructed, pointing to a table at the back where he sat watching them, making her somewhat uncomfortable.

Sarah sat down next to Josh as she looked shyly away as he continued to watch them. Josh extended his hand and introduced them. He smiled back as he said;

My friends call me Ice.

Josh and Ice seemed to hit it off, quietly talking as Sarah focused on the English lesson taking place. She wrote down everything the teacher wrote, intending to pass it on to Josh later who was too engrossed with his new best friend. Before too long the bell rang and they were out in the yard for their first recess.

As she sat there silent beside her brother, she looked around as she ate her apple as she listened.

She doesn’t say much does she? He asked Josh.

Not at the beginning. He answered somewhat jokingly.

Good to know she’s not mute then. He teased, sparking a reaction.

I’m right here you know. She snapped back annoyed.

Before Ice could answer her, a shadow stood over them staring.

Hi. I’m Josh. Her brother spoke enthusiastic of making a new friend. And this is Sarah. He said pointing at her.

I know. He said giving her the once over. Heard there were new pickings to be had. He teased; making them both feel a little off.

Reap. Ice said calmly. Quit playing with them. Don’t want to scare them off.

Sorry. He said chuckling somewhat. I’m Reaper. Pleased to meet you.

He sat down next to Sarah, looking down at her as she gripped her bag next to her chest and looked away.

So; He said calmly. What’s in the bag?

Nothing. She whispered as she stood up. I have to go. See you in class. She said to Josh as she walked away.

Calmly she walked around, feeling more uncomfortable as people glanced at her; being the new girl and all. Finding the bathrooms, she locked herself in one of the stalls, just wanting to be alone. She pulled an old book from her back pack and began to read. Before long the bell rang again and she was back on her way to class, once again to re-join them.

As she walked back up to her seat and sat down, he smiled at her and Josh passed her back her phone.

You dropped this Sarah.

"Thanks. She said shyly as she placed it back into her bag.

Sorry if Reaper creeped you out. Ice said casually.

He didn’t. I’m fine. She said quickly; opening her note book; scribbling on the pages.

Well then. He replied. Can I borrow a pen? He chuckled.

Sure. She said rolling one over to him.

And can I too? Josh asked laughing. I left my pencil case at home this morning.

You would. She said jokingly as she handed him one.

What. She smiles. Ice joked.

Depends on the entertainment. She joked back, feeling a little more relaxed.

Well entertaining is what I can be. He smiled back warmly as they opened their text books.

Good to know. Sarah joked as they began their math lesson.

By the time lunch had come around, Sarah was exhausted. Whether it was the continuous laughing and joking between her brother and Ice or the amount of information that had been crammed into her brain or a mixture of the two she didn’t have a clue. She was ready to go find somewhere quiet and rest her eyes.

She watched as they toyed with each other, reminding her of the times her and her brother Josh would toy around with each other. Caught up in the moment, enjoying the comedians they were she smiled, phasing out of her surroundings. All of a sudden, she near jumped out of her skin as he called to Ice from across the yard.

Up for a game of ball? He yelled to Ice.

Can my new friends play? He yelled back.

Sure. He replied, answering his request.

Are you coming Sarah? Josh asked as he went to follow Ice.

No. Not really my thing. But I’ll stay here and watch? She answered not wanting to make a bad impression on her first day.

Okay then. You cheer. He said tossing his bag to her jokingly.

Sarah smiled back, laughing to herself. Josh always had a way of making her laugh.   

As they played, she watched. Laughing as Josh fumbled with the ball. Although he likes playing sports, Josh was no star athlete. Laughing to herself, she never noticed him walking across the yard until his shadow shaded her from the sunlight. He sat down next to Sarah, staring at her making her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

So, what’s for lunch? He joked trying to scrape up a general conversation as he rested his arm across the back of the bench.

Fruit and yogurt. Why you want some? Sarah asked testing the waters calmly.

Sure. He said grabbing the apple from her lunch box and taking a big bite. She looked at him somewhat annoyed. He looked down at her and smiled.

Sorry did you want some? He toyed, holding the apple in front of her face.

No thank you. She replied. I’ll stick to my yogurt.

Suit yourself. He toyed still smiling playfully at her.

