Answered

 

It had truly shaped up to be one of those weeks. The kind where absolutely nothing you do is right. Work was pissing me off, everything that had gone wrong was somehow my fault. The attitudes of other workers were really starting to get to me. I had been looking for other work, but what with my new found single status and trying to set up my new house, time was short for such things. So, I carried on, applied the fake smile every morning and walked through the doors. I work through the same routine, get done what I had to, and then walk out at the end of the day. Back to my new home, eat, watch a bit of television, drink a few cold tins and then sleep. Back up in the morning to do it all again. Yes indeed people, I was living the dream.

But the day I’m talking about now, was a little different, it was a Friday. Friday night and my weekend to have my son with me.

Finishing up, I drove to my old house, exchanged a few words with my ex, and picked up my four-year-old mini me. Trying to get away as quick as I could I finished up the pointless small talk and drove off. The music up loud, we sang songs from the playlist I had created for him.

By the time we got away, it was getting towards half past seven. By the time I would have got him back to mine it would have been far too late for cooking. So, I did the only thing left to us, stopped at a roadside fast food place for dinner.  We had burgers, chips and milkshakes. Although Ben was far more interested in the cheap plastic toy than his actual meal. I use the term ‘meal’ loosely. Floppy burgers in soggy rolls and undercooked chips wasn’t my thing. But hey, what do I know? Millions of people eat in places like that every day, so who am I to argue?

So, by the time we got back to my place, it was gone nine. I took Ben up to bed. I helped him with his pyjamas and waited while he peed and brushed his teeth.

Coming out of the bathroom, Ben asked if he could sleep in my bed. I knew why, every time he had slept in my house he had woken to nightmares. He’d said people were calling to him, chasing him and trying to get him. He’s said that we weren’t safe. So, for the sake of a night’s rest, he’d end up in my bed and pretty much take it over.

I never gave it much thought other than the divorce was rough on him, and the imagination of a four-year-old in a strange house. So I never thought any more of it.

I had since his last visit, completely redecorated his room. He had posters of all his favourite stuff all over the walls. He’d brought his favourite teddy bear with him so I was sure we’d be just fine and have no nightmares this time.

Reading him a story, we laughed at my silly voices and we made the actions together, making the story real. Soon, he yawned and stretched his arms for a goodnight hug. We hugged, I kissed him goodnight, told him I loved him and said to sleep well. He settled down, closed his eyes, clutched the bear tight and soon drifted off to sleep.

I went downstairs and had a cup of tea, no alcohol on Ben’s weekends. Washing the mug out, I decided to turn in myself. We had a busy weekend planned so I wanted to be ready for when he woke me at the crack of dawn.

Grabbing a quick shower, I dried, pulled on an old pair of boxer shorts and climbed into bed. It wasn’t long before my eyes were too heavy to keep open and I drifted off into a deep sleep.

 

I could hear my name being called. It was clearly Ben calling me, but it was odd. He never called me by my name, it was always Dad or Daddy. But I could hear his voice calling me clear as a bell.

“Simon, can you hear me?” He was calling. “I need you, Simon. Please answer me.”

Checking my phone, it was just after three in the morning. “Simon, can you hear me?” Ben continued to call.

“I can hear you, I’m coming.” I called back through the darkness. Silence followed as I threw the covers back and climbed sleepily from my bed.

I figured he had heard me and the sound of my voice had calmed him. It didn’t even register at that point in my half-awake state that his voice hadn’t sounded worried. It was flat and calm, no emotion in it at all.

Walking from my room, I moved down the hall and into his bedroom. I could see Ben’s small form curled up. He looked asleep so I gently knelt by his bed to check.

Placing a hand on his shoulder I spoke to him. “Ben, it’s Daddy. Are you okay little man?”

Ben didn’t move, but he spoke slowly and very clearly. “Daddy, when they call, you’re not supposed to answer.”

