Whisper (18 page)

FORTY-TWO

Time Together

“Tell me about Anabelle.” I say to Luken as we walk through the woods.

“Why would you like to discuss her that is an interesting topic?” Taking his hand in mine, our fingers grasped together. “I just want the truth about it all, about me, especially.”

“Ah, so you have ulterior motives for asking about her.” I couldn’t help but laugh, really laugh. It intrigued me having someone from such a distant past answer questions, specifically about our connection to each other.

“Very well, when Anabelle first met me, it had been at a formal party. It was quite similar to Becca’s only more formal and grand. Waltzes and other entertaining dances took place. Guests came from wealthy families well known in high society. The Vandersen name was a household name. Anabelle was engaged to my cousin Charles at the time. Unfortunately for him once she laid eyes on me in formal attire, she had to have me. To be fair, most of the young ladies wanted me when I had been in a tuxedo.”

I rolled my eyes, “well aren’t we a bit full of ourselves.”

Luken grins, “I was back then, until one night I went to sleep and a girl from my dreams changed me. She haunted me every night. Anabelle had been enthralled to be engaged to me. I had not meant to commit myself to her. Charles loved her. She had left him it was customary to marry into a family where she would be taken care of, an upstanding family.

I was considered a top choice for a husband. Her family allowed it, placing her indiscretions in the past. The night I first dreamed of you, was the night before I officially asked for Anabelle’s hand in marriage. She was glowing when I placed the ring on her delicate finger.” I felt his arms wrap around me pulling me close his cold soft lips touched my head before he pulled me forward.

Luken glanced back at me, I stopped for a minute. He came up intimately close to me running his hand along my chin, tilting my head toward him. “Are you still having headaches?” I clenched my teeth and nod. “I need you to know your life is still in danger.” Somehow I already knew.

“What happened next?” I urged Luken to continue. “As time went on, I continued to dream of you. I sat down at the piano closed my eyes and started to play with the image of you in my mind. It spoke to my heart in such a haunting way. I convinced myself a spirit haunted me in my sleep.  Once it had been composed my father became worried about my state of mind. He discouraged me from continuing to play. My father had the music recorded so I could play in my own place.

Avaya you have a hold on me I was unable to think straight. I wasn’t able to marry Anabelle any longer. When I tried to get out of it my father said it was not advised of me to make a mockery of our family.

My father eventually had me committed to an institution for those with delusions. To get out I had to stop talking about you and how I would find you someday. The town spoke of me. Some believed I had gone insane, imagining a girl who didn’t exist at the time. Anabelle’s friends encouraged her to walk away from my and return to Charles. It had been too late he married someone else and became engaged quite abruptly.

It had been a few years after my Uncle Jefferson had dies with my young cousin George that I started to sense the feel of being watched in the woods. Eerie and proper for where we live, though at the time I hadn’t been aware I was being watched.”

Amazed I leaned back against the tree, pulling him gently to me for a kiss. Our electric spark rapidly caught fire until we are lost in each other. The kisses were slow and intense. I had that sense of being watched. I glanced behind me it was empty.

“Avaya,” I heard my name being whispered in the woods and tried to brush it out of my mind. Choosing to believe it lingered from the past. I had no idea who she was, but it had been weeks since I heard her calling for me, almost like she was searching for me.

We weaved in and out of trees, strolling in the opposite direction of the mansion and into territory I don’t recognize. I hesitated. “What is wrong?”

“I don’t know this area,” I say. Luken takes my hand, “I do it is all right, if we head this way it’ll lead us back to the mansion.” I followed Luken until we are at the edge of the woods, the mansion ahead of us waiting for our return. “Oh and darling, Anabelle does not even compare to you,” he smirks. Luke lifted my hand to his velvet soft lips.

Heading back to the mansion I think about all Luken must have been through in his time. He had so many obligations at such a young age. Standards set high for him in all aspects of his life with an intended purpose.

