The Counterpart

2. Foreigner-2

“Jealousy — perhaps? I can’t think of anything else.” He leaned back, but there was nothing to hold him as he floated in the air in front of me. He pulled his arms behind his head.

“But he said I’m the one. The one what? What did he mean by that, deliver me to whom?”

Quentin seemed uninterested by the mention of what he had said. He rose and grabbed my hand, pulling me close.

“The delusional ramblings of a mad man, that is all, my pet, nothing more. Let’s go. Let me take you to the realm of the witches from the East. Let us dance with the witches of the North. They plan a feast. We can dance and drink whatever you wish. Just come away with me,” he said, holding my gaze in a hypnotic grip.

I couldn’t pull away.

He rose higher into the air, staring back and gliding above me. The cold breeze was now hitting my face.

“Come, my pet. I want you near,” he invited.

He lifted me into the air with him.

We began flying through the sky, up so high. We flew alongside a group of beautiful witches. A breeze swept back the long locks of my hair, blowing gently across my face. We were soaring through the clouds with Quentin holding me tightly to him. The witches flying beside us waved at me, and I waved back at them.

Quentin laughed as he dove into the clouds. They followed him, and we spun around. I nearly lost my breath and screamed as he held me firmly against his body. We came back up through the clouds and over the mountainous terrain, where I could see the snowy landscapes, the jungle, and the forest scenery below.

God, it was all so beautiful, and I felt I never wanted to leave. Quentin’s lips pressed against the side of my face, kissing me softly. My eyes closed feeling his tenderness, and when I opened them, he was gazing back.

“It can always be like this. You would have everything you could ever want,” he said. “I want you to stay with me.”

Closing my eyes, I exhaled as we flew fast through the clouds. The witches seemed to have a hard time catching up to us. Quentin’s laughter filled the sky as we came down on a hilltop covered in moss and greenery. Jungles spread beyond the edge behind us. A beautiful waterfall crashed down below.

Mermaids sat on a large boulder in the center of a beautiful pool surrounded by greenery all around. They waved up at us, but Quentin barely acknowledged them. He stood alongside me with his hands on his hips, looking superior over the vast world, his world. He was master here, and he wanted me to know it. I could be his queen. I knew this as he looked at me.

“You can, and you will. Stay.”

He walked past me towards the forest in the distance, and I stood near the edge looking after him. He turned and extended his hand calling me over to his side. He looked so handsome dressed in that leather, black, fitted jumpsuit. Beautiful, short, black strands of hair were pulled back against his ghostly complexion. His eyes glowed in that radiant purple shade. He was beautiful and so perfect. I wanted to never leave his side.

Like a love-sick girl I hurried beside him and took his hand. He pulled me close and stared deeply into my eyes. Golden swirls spread from the center of his pupils. Do I want to be with him? I felt I would do anything he asked. I’d fallen, I was under his spell. I couldn’t explain it, I couldn’t escape it.

We walked into the forest with him holding me beside him. The jungle opened into the end of another cliff, but before us was a bridge. The wood was rotting away. It looked weak, just about ready to collapse as it swung in the breeze. On the other side, a large wall of the cliff was covered in what appeared to be caves. I could see women descending from them. Some took to the skies, while others landed upon the other end where the bridge ended. They looked towards us. Quentin approached the bridge first; he seemed fearless and daring.

“Is it safe?” I whispered, standing but a few steps from the shaking and weakened structure.

Quentin laughed at my words turning toward me. I stood only steps from him but dared not to approach.

“Give me your hand,” he ordered.

It didn’t surprise me how quickly I responded to his request. I nearly raced to his side, taking his hand. He gripped my hand tightly and pulled me close. We began our walk carefully onto the wooden planks, which were missing in some areas.

Why did we not merely fly across when he so easily could. He seemed to answer me almost immediately with a smile. He loved this sort of adventure. He loved testing one’s mortality, perhaps, because he didn’t have any. He hurried me, pulling at my hand as I tried to stay alongside him. I lost my footing, nearly falling through the planks as I dangled from the bridge.

My leg hung through it as I screamed. The witches at the other end were looking on with concern. They flew towards us to help, but Quentin pulled me up to my feet quickly, smiling as he did, as if it were a silly game. I stared at him, frightened. He put a tender hand on my cheek, cupping it. It surprised me how quickly I became lost and calmed by his gesture.

