Chapter 2

RACHEAL’S POV

A WARNING 

I looked around to find what would be able to threaten my life, but nothing seemed out of place or even scary.

“Where are you? I want to see you.” The voice called again.

I was hesitant to move an inch. I might be ugly and mateless, but death didn’t seem like a better option. Or maybe it was just the pills making me imagine things which shouldn't be so.

“Climb up, you little thing,” she said.

This time I felt a bit more bold to move as she had asked me to. Taking another step, she came into view. 

She was sitting on a couch along with lots of yarn, knitting something. The beautiful yellow gown she wore was knitted too.

“Why did you stop at the stairs?” She scolded.

“You… You… said I’d die if I took the wrong step.” I stammered.

“You kids should learn to be wise. Sit.” She commanded.

“Uhm, I was sent to give you this.” I stretched the box forward.

“I can see it, but I said sit.” She raised her tiny voice at me. I obeyed instantly. “Tell me about your nightmares.” She commanded.

I was surprised, I did dream constantly, it was a disturbing one but not a nightmare. “I do not have nightmares.”

She gave a shrilling laughter. “How bold a little child can be when her hand is held.”

That shocked me. “How did you know that?” What she said was like a summary of my dream.

“Know what?” She fired back. “A little child being chased but is not afraid, does that change the fact that you are being chased? Open your eyes, child, they are still after you, and they won’t stop till you’re dead and forgotten.

I didn’t care about who was chasing me, but I was curious about only one thing. “The person that held my hand, who is she? Do I have a sister?”

The old woman dropped the sweater she had been knitting. “I can only tell you one thing. What’s your name child?”

“Rachel.”

“Rachel, one day in your life, you will have to make a decision, one that will change your life forever,” She took my hand and placed it on my chest. “Never forget to follow your heart.”

That sounded like cheesy love stuff.

I stood up to be on my way, I had heard enough to keep my head spinning for the week.

“I’d be on my way now.”

She looked at me and sighed. “I’m done,” She stretched what she had been knitting to me, it turned out to be a sweater. “Take, you’ll need it.”

I took it as I didn’t want to seem rude. 

“One more thing Rachel, let me see your hand.” 

I stretched my hand to her, and she took it and inspected my skin, “A seed can be dry and wrinkled, but that wouldn’t stop it from growing into a beautiful flower. Only that something is delaying your blooming Rachel, I don’t know what it is, but you must find it, and stop it,” she said in a low and scary tone.

It’s definitely creepy so after saying thanks, I drew my hands back and fled the place, heading for the cafe.

There was no Taxi around, it was dark, and I was breathless when I got back to the Café. I didn’t know what time it was, but Davina had put up the close sign and I could see the place was empty.

“You’ve been gone for ages Rachel, what happened?” Davina said worriedly.

“I couldn’t find a taxi on my way back,” I explained.

“You look worried, did that old woman say anything to you?” Davina asked.

I didn’t like lying to Davina, so I told some of the truth. “She was very strange. She knew about my dream.”

Davina frowned. “The one you told me about?” I nodded and she shrugged. “Maybe she heard, or someone told her, how would she know about that? Have you told someone else?”

“Nope, only you.”

“What did she say?”

“She knew I was being chased, she knew someone was holding my hand and that I wasn’t afraid.” Talking about it brought the dream back. 

I could hear the sound of men running after us, chasing us like an army, there was a fuzzy unclear figure in front of me, but the clearest feeling was the warmth in the contact where someone held my hand, I didn’t count it as a nightmare because no matter the amount of time I had it, I was never afraid.

“I asked her if I had a sister.” I sighed, and Davina’s hand came around me.

“I’m here for you, it could just be your little head picturing both of us in this scary life and town. You know I’ll always be holding your hands no matter what.”

I smiled and nodded but my heart didn’t agree with her. That dream had been real, I was sure of it.

“How about we stay here a little before we go home, I’m not ready to talk with Dad tonight,” Davina said, her father had been pushy about her settling down lately.

“Okay.” I agreed but before she could reply, her phone rang.

“Dad.” She greeted. “What happened?” “Now?” “Did something happen?” “Tell me what’s going on” “Fine, I’ll be on my way now.”

She looked worried when she dropped the call.

“What’s wrong?”

“Looks like I’ll have to be on my way, I don’t know what’s going on but Dad wants me home now. He sounded odd.”

Davina might constantly disagree with her father, but she loved him, and I could see she was worried about him.

“All right, I’ll be on my way too.”

We went our separate ways, being with Davina was my favorite part of every day. The house of my master and owner had no form of happiness for me.

The four occupants of that house: Eleazer, his wife, his two children, Damien, and Kora were a thorn in the flesh for me.

I hoped they were all asleep by the time I got home.

They weren’t. Instead, they all sat in the sitting room. One would think they were having a family meeting, but it was more shocking to hear that they were waiting for me. Of course they were, I had committed an offense before leaving.

Eleazer spoke first. “We have been waiting for you.”

His wife took it from there. “Sit down. We have something to tell you.”

My heart hammered against my rib cage. What could it be? Has Damien died?