“Look guys, calm down,” interjected Joel. “I didn’t want to cause any trouble. I was just teasing her.”
Old Mr Jeffries had heard the kafuffle from the other end of the bar and he had now joined them, Alfred at his side.
“Come on now, you young’uns. Stop all the noise and leave that poor lass alone,” once again coming to Cecily’s aid, just like he had when Maxine Matthews tried to bully her.
“It’s OK, Mr Jeffries,” she choked. “I was just leaving.”
As soon as Cecily’s face hit the cool night air, her tears started streaming. Behind her, she heard the heavy doors swing open and close. She turned to see Kaden, who had followed her outside. Before he had a chance to speak, she screamed at him, “You knew about this and yet you didn’t tell me?”
Kaden could not seem to find any words. He stared at the floor, trying to remove a piece of old chewing gum from the pavement with his trainer.
“Do Fen and Sol know too? Do you all think I’m some kind of freak? Have you all been discussing me behind my back? Is Jedd the spokesperson, or something?” Cecily was now furious.
“Look, I don’t know what just happened in there,” said Kaden. “Jedd was out of order.” He moved forward to console a now sobbing Cecily, but she deftly side-stepped him.
“But that’s what you all think, right? That I’m a selfish, self-obsessed, attention seeker?”
“Cecily, you know that’s not what we think at all! We understand! You’ve had a rough time over the past few years.”
“Well, Jedd obviously thinks it! You know, Kaden, you’re supposed to be my best friend!” yelled Cecily, losing all self-control. “For the others to think or say those things or discuss me behind my back, well the thought devastates me. But you? For you to stab me in the back? I just can’t forgive you.”
Cecily turned and ran down the High Street as fast as she could, tears blinding her path. She could hear Kaden calling her name, but she did not look back. She could not. She knew she was being unscrupulous, taking her wrath out on Kaden instead of confronting Jedd. Kaden would never intentionally hurt her, no matter what. When she reached the gravel track which led to the dell, she hesitated momentarily. She did not like going down it on her own at the best of times, never mind after what had happened to her that afternoon. But in the wake of her recent argument, she lost all fear and ran down the track in a blind fury. Cecily was deeply engrossed in her thoughts, jolted from them every so often by imaginary shapes coming at her from the dense, dark woodland.
She got home to discover that Purdey still was not back and so she went straight upstairs to her room. Every time she thought about Jedd and his harsh words, they cut. At least his feelings towards her had now been confirmed. But the thought of sweet Fen and Sol and Kaden, her best friend in the world, thinking those things about her, it made her sick to the stomach. She was now sobbing loudly. With no one to hear her cries, she let out her anger, her fear and her sadness in large gulps.
Cecily knew that she had not been easy to be around since her father’s death. She knew she had been negative, miserable and depressed about her life in general. She had a job she hated, a mother who was growing more and more distant and if that was not enough, there were her worsening nightmares. She was also well aware that the most important people in her life, her friends, were passing her by and moving on to better things. And after her liaison with the shadows that afternoon, she felt like she was living under a permanent dirty, big, black cloud that would not go away. She had become self-obsessed. Self-obsessed with trying to work out if she was crazy or not. She felt isolated and so alone. To be compared to everything she hated about Purdey was a wake-up call. She had to take control of her life. Things were changing whether she liked it or not. She could either wallow or take action.
First of all, she decided that she needed some time out, some time away from her friends. She did not realise the effect her negativity had had on them. She had to sort through her issues and then she could sort things out with them in a couple of months when she was cheerful, carefree Cec again. Kaden, Fen and Sol would be busy with their studies anyway. At this moment in time, she was not sure if she ever wanted to talk to Jedd again. Next, she would tackle her most pressing problem. She would get to the bottom of her dreams and the meaning of the shadows, but where to start? She was obviously crazy, losing the plot. That evening had shown her that she was a laughing stock in the village. Once she put an end to her nightmares, she could take steps to change the other things in her life she hated.
As she pondered this, Cecily felt a little better for making her mental plan. To think, only that morning, she had cursed the predictability of her life. When she awoke, clever Cecily thought she knew exactly what this Monday held for her. A never-ending cycle of work and bad dreams. After today, that predictability seemed comforting to her. She wanted to give today back and pretend it had never happened, because in the space of this one short day, everything had changed. Things would never be the same again, they could not be. She, Cecily Stalks, had been the one who had longed for change, a break from the monotony of her life. Only she did not realise that change could be bad. Her dreams had come to a climax with the stuff of those dreams attacking her in real life, her friends were moving on and going away, she had been verbally attacked by one of her so-called friends and blamed her best friend in his stead. She was not even sure if her friends would ever want to talk to her again. She could not lose them. They were her life and she needed them now more than ever. Her mind drifted back to the chip shop earlier that evening. She could not believe she thought her friends predictable because they ordered the same meal over and over. She had thought them scared of change. Well, they had certainly shown her. Cecily was suddenly aware that it was she who was afraid of change, despite her thoughts that she wanted things otherwise. At least she could still rely on some things for their predictability. She thought about Bramblegate for the second time that day, only this time around, her feelings were not of love for her home. She wanted to send Millie Poole and the rest of the gossips to damnation, or in the very least, tell them what she thought.
