LOOKING TROUGH YOUR EYES

CHAPTER 11

-          When I saw the black rose laying on the ground I thought I could bring it to Sheryl, but something stopped me, I felt someone pulling me from behind. I thought it was Ethan and... I thought he’d be jealous, because the rose was beautiful, it seemed to glow ... when I touched it, a thorn pricked my finger and I remember that I fell to the floor. The next thing I saw is myself coming out of my body, I saw myself lying on the ground. Mom, you tried to take the rose too, right? But something prevented you, this time I could see him, it was Ethan, he pulled you by the back so you wouldn’t touch it! I wanted to ask him a million things, but I couldn't speak, my lips were kind of stitched together. Then he ran away and pushed you into the bedroom, came back with the little bird and reminded you that you should take the sunflower ... but, you know, it looked somewhat strange ... I remembered where I left the flower but ... I couldn't see it anymore, in its place ... there was something else, I couldn't see what it was because it shone like the sun, I was scared when you took it to your head, I wanted to stop you, but I felt heavy, I couldn't move a finger, all of a sudden it got dark, it was as if the sun had completely disappeared, I couldn't see anything, but ... there was something behind me, a creature that was breathing agitated, I felt it approaching, I wanted to run, but I couldn't move, I didn't know where, I couldn't see anything ... I felt that its claws surrounded me, the creature was freezing, as if it was dead, it approached my face and I could feel its breath, it was fetid like a corpse rotting for months. I felt that something was getting out of me, I felt that my life was leaving, but a distant light appeared. It was Ethan, he had the sunflower in his hand, he approached slowly and ... I don't know what happened, I saw his lips move, but I couldn't hear a word. It seemed like he was chanting or conjuring something, I don't know what he did, but whatever it was, it worked. The creature put its hands to its head and began to complain, letting out blood-curdling screams as it walked away. Suddenly, I was all alone again, the flower was only a few steps away, it was still glowing, but its light was fading. I wanted to call Ethan to thank him, but the creature reappeared, I couldn't see it, but I felt its distant breath, I could feel its fetid stench and I heard it closer and closer ... but at that moment something happened. Everything faded and I could see my body on the couch. I saw when the gentleman gave me the pill and everything returned to normal, I fell asleep.

Jair finished his story a little calmer, but he was still terrified. He clung to his mother and began to cry again. The 3 women were surprised, terrified by what the boy had just told them; however, not the slightest trace of surprise could be seen in Mike's gestures.

-          Doesn't it all seem very strange to you? - Asked Lindsey

-          No. There are things that I already know ... as I was saying, Ethan entrusted me with certain information

-          Is there even more? - they all asked scared

-          Yes, what you know now is just the tip of the iceberg ...

-          what else should we know? - Emma asked

-          Nothing. In fact, you’d rather not know what you already know ... the less you know, the better protected you’ll be.

They looked at each other and no one dared to ask anything else. They had many questions, but they were afraid of the answers.

-          Well ... - Emma said turning to her son – there’s something I must tell you. Your father passed away yesterday, they found him this morning in a ravine, apparently he was driving drunk...

-          but he’s the most careful man I know! He never has a drink when driving. It's impossible it was because of that ... - Jair said energetically

-          Well ... I think that too, but that's the report the police have. By the way - she said looking towards Lindsey - they told me he left a letter for me and they want me to come and pick it up tomorrow. can you come with me? It kind of scares me

-          no! - Mike said without letting her answer

They all looked at him strangely.

-          It’s better that you go alone - he explained - and you must not read what it says. As I told you before, the less you know the better

-          But ... why you can know everything? Nothing bad ever happened to you, did it? - Emma said claiming

-          No, but it's because it's just me, Melany tried to attack me more than once, but Ethan helped me get rid of her, in exchange for me protecting Sheryl and Lindsey. He wishes he could do it all by himself, but he can't. He needs someone who is physically with his protégés at all times. He chose me because, by losing my mother, I was left alone in the village, I have no brothers nor family that Melany could harm; besides, he knows how much I love Lindsey and he told me that I’m a trustworthy person. In conclusion, it’s easier to help me because I’m just one person, with no ties other than love for Lindsey.

