Awakening (3 page)

“
So, was there something I could help you with?” I was secretly hoping for something I knew wouldn’t happen, not with him. I glanced at the clock, which read 11:15 pm, wondering why I hadn’t heard from Karen.

“
This is probably a stretch, and I know it’s late, but I was wondering if maybe I could see you,” his voice rang over the phone and then paused for a split second, “tonight.”

My stomach flip-flopped. I couldn’t understand what was going on. So many things were telling me not to. It was late at night, not much was open in the village, yet I was compelled to tell him yes. The thought of seeing him one more time almost made me lift off the ground. What if this would be the last time I saw him? I could literally feel my legs begin the Jell-O-like process again. It was dangerous, somehow, and so unlike anything that I would usually do. In fact, it was the exact opposite of anything I would do. Maybe that is why I was so intrigued.

I was about to tell him that it wouldn’t be a good idea, when a light flashed into my bedroom. It was a radiant light, almost like a prism dancing on my walls. I was certain it was similar to the same lights I noticed at the pub. This time it was reflecting against my wall and looked as if it was coming from the direction of the window. It made no sense since it was completely dark outside. I was really getting tired of these sleep-deprived hallucinations. I was six-stories up, nothing should be reflecting. I shuffled to my window, looking down into the village where I saw him on the cell phone looking up at me with those almost glowing green eyes. Maybe it was a light from a cell phone to get my attention I told myself. Looking at him made my heart flop to my toes. I knew the only cure was to see him one more time.

“
I will be right down. I have to call my friend.” I couldn’t believe what was coming out of my mouth, and I hung up on him. This was meant to be. I dialed Karen’s number again, and this time she picked up. “Karen,” I spoke quickly, “is everything ok?”

“
Oh hey, Ana. I apologize that I haven’t called. I just woke up. I’m so sorry to have left you guys in a lurch at the pub tonight. I couldn’t continue. I needed to lay down. Something came over me. It was odd. It was like an immediate flu. I started serving that table with the couple...”

I interrupted, “The Gods of the village?”

“
Yeah, that table. And it was almost like this weird spell came over me. It made me really sick. There is something wrong with those people. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but the closer I got to them the worse it got. I had to leave. I’m so sorry. I’m feeling better now, and I’m sure it must have been the flu or something. I probably sound crazy.”

“
Don’t worry about it at all Karen.” I spoke into the phone trying to sound calm and nonchalant but secretly wanting to hang up on her. “Well, another one joined that table you are talking about, and he was even more impressive than the others.”

“
I can’t imagine that, but I will take your word for it. I don’t want to run into them again. Like I said something wasn’t quite right. Sorry with leaving you with them. Did the evening go ok?”

“
Yes, actually it went amazingly well. I… um, never mind, I should let you get some rest.”

“
Ana, what aren’t you telling me?”

“
OK, don’t get mad or worried, but I’m about to go out with the guy who came to the table late. He asked me out.”

There was a few seconds of silence before she began into me. I knew I wouldn’t get off easily.

“
Wait a second, Ana, I don’t like this one bit. You don’t even know these people. I don’t feel good about them. What’s his name? Where is he staying? This is so unlike you Ana. What is going on? You of all people are going to go out with a guy who nobody knows and happens to be in town on vacation? Come on Ana, they never found those hikers from October. I know no one in the village wants to mention this, but I think we all know that having six people coming into a mishap at once is a little suspicious. They wouldn’t all just walk off a cliff. It would kind of make sense it would take more than one person to harm the hikers, maybe a crazed family?”

“
First of all, Karen, you shouldn’t assume that the hikers are dead. You know from the papers that one of the theories is that they all faked their disappearance to avoid the financial issues back home.” I found myself getting snotty with her, which was completely unlike me.

“
I know it sounds over the top Ana. I’m sorry. Like I said something didn’t sit right with me, and I know it sounds crazy, but I just think you should be cautious. That’s all I’m saying.”