After she had washed her tear-stained face and soaked her puffy eyes in cold water, she pulled on her pyjamas and contemplated sleep. She was exhausted and did not have the energy to dream of wars. Maybe the shadows would just come for her and put an end to her sorrow. She immediately regretted that last thought and looked warily into the corners of her bedroom. She opted to sleep with the light on for comfort and to ward off any dark shadows they may come in the night. But before she could give the matter anymore thought, Cecily had drifted off into a deep sleep.
Chapter Seven
Kaden watched Cecily run down the High Street until he could see her no more. The road was quiet and even when she was out of sight, he could still hear her sobs, Cecily no long holding her emotions in check to save face. After she had disappeared, he stood for a minute or two, digesting the scenario that had just unfolded.
It was true, he had heard the gossip. Jedd had called him at home, just before he left to go to Cecily’s. Although Kaden had not had chance to talk to Fen and Sol about it, he knew that Jedd had told them too. It was evident by the look on their faces earlier at the vantage point. Kaden had wanted to ask Cecily what had happened. She would have known that something was up with him by his constant fidgeting and his endless talking, not allowing a quiet interlude for even a moment. In hindsight, he should have just come out with it, but Cecily was not the easiest person to talk to lately. In a way, Jedd was right. She had become a little self-obsessed, depressed even. But Kaden knew that the reason for this was because she was hiding something and it was probably to do with her dreams. He understood Cecily better than anyone.
However, Kaden did not understand Jedd’s attack. If he was upset with Cecily for not confiding in her friends, there were better ways of putting it. Comparing Cecily to her mother was possibly the worst thing he could have done. Kaden knew that Cecily was n
either a liar, nor an attention seeker. What she was going through was affecting her badly and he was worried about her. Cecily was pale and drawn through lack of sleep and most of the time, her mood was waspish. On top of this, she was dangerously close to losing her job and he knew how much she needed it. But she would not talk to him about it. He had tried. And now, he could not shake Cecily’s final words to him. I just can’t forgive you. She had never said anything like that to him before, upset or otherwise. Her vow was ringing in his ears. Kaden inhaled the night air, a long-drawn breath and then he went back inside the Bramble Inn to talk to Jedd.
As Kaden pulled up his bar stool, he noticed that Jedd was staring stonily at his pint of lager, slowly running his finger up and down the length of the glass, making lines in the condensation.
“So, what was all that about?” enquired Kaden, without looking directly at Jedd.
“I’m tired of her. I’m tired of her constant moods and the whole ‘woe is me’ act. You know, she never takes an interest in anyone else. She brings the rest of us down with her negativity.” Jedd was obviously still angry. As he spoke, he began to raise his voice again. “If she talked to us about it, maybe we could help.”
“She’s going through a rough time, Jedd,” Kaden reasoned. “I think these nightmares are really bothering her again.”
“Exactly my point, you ‘think’. You don’t know for sure, because she hasn’t told you. In my opinion, she’s changed, end of story.”
“Her dad committed suicide just three years ago, Jedd. Cut her some slack. She was so close to her father. We all know that Purdey is a worse than useless parent. To compare Cecily to her was the worst thing you could have done.”
“Your mum died too, Kaden, yet you don’t act the way she does.”
“My mum had been sick with cancer for nearly two years,” said Kaden, sadly. “We were expecting her death. I was relieved she wasn’t in pain anymore. Cecily came home from school to discover her dad swinging from a tree by his neck in the back garden. It’s hardly the same. Christ, that would mess anyone up for life.”
“Yeah, but she doesn’t do anything to help herself. She even stopped seeing that doctor,” said Jedd, defensively.
“Well, we’ll be lucky if she speaks to any of us again after your righteous outburst. You were awful to her. And you know, you shouldn’t have spoken on behalf of Fen, Sol and me.”
“I only said what everyone else thinks,” retorted Jedd, wickedly. “If you ask me, we’re all better off without her dragging us down.”
“Yeah, well I don’t agree, Jedd. She’s our best friend and if we don’t help her, who will? We should be sticking together, not fighting.”
Jedd did not have a chance to reply as Joel joined them once more.
“Listen, I’m sorry guys, I didn’t mean to cause a row. I was only pulling her leg. I thought Cec could take a joke. She used to be so much fun.”
Jedd turned to Kaden, raised his eyebrows and gave him an “I told you so” look.
The boys finished their pints in silence and then headed off home. They parted ways at the gravel track. After an awkward farewell, Kaden took the track and Jedd carried on along the main road. He lived about a fifteen-minute walk out of the village with his parents in a big house on the main road.
