Part One
written by Jenn Parker
I felt trapped. I walk around the edge of the property to around the back of the house. They are everywhere. Waiting for me. Peter said I was hidden but It's really them that are hidden.. Are they just going to accumulate here? I start feeling scared again, a serious uneasiness befalls me. I glance over at Peters massive house looming over me. I ended up at the pathway between our house.
I sit down and bury my head in my hands. I need to go see Lilly. But if I leave here. Who knows how antagonized those little creatures might be. If I am "Ripe" now - Is this what it truly means. I don't want any one or thing like Karl turning up here as well.
My little spot makes me feel better as usual. I look over at Peters house again.. I realize a couple of things in that moment. Peter hasn't told me enough about how he can protect me - He said if I was with him the monsters would leave me alone. But will they be hidden like this barrier even though they are all following me, wanting to eat me. The thought creeps me out.
I discovered another pain of seeing and not seeing - I can't win either way.
I find myself pressing my finger into the door bell button on the front door of Peter's house.
Something is compelling me to see Peter now. It would definitely be a safe idea to consult him first before I leave with the way things are.
Before I know it he appears before me. Smiling. Gorgeous. I fail at something to say.
He just continues to look at me smiling as he takes my hand. Peter leads me inside, he says nothing and we walk to a sitting room at the front of the house. Peter sits me down and leaves the room again still saying nothing.
I sink into the couch, and let out a sigh. What am I doing here. I know I said I would come over - but I didn't think so soon. I text Lilly telling her I'm running a little late. Peter walks back into the room with a wooden tray and sets it on the coffee table in front of me. On the tray is a small velvet red box, a glass of milk and cookies. I glance up at Peter to see him laughing.
"You have this look on your face that says you need some cheering up - Isn't today supposed to be a special day. The birthday girl should be smiling" Peter said gracefully.
I blush. I did find the cookie part funny. I take one and taste it. Buttermilk and chocolate coated. I smile at Peter and finish the biscuit off. Peter has taken up a seat across from me on another couch. "Well, thank you for coming to see me - I didn't expect to see you so soon today though Rose, do you not have plans with friends or family today?" Peter crosses his legs and looks at me intently. His gaze hard and cold. I didn't notice before.. but I guess it added to his beauty - His eyes were intense.
"The barrier" I start "I... I went to leave and they are everywhere" I almost sob. I'm more upset about it then I realize. Peter gives me a thoughtful look. "I noticed". Peter gets up and walks over to me and flops down on the couch next to me and looks up at the ceiling as he talks "Rose.. It's going to be like this for now on - It pains me to see you have to go through this, for me this is normal, but you are also a target, and them gathering like this isn't normal. The only thing I can offer you is my company." He pauses and looks over at me again.
I can help but feel the warmth gather in my cheeks. He takes my hand in his, his hand feels warm and soft and safe. He gives it a squeeze "Rose - If you are with me they will leave you alone, that much I can promise. I know that you don't remember me, but shall I accompany you today, that way you are safe - and it will also give you a chance to get to know me".
I take my hand back from Peter and slightly distance myself away from him. "Peter.. Im sorry it's just too much to take in right now. I just want things to go back to how they were a few days ago." I sigh "Today.. I was supposed to go see my friend, but I cant just turn up with you. She will ask me a million and one questions about who you are! Also I want to be your friend Peter - but how do I know if I can trust you or not yet....". I stare at my lap. This is so awkward.
I feel like not really being there. Or anywhere for that matter. We both sit in silence for a couple of minutes. Peter grabs the velvet box from the table and offers it to me.
"Happy Birthday Rose. I want you to learn to trust me. I will never betray you. I promise".
I stare at the box in Peters warm hands. I hesitantly take it from him.
"I hope you like it, Its a present from me.. for the girl that I like.." His words startle me.
Girl that he like's. In which way.. don't say confusing words like that to me. "Please" he repeats. I keep starring at the box, I'm too afraid to look up at Peter. I'm too afraid to find out the deeper meaning that might be in his words.
