CHAPTER 5: Untouched Feelings
Kyle, Nora and William managed to find a bicycle shed to hide.
“This would have to do now.” Kyle said, examining its fragile structure.
“The rain is getting stronger. I just hope it will end soon.” William replied and shook his head.
“Why? Are you still afraid of the spirit of Keil Lossell?”
“I told you to stop joking with this.” William came closer towards his cousin and gave Kyle a light punch on his chest.
Nora remained quiet and felt awkward. She did not like the idea of being alone and defenseless with those two boys. The atmosphere threatened her core.
She tightly clutched the necklace when she remembered Ethan’s warnings. She closed her eyes while trying to control her fears. She had to be careful around them.
“Are you alright?” She heard Kyle’s voice, and it pulled her out from her reverie. Her eyes became wide when she realized his hand was just an inch away from her cheek. She quickly took a step backward. Nora did not want to feel his touch.
Kyle noticed the fear in her eyes, but he did not understand her reaction.
William cryptically stared at them. They behaved like magnets. Each time Kyle was moving forwards, Nora was moving backwards.
She stopped when her back hit a pole. They noticed that she was letting out irregular breaths. Kyle exchanged a serious look with William.
“Nora, what’s wrong with you?”
“Did she catch a cold?” William asked.
They saw her trembling. Nora dropped her bag, unable to support its burden.
“Damn it, she is having a panic attack!” Kyle exclaimed suddenly.
“What? Are you sure?”
Kyle stepped closer and tried to take her hands, but she pushed him away.
“Don’t come near me.”
Kyle remained unmoved and tried to reach for her again.
This time she did not relent. She let him wrapped his strong arms around her. She was tired of fighting, weary of wearing a fake brave front and exhausted of keeping her sentiments in control.
She loved him with a deep love and yet she could not tell how much she cared for him. Kyle and William were not trusted individuals. One of them was the mastermind behind all her trouble and she needed to be stronger to fight her real enemy.
Kyle attempted to calm her down and gently stroked her hair. Nora missed his tenderness. She missed the time they used to spend together as two carefree kids. She wanted to go back to that stage where her mother was still alive, and when everything else did not seem like a nightmare.
He was still trying to comfort her. She sensed his soft lips moving against her hair and her cheeks. Her mind told her to pull away from his embrace, but her body refused to budge.
Being in his comfort felt amazing, it was as if he was her other-half. She desperately wanted to think that he belonged to her.
“Is she okay?” William asked after a long moment.
Kyle cradled her head.
“I think so. I forgot that she suffered from those attacks.”
“So, it happened before?”
“It triggered a few months after her mother’s death. I was the only one who could ease her pain.”
“I had no idea that you two were so close.”
Kyle stared at Nora with a deep concern.
“Maybe she is more delicate than I assumed.”
Nora moved her head when she felt some drops of rain on her face. They both stood up and Kyle held her by her waist.
“Are you feeling better?” She nodded and said with a soft tone. “Thank you.”
“Eh, guys?”
They both looked towards William. “We should leave this place. The rain and the winds are intensifying. A storm is coming and we should go back home before the weather deteriorates.”
A strong breeze circled the shed, and it blew the frail roof away.
The three of them looked up in horror.
“I guess we don’t have any choice now.”
“We have to walk!” Kyle announced.
“Oh goody!” William exclaimed.
Both boys turned to look at her and she bowed her head down. They did not notice that she hid a cunning smile.
Their way back at Nora’s house was awful. Due to the rain, the path became dangerous. They had to hold hands to prevent anyone from slipping. Both boys have given her their jackets, but they did not serve any purpose. Soaked to the skin, Nora’s teeth were also cracking. The strong gusts of winds were pushing the rain drops against their faces.
“It’s like several small rocks is hitting us.” Kyle shouted and he tried to cover himself.
“Sorry, it’s my fault,” Nora answered with guilt.
“Let’s focus at the bright side guys. It’s like we are back at Kindergarten again. We can hold each other so that we won’t get lost. Later on we’ll even play a game of hide and seek!”
