Darkness Follows Read Online Free PDF

grew heavy and I felt like I was stuck in a twirl and couldn’t stop it. The same cello song started to play again from upstairs. Then I was out.
    ***

Seth
     
    I tossed back two Advil, then rubbed my hand over my lips thinking, “I wonder if Lasko knows he has the mic off.”
    Patrick was going over the tape reading their lips. I leaned into Garrett. “Tell me if anything happens.” I walked to Patrick. “You have anything?”
    “He didn’t know it was off. Here.” Patrick handed me a piece of paper with a play by play of their broken conversation. He’d gotten most of it.
    “He was talking about you. Your girl is brave, I’ll give her that.” Patrick patted my shoulder.
    I started to read. I felt a sharp pain when I read, You’ll never have me like he does. I put the paper down, not able to read any more.
    I went into the washroom. I leaned over the counter and splashed some cold water over my face and neck, closing my eyes tightly. I wanna kill this guy with my bare hands. I want to feel the moment his neck snaps and his body goes limp. Then I opened the toilet and vomited.
    “Here.” Avery handed me a bottle of water. “Take this too.” I closed the bathroom door behind me and eyed the little red pill. “It’s to help with the nausea.” I popped it in my mouth.
    “Thanks.” I sank into the couch next to Garrett. I leaned my head on my hand and watched as my girlfriend slipped into a deep sleep due to some kind of drug. At the very least she would escape from this nightmare for a few hours. Lasko seemed to leave her be when she was asleep.
    My eyes grew heavy and I let the pain drift off for a moment.
     
    “So, what did you tell her?” Garrett’s hand covered his smile.
    I concentrated as I pulled into the driveway, then replied, “That I don’t date.”
    “’Cause you’re dating Emily.”
    “I’m not dating Emily.”
    “You like her?”
    “Yes.”
    “You think she’s sexy?”
    I nodded to urge him to get to the point.
    “Exactly. You have her around all the time?”
    “Yes.”
    “You don’t like men to touch her?” He lingered over the last word.
    I gave him a glance. Then I opened the door and grabbed a case of beer from the back seat.
    Garrett stuck out his hand in my direction as he waited for me to join him. “You are dating,” he said matter-of-factly.
    “Whatever, man.”
    “I’m just sayin’ it is what it is, and what it is, is you are dating Emily.”
    I knocked on the door. “Are you done?”
    “Yeah.” Garrett nodded.
    Val opened the large steel door to her ten thousand square foot home in Manhattan Beach. The perks of a pro baseball husband. I grew up with Val, so from time to time we made it a point to get out to one of her parties.
    “Hello, my boys.” She wrapped her arms around me, then gave Garrett a kiss on the cheek. “Come in, there’s lots to look at tonight, gentlemen.” She winked, then pointed to the kitchen. “Help yourselves. I will return.” She waved over her head as she walked down the hallway.
    There was no more room left in the refrigerator, so we stacked our cases next to the fridge, grabbed a cold beer, and headed out back.
    Her pool sported a swim-up bar in the center, where two men dressed in black shorts and bow ties took orders. Music came from every direction, and conveniently placed sprayers lightly misted the guests as they walked by.
    I scanned the property and spotted Robby, Val’s husband, and headed over.
    “About time you guys showed up.” He winked and slipped a hand around a little blonde girl who looked to be about nine. “Don’t worry, officer, she’s legal.” He smirked.
    “Barely,” the girl giggled.
    Robby has always been an asshole; Val is the same way.
    “Val’s sister transferred colleges and brought a few hot ones with her.” He smacked Garrett in the chest. Garrett’s throat contracted. I knew he hated it when Robby touched him.
    I turned to face the crowd and watched the people dance around under