Walkers

By Kyra Gates

Lasette I love you said the voice in my head.

I burned from the torture those words meant. I had done the unspeakable. I knew he loved me and I loved him. How could I go back? How could Tyler a mere human have this much a hold on me? The love I have for Anthony is trying to pull me back but the mistakes Ive made are fueling the fire to stay here with Tyler. Do I love him.is thats whats holding me here? Anthony hurt me; tore my heart right from my very chest but what I had done was unspeakable.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 28, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456899646

Book preview

Walkers

Kyra Gates

Copyright © 2011 by Kyra Gates.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2011905299

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4568-9963-9

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4568-9962-2

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4568-9964-6

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

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www.Xlibris.com

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Contents

PART I

Aaliyah

Nothing

Stood Up

Sierra Leone

Loose My Breath

I Think I Like Him

Urban Legend

Photographs

Worried; Hurried; and Left Hanging

PART II

Shit Happens, Get Over It!

Conversations and Explanations

You Didn’t Tell Me

She Looked Just Like Me

The Tattoo

CSI

Mrs. Byrd

Breakfast With A Friend

As Though We Shared Nothing

Elevator out use staircase

Stories of the Past

F.Y.I

Roof Tops

Screw It

PART III

Prelude to a Kiss

Scared to Answer Loves Call

Back Alleys

Epiphany

The Arrival

Show and Tell

Peace and Harmony Rise

Daron Duney

More Than A Woman Aaliyah’s Return; She Awakes

Apologies

For Antoine Gates my husband; and for the other man in my life my son Daron Gates. Thank you for your exceptional patience as I embarked on this unknown journey.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank God for giving me such a supportive family and the patience to create this Novel. I would like to thank my mom for being a good mother, my brother Tony for watching over her; and Jake for being there.

A would like to especially thank my wonder husband for his inspiration and encouragement to just write my own book; your patience is indescribable. You took the time out to read my first draft something I thought you would never do but thank you so much. Daron Antoine Gates my son, you are a gift and I will cherish you forever. Mommy will always love you no matter how late you stay up at night! When you learn how to read you will see how much the character in the book is totally you.

I would also like to thank Brittani Maddox who is just like family for taking the time out to read the first ten chapters of my book, I’m glad you liked it because I would not have continued if you hadn’t.

Lastly I would like to thank Joseph C. Yee for being so excited when I told him I was writing my first book; for Denise whom has always had encouraging words even when the going got tough; my best friend Shaunte Bryant; Mechelle Watts for Jackie McGee Daron’s babysitter; and for being a good friend. The character in this book is not at all you, but the way you spelled your name always intrigued me; my brother in law; Joe Lacy Jr. for helping us out when we needed it the most; Dave Barnes for all your help and support; Verna Maddox for all your tenacity and support; the Precision Volleyball family; and the Northeast Jaguars family whom I will never forget. Your legacy created a dynasty and I would not have come this far without you. And oh yeah Veronica Kika Carmen I used your name.

Enjoy and get ready for Book Two.

Who Are You?

Who are you to pass judgment on I?

Who are you to criticize?

Who are you to say that I will be nothing?

That I have nothing?

That I am nothing?

When you haven’t even give me the chance to be something!

Who are you to criticize me?

Who are you not to let me be who I choose to be?

Who are you?

PART I

Aaliyah

I tossed and turned all night as I did every night. As I awoke my eyes were blood shot red, my hair was all over my head and I could only remember bits and pieces of the nightmare that I seem to have had every night since as long as I can remember. It’s getting worst now I seem to never get any sleep. I can not remember the last time I actually had a good nights rest.

A hot shower would usually ease the pain I felt as the sun begun to rise. The smell of the fresh ocean breeze further awoke me as I dressed for the mornings work. I couldn’t think of what to wear so I slipped on a pair of fleece green pants and hoody, with matching purse and left for class.

