Chereads / The Darkness that Binds / Chapter 4 - Ominous Intentions

Chapter 4 - Ominous Intentions

Ethan's heart skipped a beat as Julian's gaze locked onto his.

"What do you want, Julian?" Ethan asked, trying to sound calm. " Why the fuck are you at my house, huh?. Couldn't these questions of yours wait till tomorrow?? "

Julian's smile seemed to hide sinister intentions.

"I couldn't wait, it's urgent. We need to discuss it now ", Julian said, his voice low and mysterious.

Ethan hesitated, unsure if he should trust Julian.

" Go home bro, til tomorrow " Ethan said, turning around and heading from the door.

Julian's eyes narrowed. As he saw Ethan turn his back. In anger, he grabs Ethan by the shoulder and turns him.

" Seriously man, this is creepy ", Ethan said responding to his action.

Ethan stood firm, outside his house.

" We need to talk, man to man ", Julian said grabbing Ethan's hand.

As Julian spoke, Ethan noticed a faint symbol on Julian's wrist.

A symbol that looked eerily familiar.

" Umm, Julian, where did you get that? " Ethan asked, pointing to the symbol on his wrist.

Julian's expression turned cold.

"You wouldn't understand."

"Why wouldn't I understand a simple tattoo?"

Julian looked at him and smiled,

" It's not just a simple tattoo, it's... "

" ... I know it's not a simple tattoo, just tell me where you got that ", Ethan questioned, still trying to recall where he saw it from. What did the symbol mean?

Was it in a history book? A movie?

Julian's voice broke his concentration.

"Just don't worry about it ", Julian said trying to cut Ethan off from asking anymore questions.

" No problem ", Ethan assured still keeping the symbol a t the back of his mind.

" So tell me Ethan, have you noticed anything... unusual lately?" Julian asked.

Ethan shrugged, distracted by the symbol.

"No, nothing."

Julian leaned in.

"Think carefully."

Ethan's eyes drifted back to the symbol.

Why did it feel so familiar?

Julian continued, "Have you seen anyone suspicious around?"

Ethan shook his head.

Immediately, he pieced in the puzzle, his mind flashing back to the mysterious figure.

Julian's eyes seemed to bore into Ethan's soul.

Ethan felt a shiver run down his spine.

Julian paused, studying Ethan's reaction.

"You're sure?" Julian pressed.

" No I haven't. Why'd you ask? ", Ethan responded feeling uneasy.

Julian's gaze lingered.

Ethan's skin crawled.

Just as Julian opened his mouth to speak again, Ethan heard his mom's voice from inside.

"Ethan's still not home?"

"I thought he was studying," his dad replied.

" You lie !! ", Julian said

Ethan turned to respond quickly in order to get inside as soon as possible. But as he spun back around...,

" ... Julian, I have to go... "

... He couldn't find Julian.

Julian was gone

Vanished.

Ethan's heart skipped a beat once more.

Where had Julian disappeared to?

And how did he know about the figure?

Ethan stood frozen, stunned by Julian's sudden disappearance.

The darkness seemed to close in around him.

Suddenly, the wind picked up. Just when Ethan was about turning the door knob,

Leaves swirled around and a faint whisper echoed in his ear:

" You shouldn't have talked to him."

Ethan spun around.

But there was no one there.

The whisper seemed to come from all directions.

Ethan's blood ran cold.

What was happening to him?

Who were these people?