Free The Beast Within by Jonathan Yanez Page B

with him, the urge inside of him was forcing his body to go on when it had no reason. Connor lost himself once again and reveled in this inner force.
    Two hours had passed before Connor looked at the time. Every muscle in his body yearned for rest and begged him for a break. Connor was drenched again, but he felt better. He would get answers today one way or the other. Exiting the building, he made the journey home. Like most days, his mother was already gone tending to the store. He let himself in, almost robotically ran through the motions of showering and dressing. Today he decided on jeans, his Converse and a white shirt, laughing to himself when he realized the outfit he picked was the same one he had seen his statue wear in his dream the previous night.
    He was interrupted by the familiar jingle of his ringtone. It was his mother calling. “Hi, Mom.”
    “Hey, honey, did I wake you?”
    “Nope. Already been to the gym and back, and now I’m headed to see you.”
    “Oh good. Can you do me a favor? Mrs. Hayes is complaining about her delivery yesterday. She said we brought the wrong product over or there was a mix up; to be honest it was hard understanding her.”
    “I know what you mean. I can head over to her house on my way to the store. It’s not that far out of the way.”
    “Thanks, sweetie.”
    “Hey, Mom?”
    “Yes?”
    “Maybe later today can we talk?”
    “Of course. Are you okay?”
    “I’m fine, it’s just, well, I have some questions … about Dad”
    The line was quiet for a second. “You got it. I can answer whatever you need to know to the best of my ability.”
    Connor felt a wave of relief, “Thanks, Mom.”
    “No problem. See you soon. I love you, Connor.”
    “Love you, too.”
    He hung up the phone and immediately felt better. It was funny how parents could have such an effect on their child. A weight had been lifted from his shoulders. In a few hours he would get some answers and, with any luck, be able to chalk this whole thing up to paranoia; or to a beautiful girl taking him out of his comfort zone and causing him to have delusions of grandeur.
    After a few minutes’ ride in his truck, he pulled up to Mrs. Hayes’ house. The tan two-story home seemed a little slanted, but that could just be his imagination. Connor parked out front, opened the wooden gate, and walked towards her front door. People could say what they wanted about her sanity, but she was one hell of a gardener. Her vegetables were perfect and her flowers were so flawless they looked fake.
    Connor walked up the two small steps to her creaky wooden porch and knocked on her screen door. There was no response. Opening the screen, Connor rapped a little louder on the wooden door.
    “I hear you, young Connor, go ahead come on in—door’s open.”
    Connor tried the door and sure enough, it was unlocked., He swung it open and stepped inside. Although he had known her for years, made countless deliveries to her and had plenty of conversations with the woman, he had never actually been in her house.
    No sooner had he placed a foot inside than his ears were met with the patter of multiple running paws. Rounding the corner were the biggest bulldog and bloodhound Connor had ever seen. He knew he should probably be scared, but Connor had always loved dogs, and this pair, despite their size, didn’t seem threatening.
    The two dogs rushed to meet him, panting their hellos. The bulldog was white and light brown, his comrade the same shade of brown, but black instead of white. They greeted him like old friends with sloppy licks and happy nudges.
    “Oh, I’m sorry,” Mrs. Hayes called from the other room. “Boys, go to your rooms and leave our poor friend alone.”
    The two dogs reluctantly but obediently left Connor’s side.
    “I didn’t know you had dogs,” Connor shouted to the empty air, still unable to see her.
    “Oh yes, they’re just usually out at work.”
    Recovering from the onslaught of welcomes, and