Greeted by my friends as I arrived on the NYU campus, I parked my car in the only open parking spot I saw available. Chantel pulled up first in her 2010 Gold H3. I swear this girl gets a new ride every year. Chantel was one that lived life as it came, strong, ambitious, and out-going. I on the other hand, was a more laid back individual; searching for what was missing out of my life.

Denise pulled up next to Chantel about 15 minutes later, always late. Denise was like me in many ways just more mature and sure of herself than I could ever be. Denise was one I could talk to about anything a Senior Accounting Psychology Major and studying to be a certified CPA. Denise was that big sister I never had.

Hey Aaliyah, you look like you didn’t get any sleep last night.

I actually never sleep; at least that’s what it feels like. I thought to myself.

I’m okay… just studying hard I guess.

I know she didn’t go out, that would never happen. I thought I heard Chantel say. Chantel wasn’t happy about my lack of enthusiasm for her partying. Being around people has never amused me and I never felt the need to go out and party as she did, shopping I guess was another flaw I had according to her I guess.

Seems like you just grabbed the first thing you saw laying across your floor too.

Leave her alone Chantel, she can wear what she wants, this is just school and besides this is an early morning class.

I know that, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t dress to impress, damn will you please let me dress you?

If Chantel had the chance she would dress me everyday, probably buy the clothes out of her own pocket too. I was not in school or anywhere else for that matter to be dressed like I just stepped off the run way. I was not a morning person and didn’t like much attention besides I thought I looked just fine.

Oh here they come, the vain of my existence.

Chantel I can almost hear what you’re thinking, those girls are not bothering you; they probably don’t even notice you.

Markita and Melissa two of the most popular girls at NYU and apparently Chantel’s rivals both had already had the success Chantel was looking for—a modeling contract. Nothing big though, it’s just Chantel hadn’t struck gold yet.

Look let’s just get to class and get this day over with. Sociology the class I hated with every breath of my body. What did this have to do with being a History Major and why was it the only class to fit into my schedule. I already had two degrees one in Criminal Justice and one in Business Management; two PHDs to be exact; and I also played the bass guitar. At 25 years of age I had by many accomplished a lot.

We arrived in class on time; I took my usual seat, in the back of the class room away from any noticeable attention. I wasn’t shy, I just did not like being in the in crowd which I couldn’t seem to avoid being best friends with the most popular girl at NYU; at least that’s how Chantel looked at it. I guess she felt Markita and Melissa were her competition. I didn’t really care either way being popular was not a necessity to me.

Past your essays to the right, they will be graded and updated on blackboard by tomorrow evening, Mr. Baker explained.

Aaliyah is your essay done. Yeah, why… I did it… well it’s done."

I thought you said you would help me.

I said I would help you but remember you chose to go out last night.

Can’t you just ask for an extension or something?

Why do you always wait till the last minutes to get things done? I had a draft I was working on anyway so I just erased my name and wrote hers down.

Sociology dragged as usual, Chantel texted her way through class and on to the next. I prepared for my choreography class my usual way putting my headphones jamming to my favorite rock music. Funny isn’t it? My peers always thought my taste in music was a bit off.

Today we had a new student in class. All of us had been there since freshman year, so when a new student arrives we all get amped up. Everyone was preparing to show off.

Aaliyah what do you think about the new guy.

Daron, I don’t know he’s just getting here, give him a chance.

As he walked through the center of the class to the back of the dance floor, I could see or rather almost here his reluctance to be in this class. Can he actually dance or is he just shy. I’m usually pretty good at seeing this but today I was a bit off, it may have come from the sleep deprivation.

Class we have a new student, he is an exchange student from West Africa.

Anthony would you like to introduce yourself.

Um well… I’m Anthony and I am from West Africa just as professor, should I call you professor.

That’s fine.

Well he didn’t have a problem speaking in front of people I tell ya. He had much to say.

I was born and raised in West Africa; I started dancing at 13 and haven’t looked back. I came here just as many of you did, to find success on the dance floor or at least something close to it.

