After taking my first grade students to lunch, I sit at my desk to have mine. A sandwich from the deli I brought in the morning wrapped in plastic and brown paper came out of my travel bag with a bottle of water. I turn on my iPod and start playing some gospel songs to calm my mind and spirit. It's hard being a teacher this days. The children of this generation need so much care. Luckily for me its my passion to teach children. I adored them. I say a little prayer over my lunch and start eating while taking sips of water. Sitting here looking out at the empty desk of my students I try to remind myself that all things work together for good. There was a meeting at church last Friday and although I've gone there since I was little when my Grandma was taking me until now. I never thought things would turn out the way it did.
Last Friday
"Okay everyone. There is one last thing I wish to talk about before we head home." Said Bishop. "Now, I have notice that a lot of people has come to the church now more than ever. That killer, they call the Collector, is still on the loose and the people are afraid. For their loved ones and for themselves. I prayed some nights ago saying, "Lord? What do I do? What can I do to bring the people close together in this time of need?" And do you know what He said? He said, "Give back to them." Give back to the people, give them something to bring them together as one. So, that we can draw strength from one another. Therefore, I've decided to have a yard sale. Anything in your house that you no longer need. We are going to give it away. Not just that but clothes and caned foods as well. And if no one wants to buy anything from the yard sale we are going to have food served on the side."
"Bishop?" Asked one of the members. "Is there a date that you want this to take place?"
"Yes." Bishop answered. "I want it done by the end of November. The weather is starting to change so I want it as soon as possible before it gets too cold out in the mornings and afternoons."
"Who's going to be in charge of this yard sale, Bishop?" Another member asked.
The Bishop looked around and somehow his aging brown eyes landed on me. "Leah?" He said and my eyes widen and jumped up to his face.
"Yes, Bishop?" I answer.
"I've known your Grandma for more than forty years. She's been such a blessing to this church and everyone she meets. If there was anything we needed done she had it for us. You have come here since you were a child, you know everyone in this church and the people in this community. So, I'm asking you Sister Leah Richardson to be the head of this event. Do you think you can do it?" He asked.
My mouth was so dry and my head so empty you could have heard the wind coming in and out of my ears. The Bishop was right about my Grandma. Before, God took her home she was the Elder, the Mother of this church. She talked to the young, poor and drug addicts of these streets so much so that they would come to church just to make her happy. Having her gone is the hardest thing for me to let go. I know God, has a plan for us but couldn't my Grandma have stayed just a little bit longer. Before she died, she said, "Le-Le," which is the nickname she called me. "You have a path you must walk. I don't know what it is but there is something great you have to do, baby. Don't be afraid to put all your trust in Him. Make me proud, Le-Le." Days after that she died in her bed and I got a call while at work.
With that in mind, I wet my lips and smile at Bishop.
"Yes, Bishop. I'll do it."
That was three days ago and although I said I'll do it. I couldn't help but feel scared it felt like a time bomb was about to go off and I didn't know when. I don't want to mess this up and make myself look foolish. I'm done little things like giving food to the homeless and reading the bible to the sick but this was another ball game. As I finish my lunch and look at the clock I see it's time to get the kids. I turn off my iPod and putting it back in my bag, I head out to get them.
November
The yard sale had been the most stressful and interesting thing I've put together. The area, which is the parking space, needed to be clean and I got some of the kids at my school and those at the church which go to the school I teach and their friends to clean the yard and give the wall a new paint job. I had a list on top of list of who was going to bring food, drink or other for the yard sale. I had to get everyone's number and address, just in case they couldn't come so someone can pick them up. I had to buy price tags so I could price the things being sold in the sale, make sure everything was in good congestion and so much more. Thank God, Bishop wanted this event within a month because there is no way I would be able to do this with less time.
Tables on the right is where the yard sale is being taken place and food and drinks were served on the left. The gate to the parking lot was open and today was a warm and sunny one too. I had the young kids hand out flyers all over of the yard sale. It was noon as I look at my watch one more time. No one seemed to be coming for a while and I felt my heart sink. I ran to the bathroom and send a silent prayer that people would come. Suddenly, I could hear my Grandma's voice telling me everything is going to be alright. That things don't happen over night. I wipe my tears, check my make-up and came out with a smile. By two O'clock it seemed the whole community had come and I couldn't take the smile off my face even if I wanted to.
