HIDING BEHIND THE SHADOWS

Chapter 8 - Flashback 3 The Woods

I was in a deep sleep that night. I let Jessie go, I was confused myself.  I promised to take care of her, but she doesn’t want me around.  I was tired, a lot has happened that day, it was as if I was extremely happy at first then a bucket of water was splashed in my face.  I was so tired, I dropped myself to bed, face down and closed my eyes trying to pretend that everything will be fine when I wake up.

 I flipped over in bed.  My head hurts and my body seemed to lose all the energy left when sensed someone was watching me in my sleep, cold shivers down my spine… I slowly open my eyes darkness engulfed me.  I reached for the lampshade and turn on the lights. I scan the room to see I was alone.  I stand up closing the windows when I stepped on something. It was a stone wrapped in white paper.

“I am coming towards the woods… if you love me I wait for you  -Jessie”

I packed my bag stuffed in some shirts and sweatpants.  I went to the kitchen cabinets to check on ready to eat foods, a flashlight and water.  I have to talk to Jessie, we have to sort things out I know.

I slowly slid to the back door to pick my bike. Jessie and I used to go biking in the woods… along the creek and we both spotted the old cottage behind the bushes.  My Dad said the cottage belongs to his grandparents.  I know Jessie will be there… I have to be there it will not be safe for her to go behind the shadows.  It was an old tale, crossing the creek at night is not a good idea but, I have to see her.  I have to comfort her.

After almost an hour, I reached the edge of the creek I picked up my bike haul it over my shoulders to cross the creek, I saw a light fire ahead… it must come from the cottage. I sensed someone was watching me on the shadows but I continued to walk to the cottage dragging my bike.

“Jessie?... Jessie” I called her name reaching for the door.  Opened it scanned the room with my flashlight. The fireplace was lit sensing that someone is here.  I continue to searched inside an old sofa was sitting in the living room. Footprints leading to the bedroom, I slowly opened the bedroom door and there she was… in the corner of the room, hugging her knees crying softly.

I ran to her and put my arms around her “It’s okay… I’m here…” whispered comforting words to her.

He glanced up put her arms around my neck and kissed me. Again she whispers to my ears “Thank you..”

We both stand and hugged each other tightly not wanting to let go in the dark room. “the shadows…” she whispers, she was frightened “It’s alright… we have each other now” I assured her.

I searched in my bag for something to put on the floor where we can rest.  She handed me a blanket and spread it on the floor… we lie down her head on my chest my arms around her and we drifted off to a deep sleep.

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END OF FLASHBACK

Harry reached up for the bottle of beer in my hands and put it in the kitchen.

“Would you like to have some more?” he asked “No, I… I think that’s enough” I said

“Aaron, Jessie was the most beautiful girl I ever met in this town. She was always adored and pleased by everyone around her… but when you left, everything about her changed” he sighed and pause for a while seem to think how it was way back then after I left. I played with my hands listening to Harry. 

“The day you called Nana Ysabelle, that you were coming on her 17th birthday as you promised, her eyes light up.  She dragged here, it was the first time that I came here.  I was so afraid then of the old tales about the shadows, but she held me close to her.  When we were about to cross the creek, she stopped me. She went ahead of me, she bowed her head, bend her knees to fetch water with her hands and splashed it over my feet.  She reached for my hands and help me crossed the creek.  We spend the whole day cleaning the cottage for you. It was then that I realized that her world revolves around you, the way her eyes lit up at the mention of your name and the way she smiles in silence. She loves you so much, I knew it”

I felt a heavy load in my chest, thinking how things becomes difficult for us during that time

“The moment you left, she was happy.  She went back to school and everything around her became normal, everyday he dropped by your house and left a single white lily at your doorstep for Nana Ysabelle, it was only weeks after you left when the accident happen, her father died in a crash Nana, was there to help her.  Nana called your home in Boston but your mom said, you were busy with college and that she will let you come by in a few days. She waited for you but you never came” Harry sat still silent, it seems to me that he was waiting for me to tell him my side of the story but I can’t, I don’t know what to say to him. I closed my eyes and release a deep sigh.

He continued by saying “Nana Ysabelle let her stay at your home, for a few months until Emily left town.  At that time, Jessie went back to her home and lived by her own. That was the moment she realized her Emily sold everything and left her with nothing but only the house” He glared at me and end his story.

That moment I look up at Harry who seems to know everything that happened around Jessie.  I felt all the pain that she had endured alone during that time. I was at loss for words. Now I am here, while Jessie is nowhere to be found.  How can I tell her that I am now back and ready to face her and gave her a new life.