The Ever Shifting Darkness

By Joshua J Aaron

A book of tales that will take the reader on a journey through a dark place. In this place things are not always as they seem. Take a walk down this twisting path of thrill and intrigue, taking note of the lights along the way. Nothing is set in stone. Everything is open for interpretation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joshua Aaron
• Release date: Sep 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223045137

Book preview

A FRESH START

It was one o’ clock in the morning. Albert sat at his desk in a small security office. He leaned back in his rickety office chair, throwing his feet up to put his boots to rest on the corner of an old wooden desk. His beer belly flopped over his belt. Albert had his brown hair in a crew cut and was clean shaven as this was the company standard for security guards in the company he worked for. Truship Incorporated was a trucking company that shipped computer components. He stared blankly at an old black and white monitor which showed an intermittent display of the many cameras placed around the shipping yard. His eyelids fluttered and his head dipped as he tried to stay awake. He brought his legs down and rubbed his eyes.

This job sucks. He muttered.

Albert stood up and yawned, stretching his arms into the air. His large stomach bulged through his white collared shirt as he leaned backwards. He sighed loudly and looked down at the monitor. On top of the monitor a small red light rapidly flashed. It alerted Albert to a disturbed motion detector in the shipping yard. He knew he had to walk the yard, something he hated, and find out what was causing the disturbance. He grimaced and rubbed his left knee. He let out an exasperated sigh and limped slightly towards the door to the yard.

Years earlier, Albert suffered a serious knee injury. As he was crossing the road he was struck by a hit and run driver. The driver was never caught. Now Albert always walked with a slight limp and because of the injury he was forced to give up his passion; playing baseball. Before Albert’s accident, he had a scholarship to play baseball. He was popular, fit, and had the friendliest disposition of any person that anyone knew. He had a wonderful, caring, supportive girlfriend, and he was close with his family. After the accident, his life changed completely. Although his heart was large, and his athletics were good, his grades were poor. He lost his scholarship. He spent a long time in drug addiction, abandoning his friends and family. He pushed his girlfriend away, and two years after his accident he was completely alone. He now lived in a cheap studio apartment, and spent his days wishing for death.

Albert limped out into the yard, lighting a cigarette as soon as his boots hit the pavement. He inhaled the smoke deep into his lungs. He exhaled passionately, like a man in love, and then he coughed violently for several seconds.

One day, He wheezed, I’ll quit. He coughed again and said, Ah, no I won’t. There’s no point. Maybe I’ll get lucky for a change and these things will kill me.

Albert took his flashlight from his belt and turned it on. He limped through the yard with light in one hand, and cigarette in the other. He went to the back of the warehouse, where the trailers were stored, and he scanned the area.

Albert finished his cigarette and flicked the burning butt over the chain link fence that surrounded the yard. He lit another cigarette and coughed as he took a drag. There was nothing in the yard that captured his attention.

Probably another god-damned cat. Albert said with cigarette hanging from his lips. If these day shift assholes would stop feeding those fucking things...

The fence rattled suddenly and Albert spun his head towards the noise. He limped around a trailer and shined his flashlight on the fence. He raised the beam up to the barbed wire; it was cut. Holy shit, he thought, someone actually broke in. He spit his cigarette out and grabbed the radio from his belt. He turned it on and tuned it to the police band.

Station house, this is Truship. I think we have a break in.

Albert moved to the fence and shined his light out into the surrounding trees. He heard the sounds of footsteps behind him and turned quickly. A man in a clown mask swung a crowbar at Albert’s head. Albert used his flashlight to deflect the incoming blow and it was knocked from his hand. The assailant swung the crowbar low and bashed Albert’s bad knee. Albert screamed and fell to his back. He grabbed his knee and looked up just in time to see the crowbar coming at his eyes. He felt the steel rattle against his skull, but only for an instant. Then, everything went black.

Albert awoke to find himself lying in a hospital bed. An IV dripped into his arm, and he was connected to a monitoring device. His head and leg were thickly bandaged. He turned his head slowly from side to side. Albert’s brother, Joe, sat in a chair in the corner of the room. Joe was of average build, and he had long dark hair that he wore in a ponytail.

Joe smiled, Thank God, you’re awake.

I feel horrible. Albert said.

You’ve been in a coma for three weeks. You’re lucky to be alive.

Lucky? Lucky would mean I’d be dead.

Joe frowned, Don’t do that. There’s good news from this. The doctors fixed your knee. They said in six to eight months you’ll be walking normally again.

Yay, Albert mocked, I won’t have to limp through my miserable life anymore. I can walk through it.

Joe shook his head, I’m going to get the nurse. Then, I’m going to the store, do you want anything?

Coffee. Light and sweet. Cigarettes. And some of those little yellow snack cakes.

Joe chuckled, nodded, and left.

The nurse came into Albert’s room, followed by the doctor.