Sales were going fine and the food was a quarter gone and people just seemed to keep coming. I walked around my a notebook and pen to write down anything I needed to remember. Some of the people who came asked to be members of the church so I took their names and number. Three hours had pasted and it seemed the rush slowed down a few. I looked around making sure everything was in order and that drinks were kept in the cooler. One of the helping ladies had to take her son to the bathroom so I helped handing out food until something or someone caught my eye.
In this area, the majorly of the people are Blacks and Latinos so when I see the back of a White man I just thought he was passing by. I continued to hand out food until the church member came back from taking her son to the bathroom. I removed the plastic gloves and apron while helping her put it back on. Taking my notebook and pen in hand I walked around the lot to see how everyone is doing. I must have walked around for a minute but no matter what I did or was looking at my eyes would fall on the White man. He stood in front of one of the paintings that sister Wendy donated and when I took my eyes off him, he would still be there. He stood with his hands to his back and head tinted to the side.
Taking a deep breath I found the will to approach him. I remembered to smile, which is the key to showing someone they feel welcomed and keeping my voice light and friendly.
"I like this one." I started, coming to stand just a few inches next to his shoulder. The painting was of a yellow, golden meadow with a blue sky and clouds. The sun was the main target in the painting as it looked like heaven was opening up. "It seems like heaven is opening up to wash away all the sins of the world." I reflected. I turned my eyes towards him without moving my head. I could make out his nose and short dark blonde hair, he looked to be in his mid thirty's with wide shoulders and strong back. The corner of his mouth lifted up and I knew he must have thought the same thing. I moved my eyes back to the painting and just tried to see what he saw for a moment.
Everything around me came to a stop as the sun started going down in the afternoon sky. The painting made me feel warm and happy and I could almost picture that I was really there watching a huge bright sun rise over a field of grass making it change to gold. I smiled at the thought. Why would sister Wendy throw this away? Until I remembered she's moving to the South soon. Maybe she put this up because she wants some extra cash. For a second, I thought about buying the painting for myself. That thought quickly flew away as I felt this feeling going up and down my back. I feel like someone was watching me so I turned slowly to the man next to me.
Dark almost black, blue eyes met my brown ones. The man looked at me, not at my chest or legs like most men, but my face. He didn't show any emotion at all. His eyes lowered to my lips and I realized I was still smiling. My smile dropped like a wet blanket but the man keep looking at me. I felt like the painting all of a sudden, like he was examining me as a lost treasure. His lips moved to say something and I wanted to hear what he had to say.
"Leah! Hey, Leah. How's it going?" Came the call from the other side of the man's shoulder.
I moved my eyes to the left to see Mark coming out of the kitchen area to greet me. I've known Mark since we were kids. His parents meet because my Grandma introduced them soon they got married and had him. Mark was one of the deacons in the church and a good one too. I've always known Mark liked me, he's everything a woman would want in a man, he's handsome, has a job, educated and never been in jail or did drugs. And that's saying a lot for most Black men. He walked over with a smile, smelling like he just came from a barber shop with a touch of cologne.
He walked pass the man to stand next to me and put his arm around my shoulder with a little squeeze at the end. Mark smiled showing all white teeth.
"Hello Brother. I'm Deacon Mark, what can I do for you?" Mark said offering the man his hand for a shake. The man turned his eyes back to the painting by then and didn't reach his hand out towards Mark. Whatever trance the man and I was under disappeared.
Mark moved his hand back and into his pocket when the man didn't answer and cleared his throat. To fill in the silence I spoke.
"I was just telling this gentleman what I thought of the painting sister Wendy is selling." I answered.
"Oh. Really?" Mark asked and looked over my head at the painting. "Wow," He said turning me and him towards the painting with me still under his arm. "Now that is a beautiful picture. Isn't it?" He asked me.