The more she spoke the more I knew she was exactly right. This was careless and irresponsible. Nothing like I would ever do. Yet, I was going to do it tonight. I also, to my embarrassment, didn’t even know his name.

“
Hey Karen, I’m glad you are feeling better, but you need to rest. I will call you in the morning to check on you, and yes, I’m going out with him tonight. These guys aren’t dangerous.” I quickly hung up so she couldn’t talk me out of it, grabbed my coat, and headed to my front door. I glanced at Matilda who was still snoring soundly by the fire. I was sure she wouldn’t miss me for another hour or so. She had made one of her famous nests out of the chenille throw that fell off of the chair and obviously had no plans to move.

This was going to be a great night. I could feel it.

I
impatiently waited for the elevator and almost jumped out of my skin when the doors opened only to have him staring back at me with his sparkling green eyes.

“
Ok, how did you know what floor I was on and which elevator to take? That is a bit creepy.” I lied. Nothing he did could possibly be creepy.

“
I figured by the time you pushed the button I could be on the same elevator. I get bored easily.” His eyes caught mine and did not let go. My cheeks began burning up again. I hoped he didn’t notice. I couldn’t bear to let go of his gaze.

“
So, where are we off to in the village that sleeps by midnight? Unless we are clubbing it?” I giggled, stepping into the elevator, realizing that his presence was, once again, overwhelming. I wished I had the phone between us. There was no way he was going to find this endearing.

“
I’m not actually into the whole clubbing thing. Hope you aren’t disappointed,” His words were music to my ears, “I thought we could go to the Mallard Lounge at the Fairmont. Do you know it?”

“
Yah, that’s a great spot.” I wanted to tell him I knew it well and almost bought a residence at the Fairmont, but that would probably open up too much conversation since I’m a waitress and shouldn’t be able to afford such a place. My residence at the Westin was hard enough to explain.

As the elevator opened to the lobby level, he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and guided me out. Right before me stood his sister and her fiancé. I tried to stop myself from freezing in place. A family affair, that’s better for safety. Things were looking up. The red flags started to diminish, unless Karen was right about the hikers needing to be taken down by a group. Looking at these people, I knew that was an absurd thought and followed his lead.

“
Man, Athen! I can’t believe you were able to find her. That really sucks.” I looked up at the man I could now call Athen, and he saw the confusion in my eyes.

“
Finding you doesn’t suck, losing the bet he placed with me sucks. He owes me $100 cuz he said I wouldn’t be able to jump on the right elevator to find you. Obviously, he was wrong,” He hugged and kissed me on top of my head as if I had been declared his long ago, “You are my good luck charm already.”

We walked towards the lobby exit, and I gazed at the many couples coming in to retreat up to their rooms, and for the first time ever, I wasn’t looking at them with envy. Even if this was a fleeting moment at least I was experiencing it for once, and I was going to eat it up as much as I could, every morsel of it. As the doors opened the cold air blasted my face, and I reached for my hood, secretly hoping that my movement wouldn’t make him drop his hold on me. Instead he squeezed even tighter. I was in heaven.

While walking next to Athen I saw how happy his sister and her fiancé were. Holding each other tight, only letting go to grab the occasional fistful of snow and throw it at each other. I wondered what on earth had made me so jittery earlier. They all seem like such a sweet and fun loving unit - something that I had yearned for as long as I could remember. It made me feel a little silly for how I behaved earlier. As if Athen could sense my feelings, he wrapped his other arm around me.

“
You look cold.” He pulled me even closer. I looked up at him, noticing how much taller he was than I. The top of my head came only to his chin. My hood fell off, and I didn’t care. I was secretly hoping for another kiss on the top of my head.

“
So, I gathered that she is your sister, and he is her fiancé, but I don’t know their names, and I only know yours because your future brother-in-law called you by it,” I took a deep breath in and kept going, “I want to set the record straight and tell you that this is unlike anything I have ever done before. That being said, you better fill me in on a few facts before I start to listen to the red flags I see waving in my head right now and decide to go lock myself in my room.” I started to slow my pace as the words left me, wishing a little that I could take them back.

