The Winter Clock

CHAPTER 11 – SOMEONE’S WATCHING

“For earth’s sake, shut up!” Reina exclaimed angrily and reached for her phone. She then held her head that still rings despite turning her alarm off. Reina was not used to using her phone for alarm since Natalie’s voice always woke her up. Her body still ached from her sparring with Ryther last night, so she rolled on the other side of the bed and slept fitfully. After ten minutes, her alarm rings again, causing her to jump out of her bed.

“If only I am not needed there, I will certainly sleep until I can.” She sulked and threw her phone on her bed. Reaching her bathroom, she released a deep sigh and massaged her stiffed neck. After she took a quick shower, her eyes caught the boxes in the living room. It was Natalie’s things that she needed to give back to Mrs. Everleigh. Reina sighed again as she felt the silence in her house.

“Thorn,” Reina called after Ryther answered his phone.

“Hmm?” He answered tiredly.

“I will not be around today. I need to give Natalie’s things back to her mother, and I also need to spend time with them there.” She answered and took a sip of her coffee.

“That place was far from the main city. Want me to join you?” He asked with a hoarse voice, but Reina shook her head, though Ryther could not see it.

“I’m not a kid.”

“You’re injured.”

“No need. Thanks.” Reina said and quickly hung the phone, not waiting for Ryther’s answer. She thoroughly knows that Ryther will not allow her to go alone since Mrs. Everleigh’s house is indeed far from the city.

Reina stood up from her chair but was stopped when her phone rang.

“Stubborn.” Ryther texted, but Reina could imagine Ryther’s pissed voice. She just reacted ha-ha and prepared herself.

Since it was a long journey and Reina was tired, she rented a car with the driver and slept throughout the whole trip.

“Miss, we’re here.” Reina slowly opened her eyes when she felt the driver slowly tap her shoulder. “Shall I bring the boxes out?” The old man asked politely. Reina flinched when she saw Carter’s face with an eerie grin. Her eyes widened, and her heart beats faster. “Miss?” Reina flinched again and blinked her eyes a couple of times, then shook her head. It was only a hallucination. Reina then nodded her head, pressing her eyelids down.

“Yes, please.”

The driver quickly unlocked the taxi and opened the compartment, bringing the boxes out one by one. Reina went out of the cab, and as soon as her feet stepped on the grass and her lungs breathed the fresh air, she felt nostalgic. Her sky blue cardigan flew with the cool breeze.

“Reina?” Reina turned around upon hearing the familiar voice. She then saw a young woman with brunette hair and tan skin holding a freshly picked white lilies bouquet.

“Lily?” Reina asked and blinked her eyes a couple of times before exclaiming, “Lily!”

The young woman jumped from the vast rock and happily ran towards Reina. “You’re

a grown-up now!” Reina said and lifted Lily up in the air, then hugged her tightly. “And heavy too.”

“I missed you!” Lily said as tears started to form in the corner of her eyes. “I also missed Natalie.”

Lily was only nine when Reina and Natalie bought a house and decided to live in Sydney four years ago, leaving the countryside. She was Natalie’s cousin, which was like her sister, for Lily’s parents were killed during an arson when she was only four months old.

“Where’s Mrs. Everleigh? Reina asked after paying the driver.

“She’s inside, cooking lunch. Wait, I’ll call her.” Lily quickly ran towards the vast, white-painted house. “Aunt! Reina’s here!” Reina heard Lily shout happily. Reina chuckled and looked at the taxi which left.

“It’s been a while.” She closed her eyes and felt the breeze again, but she stopped when she felt someone watching her. She quickly searched the surroundings. “Strange. Do I imagine things?” She said and rechecked the place. Her spirit almost jumped out of her body when a pair of cold hands wrapped around her waist.

“Reina, you’re here.” A soft voice welcomed her, and the arms that were wrapped around her loosened.

“M- Mrs. Everleigh?” Reina called, trying hard to control her voice. Seeing her shocked expression, Mrs. Everleigh’s face distorted.

“What’s wrong? Why is it that it seems like you saw a ghost?” She asked worriedly. But Reina quickly regained her posture and shook her head.

“N-No. I just feel nostalgic.” She reasoned out and flashed a sweet smile. “I’m home.” She finally let out.

“Welcome home.” Mrs. Everleigh said and hugged her again.

***

After taking a long, refreshing bath, Reina decided to stroll around the place. The last time she visited here was two years ago, so many things had already changed. She walked inside the forest, reaching the beautiful lake where fireflies could be seen at night. It was her, Ryther, and Natalie’s favorite place as a child. Probably until now. Though two years had passed, the lake remained untouched.

Reina sat on the old tree stump and threw rocks above the still water. The sound of the chirping bird and buzzing insects filled her ears. She threw another rock but stopped, and she became alert. Reina then quivered when she heard a small dried tree branch break. She looked back and saw no one. Her heart beats faster again.

“Something is wrong here.” She whispered to herself. Her hand slowly reached for her pocket, hoping that her memory served her right about bringing a knife with her. Tapping the knife, she took a deep breath and slowly walked through the most giant tree. She then took her knife from her pocket.

Slowly, she walks and walks and,

“Ah!” She exclaimed when a giant moose walked away. “Seriously?” She held her chest and turned back to the lake but,

“Hey.”

“Son of- Thorn!” Reina exclaimed loudly and bent her head. She then rubbed her chest, calming herself. “For earth’s sake, don’t surprise me like that!” She shouted, making the birds fly away.

“Ouch, my ears!” Ryther sulked and rubbed his ears. “Seriously? You were that shock?” He asked in disbelief.

“Why are you here?” Reina asked, walking away from him.

“To visit our hometown?”

“Liar” Reina said firmly and tried to find the broken branch she heard a while ago.

“Don’t be assuming. I didn’t come here for you.”

“Which way did you used to go here?” She asked, full of seriousness, and looked at Ryther.

“That way.” He answered and pointed the way a few blocks from where they were standing. Reina shook her head. That’s not where she heard the branch break. It was right where they were standing now. The moose came from the opposite direction as well.

“Is it a deer?” She whispered and held her chin.

“What deer?” Reina flinched again upon seeing Ryther’s face beside her, with his finger on his chin as well. “Ouch!” Ryther exclaimed when Reina slapped his arm. “What did I do?”

“Stop scaring me like this!” Reina stomped her feet and walked away.

“Hey, wait for me!”

Reina only rolled her eyes and walked faster.

Who was that?

~ Alertness plays a big role in safety. ~