Beautiful Entourage Read Online Free PDF Page B

in the corner and shaking uncontrollably. I can’t get him to move or do anything. You’ll need to come down here.”
    I held back the irritation deep in my throat. “Thank you for calling me. I’ll be there in a second.” I hung up without waiting for her reply.
    I put my shoes back on then left my apartment. He was just a few blocks from me, far enough away that I had some privacy but close enough for me to reach him quickly when the need arose.
    When I entered the building, I headed to the basement where the laundry room was located. As soon as I walked inside, I found Chase sitting in the corner. His knees were pulled to this chest and he covered his head with his arms like boulders were crashing down on him.
    Mrs. Robinson stood a few feet away. “He’s been like that for half an hour.”
    “Is he hurt?” I asked.
    “No.”
    I saw the pile of his laundry on the washer. The clothes didn’t even make it inside before he freaked out. Chase had episodes often, and sometimes I didn’t know how to handle them. I did my best, but I knew it wasn’t enough.
    “Rhett, is that you?” Chase called from under his arms.
    “It’s me.” I came beside him then touched his arm. “Buddy, there’s nothing to be scared of.”
    “The shadows, they’re here.” He trembled under my touch.
    “Chase, they won’t hurt you.” My brother had sciophobia, the fear of shadows. Sometimes it was hilarious, but other times, like now, it was just sad. “They’re only the absence of light, not physical.”
    “They still hurt me.”
    “They don’t hurt you.” I kept my voice gentle.
    “I was trying to do my laundry when someone turned on the light…and then they moved in.”
    Mrs. Robinson gave him a sad look. “Your brother needs help, Rhett.”
    “I’m not going to a hospital,” Chase said forcibly. “You can’t make me.”
    “No one is taking you to a hospital, Chase.” He needed to hear that so he would stay calm. I stood up then turned off the light. “There are no more shadows, Chase. You can relax now.”
    There was dim light through the small window near the ceiling. I could barely distinguish him and it took a moment for my eyes to adjust.
    “Are you sure?” he asked hesitantly.
    “I can barely see two inches in front of my face.”
    He removed his hands and looked around. He breathed a sigh of relief then turned to me. “I want to go back to the apartment.”
    “Sounds like a good idea.”
    He grabbed his night vision goggles then put them on over his face.
    Mrs. Robinson gave me that look she always gave me. It clearly said, “This is not normal.”
    I ignored the look then grabbed his clothes and put them in the hamper.
    Chase wrapped a blanket made out of foil around his body. “Okay, let’s go.” His head was covered and he held onto my arm so I could guide him. Together, we walked up the floors until we entered his apartment.
    The place was covered in glow-in-the-dark lights. They marked the floor and the hallways. Various lights were on cabinets, giving enough light to see without casting any shadows. The windows were completely covered with black shutters, obscuring any light.
    Chase threw off the blanket once he was inside. “I feel better now…”
    I set the laundry basket on the counter. “What happened, man?”
    “I was doing my laundry in the dark when this lady turned on the light. I couldn’t reach my light-guarder and the room started to spin. The shadows were about to get me when you arrived.”
    I’d tried telling him, on numerous occasions, that his fear was absurd and fake. But no amount of logic would change his mind. When I tried to admit him to a psychiatric ward, he tossed, turned and screamed for help. It was so painful to watch that I took him home and didn’t make the attempt again. He wasn’t a danger to himself or anyone else so I didn’t see what the harm was. “I’ll do your laundry at my place then bring it back.”
    “Thanks.” He sat on the couch, and