I can feel Peter's intense gaze on me. I shyly open the box to find a beautiful silver chain with what appears to be a diamond in the shape of a tear drop. Its beautiful. "Peter.. I.." I begin but he cuts me out "Rose, I have been waiting for so long to see you.. Worked so hard and sacrificed a lot of things just to be here with you right now. With this charm, I want to swear my life to you - I will protect you, please see this as a way to trust me. I came back because you promised to be my bride".
"Yea but - I don't remember it Peter.. I cant keep a promise to you like that. I told you I would think about it.. And I don't want you to try buy my trust with presents.. It doesn't work like that in the human world!" I cant help say it. Even after all of Peter's kindness. Peter gives me a hurt look. I knew it, I shouldn't have come here - I cant do this to myself or to Peter.
"Can I at least see how it looks on you - You don't have to accept.. I just thought it would look lovely on you." Peter shifts in this spot then follows on to say "Actually, I had a feeling you wouldn't be able to be seen with me right away so I have enchanted this necklace as well. I have instilled some of my essence into the tear." He paused "So.. it means you will always have a part of me where ever you go". It sounded reasonable to me. I felt a bit more peace with that statement, I didn't want to be in a situation where I couldn't go anywhere without Peter.
I hand him the necklace and offer him to put it on for me. I lift my hair up to make it easier for him to place it on me. I feel Peters hands nervously pull the necklace around my neck - it feels cold to the touch but my own body warmth slowly changes that. "That looks lovely - Wait here just a moment" Peter gets up and leaves the room, he quickly returns with a small mirror.
"Here, see for yourself" Peter says with a smile.
It does look nice, it goes well with the dress - Almost to well. "Thank you again Peter, your kindness at this time - I'm not to sure what I could be facing right now if you were not here".
Me and Peter spend some time chatting about my birthday plans while I finish off the meal he prepared me. "Will you have some too - they really are delicious" I gesture to one of the last cookies on the tray. Peter quickly shook his head "It's ok - Im not hungry" he smiled. I got a feeling Peter was lying but I didn't want to talk about it - incase Peter changed his mind about eating me. I felt a little edgy again - I want to believe Peter's story but something seemed off. Maybe I just don't know enough about him yet. I cant even discuss finer and important details with my mum, who recalls Peter from my childhood.
I really wish I had someone else to discuss that with. I take a quick glance at the european styled cook coo clock on the wall. "Oh crap!" I declare. "I need to go - Lily is expecting me soon, Im still going to be late even if I leave now.. Sorry Peter - I promised, so I must go".
"It's ok" Peter says. Peter walks me to the door and we say a quick good bye. I step out of Peter's drive way - The monsters are everywhere. As soon as I step out of the barrier they all stare at me, motionless. Its like I created a huge scene and they have all stopped to look at what happened except I haven't done anything. None of them move, just stare at me fixated. It's very creepy. Creatures of all shapes, sizes and types - all just stopped whatever they were doing and stare motionlessly at me.
I try to ignore them but they don't approach me, but a few of them I know are definitely following me. - I hurriedly walk to the station to get the train I need to meet with Lily.
Everyone around me is going about their daily lives oblivious to the amount of scary creatures that surround and leech off of them everyday. One thing I did notice that when certain spirits or creatures were already attached to another person didn't pay me too much notice.
Eventually I find myself at the meeting place. No sign of Lily. I text her and get no reply.
I try phoning her and her phone is switched off, went straight to the answering machine. I start to feel a bit stink - maybe Lily forgot, she is always miss. punctual - So it feels a bit hard to believe. I wait around for another half hour - very weary of the creatures around me. Feeling less and less like being alone. I had some money I saved up for today in my purse - Very tempted to just go shopping for myself and get some lunch. I try to call Lily again. Still turned off. I hope she is ok.
I turn to walk off towards one of my favorite caf'es in the area - when a voice calls out to me "Rose! Hey!" A males voice I don't recognize. I spin around and see a tall boy with rusty blonde hair waving at me. He runs over to me and stares at me while he catches his breath. "Happy Birthday!" He says smiling. I search my mind for a name and face - I don't think I know this person. "Uhh.. thanks.." I reply awkwardly "um.. Sorry but I.... do I know you?" Why does this keep happening to me. The boy lets out a laugh "Oh sorry - I'm Lily's older brother.. Um, She sent me here to meet you, I have met you before by the way, I got one of those faces people dont remember - so dont worry about it" He said covering up the awkwardness quickly. I felt a bit relieved "Name's Toni!" He said gesturing a friendly handshake, I take his hand and return the gesture.