Oh, a confident individual. He wore baggy jeans, a black tee; he was nicely proportioned, with sandy brown hair and light skin. You would have thought that a native of West Africa would be much darker in skin complexion but what do I know I’ve never been to Africa or anywhere else for that matter.

Today we were working on steps for the step off that was just months away. Dancing came as easy as sports to me but the rhythm of the music was always something that could take me away at least in my mind.

Hey girl, wanna grab a cup of coffee or something.

Yeah that’s cool who’s treating, I’m broke.

I got it but Chantel’s on her own; she still owes me from last time.

Denise is funny, she and Chantel never see eye to eye, I know she’ll probably want to go out to a fancy coffee shop, Denise and I would settle for McDonald’s coffee.

Um, whose car are we driving; I do not want to ride in the Camry.

Drive your own car; you do not have to ride with us!

Actually I will drive myself as well; I have something to do before my night class anyway.

We arrived at the coffee shop just as the lines were starting to form. The café was usually over-crowded but we got there just in time; right before the massive attack of caffeine withdrawers.

Can I have one medium coffee four cream, 4 sugars, please?

I’ll have a latte with no whip cream.

What are you drinking Denise, water on the rocks.

Denise was a fitness guru so she didn’t really stray much from her diet.

Hey is that new guy in your class?

I’d seen this coming already.

I heard he was from West Africa and I also heard that he can dance, didn’t he choreograph that one movie?

What one movie and what new guy, what’d I miss?

Girl let me tell ya, he has a nice body, with green eyes, and a beautiful skin complexion."

Aaliyah did I miss something?

No not really he is just the new guy in class, we didn’t get a chance to see him dance.

I don’t know if he can dance or not, I can’t tell.

Any other time you can tell, what’s the problem now?

I have no idea. Maybe I really wasn’t on him like you would have been.

Denise rumbled with laughter at my sarcastic remarks at Chantel.

I will see you guys later.

Are we still going out or will you be too busy.

Yeah I’ll be there, just text me the address and time.

I have just enough time to run home take a shower and maybe even a quick nap before tonight’s class. I pulled into my one bedroom condo just about 2:30 p.m. My condo was a place I could let loose and unwind. Though it was seated in the center of Manhattan, I still felt this was a place of solace. My condo was about 3 stories high, surrounded by glass. I didn’t feel the need for many decorations just a few ancient pictures from long ago, which I always imagined it being my great, great grandmother and aunt or something. Just my own imagination, I guess. I had a few of these pictures throughout my condo. One of my favorite was the one of my grandmother and aunt overlooking the Cape of Good Hope. I purchased this picture from a dream that I once had, I always thought that was me in the dream. Many people don’t know this but the Cape of Good Hope was once occupied by blacks until the United Kingdom invaded the Cape Colony in 1795. Its funny how the new student Anthony is from West Africa, I wonder if he is well informed of his heritage, maybe I could learn something about my own from his. I wake everyday not really realizing where I’m from, what my true identity is, some days I just wanna crawl in a hole and never come out. To most people where they come from doesn’t even matter, to me it always has. I would give anything to know where I am from, to know my true self. I struggle with this everyday of my life, I feel lost and sometimes even abandoned. I don’t know my parents, siblings, or anything. When I left what I called home, I left with little knowledge. My adoptive family didn’t pass along much information. There are no family albums, no real birth certificate; nothing. I don’t even remember elementary school.

‘You’ve got mail’. I unlike most people stilled used AOL. I had two messages one from Chantel and one from Daron. ‘What, what, what?"

Hey girl don’t try to get out of this one and I am bringing over what I want you to wear, so don’t even think about it!

Chantel

I should pretend that I didn’t get this in time, leave early and arrive in sweats and a tee. What does she think I can’t dress myself?

Well I hopped in the shower, which always helps to calm my nerves and relax me a bit. I cranked up one of my favorite CD’s and let the mist from the hot water take me into oblivion.

I must have stayed in the shower too long, before I knew it I only had an hour to spare. I quickly put on tee-shirts and sweats and crashed to take advantage of my hour.

