The air was thick with tension from her heated argument with her aunt, and the emotions they had each released hung in the air like a jealous lover, clinging to them as they entered the house. Sophie’s grip on Rhys’ arm tightened, and he understood that she was feeling everything over again. Rhys led her to a seat on the dining table, where Sophie’s aunt had already laid out their meal. “Enjoy.” He muttered, picking up a fork. “You should eat.” He said this to Sophie, noticing she had not touched her food. Her eyes were glued to the world before her, but he knew that she was far away. Whatever happened to her in the past was eating at her ever since their arrival at this house, and he did not know how to stop it. The chair scraped the ground as Sophie stood from her seat. “I’m sorry.” She signed. “Room.” “Sophie.” Her aunt called softly from the kitchen, where she had been. “Do not forget your manners.” She hissed. Sophie huffed and sagged her shoulders, then trudged to join
Her feet paced the room of their own accord, and her hands clasped each other tight. Sighing deeply, she threw herself on the small bed. The women were gone, and now the house was still there. She heard nothing but the sound of her heartbeat as it thudded in her chest. Her eyes strayed to her open window, and again she felt the pull to the forest. Without hesitation, she crossed the space from her bed to the window and peered into the darkness that had blanketed the world. The cool night air rushed in to greet her like an old friend. It blew through her hair, and she smiled as its soft, whooshing sound passed by her ear. With a determined glint in her eye, Sophie climbed onto the windowsill, her muscles tense with anticipation. Her legs and arms worked as though they had a mind of their own. With a swift leap, she launched herself into the darkness, the ground rushing up to meet her with a soft thud. Ignoring the slight pain, she darted into the welcoming embrace of the forest, th
Without hesitation, Rhys jumped over the window, just as he’d seen Sophie do, and followed after her. He tried to be as quiet as possible, not to cause her to panic in the event that she failed to recognize him. He saw her stop before the meadow and stopped too. She sat on the rock and pulled out her notebook. “Sophie?” he called gently, stepping into the light. Sophie’s head jerked up almost immediately, and he saw her grip on her pen tighten. Her eyes investigated the darkness surrounded his face, and he saw her relax when she finally recognized him. “Rhys!” she signed, rushing into his arms. He caught her as her body collided with his and held her there. “You startled me.” She whispered. He pulled her away from himself. “I was going to just walk by your room when I noticed your door open, and then I saw you jumping out the window.”Sophie sighed and returned to the rock on which she had been sitting. He dug through her bag and brought her notepad.“I used to come here every
Sophie choked on the coffee and spilled it over herself. She blinked rapidly at her aunt, not failing to note the sudden burn in her cheek or the sudden increase in temperature. “Careful now, child; we don’t want you choking on coffee.” His aunt continued, handing her a tablecloth. The smile was still on her face. “How was it? Tell me everything.” Sophie looked away, frowning. “Aww, c'mon, don’t be shy. An old woman like me can only imagine such things now.”“I have to go.” Sophie signed hurriedly and rushed away. She heard her aunt erupt with laughter as she left, and she could not help the smile that settled on her face. Her aunt was a lovely character when she wanted to be. Rhys was awake when she returned to the room. He sat upright on the bed and appraised her, his eyes lingering too much on her lips. “Lovely morning.” He greeted. Sophie nodded and crossed to the window. Rhys stood up from the bed and walked to where she stood. He drew her into himself and wrapped his arm
Rhys did not expect his heart to hurt at what she said, but it did. He smiled at the man and stretched out his hand. “Rhys.” He muttered. The man smiled back and gripped the outstretched hand. “Raul. I’m a friend of Sophie’s.”Sophie had helped herself to a seat in the man’s store, and Raul gestured to Rhys to join her. He took the seat opposite them and smiled again, still unable to believe his eyes. “Did you come for the festival?” he asked. Sophie shook her head. She had pulled out her notepad, and she wrote into it. “I’m paying Aunt Eliana a visit.”“Oh, your uncle. I heard about his sudden illness. Folks have been up there to see him, but I haven’t found the time. How is he?”“A shadow of his former self. I cannot bring myself to ask Auntie what sickness it is.” Sophie wrote. “Understandable. Anyways.” He exclaimed while jumping from his seat. “Let me see the list.” He snatched the paper Sophie’s aunt had given her and glanced through it.“It looks like your aunt is fully re
“Lies.” Sophie’s aunt spat. “We all know there are no animals in our forests. They’re just trying to cover up their carelessness, especially since it has cost them the death of a child.” “Have you gone to see Shelly?” the woman asked suddenly. Sophie’s aunt shook her head. “No. I cannot leave his side. I will send Sophie up there later to give her my condolences for me. It is so tragic.” "Yes, it is.” The woman concurred. “And you must send your condolences. Oh, dear Shelly. That poor, poor soul.” *** The clangs of knives and forks were the only sound that could be heard as the three occupants of the mansion gathered around the dining table. The excitement of the morning had quickly faded, allowing the gloom in the atmosphere to seep in. Sophie’s aunt, who was the most talkative of the three, had said nothing since their arrival at the market hours ago and the departure of her visitor. She had cooked the meal silently, asking no help from her niece, and prepared the table by
Her legs led her straight to the meadow. She had no time to think; nothing drove her but sheer rage. She plucked the wild flowers quickly until they formed a bouquet and then held it up to her face. Another tear slipped from her face as it landed on the flower. “Sophie.” The voice whispered, but she could hear the strength that came with it. She turned immediately, ready to defend herself if need be. “Rhys?” she signed. His name had been the first word she learned to sign. She marched towards him and gripped his hand, pulling him until they were out of the forest. “What are you doing?” she signed. “I should be asking you that!” he yelled. Sophie flinched. She had never heard him yell. The veins in his face and on his neck stood out, and his eyes were red. “Your aunt said someone died in that forest. How could you think of going back there?” Sophie glanced around. “No, she did not follow me. I looked.” Rhys muttered. She turned her back and began to walk away, further
Her uncle’s study was open, but only slightly. No light came from within, so she knew instinctively that he was not in there, but she could hear shuffles and low murmurings. With her back to the wall, her small feet crept forward till she got to the door, then she peered through it. There was a shadow in the room, with tall, elongated limbs ripping something apart. She crept closer until she saw the body that the shadow was connected to. It was a little girl. “Pssss…” Sophie hissed. The girl did not turn. She put her tongue in between her lips and again. “Pssss…” The head turned, squinted in the dark, and then smiled. Sophie saw the small figure run and squat behind the desk. She giggled. “Alice.” She whispered and crept through the small opening in the door. “Scoot over.” Her small voice spoke as she joined Alice behind the desk. She looked behind her to the door, which she had forgotten to close, and clutched the door tight to her chest. They were hiding from the IT, and she