As I touch Toni's hand a chill shouts up my hand, my arm and then into my spine. "Ugh!" I verbally announce as I jerk back away from Toni. What was that - just now? A horrid feeling flashed in my mind, a disgusting feeling. I shrug it off and giggle nervously "Sorry, oh I have a bit of a headache - been a busy birthday morning" I giggle like I sound a bit dumb. Toni smiles "no worries - So anyways Lily couldn't make it - she was sent away yesterday to our aunties shop in the country to help. No cellphone coverage - she begged me to come see you as she was in a hurry." Toni explained away Lily's absence "Oh and I couldn't call because my phone privileges have been banned..."
Well that makes sense then. I was starting to jump to all kinds of conclusions - and with all the drama of the last couple of days - nothing was surprising me at the moment. "Oh" I said followed with another awkward silence. Toni kept smiling at me - he does seem vaguely familiar now that I think about it. "Well thanks Toni - When will Lily be back?" I quizzed.
"By monday afternoon, so she doesn't miss any school. I wanted to go - but the shop requires a women's skill I wouldn't get caught dead doing ha ha!" Toni said jokingly. The air around him lightened. Maybe I'm just a bit nervous about the whole situation. I shot Toni a smile and then had an Idea. "Hey Toni, I'm hungry so I was about to head down to a caf'e nearby - Uhm I was thinking since you so kindly came to tell me about Lily, i'd love to treat you to something in return, plus I would appreciate the company for a little while - What do you think?" It's the least I can do right. "Yes.. That would be great Rose" He said with a gleam.
Soon I found myself in the caf'e with Toni. The place was a very cute european stylized caf'e. Even sold pastries. Toni only wanted a coffee - but I had myself a club sandwich and tea.
"So where do you goto school Toni? You must be a couple of years younger than Lily - isnt that right?" I guessed. "Oh no actually - Im older than her!" Toni exclaimed and took a sip from his coffee. An older brother - she never told me about an older brother, I thought she had the one younger brother. I must've got it wrong. "I don't goto school anymore - Im not going to goto university either, I just want to work, earn money".
Toni explained to me in some detail bits and pieces of his life. He seemed really nice - shared some funny memories of Lily too which I didn't know about. Soon me and Toni had been so consumed in our conversation we actually found ourselves at the park across the road.
"Ah thats right!" Toni said suddenly mid-conversation. "sorry before I forget - Lily got you a little present. Toni gave me a sly grin which sent that horrid feeling down my spine again. I tried not to show and smiled "Oh really well can I see!" I hid behind my excitement.
"Sure" Toni reached into a small bag he was carrying and inside was a small red velvet box.
It was a lot like the one that Peter gave me earlier.
"Wow!" I said as Toni passed me the gift.... Again! That feeling as soon as I held the box I got that feeling again. This time I think I saw something. A flash in my mind. It was fuzzy. I shake my head, and go to sit down on a nearby bench.
"Rose!" Toni said in a worried voice "Are you alright - is it the headache?". I shook my head again and laughed "ah no, no, its really nothing". I smiled weakly - I wanted to get out of here. Something was telling me this wasn't safe. I didn't want to really ditch Toni but it was about time I got home anyway - The creatures everywhere as well are disturbing enough as it is.
"Uhh Toni - sorry, um, you know what I might open this when I see Lily at school" - I said putting the present in my bag.
"Oh well thats no good" Toni said. I felt the energy shift again around him. "Lily asked me to get you to open it right away!" I felt bad I didn't want to shrug Toni off after such a nice lunch with him, but I just felt like going home. "Well - It's ok, she will understand". I smiled back.
I got up from the bench and was thinking of a goodbye.
"No please Rose" Toni said dryly. His tone made me shudder - I knew it, something wasn't right after all. I look at Toni, the color seemed to have drained from his face. "I insist!" He shouted and pushed me against the ground. I let out a scream as I feel the weight of Toni's body pinning me down. I watch helplessly as the color of Toni's Iris go from green to black.
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