whispers in the dark

“Do you think he’ll remember anything?” Jennifer asks her husband in a hushed voice. Neither she nor Craig have any idea that their son is hiding at the top of the steps listening to their every word. “No. My father said---” Craig begins. “I know what he said,” she interrupts, “but do you think it’s true? I mean, what if he.. what if he’s…” she tries to find the right words. “He’s our son.” She nods, “I’m worried.” Craig nods, he was worried too. “We can do this.” “I’ve never done anything like this before.” “Neither have I,” Craig admits. They are both silent for a few seconds, when Jennifer speaks, “Do you think he’s awake yet?” “It’s been almost twelve hours.” “Is that how much four year olds sleep for?” She asks. He shrugs, “I have no idea.” Frowning, she sits there for a moment before standing up. “Where are you going?” He asks. “I think we should be in his room when he wakes up. He shouldn’t wake up alone.” At this point, the little boy quickly runs back into the bedroom he woke up in and climbs back into the bed. He sits there, waiting. He can hear them walking up the steps. Picking up the teddy bear he found beside him when he had awoken, the little boy holds it tightly against his body. He never had a stuffed animal before. Smiling, he places the bear on his lap and begins to trace the animals’ face with his fingers. The door opens and two hesitant adults walk in. Smiling, the small child hugs the bear close to his chest, “Hi Mommy, Hi Daddy!” Holding the bear up, he states, “This is Gus.” Opening his eyes, Justin sits up slowly. He can hear Brian’s deep breathing and is careful not to wake him as he climbs out of bed. It’s late, and Justin wonders if Daphne is okay. He wants to call, but is afraid. Pulling on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, he walks over to the living room and sits down in the dark. Knees to his chest, he intertwines his own fingers, feeling his skin tingle as he slowly slides his hands together and apart. The little boy stares in shock. He and his friends don’t move for a moment as they stand there: watching. He can feel his tears threatening to fall as his friend tries to get up, only to fall once again. Suddenly, the tears disappear and all the child is left with is rage. C1 tries to stand up a second time, this time crying out as he falls. The little boy lunges forward with his friends. They bring the man in the white coat on his knees, and they don’t stop kicking, punching, pulling, scratching and biting until the man stops moving. They don’t stop until the man in the white coat is dead. Wiping the tears from his eyes, Justin shivers. He’s scared. He’s never been this scared in his life. Or has he? He can’t remember anymore. All he knows is that the agency is after him. The fundamentalist group is after him. And who the hell else is after him. All is knows is that there is a tracking device in him and it’s only a matter of time before he is scooped up and taken away. The little boy wakes up screaming. It was the only time he remembered: in his nightmares. In time they would disappear, he knew that. Soon he would never remember anything. But right now it was all residual memories resurfacing at night when the little boy was sleeping. Craig and Jennifer run in, “It’s okay, Sweetheart! It’s okay, Honey. It was just a dream,” they both soothe in their own specific ways. Jennifer wraps her arms around her son and kisses his forehead. Craig sits beside him and pats his legs before stroking the top of his son’s hair. The little boy sniffles and wipes his nose with his hand, “The bad man… the bad man is so mad!” he cries softly. “He’s going to get us.” Craig takes his son’s hand, “Justin, look at me.” Looking at his father, the little boy waits. “You’re safe here. No one is going to hurt you.” “Bad man will take me away,” he whispers. Craig shakes his head, “Mommy and Daddy won’t let anyone take you away, ever.” Wiping away the ever-present tears, Justin quickly stands up and runs to the phone. He hopes the number isn’t changed. He can hope, right? One ring. Two rings. And then an answer. Justin’s fear-ridden voice whispers to the other end, “The bad man is looking for me.” “Justin?” The voice on the other side sounds shocked. “He’s after me. The bad man knows… he’s going to get me. He’s going to get me, Dad.” “Where are you?” “I have to run.” Justin whispers, his voice shaking. “I’ll pick you up.” “I’m scared,” He whispers so quietly, that its barely audible. “I won’t let him take you.” Craig promises.