‘He must be following that poor girl, she doesn’t even see him’. Oh my god, he’s about to attack that girl. It happen so fast, I swung down from the roof of the building and sunk my teeth into him, I push the girl out of the way in hopes that she wouldn’t see me. I was hoping that she would run off and never look back. He didn’t see me coming as the girl didn’t see him coming!

How does it feel to have someone follow you and rip the skin right from your very bones?

One touch of his skin and I could see that he had raped and murdered so many; just stolen the life from innocent victims that didn’t see him coming, what did he think of me and his coming. I stood quickly and ran as fast as I could. The emotion that rushed through me when tearing his flesh from his bone was intangible. I felt like I was flying as I raced back to my home . . .

Aaliyah you coming down to club zero with Chantel and Denise, they said you would be coming down tonight, I just wanted to know so that maybe I could get a ride, I sent you an email, why didn’t you email me back?

Daron, oh hey, I must have fallen asleep. I’m supposed to go but Chantel said she was coming to get me though so you will have to ride with me from class and just park your car in my garage.

Cool, see you in class.

Damn, I thought I had put my clothes on; I must have really been sleep, now I am really going to be late. I half ran down to the garage almost forgetting my history book, I’ve never really needed my history book or any book for that matter most of this stuff just came to me. History was the only class I could go to besides dance and actually participate. The professor didn’t really seem to know much about history but of course you couldn’t tell him that, you would have thought he was right there when all of this was going on, at least that’s the way he always came across.

Hey Daron, did I miss anything?

Nothing you probably didn’t already know, hey what’s up with your eyes, I thought you were using those eye drops, Doug gave you.

Oh I must have forgot.

I didn’t notice my eyes were blood shot red. I thought I had used that stuff or did I run out. I usually put in my contacts because those eye drops don’t really work for me. I never needed contacts I just wear them to keep from putting those eye drops in. Well, I have my shades in my bag so I will just throw those on.

Better. Well it will work as long as he doesn’t ask you to remove them, girl your eyes look terrible, you look like you’ve been drinking all night, have you?"

No, I just woke up, is that your phone or mine.

I think that’s yours.

I will be at your house at 9:30 p.m. be ready and I heard that new boy was coming, so you need make up to.

Who is that?

Chantel

She never quits does she?

No not really.

Hey look, that’s Anthony from choreography.

Why would he want to take this class if he is already from Africa, probably for the same reason I would, to see if they were teaching the real deal.

Yeah, wonder why he’s in this class?

He may be in here looking for you.

For me, why would he be looking for me?

You didn’t see how he was looking at you earlier today.

Dude, I think he was looking around at everyone not just me, first day jitters.

Yeah okay right.

Daron was usually way off about these things, but this is the first time he ever bought to my attention that someone was looking at me or paying me any attention. Well he wasn’t bad looking, I guess he had a certain charm to himself a certain mystery to him I guess. Chantel would be dying if she saw this guy in this class.

King Louis XVI was executed by the guillotine on January 21, 1793; he was the only King of France be executed.

This guy should have been executed; he did nothing for the people of France, much like the today. This guy and his wife Queen Marie Antoinette were known to be a trashy, dainty, and a big spender, I wander do they mention that in the history that was recorded. It feels like I was there in that poor town, starved of food and human essentials. He should have been executed!

Aaliyah, can you tell us who invented the Guillotine.

Of course I knew the answer, but why does this teacher always call on me.

The machine was invented by a surgeon—Antoine Louis—in 1792. This device however, is named after a French physician Joseph Ignace Guillotine.

Hey Aaliyah, what’s the answer to number 5, I know he is going to call on me.

Daron didn’t you study.

Yeah, but I forgot that answer.

She was executed nine months after her husband, by the Guillotine.

Thanks.

No problem.