Sarah looked away as she opened her yogurt and took a mouthful and he took another bite of the apple. She tried to ignore him as his fingertips played with her hair, slowly moving it from her neck. She turned her body away as she became more uncomfortable. He continued to smile as he looked down at her. It was then she felt the pointed tips on her neck. She froze up as her muscles tightened and his fingertips ran from her collar bone up her neck. All of a sudden, his hand closed and pulled away forcing her shiver.

Boo. He said opening his hand and holding a plastic spider in it, giggling to himself. Sarah jumped up, spilling her yogurt on her lap.

You’re such a dick. She yelled loud enough that Ice and Josh could hear. They walked over to where Sarah was standing. Ice looked at Reaper annoyed.

Is everything okay Sarah? He asked not taking his attention off him.

Sarah didn’t know what to say.

Tell him Sarah. Reaper toyed. Is everything okay?

Sarah looked at him for a moment not sure what to tell him. Reaper looked at her making her feel like she wanted to run and hide. There was something about him, she couldn’t put her finger on; something that seemed dangerous but was it all in her mind?

Everything’s fine. She replied, breaking eye contact with him and turning her attention to Ice.

I’m just going to go clean up. She continued, grabbing her bag and heading towards the bathrooms.

She started to clean up herself as best she could. As she did, she felt the tears slowly begin to creep down her cheeks. This had been one hell of a first day and she could not figure out why he got under her skin so much. As she turned off the taps and wiped the tears from her eyes, she heard footsteps behind her. Not wanting to confront anyone else today she locked herself in one of the stalls. She listened as the toilet flushed and the taps began to run. She listened to them stop and the footsteps begin to fade into the distance.

Thinking she was safe with only a few minutes to go to class time again she unlocked the door and peered out towards the entrance. It looked clear, so she picked up her bag and headed towards the door. As she went to leave, he stepped out in front of her, forcing her back into the bathroom, closing the main door behind them.

What do you want? She whispered, stepping back and not making eye contact.

To apologise. He said smiling slightly, stepping towards her.

Sarah watched as he reached into his jacket. Pressed up against the far wall, she took a deep breath afraid to be alone with him. He pulled out a black rose and slowly passed it to her.

I’m sorry Sarah. He said softly as the soft petals touched her hand. Sarah reached up slowly and took the rose, still pressed against the wall.

See Sarah. He said looking her up and down as he turned away. Nothing to be afraid of.

Sarah felt herself slide down the wall as she sat on the ground, laying the rose beside her. She took a deep breath, as she tried to regain herself. It was then she heard it. The bell ring and she knew whether she was ready or not she would have to go back to class. Hopefully he was gone, and she would not see him again; at least not until Monday anyway.

The afternoon seemed to go well and quickly to Sarah’s relief. It was a fairly easy afternoon, and the two jokesters were continually at it, making it easier for Sarah to forget about everything that had happened with Reaper. As the bell sounded, she packed everything into her back pack and headed out the door into the yard. As she headed out the gate, she turned to her brother and Ice still mucking around.

See you Monday. She said looking at Ice.

See you; He replied. But I’m stealing this one. He indicated pulling Josh his way.

I’d invite you to come but Reapers going to be there.

No problem. Sarah smiled glad she was uninvited.

As she walked home alone, backpack over her shoulder, she suddenly became uneasy, like someone was following her. As she passed the last little alley way on the way to her house, she felt it; his hand reach out and pull her into shadowed alley way. He pinned her hard against the wall, covering her mouth so she wouldn’t scream.

Shh. He whispered as he uncovered her mouth and she took a deep breath.

What do you want? She said pushing him away, her backpack dropping to the ground.

To give you back this. He said, placing the black rose in her hand. Anyone would think you don’t want a truce. He continued, pressing himself against her again, curling her hair in his hands as he read the expression on her face as he moved his eyes down.

You’re very pretty Sarah. You know we could be friends. He teased, kissing her softly beside her lips, forcing her heart to beat faster.

Afraid she kneed him as hard as she could forcing him to back away. Without thinking she ran as fast as she could until she was standing at her front door. She lifted the key from around her neck and opened the door. Closing it behind her, she collapsed taking a deep breath only to be confronted by the sight of her dad, sipping at a whiskey bottle, with his leather strap laid neatly across his lap.

Where’s your bag? He questioned, eyeing her as if looking for any excuse. Not wanting to tell him what had happened she paused for a moment.

Well are you stupid? He asked, becoming angry. It’s a simple fucking question.

