Chapter 12- Darkening Shadows

The entire office surrounded Tracy's desk as we retold the events of the previous day. The news didn't report anything about the driver of the overturned truck, only that an "Unfortunate accident led to one of the cities worst traffic jams." As Tracy described the horrific scene the group sat silently. Kenzie, the filing intern, gasped when Tracy told of the scratches on his face. "Just like Lucas!"

Jeff, who normally wouldn't shut up about any type of conspiracy, stood there without saying a word. Dwayne, noticing his silence, turned to him. "You're awfully quiet. Don't you have some theory that you and your internet friends know all about?" Jeff looked somber. "That's just the thing," he said in an almost whisper-like tone. "There's tons about it. Not just on the conspiracy blogs either. It's making mainstream media." He leaned over Tracy and pulled up a web browser on her computer. He typed "psychotic outburst" into the search bar and clicked the "news" tab. Instantly dozens of stories appeared. The group looked in awe as they read the first few headlines:

"Woman maimed in violent attack"
"Man mauled by crazed neighbor"
"Children killed by psychotic parents"
"Man self mutilates, kills wife and 3 children"
"Insane worker attacks boss"
"Psychotic outburst in assisted living center claims life of 2 seniors"
"Child scratches sister's face off"
"Psychotic man bites jogger in fit of rage"

The list went on and on, each more gruesome than the last. Jeff turned to the others and said "That's not all- look at this" he typed in "Bath Salts" in the search and almost every entry described a similar event, every report attributing some horrific behavior to bath salts. "Why now? Why all of a sudden?" Marcie, the HR generalist asked. "Normally I would dismiss Jeff's claims as conspiracy nonsense, but after what we saw this week, and what you saw yesterday..." Darryl motioned toward Tracy and me. "I don't know. It's at least... plausible, right?" the group was silent.

"We need a chemist" Jeff said matter-of-factly. Someone who understands the chemical composition of Bath salts and what they might do to the body if eaten. "What good is that?" Dwayne asked. "How many of these people actually ATE bath salts. mean, come on, a man and his wife BOTh eat them and then kill their kids? Its gotta be something else." We all looked at Dwayne in surprise. Jeff, looking triumphant, patted Dwayne on the back and said "now YOU sound like the conspiracy theorist."

Suddenly an e-mail appeared in Tracy's inbox and one of the Managers walked by.  Everyone quickly moved to their own desks to read it.

To: All employees
Subject: Memorial Services for Lucas Hamburg

As many of you know, custodian Lucas Hamburg passed away on Monday.

Memorial services will be held this afternoon at Shady Willows Funeral Home, located at 142 Grandview drive.

Any employees who wish to attend these memorial services may do so on company time by visiting HR and completing a bereavement form. Nothing will be deducted from your time off allotment nor will you receive any change in your pay.

For those of you who wish to discuss the events that occurred on Monday, the passing of Mr. Hamburg, or any other subject, be aware that grief counseling is available as part of the comprehensive health care coverage provided by the company. See your HR representative for details.

We hope all employees will be able to mourn this passing appropriately and return to thier duties at their earliest convenience.

Sincerely, The HR Department.

"Can you believe the insensitivity?" Dwayne whispered. "I mean 'be aware that grief counseling is part of your benefits package?' it's like their using Lucas' death to promote how generous the company is, like it's more important to be grateful for the expansive benefits program than to think about Lucas." Jeff's brow was furrowed. "I'm more worried about what they didn't say than what they did." He paused, looking around to be sure no Managers could hear his next words. "There's no mention of suicide, disease, anything. They still don't even know why he died! Have they swept for germs? Quarantined the office? No! We could be exposed to some freakish new disease and they're too busy maximizing on their investment in health care!" Jeff slumped into his chair, frustrated yet clearly feeling powerless.

Jeff had a point. We didn't know what caused Lucas to kill himself, and if all these other events were associated in any way. I motioned to Tracy. She grabbed some files and pretended to discuss some accounting matter with me. "What's up?" she asked. "You overheard Jeff and Dwayne, right?" I whispered, pointing at line 37 on the printout. "What if it's contagious? What if we've all been exposed to it?" She shrugged. "I don't know. It seems too... random." She pointed to the bottom of the page and handed me a pen, and I pretended to sign the form.

"Hey, about our date..." I stopped short and didn't finish my sentence. "Look, I'd really like to play that game of golf with you, but it feels.." I searched for the right words. "...wrong right now?" she finished my sentence. I nodded in agreement. "It's almost like entertainment isn't as important right now, with everything that is going on...  Oh, I don't know, if this really is the beginning of the end, maybe we'll wish we played those 9 holes." She smiled at me knowingly. "Wow. Giving up already, huh?" I was taken back. "If this is the end," she said confidently, "I'm gonna survive it and have the whole course to myself!" She closed her folder and walked back to her desk, turning and giving me a wink as she sat down.

We stood around the grave in the hot afternoon sun. There weren't many people from the office there, and I didn't see anyone that looked like they could have been family. In fact, the only stranger to us was the man in the suit standing at the head of the casket. We never knew Lucas to be a religious man, but he did keep mostly to himself. I can't say I've met many social janitors, perhaps there's something about such a job that draws those seeking solitude. As we stared at the hardwood casket, the man in the suit spoke:

"We didn't know Lucas. Not as he really is. His true nature was hidden from us, and will be buried with him in the earth. But those who believe know that this is not the end for him. Our friend Lucas will rise again, and when he does he will will feel no pain, no sorrow. When he rises he will reach out to those he held dear. Until that day comes we'll remain here, waiting, watching." As he finished I looked into the distance and saw two men watching us.

The walk to the train felt slower tonight. My senses were heightened and I felt on edge. A man walking by coughed as he passed me and I jumped back defensively. A homeless woman begging in the stairway stared at me with dead eyes, her hand outstretched, not begging, but reaching. I shrank back nervously, afraid that I might contract some invisible disease. On the train I found myself worrying that the bar I was holding might be infected from the hands of previous travelers. Facing an unknown adversary was maddening, and I could almost feel something in the air all around me, clutching at me, trying to grasp me in its claws.

When I arrived home I ate a meager meal and went to bed early, though I didn't sleep well. Repeating nightmares thrust me back into the office, where the scarred faces of my co-workers loomed ever closer, their fingernails heading towards my eyes...