Kyle and Nora turned and looked at him with irritated faces, “Shut up!”
“It’s just a joke! By the way are you sure we are using the right route?”
“Yes!” They both replied.
“Why are you two so confident? You seemed familiar with this area? Did you organize secret night meetings or something?”
This time, Nora and Kyle stayed quiet.
“What? Is that true?”
“Some things are better left unsaid.” Kyle replied with a mysterious tone.
“All right, I understand! You won’t tell me anything! How about you? Nora?”
“Kyle used to accompany me when I wanted to go at the cemetery.”
“We would also spend our time by staying near the lakeside before going back home.” Kyle continued.
“ Kyle? You have a chalet near that area, right? Were your parents aware about this?”
“No!”
“Hmm, now that’s interesting!”
“William! You better keep your mouth shut and don’t you dare tell anyone about this!” Kyle yelled.
William smirked at him. “Nora Trima and Kyle Forester locked in a love secret affair. That’s a juicy gossip.”
“William, please. Keep this matter to yourself. I don’t want to create any misunderstanding. We were just friends and nothing more. Rumours fly quickly around this island.”
Kyle reinforced his hold on her hand and brought her face closer towards him.
He wanted to say something but William spoke first. “Hey, look, we are reaching the end. I can spot your house.”
Kyle tore his gaze away from her and they continued to walk toward their destination.
They stepped out of the woods. She took her bag from William’s shoulder and gave them their jackets back.
“Since it’s my house, I will take a head start.” She adjusted her hair and started to run.
They stared at her disappearing figure for a few seconds and then turned to look at each other.
“I thought she was sick!” William shouted.
Kyle shook his head and laughed. “What are you waiting for? Let’s follow her!”
Nora was the first one who reached there, and she frantically knocked at the door.
Mrs. Trima opened it. “Nora! Where were you?” She then noticed the state of the two boys, “Oh my God you are all dripping wet. Come inside!”
“Nora, you go upstairs and remove your wet outfit right now. I will start a fire. Kyle and William don’t worry! I have some of my husband's clothes which might suit you.”
The fire was already burning when Nora entered the living room. It did not take long before it started to warm them up.
They remained silent for a moment. A few seconds later William started to laugh, Kyle and Nora joined him a few seconds later.
“If someone from school sees us in this state, then our reputation would take a severe blow.”
“Yes.” Kyle said while trying to control his laughter. “I can picture it as the title of one of Rose’s article. Three students caught in a sloppy situation.”
“I am sorry I dragged you into this mess,” Nora said with an apologetic tone.
“Don’t be, I don’t remember the last time I had so much fun,” Kyle replied.
“Yeah, me too,” William added, “For a moment I assumed that we would never get out from that forest.”
“That’s why you suggested that we should play a game of hide and seek?” She asked in a teasing tone.
Mrs. Trima entered the room attracted by their merry mood.
“What happened kids?”
“We are trying to get over an emotional shock.” William said with an innocent voice.
“What?”
“Don’t mind us! We lost our sanity in the woods.” Kyle answered with twinkling eyes.
She shook her head, smiling. “I am preparing macaroni and cheese. I hope you boys are staying for dinner.”
“Do you want some help?” William asked out of the blue.
“No, I can manage, dear.”
He got and followed her in the kitchen, despite her refusal. Kyle and Nora understood that he subtly left them alone.
She gave him a shy glance. She recalled what happened between them in the forest. Even if they were on bad terms, Kyle forgot his strong resentment. He willingly gave her his support.
The flames of the fire reflected in his eyes. He was not giving the aura of an ordinary human. His energy was vibrating the essence of a mystic creature.
Sensing her gaze on him, Kyle turned towards her direction. Their eyes connected and neither of them looked away.
Kyle did not understand what was happening. Her charisma enticed his soul and he could hardly control his attraction for her. He lifted his hand and touched her upper lip. Her skin burned under his fingers.
