Chapter 7 The Stranger #2
She has always been into things that are dark, creepy or just plain weird, so adventuring out to find the cursed tombstone doesn’t surprise me.
I can’t say for sure how many times I’ve heard her claim that ghosts and witches most likely exist, even vampires, at times.
She’s obsessed with ‘uncovering the truth and secrets of the world,’ as she says, refusing to admit that life might just be this.
Mundane. Boring. Although, after all I’ve seen and experienced this past year, I’m finally on her side with this.
There are definitely secrets that need uncovering.
I wonder again if Olivia believes all the crazy things I told her about our parents’ deaths more than she cares to admit.
If anyone would, it’d be her. Her and Katie both tend to run toward that which most people would run from.
They go on antique runs all over the state, hunting for cursed objects and antique artifacts.
The first thing Katie does is check the jewelry section for my mom’s amulet.
She knows how much it meant to me. I don’t believe I’ll ever see it again.
“Give me a minute. I want to stay with them a little bit longer.”
It’s the truth, but also, I refuse to risk bringing any more doom or gloom into my life with cursed objects. I have enough of that going on already.
I watch her mindlessly roam around, brushing dirt off random grave markers and kneeling to get a closer look.
My eyes wander back to the woods, and my heart leaps out of my chest. I grip the grass at my sides with both hands, hoping the touch against the earth will ground me and bring me back to reality.
In the shadows I make out a figure standing there watching me.
It wears all black. What stands out most are the huge, feathery black wings peeking out from behind its back and the bright green eyes that pierce into my soul.
Darkness has such a tight hold on me that no matter where I go or who I’m with, it will surely follow.
What does it want from me? I stand up slowly, taking a small step forward to get a closer look.
It takes two steps back. My hands tremble and my eyes widen as the fear of what this thing might want with me takes over my thoughts.
Is it an angel or something sinister disguised as one?
Olivia steps up beside me, first gazing at me and then letting her eyes drift to the spot mine are locked on in the darkness between the swaying trees.
“What are we looking at?” She asks, squinting her eyes in the direction of the lurker.
I raise my hand, pointing a finger in the direction of the figure. “That. Don’t you see him? He’s just watching me. Him or it, I-I don’t know.” My voice is slow and hushed, not wanting the stranger to hear me.
She looks at me and then back at the trees before settling back on me for good. “There’s nothing there. Just… a whole lot of trees.” She gently places her hand on my shoulder. “We should get you home. You need rest.”
“Who are you?” I whisper, more to myself than for my sister.
“Nora, who the hell are you talking to? There’s literally no one there.”
I take a step forward and then another, before deciding to throw all caution to the wind as I full on run toward the dark figure.
I don’t care what happens when I reach him.
I don’t care if my mind is playing tricks on me or deceiving me.
I need to face him. The wind whips across my face and everything around me fades away.
Each time my bare feet meet the cold grass, I push myself forward with more urgency.
I sprint toward the man or thing or angel, refusing to let him get away.
I need to know what he is. I need to know why he keeps showing up and why he’s watching me.
“Nora! Stop!” Olivia yells, and her heavy breathing follows close behind me.
All I can focus on is the stranger. On his dark hood and the dark wings and the dark aura that emanates around him.
He isn’t hiding. He wants me to see; I can feel it.
As I reach the tree line, bright green eyes glisten from within the shadows.
White teeth come into view, as a smile made of temptation and secrets flashes across his face.
He’s enjoying this, seeing me desperate to find out the truth.
Right before I reach him, so close I could almost touch the feathery wings, the creature nods once before leaping into the air and disappearing somewhere within the glimmers of starlight.
I’m left standing alone, spinning in circles within the trees as I stare up at the sky.
The sound of flapping wings drowns out the frantic screams of Olivia as she races over to me.
I can’t tear my eyes away from the canopy of trees above us, hoping to get a glimpse of him between them so I can beg him to come back.
To not run or hide. All I want is for him to talk to me, to prove that he’s real.
I need him to explain why the hell he’s here and what he wants with me.
To tell me how I ended up on top of that bridge and why the hell he swooped in to save me. I need to know what he is.
As terrified as a part of me feels whenever I’m in his presence, there’s also a part of me that’s intrigued and left in awe. Knowing something so beautiful can exist within the darkness leaves me wanting to know more.
To know him.