There was silence again. Lindsey blushed and looked down. They decided that Jair would stay that day at Lindsey's house and Mike would accompany Emma to identify the body. They had breakfast and left for the morgue. Lindsey stayed with the children, she was worried, she hadn’t spoken to Paul since the day they argued at the zoo, she was afraid that one day they would also call her to identify the body.

-          Guys, I'll be in my room in case you need anything - she said as she went up to her room.

They were all alone in the room. Suddenly, the diary began to shake. Sheryl opened it with the bracelet on her right wrist.

-          It was Ethan who gave it to you, right? - Jair asked pointing at the bracelet with her gaze.

-          No, Mike gave it to me ...

-          Well, it's almost the same - he said a little jealous - but you know, I can't be upset with him ... after all, he saved my life. Although ... I’d like to know why ... I mean, I'm sure I'm not one of his favorite people

Sheryl shrugged and opened the diary to the second page: "excuse me" began to write the gold ink

-          Is that Ethan? What does he mean? - Asked Jair

-          I don’t know…

"What happened to Anthony was my fault" wrote the ink, this time it looked like dark mustard.

-          what did you do? That's why you helped me? Did you feel guilty? What did you do to my dad? - Jair shouted angrily

Nothing appeared. The boy took the diary and began to shake it desperately. Suddenly, Sheryl's necklace also changed color.

-          Look - said the girl - it's changing color ... but, how strange ... it's not blue, I think it's also turning mustard

The words kept appearing on the pages of the diary, Ethan explained that he knew that Melany wanted to hurt Anthony, but he did nothing to stop her because he didn’t want to be near Jair, also, he thought that she wouldn’t dare to get so close to his protégé. “She knows everything about you, Sheryl. She knows that I always protect you and that Mike helps me, she also knows how close you are with Jair" the ink turned blue when he wrote a few words "she knows that you have a lot of affection for the Walkers, that's why I thought that she wouldn’t dare to mess with Anthony. Excuse me, Jair. Yes, you're right, I helped you because I felt guilty. But you have no idea how bad I feel. I know I should have let you know before… it's just, it really hurts me…” the words stopped appearing. Sheryl and Jair were beginning to feel impatient, they thought they knew what was going on, but they needed to see it written “… it hurts me that you can be by her side and I can only contemplate her without even touching her. Every day ... you don't know what I’d give to be by her side, but someone has to take care of Melany” the paper began to get wet, Sheryl believed that water was falling from the ceiling, she looked up, but there was nothing, she understood that they were tears. She felt bad for Ethan, she didn’t know him, but she had a certain affection for him, after all, he was right, he’d always been protecting her, he’d always taken care of her and accompanied her.

-          I'm sorry - Sheryl said with an almost inaudible voice

Jair heard her and felt sad ... he knew Ethan was right, he’d taken care of her since she was born, Jair on the other hand, he’d only loved her so much for almost a month. But he couldn't do anything, from the first time they spoke he’d been spellbound by her voice, he couldn't let her go, she’d become his whole world.

He took Sheryl's hands, closed the diary, and placed it on the sofa. He approached Sheryl slowly and hugged her tightly.

-          Please - she said in a very deep voice – don’t ever leave. I know we've only known each other for a short time, but trust me, I can't imagine being without your smile again.

The girl hugged him back, as always, her world stopped, she even forgot what had just happened, she forgot Ethan, she forgot her problems. But, again, something interrupted them.

-          Is everything alright? - asked Lindsey, who’d come down chasing a little bird that came through her window

The children broke loose and replied:

-          Yes, everything’s fine - they both knew that Ethan had guided the little bird, they looked at each other fixedly and smiled, both blushed.