Daron was a sweet kid, but his major focus believe it or not was criminal law. Both his parents were FBI agents and his mother later became a defense attorney. Daron also plays the bass, participates in dance; he is on the volleyball team and has quite a voice. He’s pretty cool; and of course all of the girls thought so as well. I never saw him that way though; I looked at him as a little brother. Maija and Ciera were his biggest fans always at each others throats over him. I once heard that he’d dated Ciera but broke it off cause she didn’t have enough time for him. I see him ended up with Maija though for some reason. She’s nicer and a bit more focused than Ciera. Daron needs someone that does some of the same things he does, volleyball, work, dance, and fast cars. Maija is all about volleyball too. Funny they never hooked up. I think they are both shy as hell especially when it comes to that department.

When I got home, Chantel was already there, tearing up my bathroom with the make up that I definitely wasn’t wearing. What are you doing in here and wear are my contacts.

Why are you wearing shades and what contacts?

Please get out of my bathroom.

Look girl, this is what you are wearing and I’m doing your make-up.

I don’t think so, I agreed to go but I am dressing myself and I am not wearing make-up so get out and I will be ready in a sec.

Daron, please talk some since into her.

Leave me out of it!

I jumped in the shower and quickly took my hair out of its usual short messy ponytail and put on some clothes that I had once bought but never wore. I put on a long black tight dress cut low in the front showing my athletic build. The shoes laced up my leg and showed off my toes and figure.

Satisfied?

Hardly, why black, it’s not a funeral?

I think she looks good.

I could see that Chantel approved with a slight twinge of jealously, it was a bit funny though when I could turn her head.

Hey I am not riding with you, Daron and I are riding in my car and Denise wants you to pick her up.

Fine, I will see you there.

Nothing

We arrived at Club Zero just in time to see my favorite band perform. Daron bought all the ladies around of drinks and then started to mingle until he accidentally bumped into Maija. Maija held his attention for the entire night, while I sat by myself at the table.

Excuse me, why is someone as sexy as you sitting here all alone.

Um, I’m with someone.

Please keep walking, why can I just sit here and be left alone, he wasn’t even cute.

Excuse me, Aaliyah; the guy at the bar just brought you another drink.

Thanks, Ashley.

Any other time I would tell her to take the drink back but I really didn’t feel like the hassle tonight.

Aaliyah is that Anthony over there?

Yeah I think so, Daron how’d you see him all the way over there?

Well Chantel and Denise said that he was going to be here and I thought I saw him at the bar.

Aaliyah, that guy from your dance class is starring at you." Said Chantel.

Hey Aaliyah!

Who is that?

Who is who, I don’t hear anything.

Daron you don’t hear someone calling me.

Naw.

I know I heard someone calling me. He’s yelling my name loud enough for me to hear it. I know Daron heard that.

Excuse me, hey Aaliyah, didn’t you hear me calling you?

I told you I heard someone calling me.

Hey those are the guys from Metamorphosis.

Aaliyah, what’s been up, we saw you about two weeks ago in LA and were trying to get your attention but I guess you were in a hurry.

I wasn’t in LA two weeks ago.

Yeah you were.

Anyway, look, we were trying to hook up with you to do the new video for us. Well it’s not really us but this new group we produce, you gotta hook us up."

What new group? Where is it being filmed at and I would need more details.

Well we can hook up later, call me here is my number 310-555-5645.

It’s on.

Aaliyah, are we doing the video!

Danielle, yes I will do the video as long as you two help me with it.

Metamorphosis is like the hottest group the music is gravitating. So anytime they need me to do a video I am always there and my crew too.

Can we go now, Denise?

For you to be a dancer you sure never like being in clubs and stuff, that is so weird.

I never really got use to being around people that much, it’s just something that bugs me about the entire attention thing and being surrounded by prying eyes. What I can’t get out of my mind though is that Rob thought I was in LA. Where did he get that from and why would I be in LA. I wouldn’t’ have had time to get to L.A. It feels like I was there though? Weird.

Daron and I left the club just before Denise and Chantel. We all went back to my house just to relax. I needed the company because I was still a bit bothered by my dream and the fact that Rob thought I was in LA. I really didn’t feel like going to sleep and I know at least Chantel and Daron would stay as long as I pretending that I wanted the company.

