Chapter Two
Clayton
A small body falls on my torso as I wrap my arms around her tightly, taking the fall.
When the bridge broke, I pulled her to me with all my strength letting us fall backwards.
My back hits the ground, rolling us around till we finally stop.
Opening my eyes as I’m met with two glistening ice blue doe eyes, strikes of white sketch around the irises.
I stare astonished by their color, reminding me of the first time I got frostbite.
Coldness tears your skin but you can’t help yourself and keep reaching the ice to rub it between your fingers.
Cold hands press onto my chest as she holds herself on top of me.
That’s when I take my gaze off her eyes and white paint my vision.
Her eyelashes are as white as her hair falling down her body like ice gliding down the mountains around Grimridge, Pale strands sticking onto her forehead as she gazes down at me.
She pushes herself off me, breaking our trance as she sits back on her knees, looking at me then back to the now non-existent bridge.
Suddenly she throws herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck, her hair a curtain hiding her.
“Thank you.” Her sob muffled.
My hands are hovering close to her back, hesitating. I never like to touch people, only if necessary. I waited for myself to panic or push her away. But my body relaxes and holds her to me, patting her back in friendliness.
“You’re safe, it’s okay.” I soothe her, wishing it works for her too.
After a few minutes, her breathing slows and she pulls away and wipes away her tears as she calms down. Her lips tilt up into a smile as she reaches out her hand. “My name is Elsie, what’s yours?”
“Clayton.”
I reach and shake her hand in mine. Her smile widened, her eyes had an excited gleam into it as if she didn’t think I would respond.
“I like your name, can I call you Clay?” She giggles. “I know it’s a silly name.”
I didn’t find her joke funny but a smile breaks on my face.
She’s kind and intriguing in the way I feel her excitement and friendliness. The air around her seemed lighter. The pressure on my chest disappeared.
“What were you doing here?” I ask her.
She sighs. “My parents and I go to the woods once a week to camp, today we didn’t because they needed to fix the car. So, I sneaked out and just wanted to explore. I hope they won’t be mad.”
Her smile falters as she looks down into her lap feeling guilty “I really didn’t think I would be going this far into the woods.”
A pause stretched out between us.
“How old are you?”
Well it looks like she does not like the silence.
“I’m ten.”
“I’m almost nine! But I’m definitely taller than you.” She sticks out her tongue at me.
I frown as I quickly stand up. “No, you’re not.”
She stands up as well and it’s obvious by our height difference that I’m taller than her but she giggles at my frown. “You're silly, Clay.”
Realizing that she just wanted to tease me. I smile as she holds out her pinkie.
Okay, she's a little funny.
“Would you like to be my friend?
I reach the back of my neck scratching it awkwardly. She looks up at me hopeful and something about her eyes, hair and demeanor just felt that I belong.
I wrap our pinkies together and nod.
We sit down, our backs resting on a rock as we talk.
“Let me guess, your favorite color is….brown?”
I shake my head as we have been playing guessing games for a while. Which she insisted on to build our friendship.
“Ugh! It’s my fourth guess already.”
The thing is, I don’t even have a favorite color. But I don't want to lower her spirit or ruin our game.
“Blue.” I look at her.
I have decided just this instance that blue is my forever favorite color.
Ice blue specifically.
“Why are your eyelashes white?” I ask suddenly, my intrigue couldn’t hold my tongue.
She wraps her arms around herself, it’s still raining so she’s probably freezing and definitely would catch a cold.
“Dad said that it’s called albinism, and that it’s rare and beautiful! But some girls at my old school made fun of me.”
I hold the hem of my soaked sweater and pull it off, holding it for her to wear. I know it won’t help much since it’s as soaked as her clothes but it would make me feel better.
“I agree with your dad, it’s pretty.” I clear my throat. She smiles as color erupts on her cheeks.
“Thank you.”
She takes the sweater and puts it on her. Even if it’s cold, she doesn’t show it.
“Aren’t your parents probably searching for you now?”
