Aleeah - Chapter 4

Ken suddenly comes to his senses, clears his throat, and slips his hand into his lap. This snaps Keegan out of her trance and she asks, "where did Laura go?"

Ken, also noticing her absence and the seemingly cleared table, replies nervously "oh she can be sneaky like that. We must have been so into our conversation that she was able to quietly clean up and slip away unnoticed. She probably didn't want to interrupt."

Still finding it odd that she didn't notice her clean up or walk away, Keegan accepts his answer. After all, it isn't the strangest experience she's had today.

"Well, it does appear to be getting late. I should get the lobby and front desk closed up and I'm sure you need some rest after your travels. Would you like me to accompany you on your walk back to your room?" Ken asks.

"Um. I think I can find my way. I appreciate everything you've already done to make me feel so welcome. Have a good night." Keegan says as she gets up from the table.

"It’s my pleasure, truly. If you need anything at all tonight, I'll be just across the hall." Ken replies.

Keegan smiles, nods and begins to walk back to her room. When she gets inside she notices a door to the right of the bay window leading outside.

How did I miss that earlier? She wonders.

Curious, she walks over, opens the door and steps out. The inn is one level and directly outside her door is a stone patio with a table, two chairs, and lounger. With the sun currently setting, she plops down into the lounger to enjoy the colorful streaks jetting across the sky. To her left is the forest that's supposed to shield the castle from prying eyes.

The setting sun brings with it sounds of crickets in the distance and fireflies are beginning to dance at the edge of the trees.

I think I could get used to this. Keegan smiles, relaxing into the lounger.

Out of the corner of her eye, she notices a flash of red and gold light. Looking over, it disappears into the forest.

What - was that? She wonders.

She considers going to investigate, but ultimately decides that a shower and sleep are calling her name. She sleepily walks back into her room and locks the door.

Too many unexplainable instances for one day. Surely a shower and a good night's rest will clear things up.

Or so she thought.

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KEN POV

Get it together Ken. He thinks to himself looking in his bedroom mirror.

You knew this would be be difficult, but you have to give her time to figure everything out on her own. You've waited this long, what’s a little while longer? He sighs rubbing his palms over his face.

He walks to his bookshelf to choose something to distract his mind for a while and settles into the armchair next to his window. For a moment he gazes outside looking at the pond across the road and watching some birds fly over.

He lets out another sigh releasing what appears to be sadness when he exhales.

Some light reading and we'll pick things up in the morning. I cannot wait to see the look on her face when she sees the castle gardens. He smiles before opening his book.

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Almost as soon as she drifts off to sleep, Keegan awakes in some place familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time. Where am I? She wonders.

On either side of her are tall stone walls with what looks like shrubs on top. It's difficult to tell in this low light. In front of her lies a stone path, cool beneath her bare feet. There's an almost earthy smell floating in the air. Unsure what to do, she decides to follow the path to see where it leads. After walking for what feels like ages she comes to a fork in the path.

Great. Now which way do I go? She sighs frustrated.

Just then she sees the red and gold light again and runs after it down the path to her left. She runs and runs trying to catch up to the light, all the while looking up, when suddenly it disappears and she smacks into something cold and hard. Bouncing off and landing nearly flat on her back, she shakes her head to regain her focus and looks on to see what she ran into.

"No way!" She says to no one, but herself. Directly in front of her stands a large statue of a Phoenix.

Getting up and walking over to the enormous statue, she reaches out her hand to touch it, but notices a bright green light. Looking down, she realizes that it’s her necklace. It's definitely glowing this time. It's not her imagination. She reaches behind her neck to remove it when everything around her begins to spin and swirl.

Getting dizzy, she closes her eyes tightly and reaches for something to steady herself. Only, she feels the soft silk sheets of her bed under her palms and opens her eyes.

Shaking and covered in sweat she says to herself "just a dream. It was just another very - strange and realistic dream."

Wanting to share the dream and her experiences so far with her best friend, she reaches for her phone.

No service.

How had she not noticed that before now?

I guess it makes sense. I am in the middle of the Irish countryside next to a forest that hides a secret castle. Why would my phone have service? I’ll have to talk to Ken about that. It’s beautiful here, but I can’t ghost the one person in this world who cares about my wellbeing.

She thinks back to the day they met in elementary school.

Keegan was sitting alone in the schoolyard with her knees to her chest - drawing symbols in the dirt with a stick – when Aleeah noticed her.

“Watcha doin?” Aleeah asked her.

Keegan didn't answer, assuming she was talking to someone else. No one ever went out of their way to talk to Keegan. She was a bit of a loaner.

“H-e-l-l-o – did you hear me?” Aleeah says annoyed.

Keegan looked up in dismay. “Oh! Me? I’m sorry, I didn't know you meant me. No one ever talks to me.”

“Well that changes today!” Aleeah exclaimed. “I just moved here. My name is Aleeah. What’s yours?”

“Keegan” she says with a smile. Reaching for her new friend's outstretched hand and giving it a shake.

They’d been best friends ever since.

Surely Aleeah is worried sick. I haven’t checked in since the airport. Keegan palms her face.

She checks the time. Nine in the morning. Good enough for me. She hops out of bed and heads to the bathroom for a shower. Removing her necklace and laying in on the counter reminds her of her dream once more. So strange.