Chapter Two

"You wanna crash at my place?" Pogue offered as they stood to leave.

Reid and Tyler had left half an hour earlier after hooking up with two girls from the local college.

Caleb threw two twenties on the table and grabbed his jacket. "Yeah, thanks man."

He had considered staying in his house but didn't relish the thought. It was no longer occupied and it was far too big for him alone since his mother had left soon after William had passed away.

"I can't stay in Ipswich anymore, Caleb. It holds too many memories, few of them good ones." She had told him. "I've thought about traveling for a while, visiting some old friends. Now seems as good of a time as any."

"I understand, mother." And he really did. How many times had he wanted to see the life return to his mother's eyes? She was no longer tormented by the idea of his father wasting away in a chair.

Evelyn had put her hand on his cheek, "Be careful son, please. I couldn't take it if something were to happen to you."

"I will. I'm not him." He said it for her benefit and his.

She smiled sadly, "I know, but I'm your mother and I worry. It's my job."

Soon after that conversation she had arranged for a caretaker to look after the house, then she was on a flight to Italy. It all happened after his graduation, and he knew it was a new start for both of them.

"Do you remember how to get there? It's not far from here." Pogue asked as they left the bar, snapping him back from the memory.

Caleb nodded, "It's about half a mile off of Mill Street, right?"

"Yeah. If anything you can follow me, I just need to stop somewhere real quick."

"No problem."

Pogue got on his bike and left as Caleb followed him in his mustang. They drove for about five minutes until Pogue stopped in front of an older house with peeling red paint and a sagging porch. He got off his bike and went around the back where Caleb could see a garage and a man in his late forties working on what appeared to be a car engine. He didn't know what they were saying but it was obvious they knew each other fairly well, were maybe friends though he couldn't imagine how Pogue had met the man. They spoke for a few minutes then said good-bye and Pogue was back on his bike, waving to Caleb to follow him.

Soon they pulled into Pogue's apartment complex, a three story building that held five apartments on each floor. It wasn't anything fancy with its plain brick walls, but it wasn't falling apart and the one two bedroom apartment was more than spacious for him. Caleb knew moving into his own place had been Pogue's way of pulling away from his parents, who weren't thrilled their only son had chosen not to go to college. It also afforded him privacy and he could leave and come back whenever he chose without explanation.

Caleb planned to do the same, look for an apartment to rent for whenever he visited Ipswich, at least until he finished college. After getting his bag from the trunk, he followed Pogue up a flight of stairs and into the apartment, which was furnished with black leather couches, a high tech entertainment system, and a book shelf with an array of video games and motorcycle magazines. Pogue loved his toys.

"I like what you've done with the place." He commented as he dropped the bag next to the door and took off his jacket.

"Thanks. You can crash on the couch, the other bedroom is full of random crap. Sorry about that."

He nodded, "Don't worry about it. So what was that about with that guy?"

"Want anything?" He asked but Caleb shook his head. "Alright, well you're welcome to anything."

Taking a beer from the fridge, Pogue came back and sat on the couch, feet propped on the coffee table. "Bill's a mechanic I met a while back when I needed some help with my bike. He knew a lot about motorcycles and cars in general so I started working for him with projects here and there. I needed to stop by about a current project he wants me to work on."

Caleb figured this was as good time to bring up the subject. "Have you thought about what you want to do later on?"

"College isn't in my life plan Caleb. I've told you that already."

"That's not what I meant. "He knew he had to tread carefully. Ever since Chase, when Kate had been hurt and then when she had asked for a break, Pogue had been on edge. He had once been the most easy-going out of the group, except for maybe Tyler, but things had changed.

Pogue let out a breath. "I know, man. I actually have. I've been toying with the idea of opening my own shop."

Caleb's brows went up in surprise, "Seriously?"

He nodded, "Yeah, it's something I'm good at. I've lived and breathed motorcycles and cars since I can remember and with Bill's help I've gotten better. I'm planning on offering to partner up with him and put up the money."

"Sounds like you've got it all planned out."

"It's just an idea. If I follow through on it though, we're going to have to decide on where to open it up and work out a lot of details. If he even agrees."

Caleb shrugged. "It's at least a start."

"Yeah, we'll see." He replied before turning on the TV, ending the conversation.

The leaves were rustling and the trees were swaying as a vicious wind swept through the forest. He stood in a field facing what appeared to be a dug up grave. He turned around, surveying the surrounding trees but not finding any sign as to where he was. He couldn't remember why he was here or even how he had gotten there.

The only source of light came from the full moon above that had come out of hiding from beneath the clouds. A shadow caught his attention, turning that way he saw it dart from tree to tree, all the while getting closer. A chill began to invade his body as he felt eyes on him, the sensation coming from the dark figure. Instincts to him that he couldn't allow it to reach him. He didn't know why, he just knew he had to avoid it.

Looking around he saw a trail leading away from the clearing and didn't hesitate to follow it. He only covered five feet before the chill intensified and looking up he saw the figure directly in front of him.

It spoke though it wasn't out loud, but a menacing whisper in his head.

"You cannot run."

Caleb awoke with a gasp, drenched in sweat but chilled to the bone. He'd had the same recurring dream for weeks now, always the same harsh wind, the same field, and the same dark figure except that this time it had actually gotten close to him. It had whispered in his mind. He didn't know what it meant, but he knew it wasn't a coincidence, it rarely was. Remembering the last time he'd had strange dreams, Caleb knew something was wrong.

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