A/N
The first of many story updates I hope. I stopped working on all my stories cuz I lost the life and excitement of it. Reviews stopped coming in, author's stopped talking to me, inspiration stopped coming, and school was too much work than it needed to be.
I do hope you enjoy the latest chapter. I want to write more of this and another story. Without further rambling, chapter 8 of Retention.
VIII
It started with a stray noise. Mary figured it was nothing. Another noise echoed. She opened her eyes slowly, looking around. Kyle was gone. She leapt out of bed, snatching some things off her desk before taking off through the house. She couldn't find Kyle. The front door was wide open. She rushed out.
"Kyle!?" She called.
She heard the car start. The car was out back. Rushing around to the back of the house, she found the car lights on. Kyle sat in the driver's seat. The car revved. Mary found her way into the passenger's seat before the car took off for its unknown location. Kyle only glanced at her once before taking off.
"Where are we going?" Mary offered in the sweetest voice she could muster.
"Anywhere." The tone was unnatural to her. She tried not to panic.
"When'd you learn to drive?"
He didn't answer.
"Kyle…is there anything you want to…"
"Not Kyle."
"What?"
"Knockout."
Mary kept quiet. They drove out of town. It was late at night, no one on the road. The street lamps were the only source of light. She continued to look between Kyle and the clock. They left at around midnight. They drove in silence until two.
"Sweetie, are you okay?" Mary offered.
"Shut up."
"I think we need to talk. Talking always helps."
"Not always."
"Just talk to me!"
Kyle turned to Mary. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest. His eyes were burning red, narrowed at her. She slowly placed a hand on his. She kept eye contact, hoping that Kyle would come back, even if for just a moment. This wasn't Kyle. This was someone else.
"Kyle, please. Just listen to me," Mary begged. "Everything's going to be fine. I promise."
The color was fading from his eyes. He shook his head, groaning. Suddenly, the car began to swerve. Mary leapt onto the wheel as Kyle slumped downward. They pulled off the street, slowing to a stop.
"Kyle?"
"Mary?"
Kyle looked up lightly, looking weary and broken. She offered a smile, nodding lightly.
"Where are we?" whispered Kyle, looking around. "Are we in the car?"
"Yes. You took us for a drive," agreed Mary.
"I drove!?" he gasped.
She nodded again. This was normal. He must've blacked out. As he continued to ramble, she thought of what had just occurred. Knockout. Instead of blackouts…was this a split personality thing? She perked, watched as Kyle exited the car. He stumbled and fell into the road.
"Kyle!"
Mary jumped, rushing around the car to find him on the ground. She pulled him up slowly. Kyle snarled, shoving her aside. His eyes were bright red again as he slowly stood. He smiled, chuckling as he stumbled about the side of the road.
"Kyle, are you okay?" Mary gasped.
"Those…those stupid fools!" he howled. "My life was perfect until they came! It was perfect!"
He spun around, glaring at Mary. His eyes burned a bright red color. His smile twisted as he approached her. Mary backed up, reaching around for anything.
"Kyle…please!"
"Not Kyle…Knockout!"
Mary reacted quickly, kicking Kyle in the side. He gulped, eyes quickly changing colors, before falling to the ground. Mary covered her mouth, yelping slightly. She stepped over to him. She nudged him slightly. He grumbled, sitting up.
"Mary…what…" he groaned. "The voice…how'd it get…so loud?"
"What voice?" Mary whispered.
"He's…so loud," whimpered Kyle, holding his head. "Make it stop! Get him out!"
Mary helped him stand up. They moved toward the back of the car. Kyle stumbled once or twice, falling to the ground beside the wheel. Mary opened the trunk. It wasn't much of a trunk, more of a back seat. She didn't have anything back there, leaving enough room for Kyle to lie down.
"You!"
Suddenly, Kyle sat up quickly, clawing at her. Mary yelped, slamming down the trunk door. Kyle sat stunned a moment but soon began pounding on the glass. Mary stepped back slowly. She made sure to snatch the keys beforehand and with a jittered tap of a finger, locked Kyle in the car.
"What…what do I do?" she whispered, kneeling. "I don't…"
She reached into her pockets, searching for anything that might spark an idea. She pulled out her cell phone and a folded piece of paper. She shook her head. Useless. She could call an ambulance but what sense would they make of Kyle? They'd lock him up, calling him mentally mad. Then again, he might be. Fiddling with the folded paper, Mary perked, noticing the number written on it.
"Benny?" she smiled, quickly dialing the number into her phone. He said he knew Kyle before. Maybe this was connected. It had to be.
She waited anxiously as the ringing echoed. Eventually, the ring stopped, along with Mary's heart. She waited for a noise. She closed her eyes, whispering a hello that she barely heard. She pleaded for an answer.
"Hello?" the other replied.
"Benny!" Mary cried.
"Miss Mary?"
"Yes, oh yes!" she pleaded.
"Is everything alright?" Benny gasped. "Are you alright? And Kyle?"
"I only have one…one question for you," she hissed, holding back the many curse words she waited to place before question.
"Yes?"
"Who the hell is Knockout?"