That was all he said. Now I won’t lie, not much gives me the creeps. But the simple words in an innocent voice flooded my body with goosebumps. A chill ran the length of my back and caused the hairs on my neck to stand on end.

I stayed still, listening to Ben breathe gently as he slept.

Leaving him to sleep I got up and started to walk back to my room, I was halfway there when I trod on his bear. How the hell did you get out here, I wondered as I stooped to pick the bear up. Quickly taking it back I laid it beside Ben and left. I could have sworn I heard a growl and a thump as I left, so I turned back to find the bear on the far side of the room. I figured I had disturbed him and Ben had thrown the bear,

I went back to bed, quickly, the goosebumps still covering me. I pulled the covers up tight to ward of the intense cold I was feeling. I couldn’t shake a feeling that something wasn’t quite right, but it was late, or early depending on your perspective, and I was tired. I did sleep, not well, but I slept. My dreams where full of voices.

We woke the next morning and were both really excited for our day out together. Eating peanut butter on toast and drinking milk, I asked Ben about him calling out to me in the night. He giggled and called me silly. He said he didn’t call to me and slept the best he ever had. He told me it was because Daddy had made his room the bestest ever.

I figured he just forgot, but I was really pleased that my hard work in his room had made him so happy.

So, convincing myself that it was a simple case of talking in his sleep, He had heard other people, including his mum call me by my name, so was it really so strange he would do it too? But telling me I shouldn’t answer them. Them? I decided not to try and work out the mind of a sleeping four-year-old. A man could go crazy if he tried. So instead I sent Ben up to get dressed while I did our dishes.

Sink full of soapy water, I started to wash the plates. That was when I heard Ben call, “Simon,” from behind me.

“Just a sec, I hear you.” I said. I felt him tugging on my dressing gown as I dried my hands. “Okay, okay. Hang on little dude” I said turning around. Ben wasn’t there, I was alone in the kitchen.

“Ben?” I called in confusion.

“What’s matter Daddy?” Came the garbled reply through a mouth full of toothpaste from upstairs.

“Ben, what did you want?” I asked. “Why were you down here just then?”

I could hear Ben giggle. “Daddy, you’re so silly. I’m here. I got dressed all by my own. I’m doing my teeth.”

“Okay, Buddy.” I half-heartedly said back, my mind totally confused. I went back to the kitchen, I stopped and starred at the tomato sauce that had been poured over the counter.

What the hell. I thought as I looked at the mess. I couldn’t work out how it got there but I had to clean it up. I went to reach over for the dish cloth but my arm felt as if I’d plunged it into sub-zero temperatures. I snatched my arm back and starred in disbelief as I saw an invisible finger move through the sauce. My mouth stood open as I watched the words ‘you answered us’ appear in the thick sauce.

The chill from the night was back, I could see my breath on the air in front of me. My arms were cold and I could feel the gooseflesh rise. My heart sped up and pounded my chest. I don’t mind admitting that in that moment, I was scared shitless.

Tearing up the stairs, I did my bathroom stuff in record time and got dressed in less than ten minutes. I had no idea what was happening, I didn’t want to overreact, but I had to get Ben out. I figured a room at a roadside hotel would be the best bet for the night ahead. How could I bring my boy back here? I had no idea what to do. I’d get him back to his mother the next day, and then face whatever was happening.

I could hear dark throaty chuckles as I carried Ben down the stairs. I was holding him close and wasn’t going to let him go.

“Daddy?” Ben said as we reached the front door.

“Yes mate?” I said.

“You can hear them laughing, can’t you? Why did you answer them? You shouldn’t have done that Daddy. I told you they talk, and now they’re gonna get me.”

The blood drained from my face, I felt it go cold as my whole body felt weak. I reached for the front door handle but never made it. The voice behind me stopped me as I froze and listened.

“Where do you think you’re going, Simon?”

I turned slowly and looked back at the figure. It stood stock still and pointed at us. “Nowhere, you can’t leave. You’re ours now, both of you. You answered us, you belong to us now.”

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