“You have a moustache.”
“What?” She blushed, embarrassed and turned to wipe the smudge herself.
Kyle let a silent chuckle. “Nora?”
“Hmm?”
“Why did you bury the necklace? You didn’t like it?”
“I like it,” she answered. “However, I was too young to keep such a precious object with me.”
“You could have asked one of your parents to guard it for you.”
She fidgeted her fingers. “Kyle, you don’t remember?”
“Remember what?”
“You told me not to mention this necklace to anyone.”
Kyle closed his eyes for a short time and let out a low whistle. “I remember now. I told you to keep it a secret. That’s because-”. He stopped talking and looked towards the window.
“Because of what?”
“Nora, I was twelve years old. It was your birthday, and I wanted to give you something special.” He was speaking with a quick pace and was almost rambling.
“Kyle, what did you do?”
“I stole it from my family’s library.”
“Do you want it back?” She asked with a hesitant tone.
“No, you can keep it. It was a long time ago. I am sure they forgot about it.”
Nora rubbed her hands together and asked in a causal voice, “Was it on top of a chest?”
“Yes, why?”
Her tone became frantic. “Can you lend it to me?”
“Calm down! What’s the rush?”
“Well, there is an old legend-”
He interrupted her. “Why are you and William so obsessed with old legends?”
“Kyle, please I need to see this chest! It will help me with my research.” Please believe me!
He stretched his knee. “I am sure no one wound mind if I take the chest from there. But, still I’ll have to ask my mom’s permission.”
“Thank you,” she said relieved.
“Is there something inside? Why are you so curious about old debris?”
“It might contain an ancient knife.”
“A knife?”
“A dagger if you prefer. It used to kill people who had dark magic in their body.”
“Were there witches in the island before?”
“Not witches, but there was a powerful evil presence. It plugged Lossell in difficult times.”
“I am familiar with this tale.” He admitted. “The legend also states that only one weapon could stop it. Is it that dagger?”
She nodded. “The dagger enclosed a large amount of white magic.”
“And you believe in those things?”
She shrugged and tried to tune her interest. “I cannot find out about the truth unless we see the dagger.”
He shifted his weight and asked. “Can I ask you something else?”
She stopped moving. “If you want to talk about my panic attack, it’s not the right moment. I don’t want Auntie to know about this matter. She won’t be able to handle the situation. She is already worried about Athanasia and I don’t want to add more stress in her life.”
“But, Nora, it’s a serious issue. You should consult your doctor again.”
“I promise if it trigger again, I will follow your advice. But not now.”
“Do you have any idea why it resurfaced again? I thought you came out of your trauma.”
She bit her lip. “I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Of you.”
He gave her a puzzled look.
“You are not the same Kyle.” She said with a soft tone. “You are almost like a stranger now.”
“I am not the only one who has changed Nora. I cannot recognize you. You don’t have the same attitude as before.”
“No Kyle, I am still the same. You are just not opening your eyes with an open mind.” She spoke without any emotion.
He crouched down and touched her shoulders. “What do you fear from me?”
“I am afraid of your abhorrence. I am not aware what you can do with your bitterness.”
Kyle dropped his hands shocked. He recalled Dyris’s words. His girlfriend was right. His anger towards Nora was destroying him.
He stood up and turned his back away from her.
“Okay, I will make an effort. I will stop provoking you.” He said after a while.
“You would stop hating me in one day?” She asked lifting her eyes up.
“We have to work on the school project together. We won’t able to advance our work if we continue to abuse each other.”
“Are you proposing a truce?”
“Not really. I don’t want to remain cross with you anymore. I can’t forget what you did, however I realized that it’s high time for me to move on.”
“Things won’t be like before.”
“I am aware of that; I am giving us a chance to start over without our past trailing behind us.” He placed his hand forward.
Nora looked at his outstretched palm. There were so many things, which she wanted to say. They remained stuck in her throat.
Making peace with Kyle would also mean leaving her suffering behind.