At school. She replied trying to defuse the situation.

Well that was fucking stupid of you. He commented as he took another sip.

Where’s your waste of fucking space brother? He asked casually not really caring.

With Ice. She answered looking away still sat on the floor.

And who the fuck is Ice? He asked somewhat angrily.

A friend we met today. She answered predicting the outcome and bracing herself.

You fucking kids. He said angrily standing up gripping the leather strap in hand.

You’ll be the fucking end of me. He continued standing abruptly above her.

Sorry. She whispered hoping he would calm down.

What was that? He said angrily leaning in closer.

Sorry. Sarah said louder her tone filled with fear.

You’re sorry. He said bitterly. I’ll show you fucking sorry. He yelled as he brought the strap down.

Sarah bit her bottom lip in pain as the buckle hit her hard across her knee through her thin pants. She could feel the tears seep from her eyes as she tried to mask her pain, but he saw it, enraging him more.

What’s the matter Sarah? He taunted as she tried to protect herself from the continuous blows. She didn’t answer him, wanting to disappear and be somewhere else.

You fucking little bitch. He continued. I’ll give you something to cry about.

Angrily he threw down the strap and scuffed her by her hair. She cried out in pain as she felt her hair loosen from her scalp.

You stupid bitch. He screamed enraged at her apparent weakness as he slammed her head into the mirror placed on the wall fracturing it within its frame. See what you made me do. He yelled at her as she fell to the floor gripping her head.

I’m sorry. She yelled again, hoping he would stop.

Sorry, sorry, sorry. Always fucking sorry. He tormented her placing a sharp blow with his boot to her ribs as she tried to fumble to her feet. Sorry I’m sick of it. He yelled at her as he gripped her by her hair again and began to drag her up the stairs.

Daddy please. She pleaded, crying unable to withstand the pain.

Don’t daddy please. He said angrily as he dragged her into the bathroom and held her face to the mirror.

See this Sarah. He taunted to her angrily.

No. She whispered.

Fucking look at it, Sarah. He yelled in her ear and pressing her face harder against the mirror.

She opened her eyes slightly and saw the blood trickling down her face. She saw her left eye all bruised and swollen and the nasty split on her lip.

Do you see it Sarah? He paused. "Do you fucking see it Sarah; do you? He yelled making her take attention.

Yes. She answered numbing herself to the pain.

You did this Sarah. It’s your fault. He said coldly. Your fault Sarah. He repeated as he backed away. I’m going out. Clean yourself up then clean up the fucking mess downstairs. Then stay in your room. No one wants to see your fucking ugly face anyway. I’ll deal with your useless fucking brother later. With that he turned and walked away.

Sarah stared at herself in the mirror, tears tricking down her face as she heard the door close and his car speed away. She grabbed the hand towel on the rack beside her, wet it and began to clean up her face. He had done a number on her this time. She reached into the cupboard and pulled out her tweezers and began removing the small mirror fragments from her head. Stripping down she turned on the shower. Stepping in her body screamed in pain as the water trickled down. There was barely any skin left unbruised. She began to cry, cuddling herself, wishing it would all just end. After washing the last of the mirror fragments from her hair she stepped out and pattered herself softly dry. After throwing on her pyjamas she headed down the stairs.

Staring at the blood and small mirror fragments on the floor, she shuttered, knowing he could have done a lot worse. She swept up the glass and grabbed the dish rag from the sink. She rang it out and kneeled; her body now aching with every movement. Slowly she mopped up her blood from the floor and after a while you wouldn’t had known it had been there.

Walking back up the stairs, she heard a car pull into the driveway. Thinking it was him she ran up the stairs and closed her bedroom door, pushing her dresser up against it. She cupped her knees to her chest and listened as the front door opened and he walked up the stairs. She listened as he stopped at her bedroom door and turned the handle.

Sarah. He called to her as the door banged against her dresser.

Josh. She answered, jumping up somewhat relieved.

You alone. She asked as she went to remove the dresser from in front of her door.

Yeah. Why? He asked a little confused as she pushed the dresser away. Without saying a word, she opened the door and watched his expression as it turned from a somewhat happy one to one of concern and sorrow.

Oh my god. He said pulling her close as she began to weep. I am so sorry Sarah. He wasn’t meant to be home. He continued stroking her hair.

Well he was. She whispered pulling away. "But don’t