Conjuring Her Deepest Fears

He was seeing her everywhere. Walking down the sidewalk, in the cars beside him, and sometimes in the buildings staring out the windows at him. Brian kept his eyes on the road in front of him. He wouldn't turn his head unless he had to. Every time he saw her, it was last night all over again. He didn't want to think about it anymore. He wanted to forget it, but his mind wouldn't let him. It constantly reminded him of the sound of the bottle breaking over her head and hearing her body land on the floor.
The red light Brian was sitting at finally turned green and the car started moving. He turned the corner and saw the coffee shop that Zacky and Gina wanted to meet at. He saw Matt's car and was thankful he had gotten there before him.
He turned and parked in the parking lot and stepped out of his car. Eyes forward, Brian. Keep your eyes forward. When he walked through the front door, he immediately met eyes with Zacky. He gave him a small smile and walked over to the table. "What's up, Syn?" Zacky asked. "Okay. I've been better, though," he answered. He sat down next to Matt and they looked at each other, then turned away. "Why? Is something bothering you, Brian?" Gina asked. He cleared his throat and said, "I don't wanna talk about it." She nodded. Zacky spoke up, "I don't mean to be an ass, but you guys look like shit." They both looked at Zacky then at each other again. "You're acting weird, too," he added. "Well, when you don't get enough sleep, it happens," Matt said. "Yeah, it was storming like a mother fucker last night," Brian added. "Really?" said Gina. "I slept fine." "Well, you're a heavy sleeper, Gina," Matt said. Zacky nodded in agreement. "You really are," he said. She laughed. "How are you and Rain doing?" she asked turning to Brian. He coughed awkwardly. "Uh...we're okay, I guess." "is she doing okay? I haven't heard from her in a couple of days." Rain had been avoiding Gina. She felt like she kept getting in her business, so she just ignored her. Make something up, Brian thought. "Yeah, she's fine. She's, um...just been kind of ill." After Brian spoke, he kept looking down at the table to keep his eyes from roaming. He felt Matt's eyes on him and knew that Matt had noticed. "Excuse me, I have to go to the restroom," Gina said, then stood up and walked away.
After she had disappeared, Zacky asked, "What's up with you guys? I know something is wrong. What is it?" "It's nothing, Zacky," Brian said, keeping his eyes on the table. "Don't give me that shit," he replied. No one said anything. There were a few seconds of silence, then Zacky got up. "I'm gonna go order a coffee," he said. He walked away and Matt shook Brian's shoulder. "What is it with you?" he asked. "Matt, I'm seeing her everywhere. I'm hearing her voice." Matt looked at him like he was crazy. "This morning, I looked in the mirror and... she was there." "What do you mean she was there?" Matt asked in a hushed voice. "She was there. I saw her standing behind me. But...but she was dead." Matt looked around. "We have to go," he said. "Wait, what?" "Now." The two got up and headed out the door. "Wait!" Zacky called after them. "Where are you guys going?" "We have things to do," Matt called back. Zacky shook his head and went back inside the coffee shop. "Get in your car," Matt ordered. "Where are we going?" "Your house. Let's go." Brian got in his car and so did Matt.

They sat down on Brian's couch. "Why are we here?" Brian asked. "Syn, you need to go to therapy." He gave him a confused look. "Therapy?" "You can't be acting weird like this. People will know something is going on. Did you see that look that Zacky gave you?" Brian shook his head. "I'm not going to therapy. I'm not insane." "Then what do you call it?" he asked. "What the hell would I tell the therapist? 'Oh, yeah. I killed my wife and now I see her everywhere. Could you help me out?' You can't be serious." "I am serious. You need help, Brian." "Fuck you. I don't need help."
He looked at the mirror on the fireplace mantel. He jumped a little and squeezed his eyes shut. Her. "What is it?" Matt asked. "It's...it's...her." Matt looked at the mirror then back to Brian. "There's no one there," he said. "She was standing there..." Matt stood up. "At least consider getting help," he said, then turned and walked out the door. Brian opened his eyes and blinked. He looked back at the mirror. Matt was right. Nothing.
He stood up and walked up the stairs. When he walked into the bedroom, his eyes fell on her stuff. That has to be what is triggering it. Brian thought. He hesitated, then thought... He had to get rid of it. Brian grabbed two of the suitcases and walked down the stairs and out the front door. He opened the drivers side door and popped the trunk. After throwing the suitcases in the trunk, he went back upstairs to grab the other two. He tossed them in the trunk with the others then got in the car.

Notes

Chapter 6 tomorrow!