“It’s alright, my pet. Nothing to be frightened of.”

Just like that, we continued as I desperately tried to watch my step, even with Quentin so urgently pulling me to follow him. A few steps more, and we came to the other end. As soon as we stepped up to the other side of the mountain, women were standing before us, dressed in long, glittering, beautiful gowns. Veils covered their lengths of hair, golden jewelry dangled from their slender necks and wrists, and sometimes ankles. They dropped to one knee before Quentin.

They’re so beautiful, I thought, every single one of them. A gorgeous redhead approached Quentin, as he stood looking about in approval at what he saw before him.

The beautiful witch bowed her head politely. “Welcome to our village, Mighty one.” She smiled at me. “We’re so happy you’re here, and delighted you have brought a guest.”

Quentin walked past her, uninterested in her kind words. “My Pet-tricia,” he corrected her. There were a few gasps from the group as he stopped, extending his hand out for me to take.

I immediately rushed forward and took it. He squeezed my hand tightly.

“Do you have things prepared for us? My pet is famished,” Quentin said.

“Of course, Mighty One.” She turned to the women behind her and clapped her hands.

They rushed away and brought forward refreshments and food.

“The festivities will begin,” she announced.

She walked ahead into the shadows of the large wall carved with caves. The group of women parted a path for us to walk through. All of them stared at me with eyes of amazement, some whispered and pointed to my shoes and clothing. I sensed they were in disbelief I was here in the flesh. But who did they think I was?

All I got from them was, that’s Pet-tricia, but who was this Pet-tricia? Why do they think that’s me? Does Quentin not want me to know? Why do I sense disapproval if any of the women even voiced acknowledgment of my identity?

They were curious, following Quentin and me up to a large throne a few yards into the compound. It seemed to be the head witch’s throne, but Quentin seated himself upon it as if it were his own.

I took a seat beside him where a large stone, shaped like a tree stump, was set. The throne was made from animal bones and skulls. Behind the throne, there were bones of a large bird whose wings spread above and around the grand seat.

A group of witches came to stand in front of Quentin, two other witches brought us refreshments. The women standing before us began to dance seductively.

Quentin smiled as his eyes widened, and he seemed to be enjoying himself. I felt jealousy, burning jealousy, as their dance became more erotic.

They started removing veils and layers of their gowns, exposing parts of their thin, slender legs and waists. I glanced over at Quentin and drank deeply from the goblet that had been handed to me. Quentin wasn’t drinking; he was too intoxicated by the women dancing before him. The dancers slowly moved their bodies, inches from him, reaching their delicate fingers out to brush against him.

The fury and jealousy in me grew. I drained the drink, and at once was brought another.

Quentin clapped; the dancers invited him over to join them. My head was spinning as he went to stand among the women while they were dancing around him, touching, caressing, and brushing against him. Quentin gazed over at me. The women moved around him and came slowly towards me.

The cup fell from my hands as everything spun. I felt numb. My legs wouldn’t move. The women helped me to my feet and dragged me towards Quentin, who came closer until…

I stood in front of Quentin. He reached for me. “Awake. Stay,” he whispered. “Stay with me forever. I want you; I want to make you mine.”

He pressed his lips to mine.

I swallowed hard, unable to make sense of the words as I felt his mouth on mine, the delicate fabrics, and soft textures and the warmth of the bed now caressed my form with Quentin looking down over me.

We were no longer dancing but alone pulled away from the dream. Was it a dream? I couldn’t tell. He pulled back as I reached for him.

Claudia! Where are you? Claudia?

John! His voice was calling to me.

My head still spun. I saw his face and then, nothing but haze and double vision.

“He means nothing. Soon he will be nothing but a bad memory. Tell me you want to be mine,” he demanded. “I’ll take you away with me, and we will never be apart. Never again. Tell me.”

Quentin’s face began to spin, until everything went black.

Sitting up, I found myself in my bed at home. Quentin was nowhere. The window was wide open, and the curtains were blowing in the breeze. Rising with a tremble I slowly reached to close the window.

My head was throbbing. I jumped into bed. Had it all been a dream? I wondered this until I noticed dirt stained the white sheets of my bed. I took off my boots and pulled the sheet up to my neck.

“He wants me to stay with him,” I whispered, “Forever?”