"Aaliyah you need a better movie collection than this. All this stuff is old. I wasn’t even born when have this stuff was out and neither was you. Check this out Chantel, Muppet Master; Lawnmower Man!?

What else does she have? said Chantel.

There’s not much else that I’m into I don’t think nothing else for you either. Daron replied sarcastically. Here’s something Naked Gun."

Daron my mom had that and it’s not what you think. It’s a metaphor, so there are no naked girls in the movie.

What about Halloween?

That’s a classic so put that in. Chantel said excitedly.

Well I’m getting ready to go I have to get up and go workout tomorrow.

Are you still running that marathon next month Denise?

Yeah, why you running too?

No I don’t think so.

I don’t know how Denise sleeps. She goes from school to working out to running, to partying on the weekends and still manages to have outstanding grades. My grades are good but all this just comes easy to me, usually at school I see Denise with a book in her hand. I usually just play it by ear and write down what seems logical but I still can’t fathom how Denise pulls it off.

I tried running with her once and it was maddening. My legs were strong but my throat was so dry. It was funny because I remember being so thirsty; my eyes got irritated and red; and I managed to pick up a temperature. Denise insisted that I must have eaten something bad before running. But the funny thing was, was that I hadn’t ate anything. We had to stop. I felt like I was really slowing her down. She tried giving me water, that PowerAde stuff, it was terrible! She wanted to take me to the hospital because she thought I was having a heat stroke but I didn’t want to go. She got me as far as the emergency room and when she went for snacks out of the vending machine I ran out of there so fast. She caught up with me a day later and couldn’t do anything but laugh. I can’t believe she still ask me to run with her.

Well I see Daron and Chantel have dozed off, I should wake them up, but I will just leave them here; besides, it’s still the weekend. I am not tired though so maybe I will just go for a walk or something. Denise would probably think I’m crazy going out this time of night but I am almost terrified of going to sleep.

I changed out of my clothes before I left for Central Park and left a small note just incase they woke up before I got back.

Hey I went out I will be back soon; maybe I will grab breakfast because there is nothing in the fridge.

Aaliyah

To anyone else it would be a cold night but I didn’t think it was cold at all. I can’t remember the last time I was actually that cold where I needed to wear a heavy coat. Besides it being cold I know it’s late and I shouldn’t be here but at least I am not out here with a baby stroller. That lady must be crazy. It must be about 35 degrees in this weather. Some people I just don’t understand. Look at this lady, skirt so short on an eight year old it would look like a long skirt. What was she thinking? See this is why people get mugged and attacked out here. She’s walking by herself with a short skirt on. Nothing but creeps out here.

What is Anthony doing out here and who is that he’s with. I know he has to be cold with that little jacket on. Maybe I should go and say something, does he even see me over here. What would I say anyway he would probably be wondering the same thing I’m wondering; what the hell was I doing out here with this little jacket on.

Aaliyah, what are you doing out here so late.

Well I guess he beat me too it.

Um couldn’t sleep and you.

I was walking back from the club.

Oh, I did see you there, where is your coat.

Where is your coat?

I like the cold.

Well this is my brother, Jaleen.

Hey how are you, have I seen you somewhere before.

No I don’t think so.

Dude, you probably saw her on T.V. she’s a choreographer.

Oh, maybe that’s it.

Don’t you think you should be getting back home before someone snatches you out here?

I am not worried about anyone snatching me, besides there’s really no one out here anyway, and if there were I know how to defend myself.

Look do you need us to walk you home or did you drive over here.

No I don’t need you to walk me home, I appreciate it though. I’m really not that far away from home it’s just a short walk.

Look, I think we should make sure you get home safe.

Okay whatever.

Though I wasn’t ready to go home I didn’t really see the point of sitting here discussing with a half stranger of why I was out here in the first place. So I let them talk me into walking me home. His brother didn’t really look much like him but they both had that same birth mark on their arm and the same accent so I guess that counts for something. At least he knew his brother. I woke up an orphan. The silence was beginning to bug me so I had to think of something to say and his brother kept starring at me.