She did not want to forget anything. Her trial was very painful, and she had to appear insensitive most of the time. However, it was in her best interests to remain on good terms with him.
If Kyle would stop harassing me, the rest of the student body would follow his lead.
It would be an advantage for me. I will be able to plan my moves with a clearer mind.
If I want to move further with my plan, I had to accept some losses. She took his hand and shook it.
At the same time they heard something crashing down outside.
“What was that?” She asked. He helped her stand up, and they both looked towards the front door.
“I have no idea.” He replied, perplexed.
William and Mrs. Trima came to join them. “Did you guys hear that?”
“I hope it’s not a burglar,” Mrs. Trima said wiping her hands.
“Let’s go out and check.” Kyle proposed.
Once outside they saw nothing which was suspicious.
“It might be the work of a wild animal.” Nora suggested. “After all, we lived close to the woods.”
“Yes, perhaps you are right,” Mrs. Trima agreed. “Come, let’s eat. It’s getting late.”
They walked towards the door, but Kyle did not move. He sensed a strange menace nearby.
Nora twirled behind. “Kyle, are you coming?”
“Uh, yes.” He marched forward and placed his hand on her small back to lead her inside. He turned back one last time and shivered.
An invisible threat loomed in the cold air and he hoped it would not destroy his newfound peace.
Mrs. Fletcher quickly closed her door. “Damn those runts! I almost got exposed!”
She kicked her boots and sat on her rocking chair. Her favorite cat Lucy jumped on her lap. She started to caress her pet with a preoccupied mind.
“So, the young Forester finally decided to keep playing this vicious game. I should have known. Once they have selected a prey, they won’t let it go that easily.”
She closed her eyes and recalled the way the impenitent laughed with his friends. “It was almost as if they were mocking me.”
“The Foresters and the Lossells are closely interlinked with evil sources. They fooled everyone into thinking that they were the perfect model family. But I know the truth. They are hungry for only two things. Money and blood.”
She looked toward the Trima’s household again. “If Nora continues to frequent that boy, she would have to face deadly consequences. Kyle would bring her towards her own destruction. He would mar her innocence and would take possession of her heart.”
The cat meowed and Mrs. Fletcher grinned wickedly.
“Poor child,” she muttered with a dark tone. “Poor child.”
Nora climbed the stairs, feeling lighter. Kyle and William just left and she decided to go to bed. Unconsciously she began to hum her favorite song. Kyle’s face appeared in her mind and she smiled.
She really hoped that in the coming days she would gain some normalcy in her life. She went to see Athanasia first and gave her a kiss on her forehead, and at last she headed back to her own room.
“My clothes are stuffy. I should change into my nightgown before going to sleep.”
She unbuttoned her blouse and took it off.
Suddenly she stopped moving, she felt a strong breeze against her back.
Nora shivered, she was about to reach for her nightgown but stopped again.
Someone was laughing. It was a male laughter, and it was right behind her.
She twirled behind and froze. Her window was wide open but there was no one there.
Her heart began to thump loudly against her chest.
“I am sure it was not my imagination.” She wore the robe and went to close the window again. “Maybe Kyle is right. Maybe I am becoming crazy.”
She turned back and saw Mrs. Trima entering inside with a stern look on her face.
“We need to talk young lady.”
“I am sorry, I won’t do it again.”
“Sorry is not enough, Nora. You need to understand that you did something reckless. You know perfectly Athanasia was beaten down inside the forest. Yet you roamed around there alone. I already have a daughter who is bedridden and I don’t want the same thing to happen to you.”
“I did not think with a proper mind, I wanted to be near my mom.” Nora grumbled looking away from her.
Mrs. Trima’s face softened a little, “I can never replace her in your life, but Nora you must think of your father! He would die if something happens to you.”
“Are you going to tell him about it?”
“I already informed him and he wanted to take a flight to see you. However, I convinced him to stay there because you are safe now.”
“Did he want to speak with me?” Nora asked with a hopeful voice.