My last thought before we headed inside was
how could my life have changed so much in such a short amount of time?

* * *

Hours later I stood in the foyer with my Uncle James and Becca. He had decided to take the two of us out to dinner. As we left, Miss Brantshire wore a straight line on her lips. She stared down at me like usual, through the tip of her nose.

My uncle took us to a fancy restaurant. We ate strange foods. Becca is a high society girl born and raised, I am not. I already know in Luken’s time it would have been problematic for us.

I sighed. My uncle says, “What do you think Avaya?”

“Huh?” I hadn’t realized he was talking to me.

“What do you think of the crab cakes?” He asks wary.

I stared at the food. It is so expensive. My family could make some of this at home in our own kitchen. My mom used to refer to restaurants as a great way to get meal ideas to try at home. I tried the caviar sitting in front of me. I felt the popping
and crackling in my mouth. It was strange and made me sick to my stomach. My uncle recommended I eat salad and some other food with it.

“Oh, delicious, I guess it is my first time having it. I mean we would go to Fisherman’s Shack out on the pier at home, but I never ordered the crab cakes. It really is delicious. Thank you for dinner.”

My uncle nods, while Becca continues to eat slower. “I figured since we will be taking a trip soon, it would be nice to get away from the mansion for a little bit. Becca woke up while you were here, an unexpected surprise.”

“Dad, don’t embarrass me.” Becca tosses in, her cheeks reddened.

As we ate, I stared at a group of guys sitting at a table. “Who are you checking out?” Becca jabbed me.

I pointed at a table, “the guy sitting right over there.” She stares confusion obvious in her eyes. Becca furrowed her brow, fiercely. “There is nobody over there.” I watched her eye my Uncle James with a knowing glance. I barely saw the exchange.

The guy smiles and waves, two more friends join him and start to talk. “I’ll be right back.” I said.

“Uh, Avaya, where are you going?”

Great, my uncle is being protective today. “I am going to the restroom.”

I turned to head to the bathroom and noticed right away I have company.  There is a small garden next to the restrooms. “Hey, you can see us?” The guy asks.

Nodding, I hope the lady walking passed me doesn’t notice my acknowledgement. I did not understand what it is about these guys. I don’t think they’ll hurt me, but after Jefferson I am more alert.

“Yes I can see you.” I finally manage to get out.

“Sweet, dude she can totally see us.” One of the guys gives a high five to the guy who had smiled at me from the table. More spirits I decided. This was getting strange. They seemed to show up no matter where I go. My reason for determining what is real and what isn’t was affecting me.

“Dude she is really pretty.”

The guy slyly moves toward me. “Uh, how did you die?”

A guy with dark brown hair and bright crystal blue eyes, smiles while he nods at me. “We were racing this tripped out super speeder and my friend’s car here lost control and the tree came out of nowhere. It took a few days to figure out we were dead. My buddy over here, the blond guy, he had been in the hospital and when he died we were there to meet up with him.”

How tragic to go in such a severe way. The only thing keeping me from running was my ability to attempt to help somehow. I didn’t how I would do it. There were no words.

“You guys don’t belong here, you know that right?”

The main guy that caught my attention first steps forward. “Who are you to…?” He turns his head as Becca comes around the around the corner. “Avaya my dad is getting concerned.”

I nod. “I’ll be there in a minute.” I say to her. It is like she can see the guys. Becca has that look in her eyes.

“Okay I apologize.” I said to the guys for trying to give them help they didn’t want. I walked away to catch up with Becca. She tried to pry for information, but I have nothing to share.

* * *

“I missed you.” Luken greeted me when I entered my room. In two days my uncle is taking me back home to pack up some of my own belongings. It is strange to think I will be returning to a home that isn’t my home any longer. “I missed you too Luken.”

Luken and I kissed for a split second. Out of the corner of my eye, I see two patches of frost in the room. “What is it?” He says tucking my hair behind my ear, sweetly. “Nothing it is just me.”

