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
Rhys waited. He fought within himself whether to continue pushing or to stop. He glanced at Sophie, the woman he thought he knew but didn’t. “How did she die?” he decided to push. Sophie stiffened. He noticed. She took a breath in but didn’t release it; the hand that held the pen shook. He reached across and placed his hand on the table. Then he pressed again. “How did she die, Sophie?” She glanced up the stairs towards the room they had been in the other day and drew her hand away. Then she pushed the chair away, clutching the notepad to her chest, and stood up. Rhys stood up too. He had seen the tears in her eyes, although the room they occupied was enveloped in darkness. He felt a pang of guilt in his heart and rushed after her. He met her at the door to her room. “Look, I’m sorry.” He said, pulling her until their bodies almost collided. He felt for her face, wiping the tears away with his thumb. ” “I just want to know how to help you. It breaks me to see you going throu
It has been four hours since Alice disappeared. Well, it has been four hours since I noticed and went in search of her. My aunt has since noticed too and has not stopped to yammer on about my carelessness and the need to look after my sister more. I was tempted to tell my aunt that technically, I was not her daughter’s sister, but I thought better of it. My aunt is not someone who knows how to take a joke, especially when she is upset about something. They had begun a search for her, but that was two hours ago, and they are not close to finding her yet. As for me, I have settled myself in my uncle’s study. Don’t think I am not worried; I am. Alice never plays pranks such as these, and there is no reason why she would run away from home without telling me. I hate it when she goes on adventures like these without taking me along; you must know how upset I am. When they find her—eventually they will—or when she finally decides to return and after her aunt has given her an earful an
“I think he blames me. I see it in his eyes. He barely looks at me these days; he’s just always up there in his study; he never comes down and barely touches the food I send to him. When Katrina brings it back, it’s just the same.” “I am really sorry.” Rhys sighed. He knew the pain of loss himself and how close it could drive you to the edge. The woman closed her eyes and squeezed Sophie’s hand, which she had been holding tight. Rhys’ eyes did not miss the action. She stood to her feet. “Please excuse me. I feel like a mess.” Sophie looked at him pointedly, and he shrugged. *** Jack had seen the visitors approach his house before he went into his study and heard his wife invite them in. Then he had begun to hear his wife’s voice, but not the words; he could tell from the way she sniffled in between words that she was crying. Again. Perhaps she was telling them of the animal attack. The story that he had created. He hated to see his wife cry; it clawed at his insides, and s