All Chapters of Hunting for Midnight: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

On a warm summer night two years ago in June, I had come home earlier than expected from a trip to the mall with Kyra. Quietly opening my bedroom door, hearing slapping sounds of skin on skin from within, I balked at the sight of Randy fucking Katie Connelly in the ass on my bed.I remember every single moment of that horrible night. The sinking sensation inside my chest as my heart shattered into a million pieces. The bile rose to my throat and my stomach dropped to the floor. Standing there in shock with my arms slack at my sides, motionless, gaping as the two of them scrambled off of the bed and away from each other after catching sight of me in the doorway.The image of Randy’s stunned face right before my fist connected with his nose. The punch broke his nose with a loud crack, spraying blood all over his face and chest. I didn’t notice the damage I had done to his nose while so distraught and screaming at him.“How could you fucking do this to me?!” I shrieked over and over in h

Public transportation buses always have a funky smell. I can’t be the only one who notices this. Glancing around, the pinched expression on the other passengers' faces supported my observation. Especially the elderly man who is sitting beside me at the back of the bus. Actually, he looks down right sour at the moment.“Beautiful morning isn’t it?” I remarked casually, holding my hand out in invitation to shake his. "My name is Leslie. Leslie Sherman.”Hesitating for a moment, the elderly man eyed me warily. He’s tall, thin and has a slight beer gut. Wearing gold-rimmed glasses that are held up by his long-beaked nose, he glances at me with bright moss-green eyes. “Edward.” He responds dryly with a quick shake of my hand.“So where are you headed to?” I wondered, fidgeting with the bottom hem of my canvas and sherpa-lined vest. “I’m hiking today at Acadia National Park.”“Hmph, I can tell.” The man remarks with a snort as if I’ve offended him in some way.Scrunching my face at his gruf

The immediate events that transpired after Randy dropped to his knees in front of me in the spare room were dreamlike at first but quickly turned into a horrific nightmare. It all happened so fast, without any rational thoughts or reasoning to stop either of us.Circling his arms around my waist, Randy buries his face into my chest after confessing he would never stop fighting for me, hugging me tightly. I stood there motionless at first with my arms slack at my sides, so overwhelmed and numb from the shock of last night. I faintly hear the front door of the apartment open and close, indicating Kyra had left, leaving Randy and I alone with one another.Not entirely aware of my own reaction, my arms rose and enfolded around his shoulders with my hand cradling the back of his head on my chest. This feels so right, and I hate that it does. Our bodies pressed together, his warmth and strong arms holding me tight, never wanting him to let me go. Internally, my emotions battle each other wi

Sitting in the Jeep, I shake my head, clearing away the intrusive thoughts depicting odd metaphors of figurative pendulums with truth sharpened blades… and decide to give Kyra a call. I barely slept at all last night, causing my overly tired brain to conjure up some rather bizarre ideas. Maybe I'll suggest a nap to Randy when he comes back. Some sleep will probably do both of us some good.The phone scarcely makes it through the second ring before Kyra picks up, speaking with an anxious, grave tone. She doesn't bother to answer with a hello or any sort of greeting.“Leslie! You saw what she posted didn't you?” Kyra blurts out.“Saw what who posted?” I inquired, feeling a sense of dread wash over me.Releasing a long exhale before clarifying, Kyra fills me in. “Oh God. Leslie, I’m so sorry girl. Katie posted pictures of her and Randy all over each other online. It’s on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. She tagged Randy in them as well.”This actually isn't all that shocking to be honest

“Look at me baby girl. Keep your eyes on me and do not look down. I've got you, okay?”Randy speaks to me in a calm, reassuring manner that I'm not sure if I'd be capable of if the roles were reversed in this type of situation. The situation in particular is that I am currently dangling forty feet above several sinkholes in the floors below the abandoned insane asylum we were scouting out. The tearing sound of my hoodie sleeve clenched in Randy's hand peels my eyes away from his. “Randy!” I screamed, my voice shrill with terror, tears streaming down my face.Mere moments ago, I was walking behind Randy down the decrepit patient ward hallway on the fourth floor of the massive Victorian-period asylum. The walls and floors were littered with graffiti, garbage and chunks of the decaying fallen pieces of the ceiling and walls. His long legs and strides stepped over the rotten, sinking section of the floor hidden beneath an empty torn black garbage bag spread over the floor. My shorter l