So, do you go to NYU too?

No I graduated a few years back, I’m just here visiting my brother and making sure he’s comfortable here. He’s never been to New York and this is a big city. There’s a lot of trouble he could get into out here.

I’m not going to get into any trouble and I think I can handle myself.

You know I know I’ve seen you somewhere before and I doubt that it was on T.V.

Well I couldn’t imagine where else seeing that you don’t go to NYU.

Where were you before you came here?

I grew up in Atlanta Georgia with my adopted parents.

You’re adopted?

That’s what I was told.

Well I would not have ever guess it

I’d wager you wouldn’t have.

You have a bit of an accent yourself and it doesn’t sound American.

I’ve never noticed and no one has ever mentioned it.

Well thanks for walking me home and nice to meet you Jaleen; Anthony I guess I will see you in school on Monday.

Yeah stay out of trouble.

I tiptoed upstairs so that I wouldn’t wake Daron and Chantel and too my surprise they were up and pacing. I could almost hear there thoughts as I came off the elevator.

Where the hell have you been and why in the world would you go off in the night! shouted Chantel.

Well did you get breakfast? Your note said that you would probably bring breakfast.

Do you know we almost came looking for you and who was that down there you were talking too?

I would tell them who I was talking too but I am not ready for a long drawn out conversation, I really just want to lie down and go to sleep, I feel so drawn out and tired. I feel like I just actually ran that marathon Denise is so desperately trying to get me into. If I start telling Chantel who I bumped into she would never leave and Daron would read too much into it.

Look I just went out to grab something to eat and to get you two breakfast and I ran into the neighbors and we got to talking. It was getting cold so I didn’t get breakfast and besides I wasn’t really out that long."

Since we see that you are okay we are going home.

No Breakfast.

Daron, I didn’t get breakfast, eat at home.

See ya

Just call me later.

After they left I turned the T.V. back on and begin watching Halloween again. I’ve probably seen this movie a hundred times already. I know the lines like I am in the movie.

"Aww, smell that! I see two cameras facing the corridor and one facing the front of the gate. I could take the two cameras out in about 2 seconds, but the one may focus too soon for me to grab it. But what if I grabbed the lion and dragged it in the back. Or should I just time the cameras. Thirty seconds went passed until they switch. This isn’t a challenge at all. What a waste, I should just feed and go. Wait what is that!

Wow, I can’t believe it is ten o’clock already. Where did the time go? I headed to the kitchen to grab a bowl of cereal but really wasn’t that hungry. I can’t believe I slept that long. I needed the rest though. I sat at the table flicking through channels and tried to decide what to do with my day. It was Sunday and I had just about all day to myself. I needed to take my car in for an oil change and maybe go up to Time Square.

This cereal is terrible, maybe it’s the milk; yuk! I need to add the grocery store to my task today as well. I have to pour this mess out; when was the last time I ate cereal, I should have changed this milk over a week ago.

Before I could make it to the bathroom the phone rang.

It’s just the door man.

Hello Ms. Robinson, I have a package down here for you it was left early yesterday. The delivery driver instructed that I give it to you personally.

Okay I will come down, what is it?

It seems to be a letter of some sort, but it’s certified though, I had to sign for it."

Alright I will be down shortly.

Who in the world would leave a package for me, if any of my friends wanted to give me something they would just bring it up or catch me in school.

Awe, what the hell is on my face; I don’t remember having juice in the bed. Damn it—it’s probably spilled all over my sheets, what the hell!

As I went back to the bed I notice my sweat shirt torn and thrown on the floor. What did we do last night and why are clothes on the floor. There are no signs of juice; I usually don’t bring juice into my bed or any other food for that matter. Where could this stain have come from? Damn it, I don’t wash clothes so that’s means I will have to buy more sheets and that’s my favorite sweater, what the hell damn.