"Yeah." I replied under my breath.
"Don't you think, my man?" Mark asked nudging his shoulder.
The man's face turned to Mark in a flash and for a moment it felt like the whole world stood still. His dark blue eyes zeroing in on Mark like a hungry tiger. I had to do something to calm the atmosphere before things got out of hand.
I smiled at the man, trying to get his attention by moving from under Mark's arm and standing with my back towards the painting, facing both men. Mark's eyes turned into a man taking on a challenge. I could tell he was readying himself if the man got violent.
"Do you like the painting or anything else you see, Sir?" I asked like I was speaking to one of my first grade students.
The man's eyes turned to me and his body seemed to relax. For the first time he looked me up and down. He stared into my eyes one more time, tinted his head to the side and walked away. He walked through the slowly thinning crowd until me and Mark couldn't see him anymore.
"What is that man's problem?" Mark blurted out. He shook his head. "He must be on drugs. Did you see that guy? Lord help him. You're lucky I came over here. That man was looking at you like your fried chicken." He said folding his arms while looking at me in suspension. "Was he bothering you?"
I shook my head. My mind trying to tell my lungs to take air in and out. I didn't know why I was holding my breath but the man looked at me like I'm one of the things for sale. "No." I managed to say. "No. Mark, I'm fine." I sighed.
"You sure?" He asked.
"Yeah. Wait? You said he was looking at me?" I asked remembering what he said.
"Yeah. Sister Green said she saw you talking to the man. Then she saw him staring at you. She said, the man's got Devil eyes. Looking at an angel like you; like he's a man dying of thirst. I told her she was being silly until I saw it for myself. I didn't like it, Leah, not one bit."
"Well don't worry." I smiled. "You scared him off."
He laughed. "Nah, girl it was the Jesus in me that scared him off. It was like, 'Begone Satan! Begone!" He joked acting like he was going to start preaching.
"You better stop that." I laughed walking over to the food area but even as I left I could still feel that man's eyes on me.
Three weeks past and I've forgotten all about the strange man at the yard sale and everything moved back to normal. More started disappearing and now people were more scared than ever. This Collector guy was all over the news. I tried my best to only listen to the weather and that's it. The people taken, old and young, rich or poor put a chill through my body, this man didn't care who he took or killed. The Bishop would hold prayer meetings almost every night for those taken and the families.
I thought while washing the dishes, how could a man do this? Does he not care about the lives he's taken and families he's broken? I was so puzzled that I did the only thing I could do.
I prayed.
Lord in heaven, whoever this man is stop him please. Please Lord, how many lives must be taken? I know, I shouldn't question you... but when will this madness end. What must be done to stop all this? I pray that he doesn't hurt another soul. If it is by your will let it be done. In Jesus name. Amen.
That night I had the most strangest dream. I was in church and my Grandma was sitting next to me. She looked so happy and full of life just like she use to when I was a child. She looked at me and said, "Le-Le, the road you are going to take is not easy, baby." "I know Grandma you told me that, I said." "I know baby but it's going to be hard and I can't help you. You have to be strong Le-Le, the Devil has set his sight on you and you gotta be strong baby. You have to go where no one but God can save you, she said." "Grandma," I face her, tears threatening to leave my eyes, she was scaring me now she looked so worried. "Grandma," I say again, "Your starting to frighten me alright. Why are you saying all this?" "Oh Le-Le, she moaned." "Grandma!, I yell". She was bent over like she was in pain. I turn to the others but they were gone the church cold and empty like a graveyard. "Help, help! Grandma stay with me. Don't leave me!" I scream coming to her side as she lies on the floor blood pooling from her mouth and I try in vain to stop it. "Le-Le, she says" and I wake up.
I walked around for days with a dark cloud over my head. Somehow that one sentence keep jumping out at me, "The Devil has set his sight on you..." I know as a Christian the devil is always after the people of God, trying anything he can to make us and those that are not saved fall. However, the way my Grandma said it. The way she looked so worried like my life was in danger. I couldn't shake the feeling off.