“Avaya, darling I love you.”

“I love you Luken, are you feeling well?” He nods. Our touches become gentler and sweeter with each moment of time that passes.

Walking over to my windows I stared out into the woods. Gazing passed the trees and the pond as far as my eyes would allow me to scan. I scoped out the length of my vision figuring out a starting point to search for Luken’s body.

FORTY-THREE

Under The Stars

Luken held his hands over my eyes. I couldn’t see where I was going. I was at the mercy of putting complete trust in him. We walked through the woods. I could feel the leaves and twigs crunch under my feet. “Almost there,” he says to me.

“Where are we going?” I try to coax out of him.

“Be patient, you will see soon.” I could feel the smile tugging at his lopsided grin.

Luken stopped me from walking. I knew it was night out, I could hear an owl hooting in the distance. He had moved away from me, I felt the cold brush of being alone. That only lasted for a few seconds.

His hands gently touched my shoulders moving me forward again. His palms covered over my eyes so I wouldn’t be able to peek. I wasn’t sure where he was taking me, but tonight he wanted to show me that he could take me on a date if he wanted.

Coming to another stop he removed his hands as he says, “okay, open your eyes.”

I walked forward in amazement. The garden looked like a glamorous display. A new swing hung from a solid tree branch. The flower beds were healthy and fresh. Green grass glistened up moisture. “When did you do this?” I face him giving him a light kiss. “Here and there, I thought since you found it. You should see how I used to see it.”

Luken leads me to a hidden area within the garden. Trees arched over creating a natural shelter. A table with two seats sat in the middle. A candelabrum with three lighted candles sat in the center of the table. Two covered platters were hiding the meal waiting for a reveal.

He walked with me to the table helping me to sit down. Luken removes each platter revealing not a meal, but a milkshake combination ice cream desert. “This looks too delicious.” He wags his eyebrow once.

We ate our dessert and then Luken walked me to the very back of the garden. My Aunt Dana was bent over smelling a lily. “I have a question for you Avaya.” Swallowing being asked questions by adults tended to clench at my nerves.

“Could you bring my husband to me? I think it is time for us to see each other.

“What about Becca?” She turns away, “no not yet, James only.”

“I will try my best.” Pleased she faded away.

Luken led me to an area with stringed lighting. He walked over to a radio. “That is an ancient radio, are you sure it’ll work?” Luken lifts his head to me. “Are you calling me ancient?” I smile, “yes, I am.” He rushes at me playfully. Music starts to crackle through the old radio.

He takes my hands pulling them around his neck.

We danced for hours before he led me to a blanket. I stopped, “do you have ulterior motives?” I asked. He shrugs. “Not that I am aware.”

We lay back on the blanket. We watched the stars above us. “Make a wish.” Luken says to me. I gazed up to see a shooting star flash by in the night sky.

“What did you wish for?” I frown, “can’t tell you that.” I said.

He leans over to me pulling me to him for a sweet gestured kiss.

I enjoyed the night and how romantic Luken made it. He must have gone through a lot of trouble to top Xavier. While we spent time together on the swing and playing around in the garden, I got lost in my imagination.

On the way back to the mansion, I froze. There was something not right.

“Avaya, we need to get back to the mansion now. It isn’t safe.” I heard footsteps in the woods. Luken pulled me in a direction I hadn’t gone before away from the sound of the intruder coming toward us.

“Who is it Luken?” He slung his arm around me protectively moving me forward. “Keep walking and try not to talk to me.”

Before I knew it we were standing at the door to my bedroom. I breathed a sigh of relief when we entered into the mansion. Luken wraps his arms tight against my waist. He kissed me before holding my door open for me and disappearing from sight.

I shut my door and thought someone stood in my room. I turned on the light it was my mind getting the best of me. The whistling wind outside, sounded like it called my name. Ignoring the thought, I climbed into bed and waited for the sounds of familiar footsteps clacking down the hall to go away.