You’ve got mail

Aaliyah did you hear that Metaphophisis will be in town at Madison Square Valentines Day weekend. We have to go, do you think you can get us in; maybe even back stage passes.

They didn’t tell me they were performing, maybe I will see if I can get tickets, besides that’s like my favorite band and didn’t I just see him yesterday, he didn’t even mention it. Had I missed that too! I’d been missing a lot lately and didn’t really have an explanation as to why. I should call Denise and have her sort things out for me, let’s put that degree to work. But what would I tell her. Would I tell her that I’ve been having crazy dreams and that I feel like I am right there in the dream. When people tell me about dreams that they have, they are usually sitting on the side watching a reflection of themselves. I’ve never heard about people actually feeling as though they are in the dream. Weird. Anyway let me get dressed.

I have a walk in closet that’s big enough to fit an entire bedroom inside, half of these clothes I haven’t even worn. My shoe closet is filled with Jordan’s and Lebron’s and a few Asics here and there for volleyball. I must say if I don’t wear anything else I definitely wear my shoes. That’s what I can do today, is by some shoes, I could use them. Maybe, I will ask Denise to go, we could talk then.

Good morning Derwin, where is my package.

Here you go Ms. Robinson, I don’t know what it is but it came through a delivery guy that I’ve never seen here before.

Well thank you.

I had an instinctive reaction to the package; as soon as I touched it I saw the faces on the photos in my condo. I could see the faces as if I were standing there at the Cape of Good Hope the mist from the water cool on my face, I looked over and saw the face of what I envisioned to be my an aunt. Her face was smooth and tan, her hair long; her eyes dark brown. She stood about a half inch taller than I but I couldn’t put a name to her face. Who was she?

Ms. Robinson, are you okay, is something wrong?

No, I’m fine, thanks again.

I think I really need to talk to someone. I went on ahead and opened the package to find nothing inside. Not a letter, no prize, nothing. What is this all about, why would someone just send the envelope, I know the doorman didn’t take it out, it was still sealed.

Denise do you know I just got this letter and when I opened it up it was nothing in inside. I felt very weird opening it though. It was though I was seeing a premonition or something. Girl, please pick up the phone, these dreams and this letter is really creeping me out, what’s going on; look call me asap.

Denise must be out running or something…

Hey Denise, thanks for calling me back. Do you have a minute so that I can talk too you?

Yeah sure come right on over.

I must have driven about 100 miles an hour, because I arrived in the Hamptons in little to no time. Denise had a big house. She lived right near the water. Her house was in a secluded area in the Hamptons. It was beautiful. As you walk up through the garage you go through a glassed in walk way that goes over a small pond with a bigger view of the ocean. The huge yard is decorated with roses; the landscape is beautiful. In the inside she has huge wooden ceiling engraved with roses. Her living room area has no T.V. just white furniture that she never uses. She doesn’t allow anyone to sit in there either. I’ve never understood why she would have such a living room and not allow anyone to sit in there. Denise’s parents left her this home. This is just one of many. Denise’s mother was a retired lawyer and her father worked on Wall Street. So she grew up sort of wealthy but she would never admit how wealthy.

Hey come on up I’m in the study she announced.

She has more pictures on the wall than I do. Most of the pictures are of her parents and famous people, some are family pictures and others are of her finishing marathons of course.

Hey girl what’s up? Why do you look like you saw a ghost or something? Is it that bad?

Denise first I had this dream last night that I was at the Zoo and I attacked a lion or something, then I wake up this morning my sweater is torn and on the floor and then there is blood on my face and my pillow. To top it all off… .

Wait, wait, what does the letter have to do with all this?

I’m getting to that, but it all happened after I woke up this morning. Well the doorman calls me and tells me that a package was left for me yesterday. I get the package and it is still sealed with no return address; and then I open it and there is nothing in it. I touch the package and then I start to see these visions of some of the photos that are on my wall. I’m in these visions as if I were right there before the picture was drawn. This is getting very frustrating and at times it is hard for me to go