“No, he had an important conference to attend.”
“Oh.”
“I wanted to have a word with you about something else.” Mrs. Trima said after a short pause.
“What is it?”
“Your mother’s sister, Grace Rowlands called today while you were at school.”
“What did she want?”
“She wanted to know if you were fine.”
Nora jumped on her bed, “Well, tell her I am fine!”
“By fine, she meant if you recovered from the tragic events which happened the previous year. She knows that you were stressed during all these months.”
“There is nothing wrong with me. I am just living the ordinary life of a high school student.” She answered with fake-enthusiasm.
“Nora, do you think I am blind? I know you have become a loner since Ethan died. You don’t mingle with anyone. You have not made an effort to reconnect with your friends.”
“I can’t reconnect with people who cannot stand the sight of my face!”
“See that’s what I am talking about! Before we were much closer, and you treated me with more respect. But now you are becoming more and more aggressive.”
Nora took a deep depth. “I never meant to vent my anger against you. It’s just that I have too many things on my mind right now.”
“Your aunt wants you to start afresh, and we discussed about something.”
“Let me guess. She wants me to stay with her in France?”
“Yes, and I think it’s a lovely idea. A change of scenery will help you cooled down your thoughts.”
“Are you trying to oust me out of my house? It will make the path clear for you and your daughter.” Nora asked raising her right eyebrow.
“Why do you always take me wrong?” the woman asked. “I only want the best for you.”
“I am not going anywhere. Lossell contains too many precious memories for me. Besides, I am in my senior year and it would be not a good idea to move away right now.”
“Nora,” Mrs. Trima said with a patience tone, “One month is not such a long gap to cover! You will meet new people and it will give you a new opportunity to start over again.”
“Well, I don’t want a new start, I want to create a fresh ending.”
“What do you mean?”
Nora turned her back away from her stepmother.
Should I tell her the truth?
“I mean that I would never leave Lossell. This place is my birthplace and I intend to take my last breaths here.”
“Okay! Fine! Do what you want to do! I was just giving you a suggestion. You don’t need to be over-dramatic.”
Nora chose to remain silent. She was tired and did not have the energy of arguing back anymore.
“But, remember one thing. Your father and I would not be so lenient if you do something like this again.”
“Is that a threat?”
“It’s a warning!”
Mrs. Trima was about to leave the room, but she stopped midway. “I almost forgot. I found this letter in the mailbox. It’s for you, but there is not any return address on it.”
“What?” Nora took the letter. She saw an inscription on the envelope.
For Leonora Trima
With Love from your dearest friend.
The handwriting seemed familiar, but she did not remember where she saw it.
“Maybe, you have a secret admirer.”
Nora shook her head, “No I don’t think so, I only have secret haters.”
“Don’t be so pessimistic, you might like what’s there inside the envelope. Well, I am going to sleep now. Good night!”
Nora waited for the older woman to leave before she opened it. She gasped. It contained a similar white puzzle piece which she found glued on her desk this morning.
“What kind of prank is this?” She asked aloud.
Nora opened her pencil case and took out the other piece. She tried to put them together, but they did not match. She remained still and observed them carefully.
I cannot detect anything unusual. They seemed harmless.
“But who the hell would send those things? It seems the person is targeting me on purpose!”
She looked at them back and forth several times. “Maybe it’s a coded threat from Ivory!”
She removed her phone from her bag and sent Ivory a message. She did not want to remain silent anymore.
I won’t let them crush me like this!
I already did everything what you ordered me.
Now please let me live my life in peace.
She got up to turn off the lights, but then she remembered something.
“Kyle came to fetch me because he did not find me in the room. I carelessly left my diary on the bed! What if someone saw it?”
She pushed her pillows away and let a sigh of relief. Her diary was still there, and it seemed untouched.
“Thank God!”
She opened the passage where she stopped before and decided to take a journey in the past again. . . . .
#Romance #Mysrery #Crime #Horror #Pain #Supernatural #lossellhigh