She looks at her watch and her eyes widen. It’s been 4 hours. We have been sitting, talking for hours in the rain and I didn’t care about anything. My parents or the water I worked hard to fill but gave it to her with no hesitation when she was thirsty.
Having someone to talk to is…nice
“I have to go.”
The words fill my heart with disappointment as I follow her, standing up quickly.
“Wait.”
Please don’t leave me.
“How will you cross the river? It's dangerous.”
She looks down at the river. I wasn’t taller than most boys my age but definitely taller than her.
“Hold onto me.” before she can comprehend what I said. I wrap my arms around her middle as I hoist her up as much as I can. She yelps “What are you doing, Clay?” I ignore her.
I step into the river carefully, testing the water deepness. My feet touch the bottom and the water reaches my chest. I hoist her up more as I slowly take one step at a time. The current is pushing me but I hold myself down, tightening my hold onto her.
The water is rising and I underestimated it.
“Clay!” Her lips tremble.
I can’t feel the bottom of the river anymore.
“Don’t let go Elsie.” She wraps her arms around my neck as I swim, pushing with my feet to keep us up top. Water hits my mouth as I dive in and keep her reaching the surface as I kick with my legs and hold my breath.
Just a little more.
Kick.
Push.
My lungs tighten and I need to inhale. I keep calm to maneuver the water. A muffled cry for my name echoes. It drives me to keep swimming. My vision blurs as I start to lose consciousness. The water starts to lower as we finally reach the other side. I gulp for air as I resurface.
“Are you insane?!” She yells as she looks at me like I have grown horns.
I chuckle reaching for my missing glasses as a habit.
“Some might think that.”
She shakes her head and looks back over her shoulder at the woods ahead. “I will just go the way I came.”
She waves at me “It’s nice meeting you and I hope we meet again soon.”
She starts to walk away and I follow her instinctively. She looks back at me “Can I walk with you home? At least to make sure you arrived home safely?” I cross my fingers behind my back hoping she would say yes.
She nods with a smile.
And that was enough for me to stride towards her, taking her hand in mine as we walked together towards her home.
She keeps pointing at places she remembers seeing on her way here as we follow it.
A small two story house appears onto a road.
Elsie steps forward then turns her head back to me.
“Clay, would you like to come in? My mom bakes the best macaroons, she will love for you to join us.” her eyes sparkling in anticipation.
I never had someone who wanted to stay with me.
She is very kind and I don’t want to leave, maybe she is just offering to be nice.
I shake my head. “I don’t think your parents will like me, Elsie, just go inside. They probably just worried about you.” I let her hand go and look down at my sneakers and step back. Her smile falls.
“You can keep the sweater though.” I smile, trying to lift up her spirit.
“But will I see you again?”
I didn’t know what to tell her.
Yes you will probably see me again, cause you are the first to ever show me kindness.
I hate that I have to go back home, everything was better with you here.
Please don’t leave me.
“Do you want to see me again?” I ask slowly, looking at her.
She smiles and that’s my answer.
I matched her smile and stood taller. “Well then, you will see me again.”
With that she takes a last look at me and walks inside. I turn back around and start heading away but I stop.
Maybe her parents will hurt her or beat her for discipline. I need to stay to make sure she’s okay. I inch closer to her house, there is a window outside showing the living room. The furniture is clean and tidy with different shades of colored couches and cushions.
Warmth.
I hear her mother and father as they descend the stairs in a hurry, wrapping Elsie in their arms.
“Oh Bug! Where did you go? We were so worried.”
“Thank god you’re safe.”
Distaste fills my mouth as envy crawl onto my body. I’m glad she has a place to belong and be safe.
Loved.
But I can’t help feeling like I’m intruding on them. I would never understand this feeling.
That is what a family is supposed to be like.
No yelling or beating with a belt.
My hands tighten onto the window’s sill. I take one last look at them hugging and exchanging small talk. Her parents look at her as if she’s their world. No expectations or punishment for existing. She’s not a burden to them or a tool to use for their advantage.
A tear slides down one side of my face as I move away from the window not wanting to tarnish them. My back faces their home as I walk away into the same loneliness.