From the Mind of a Madman (Ch.2)

The link to chapter one is here.

This is a supernatural suspense miniseries. Enjoy Chapter Two.

From the Mind of a Madman

By Nomar Knight

Chapter Two

Blinded by an annoying strobe light, I couldn’t help but think that soon the pavement would be my grave. As I stood on the ledge of my apartment building, my knees threatened to buckle from under me. Not since Mrs. Lawton’s fifth grade Math class did I tremble with overwhelming fear.

“Come, Cesar, I challenge you to a long multiplication problem. The first one of us that completes the problem wins.”

I recalled wishing I could sink into a hole and disappear.

The crowd’s thirst for blood shook me out of my trance.

“Jump! Jump!”

“Don’t listen to them.”

A female’s voice drew my attention behind me to my right.

“Help me.”

I didn’t recognize the sound of my voice. It sounded like a frog caught in my throat.

The female wore a gray blazer and a green blouse. Her shiny detective’s shield was pinched on her belt.

“Professor Perez, please look at me.”

Since I wore only my pajamas, the night’s cool air felt as if I was trapped inside an igloo. I couldn’t stop shaking.

“I’m Detective Patricia Duncan. The neighbors told me you’re a great guy.”

For the first time I focused my vision on her face. She had her left hand over her eyes, making it difficult for me to see them.

I muttered. “This darn light is blinding.”

“Tell me, Professor, why are we out here?”

“I don’t know how I got here. I must have fallen asleep, next thing I know, I’m a step away from…”

The detective sighed as though relieved, “Great, then we can go back to your apartment now. Give me your hand.”

“I don’t know what’s happening to me.”

“You’re not the first person to sleepwalk.” Compassion filled her soothing tone.

I was tempted to tell her about the morbid visions that filled my waking hours since I had lost my Nicole. How I was losing my grip on reality, when another voice to my left swayed my attention.

“Don’t be a chicken!”

Shock nearly stopped me from breathing. My fifth grade teacher sat next to me with her legs dangling over the ledge.

“But you’re dead.”

Detective Duncan sighed again, only it sounded more like frustration. “Reach out your hand and you will be safe.”

Mrs. Lawton laughed. “I remembered the look on your face when I challenged you in front of the other students. I thought you were going to pee in your pants.”

Turning my head to the detective, I whispered, “Can you see her?”

“See who?”

My heart sank. I knew the cop wouldn’t believe me.

Mrs. Lawton said, “What are you waiting for? Don’t you like playing up to the crowd? They want you to jump.”

“You’re not real! This whole situation isn’t real.”

The detective spoke softly, “I’m most certainly real and I’m here to help you, Professor. What’s your first name?”

Mrs. Lawton got up and offered her hand. Her gray hair fell down to her shoulders. “We can jump together. Remember how you actually beat me. I did the math problem faster than you, but you actually won.”

I grinned, recalling how obese she used to be…how she towered over me. “Yes, I defeated you, the great Mrs. Lawton.”

She giggled. “Cesar, you were slow, but accurate. Perhaps slow and steady does win the race. Let me help you. Jump off with me.”

I gripped her hand and stared at my bloodthirsty audience. Most of the scoundrels below remained still. People in blue uniforms scurried about. Firefighters raced in unison like killer army ants determine to achieve a common goal.

“This isn’t real, but the pain feels so real. I can’t take it anymore. I can’t live without my Nicole.”

“Nicole? Please tell me about her.” Detective Duncan sounded desperate and louder.

“Jump with me Cesar and I promise you’ll be with Nicole again.”

Tears blurred my vision.

“Professor Perez, tell me how I can reach Nicole. Is she your girlfriend?”

“She was my fiancé.”

“For Christ sake!” Mrs. Lawton raised her voice, making me feel like a ten-year-old again. “Just take a step forward and you will be with her forever.”

“Professor, call me Patty,” said the detective. “I’d love to talk about this with you in the apartment, over a cup of coffee.”

I shifted my glance from the crowd below back to the cop. I caught a glimpse of her eyes. Suffering leaked out of amazing blue pupils.

“Do you know what it’s like, Patty, to lose the love of your life?”

“I’ll answer that question if you tell me your first name.”

“I’m Cesar.”

She reached out as though to shake my hand.

Mrs. Lawton screamed, “Jump now, you little weasel!”

Patty Duncan took a step toward me. “I know someone else is talking to you right now. I can’t see her, but by the way you’re extending your left hand, I figure you’re holding her hand. Is it Nicole?”

Tears cascaded down my cheeks. I whispered, “No.”

“Is it Mrs. Lawton?”

An intense pain shot from my left hand up to my elbow. When I focused my attention on the old hag, a stench of rotted meat made me gag. Mrs. Lawton’s skeletal hand applied a crunching grip. A scream trapped in my throat.

“Let’s go, Cesar!”

The zombie teacher’s tongue fell off the ledge. She jumped and took me with her.

...Stay tuned for Chapter Three

©2013 Nomar Knight. All rights reserved.

A Knight Chills Miniseries.