Out of the Shadows Read Online Free

intimidating. Even if she knew Keri wished her no harm, the recent past mirrored the horrors she long-ago faced at the hands of her classmates. She should never have divulged her secret to Keri, not even out of desperation. Lori didn’t want to be ostracized.
    Clearing her throat, she glanced away. “Just a nightmare.” It couldn’t be a vision. After all, Terrence was firmly dead. Nothing could bring him back to life.
    She answered Keri’s comforting murmur with a quiet wish to be alone. Although hesitant, the blonde left. Lori pulled her knees to her chest.
    “What have I done with my life?”
    Memories of the past few months hemmed her in, stifling her. Fear of discovery, fear of prosecution held her immobile. She struggled to draw air into lungs that seemed reluctant to cooperate with her. As the room began to spin, she knew she had to get some fresh air. Every recollection was tainted with thoughts of Terrence.
    Why did she have to realize she loved him only after he was dead?
    Shaking the thought away, she lunged for her dresser and threw on the first clothes at her fingertips. Black jeans, a form-fitting shirt. Her fingers trembled as she tried to draw on her netted gloves. Finally abandoning the task, she shoved her feet into her heavy heeled boots.
    Makeup. Armor. But with her shaking hands, she would only smear it. Plus, Keri could walk in. Lori would rather dive back into her nightmare than face the leggy blonde. Swiping her bus pass and a few bills off the top of her dresser, she stumbled out the door. At the last minute, she circled back for her coat.
    It was early. Too early. The sun hadn’t even gone down yet. Where could she go at this time of day? Slowly placing one foot in front of the other, Lori tried to appear composed. Controlled. And not at all vulnerable. Her fellow students at the university passed without giving her a second glance.
    She pulled her collar closer around her neck to fend off the November nip in the air. Aimlessly walking, she crossed to the family-owned cafe close to the campus. After the waitress placed her order of coffee and a sandwich in front of her, Lori stared woodenly at the offering. Shadows of her dream still lingered. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled, like she was being watched. Like Terrence was watching her.
    Ridiculous. Even if he’d turned into the undead creature he pretended to be, he didn’t go out in daylight. Fortunately, the sun still shone.
    Unfortunately, the coming of winter soon caused the light to wane. Lori forced herself to take a bite of her sandwich. It tasted like charcoal, though the bread wasn’t burnt. A sip of her coffee soothed her stomach somewhat, enough that she could take another bite. After a minute, she left her uneaten food on the table, paid for the meal, and left.
    The city darkened in an instant, as though clouds crossed the sun. The darkness deepened into night as she walked. Briskly. Without the light of the sun, the cold penetrated her. Eventually, she gave in and boarded a bus.
    The coming of night led her to Underground, her favorite gothic club. At this time of night, she was greeted by eerie silence instead of roaring music. But the doors were open.
    As she trudged past, she gave a cursory glance to the interior. Somehow, it felt so large without the usual crush of patrons. Gaping, like it would swallow her whole. She put such fancies from her mind, turned her face away from the sole other early-bird patron, and claimed her spot at the bar.
    Scissors, the shaggy-haired bartender, parted her lips in surprise upon seeing Lori. The tips of her fake fangs flashed before the bartender pursed her lips. “Lori, what are you doing here so early?”
    Lori croaked, “Scotch.”
    Without the other patrons, this place reminded her of Terrence. This was where he had first pressed his unwanted advances against her. Unwanted , she repeated inwardly. She didn’t need him. But the thought didn’t blot the flush of remorse