Friday was another church meeting. Nothing new just a little changes to the time and dates. Driving home in the night use to be relaxing but now it felt like at any moment something was going to happen. That time bomb feeling again. I got home, locked the doors while checking the windows. Everything was fine. I can't let this feeling last, I thought, I have to keep my spirits up. Since it was the weekend I decided to take a bath. Getting everything I needed the bath calmed my body. The scent and steam in the air made me feel like I'm at a spa. All to soon the water starts getting cold so I drain it and take a shower. Putting on my old high school shirt and sweats I walk to the kitchen to find me something to eat.
Sitting on the couch eating leftovers while watching an old movie with Fred and Ginger dancing like their feet is made of air, I smile. This is what I needed. Before I knew it the movie was over and I was tired. As I head back to the kitchen to put my dishes away. There sitting in the middle of the room is a big red box.
"What?" I say, coming towards it. I knew I should have called the police or something but my mind was so blink at that moment. I couldn't understand why a red box was in my kitchen. "What is this?" I say.
Then the box moves with a thumb making every hair on my body rise up. I step back, ready to reach the phone until I hear something.
"Please! Please let me out"
I stop dead in my tracks. Oh Lord! Did that come from the box?
"Please let me out. I won't run away again. Please I'll be good. I promise."
"Hello?" I call out and the voice stops.
"Hey? Hey, is somebody there? Oh thank God, please let me out."
"How are you in my house?" I demand.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Please let me out before he comes back."
"Comes back?" I question. "Who?"
"I don't know. Please! Please let me out!"
The voice was that of a man. He sound so broken and helpless I couldn't just stand there. I run to the box and see that there are claps on the side. I pull them open and out falls the body of a man maybe in his early twenties. His bloody and smells like he hasn't showered in a while. His clothes are thorn so much so that they barely stay on his body. He crawls away from the box like its fulled with poisonous snakes. He crawls towards the couch and sits with his hands around his knees like a pillow. He looks around in every corner like a madman. Once he saw that the place was safe he crawls over towards me. Before, I can move he grabs my arm and shakes it.
"Listen to me Miss. We have to get out of here. He's coming I know he is. We have to call the police. I have to get out of here!" He screams finally.
"Okay. Okay, I'll call the police once you let me go." I say, my voice shaking.
"Okay." The boy repeats over and over like a prayer.
I stand to my feet and move to the phone on weak legs. When I reach the phone and put it to my ear I don't hear a dial tone. I press the numbers, anything but nothing works.
"The phone's died." I say to the boy who starts rocking himself back and forth.
"What!" He says. "No, no, no, no, no, no! Miss he's coming we need to get the fuck out of here!
"Alright let me get my car keys." I say before backing away to my bedroom door.
"No, we don't have time for that!" The boy says, "He's coming."
"Listen I know you're scared but..."
That's the last thing I say when I open my bedroom door and see two glowing eyes staring back at me. The eyes move closer and I can see the shape of a head and lips. I move back and I hear the boy let out a scream of bloody murder. The man is a foot or two taller than me and I hear a strange breathing sound coming from him. I hear the boy banging at my front door trying to get it open.
"NO, NO, NO NONONONONO!" The boy screams his words so close together they sound as one.
The man reaches his hands out towards me like he wants to give me a hug, black gloves cover his hands like a second skin. I back up until my bottom hits the red box in the middle of my kitchen. Long sleeve shirt, pants and boots all in black. But the one thing that disturbs me is the mask. Tightly placed on his face in a material I've never seen, holes for the eyes and mouth making it seem twisted and pulled at one side. His eyes, glow in the kitchen light like black pearls.
What happen next felt like I've been hit by a truck in the head, my body falls but iron chains pull me up-right as I'm thrown down into a sea of red. I hear yelling in the distance as the vision around my eyes darken. The last thing I remember thinking is, "Oh God. Don't let me die".
A/N: Hmm hello. I've had this bug in my head for a while now. I saw the movies "The Collector and The Collection" and not to long ago I saw the second one again. Anyways I'm not sure if anyone is going to read this but I wanted to put this weird obsession I've gotten on paper... I mean screen. Okay bye now! :)