Alone In The Darkness by Matthew Buza Read Free Book Online

pool house.”
    Steven knew that the pool house was not a luxurious beautiful white building with music, women, and fun. It was the junk area on the property, where junk was burned and the old oil drums would be stacked high. He had been there once before. He remembered being shocked by the scale of the junk site as Juan explained to him its meaning:
    “Steven, this is the pool house.” Juan looked at Steven with his arms around his shoulders. Steven held the shoebox full of bagged meth. “Do you see those drums? Those are 55 gallon pools.” Juan smiled at him. Steven just stared forward. “I get them cheap, naturally food safe drums, I wouldn’t want any issues with oil or other nasty things. In the long cool winters here in Washington sometimes a nice warm pool is the best. The best way to get them warm is to pull them up against a bon fire. Kind of like a redneck Jacuzzi,” Juan’s eyes remained focused on the barrel and he walked out ahead of Steven pointing to the welder, “It is important to make sure someone who is in the pool is secure. You wouldn’t want an accident to happen so close to the fire.” Juan turned petting the barrel, “To make sure that you get the true spa experience.”
    Steven shivered slightly and glanced at the clock, 10:50. He had made it just in time. Steven knew that Jennifer could hear his voice, “Stay still and don’t move. These people won’t help you. They might even make it worse. Just stay down and pretend to be passed out.”
    Jennifer’s eyes opened and she peeked over her shoulder. She could see the red glow on the windshield ahead of her. The glow was dancing and she could smell a burning fire.
    Steven rolled up to the edge of the pool house. The fire danced between piles of wooden pallets, old cars, and rows of oil drums. There was a metallic smell in the air that burned the nose. Silhouetted against the fire were four men. One man was poking the fire with a long rod and the other three turned to the headlights. Steven could see two shotguns leaned up against the welder. He pulled into a spot. The man with the rod turned and began to walk to the car.
    He tapped the rod on the ground as he walked, “Steven, Steven, Steven.” He glanced at his watch and smiled. “Good boy, just in time.”
    Steven reached down, pulled out the roll of money, and put his arm out. The man lifted the red hot rod to Steven’s arm. He could feel the heat and he pulled back slightly.
    “Toss it here.” Steven threw the money to the man.
    “Juan it's all there, man.” The man thumbed the cash and placed it into his pocket.
    “And just in time. I was starting to get excited for you.” He looked into the car, past Steven, to the passenger seat. His voice lifted, “Who’s this? You brought a friend?”
    Steven looked to the passenger seat and then back to Juan. “Just a girl, man. She is nothing special.”
    “Nothing special, you say?” Juan’s eyes ran down Jennifer’s jeans and along her legs. “She looks special.” His hand tugged up on his pants.
    Steven tried to defuse the situation, “She’s just wasted from earlier and I’m heading home.” Jennifer’s eyes were very wide as she hid her head beneath the jacket. She could hear the panic in Steven’s voice. What had he gotten her into? Who were these men?
    Juan’s head turned smiling to the three men, “ Chica del drogadicto.”
    Steven pressed, “Juan I need to go, am I settled? I paid up and on time”
    “Oh yeah you're paid up. I can imagine you have a busy evening with your girlfriend.” His tongue flicked his teeth.
    “I’ve got to go to a party tonight. Just have to head home first.” The three men started walking towards the car.
    “It’s a long way home and there’s a party going on here. You guys can stay.”
    Steven lowered his arm to the gear shifter and placed his foot above the brake.
    “Steven,” Juan rolled the cash in his hand and presented it back to him, “I’ll give it to you for the