A shudder raced up my arm. Why couldn’t I resist him. I couldn’t fight him when he was near. I couldn’t think straight. He had a strange effect on me.

We were in love…once…you’ve just forgotten, Quentin’s voice whisper into my mind.

I tried pushing his voice from my head.

John, I thought.

Claudia? John answered back.

He doesn’t matter, does he? Quentin’s voice broke between our connection. I want you, and I know you want me too. Come with me. Be mine. I will give you everything. Just love me, and I will be your servant forever.

“Forever?” I whispered, unable to understand the power and hold he had over me.

Quentin’s face appeared in the dark corner of my bedroom. His eyes stared back, his whole ghostly face smiling beautifully.

Yes, but you must awaken, my Pet-tricia, he said, then hissed and reached out.

I want you to come with me. Come with me. But you must awaken. His face fell back into the darkness, and he was gone.

A buzzing startled me from my sleep. I grabbed for my phone to make it stop. I saw the numerous texts and missed calls. I answered the incoming call as I sat up on the side of my bed.

“Claudia,” John’s voice yelled from the other end of the line. “Are you okay? What happened? Where are you? Are you safe?”

“Yes,” I answered.

“I’m coming over.”

“Don’t,” I said almost immediately.

“What’s wrong?” He sounded concerned.

“Nothing.” I tried to downplay it.

“I don’t believe you. I sense your confusion, what happened? I looked for you at the party. I didn’t see you. I found Alex, your friend. She was acting strange. She fled before I could talk to her. Why weren’t you with her?”

“I’m sorry —Um … John, I didn’t mean to scare you.” I didn’t want to tell him the truth. What could I tell him? I didn’t even understand it myself. “I guess I should have told you everything,” I said.

“What happened?”

“Michael didn’t want me to go to the party,” I revealed. “I was grounded. I didn’t want to tell you. I was embarrassed.”

John seemed to calm down a little.

“Why do I feel like you’re not telling me everything?” He held in a breath and then exhaled deeply. “I thought the worst …I don’t know why. There was confusion coming from you, but there was something else, something different.”

“I’m sorry, John.”

“Don’t be. I’m just happy you’re okay. I can stop by if you need me to. I feel like I should.”

“I don’t think Michael will like that.”

“Right, Michael. I forgot,” he said very nonchalantly. “I want to see you, Claudia.”

I fell silent for a moment, not sure what to say.

“I won’t take no for an answer, Miss Belle. I’ll be there tomorrow to pick you up early,” he said.

“Early?” I asked, surprised.

“I have something I want to ask you and I don’t want Joseph finding out before he has a chance to ruin it for me again. Let’s try for seven or eight?”

“A.M.?”

John laughed. “Yes. Is that okay?”

I didn’t say anything.

“Miss Belle, you still there?” his masculine voice asked.

“Yes,” I whispered.

“If something is scaring you, you would tell me? You trust me, right?”

“Yes,” I said.

John was silent for a moment. I could sense he was concerned, he wanted to be near me. I felt the same and that feeling was enough to make his heart soar.

“Okay. I’ll pick you up tomorrow, early. Goodnight, Claudia.”

“Where are we going?” I blurted out. I didn’t want the conversation to end.

“We don’t have to go anywhere if you don’t want to. I just want to see you and spend some time with you,” he admitted softly.

“Okay. I like that.” I could sense his heart singing.

“Goodnight.” There was a smile in his voice.

“Goodnight,” I repeated before he hung up.

I dropped to my bed, looking up at the ceiling with my head throbbing and my heart hitting the inside of my ribcage. A vision of John’s beautiful, unnatural green eyes were staring right into me. He was thinking of me and that made me as light as a feather.

Am I falling for him, or have I already fallen? A smile spread over my lips.

He responded we were connecting at that moment. He reached out; I could picture him on his bed staring at the ceiling back at me.

John, I said.

In response, he answered, Miss Belle.

I liked it when he called me by my last name.

Above, another face peered from the ceiling over me, but it was no longer John’s.

“Quentin,” I whispered.

He smiled, extending a hand to me. I turned onto my side, closing my eyes. I wanted John. I loved John.

You can’t leave me. I won’t let you … not this time …

Quentin was in my dreams, and we danced high into the skies, over the clouds like two birds.

He kept repeating, Come with me. I won’t let you go …