We were almost to the middle of the village by now, about fifteen minutes away from the Fairmont. He stopped immediately as did his sister, turning to look at me. He grabbed my face gently with both of his hands. I looked up at him, melting a little and wishing I hadn’t attempted to lay down the law because I knew in my heart everything would be fine. For some reason it already was. His eyes were piercing, full of concern, looking at me with an otherworldly sense, reminding me briefly of my dreams. He almost looked sheepish for a split second.

“
Ana, you are so right. Someday my behavior will make complete sense. I keep jumping ahead of myself. I was so worried you wouldn’t come out tonight, and I completely got caught up in everything. My sister’s name is Aurelia, but we all call her Arie and her fiancé is Cyril.”

“
Ok, that’s a good start. So where are you guys from and how long will you be here?”

Arie piped in next, “Well, our main residence is a tad outside of Seattle in Kingston. However, we recently purchased a residence at the Fairmont, which we are super excited about. So it’s safe to say that we will be here for a very long time. Now let’s keep walking so we don’t all become ice blocks.” She looked at me with her calming, almond-shaped green eyes as Athen grabbed my hand. For now, that was all the explanation I needed. I belonged with this family for the evening, and I was going to enjoy it even if I had to let them go tomorrow and wake up from my wonderful dream.

We arrived at the Mallard Lounge, and I realized it was still pretty active. It seemed because I went home to sleep every night doesn’t mean everyone in the village did too. I followed the group to a table in the back corner that looked especially cozy. I hoped I wouldn’t let anyone down with my lack of conversational skills. I always loved this place, with the wooden walls and dark lighting. The room was so inviting. As we were getting all settled I noticed a look between Arie and Athen that sent shivers down my spine, not because I was scared, but because I almost could sense what they were thinking, and it was about me.

“
Well, Ana how long have you lived in Whistler?” Cyril began the questioning that I felt might last a very long time.

“
I have lived here a couple of years. I moved here right out of high school and have been a server at the restaurant since. It is a pretty consistent job, and I can leave it once my shift is over. Carl, the owner, is very kind and has been very flexible.”

“
Have you lived in your condo long?” Arie asked.

“
Guys, let’s not interrogate her,” Athen piped up, “I’m sure she has as many questions too, but is being polite.” He looked at me and winked. All of a sudden, I didn’t care if all I did tonight was answer questions. I didn’t want this night to be over. I looked around at the table and felt at home. Something I had never experienced when hanging out with other people, at least that I could remember. Even my friend Karen, who was as close to a friend that I could get, didn’t give me this comfort level.

Our drinks came one after the other, and the words came spilling out. At this point, I couldn’t tell if it was the two greyhounds I had or if there was a real connection. I was leaning back watching these people, and it seemed so out of my reach. They seemed so put together. I couldn’t understand what I was doing here. I was definitely the black sheep.

They were so intrigued with everything I had to say. It seemed truly genuine, unexplainable, but genuine. At times, though, there seemed to be a suggestion that they knew what my answers were going to be before I did. I also knew that was impossible, but that was the sense of it. We covered everything imaginable in conversation. I was filled in on Athen’s college stint, Aries’ favorite hobby, which is pottery. Actually, shopping was her favorite hobby, but pottery was a close second. They also covered their favorite places in Seattle to hang out. I tried to keep up with the pace adding in what I could about my life but certainly dancing around certain other aspects, like the lack of family and friends or my ability to afford the condo I live in.

“
I hate to mention this, but I should probably start to walk Ana home. It is pretty late, and I want her to be ready for our day tomorrow.” Athen placed his hand on my knee, which sent a shot through my leg. I looked up at him thinking that maybe this was all a wonderful dream to replace all of the many nightmares until Arie interrupted my thoughts.