-          You know ... - Sheryl said looking at her mother - we talked for a moment with Ethan, he can write in the diary

-          Wow ... what did he say?

Sheryl showed her the words on the pages. Lindsey was speechless, she could understand how that boy felt, but she also understood that it wasn’t Jair's fault, things had happened very fast, but she could see that he really loved his daughter.

-          Didn't he tell you anything about Paul? - she asked at last

-          No, he didn't tell us anything about dad, why? Is something wrong with him? - Sheryl asked worried

-          It's not that ... but, it's strange ... he’s lived with Melany for several years now, and I see it well, don't you think it's strange? Alice's husband was only with her for a few months or weeks, then they found him dead, and well ... the same thing happened with ... -  she stopped, Jair was right next to her - I'm sorry, I didn't ...

-          Don't worry - said the boy trying not to cry

-          Sorry. But… you know, now that I remember, Melany's first husband was the mayor, they were also married for a few months. Then he died of kidney stones, according to some, others said that there was something wrong with his liver, it was very strange, he was young and always did sports, ate healthy and was always smiling. He was the only politician with values who was ever in charge of this town - she said sadly - I don't really remember much about him, or his funeral ... the only thing that comes to my head when I try to think about that night is Alice, giving me Ethan to calm him down

The 3 of them were silent for a moment.

-          Anyway - Lindsey said again to break the awkward silence - what do you think if we go to the park to de-stress a bit? I think we’re safe and we should take the opportunity to relax a bit ...

-          yeah! - they both said excitedly

Meanwhile, Emma and Mike had already arrived at the morgue. She trembled with every step she took.

-          Easy - said Mike - I know what this means for you and, believe me, I know that your husband was a good man, I'm very sorry it ended like this. But ... remember that Jair is still a child, he’ll suffer even more if he sees you like this

Emma nodded, swallowed, and adjusted her coat. They got into the morgue, identified the body and collected the things that had been left in the car.

-          Remember that you should NOT read the letter. You must keep it in a place that only you have access to, it’s important that no one reads it ...

-          But… wouldn't it be better to burn it or throw it away?

-          Mmm … maybe it would be safer ... but Ethan specified that it should be kept, maybe it’ll be useful in the future, I we should follow his instructions

Emma nodded and they went home. When they finished hiding all the things Anthony had left behind, it was already lunchtime, so they headed to Lindsey's house. Just as they were going to ring the bell, they saw her arrive with the children. They all passed and ordered a French food delivery. Then they decided to go to the movies. From that day on, the 5 became very close, they always went out together and told each other everything.

After almost 3 months, Paul called Lindsey.

-          I'll go this week to pick up Sheryl - he said without even saying hello

-          Good morning, first of all - she said sarcastically - where have you been all this time? The last time we heard from you was at the zoo ... we were worried about you

-          But I told Sheryl that we’d travel with Melany ...

-          I know, but you didn't say when you’d return and you didn't even say goodbye, you didn't even answer your cell phone… where did you go?

-          It doesn’t matter. I’ll spend this weekend with our daughter

-          Okay, but remember that Melany CANNOT be near her

-          I get it

-          By the way ... where will you go? - Lindsey asked, but he’d already hung up.

On the weekend, as promised, Paul knocked on the door very early. Sheryl was ready, she’d missed her dad so much. He greeted her with a huge smile, he seemed again like the man of almost 10 years ago, affectionate and cheerful. Lindsey and Sheryl were surprised, but they were both glad to see him so refreshed. For a long time, things seemed to go as normal, Lindsey and Mike would go out every Sunday, when it was not Paul's turn, they went out with Sheryl and Jair. Emma quit her job and started making cupcakes, she soon became the best pastry chef in town, everyone was looking for her for birthdays, weddings and special celebrations. Life continued seemingly normal, Ethan intruded from time to time, trying to separate Sheryl from Jair, but it wasn't very often. It went on like that for a few months, until Sheryl's 13th birthday.