The doctor looked Albert over and nodded, You’re in good shape for three weeks of lying in bed. I want you to stay a while for observation. You suffered some serious trauma to your head and leg. Your skull was fractured, and we did a complete knee replacement.

Albert scowled, I am not staying here. I want to go home.

I can’t make you stay, but you should. If you really want to go I’ll have the nurse prep you for discharge. Also, I have to contact the police. They want to talk to you.

Whatever, doc. Just let me outta here.

The nurse disconnected the IV and monitoring equipment from Albert. She fitted his leg with a large brace and gave him crutches to walk with. Albert left the hospital with discharge papers, a prescription for painkillers, and a referral for physical therapy. Joe was waiting outside in his nineteen eighty seven junker. He looked to Albert and held up the coffee. Albert smiled. Joe got out of the car and helped Albert into the passenger seat.

They drove away and Joe handed Albert a slip of paper.

What’s this? Albert asked. A bill?

It’s a lottery ticket, asshole. I thought it might be your lucky day. You did survive a brutal attack and awake from a coma.

Albert sighed and shoved the ticket in his pocket. Don’t waste your money on this shit. You got a better chance of being attacked by a shark while being stung by a bee and having a heart attack at the same time.

You’re welcome. Joe said dryly.

An awkward silence fell into the car. Then, Albert said, Thanks for the coffee and the cakes. Where are my smokes?

You’ve gone three weeks without smoking. Just dump the habit. How do you feel?

Like I want a fucking smoke. My head hurts, and my knee is sore. Did they catch the son of a bitch who attacked me?

No. There’s going to be a cop at the house to ask you some questions.

Albert glared at Joe and asked, What house?

Look man, you’re staying with me and Tara for a couple of weeks. I don’t want to hear any shit either. It’s just until you’re off the crutches.

Albert sipped his coffee, Ok.

Albert and Joe pulled into the driveway of a white townhouse on a quiet suburban street. A police cruiser sat on the street in front of the house. Joe helped Albert out of the car and then invited the police officer inside. They all went into the house and sat in the dining room. Albert spoke with the officer about the incident, but Albert never saw who attacked him. The surveillance video from the trucking yard provided a blurry image of the masked assailant, and the police had no leads. The officer left after talking to Albert.

Joe brought Albert to the guest room. I’ll go to your place tomorrow and get you some clothes. I’m really happy you’re alright bro.

Well, that makes one of us. I thought I’d finally made it off this world.

I know things have been rough, man. I know you’ve been through a lot, but nothing will get better if you don’t believe it will. Just think, six months from now you’ll be walking normally again.

Albert lay in his bed and stared at the ceiling.

Joe smiled, Mom and Dad are coming to see you tomorrow. Cheer up, you’re not alone. Joe left the room and closed the door.

Albert began to cry. He rolled over in his bed and felt nothing but pain. He wanted to die more than ever before.

A few days passed and with the dawning of a new day Albert was in better spirits. The visit from his parents made him feel good. He hadn’t seen them in months. He thought of his brother’s advice. Instead of getting the painkillers, he threw the prescription away. Albert wasn’t going to let any drugs back into his life. He started feeling better about himself already. The night moved in and Albert prepared for bed.

Joe knocked on the door and came in, Yo man, they’re drawing the Ultra-ball tonight. Better check that ticket I bought you.

Yeah, right. I’m tired Joe. I’ll check tomorrow. Goodnight.

Joe smiled, Goodnight.

Albert slept late. He sat up in bed and grabbed his crutches. He went to the bathroom and then made his way to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. Joe was sitting at the table, drinking a cup of coffee and reading the newspaper. A cup of coffee sat at the table ready for Albert. Albert sat down. He sipped the coffee and nodded to Joe.

Dude, check this out. Joe slid the newspaper in front of Albert.

Albert looked it over. His lottery ticket was resting on the page just above the winning numbers. They were the same. Albert was the sole winner of Four hundred twenty eight million three hundred thousand five hundred and twenty two dollars.

Albert’s eyes were as wide as dinner plates, No...Fucking...Way!

Joe jumped up from his chair, Yes fucking way! You won bro! He screamed and hugged Albert.

Albert sat in his chair, dumbfounded. Warmth rushed through Albert’s body. It was happiness. He wanted to leap into the air, but his leg wouldn’t allow it. He hugged his brother hard and laughed loudly.

I can’t believe it! There’s no words...I don’t know what to do! You did this for me, Joe! Thank you! I love you!

Joe held Albert, I told you, man. You just had to believe.

Joe took Albert to cash in his ticket that very day. Albert opted for the lump sum. It was going to take a few months for the paperwork to get finalized, but Albert didn’t care. When Albert got back to Joe’s house he called Truship and resigned. Albert was never going to work again.

After two months, Albert no longer needed his crutches. He moved back