Kaden trundled slowly down the path, back to the dell. He was in no rush to get home and he had a lot to think about. The quiet helped. Other than the occasional sound of crickets calling to one another across the dark, the wood was silent. Despite what Jedd’s views were, Cecily was his best friend and he wanted to help her. He needed to help her. But unless she talked to him and told him the severity of her dreams, he would not know what to do. You see, there was more to Kaden than met the eye. He knew things. And right now, he needed to know what to expect. What was coming? Were they all in danger? After all, he had not heard anything. And yet he realised that Cecily’s increasing nightmares were not a good omen. He had witnessed the dreams becoming progressively worse over the last three years and the effect that they were having on Cecily. He did not know how much longer he could just stand by and do nothing, but he knew he could not risk alerting Cecily, or the others for that matter. He needed to acquire all the facts first, otherwise he would be in serious trouble. He would keep his eye on her for now and try and get her to talk. Only then, could he seek counsel. This was the best he could hope for.
Kaden took a small detour past Cecily’s cottage. Her bedroom light was still on, but no others in the house. He stood there for a moment, looking up at her window, resisting the urge to rap on the door. It was not late, but if she had managed to fall asleep, he did not want to wake her. He was also worried about her rejecting him, after what she had said to him earlier that evening. He resolved that he would see her tomorrow and clear the air.
“Night, Cec,” he whispered under his breath, up at her window. She must talk to me.
Kaden did not see the tall, dark figure watching him from under the wooded canopy. Nor had he noticed that the same tall, dark figure had followed him from the top of the gravel track down into the dell, gliding along silently and unseen at a parallel to Kaden, hidden by the mantle of trees. He now watched as Kaden withdrew from the front of Cecily’s cottage, a wry smile spreading across his face. He retreated once more to the cover of the woodland, the shadows recoiling at his command.
***
After Jedd had left Kaden, he did not go home. In fact, he waited for ten minutes, lurking by the side of the road. Then, he doubled back and took the gravel track heading down towards the dell. Only he did not go the whole way. About a third of the way down, Jedd veered off the track and traversed into the black wood. It was so dark, he could not see to gauge his footing and he kept tripping over the exposed roots of the ancient trees. When he was a safe distance from the track, he pulled out a torch and slid the switch on. He kept his path, walking in a straight line. Even in the dark, he could find his way to the place. He had been there many times before.
It was not long until he reached the clearing. It was only small, but highly distinctive due to the circle of six tree stumps that lay there in a protective ring. These stumps, untamed grass growing wild about them, were once mighty oaks. They had been cut and felled many years since, yet their stumps remained and their roots were twisted, running deep underground. Jedd sat down on one of the stumps, his behind feeling instantly chilled and he waited. He soon distinguished light footsteps coming through the wood towards the clearing from his right-hand side. He knew instinctively who the footsteps belonged to; the man he was meeting. A cold shiver ran down Jedd’s spine as he thought about his association, the air suddenly containing an unexplained nip. The tall, dark figure emerged from the right as Jedd had predicted.
“Turn the light off.” It was not a request. Jedd quickly did as he was told. “Is it done?” he asked, abruptly.
“Yes, sir,” replied Jedd, looking into a face he could not see.
“So, the girl is isolated?” the dark figure enquired further.
“Yes, sir,” repeated Jedd. “In fact, my plan went rather well. I’m not sure that Kaden will leave it alone though. The other two, I can handle, but you are aware of Kaden’s bond with Cecily.”
“All too well,” snapped the figure. “Leave the boy to me. You lie low for the time being, as discussed. Do not see or talk to the boy or the girl. Handle the other two. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, s-s-sir, p-perfectly,” stammered Jedd, exposing his anxiety.
“I’ll be in touch.”
The dark figure quickly turned and headed back into the trees from the direction he had come. Jedd watched him leave. He could see by the light of the quarter moon that the ground seemed to ripple beneath him, a black mass stirring in a motion similar to the sea on a calm day. A cold shiver, once again, ran the length of Jedd’s spine. He stood up and drew his jacket tightly about him. When he was sure the dark figure had gone, he swiftly headed back into the wood in the direction of the g
ravel track, making sure he was far from the clearing before turning his torch back on.
Chapter Eight
It had been nearly four weeks since the big argument with Jedd and Kaden and Cecily had not spoken to any of her friends since. However, were you to ask Cecily how she was, she would tell you that she was great. In fact, Cecily Stalks was more than great, she was fantastic.
When she awoke the morning after the row at the Bramble Inn, her heart was heavy as she remembered the events of the previous day: the horror of the shadows in the store, her fainting and the gossip surrounding the incident, the news that Fen and Sol were moving away, Jedd’s hurtful outburst towards her and worst of all, her falling out with Kaden. These memories stung, but then she recalled the promises she had made herself to sort her life out and to resolve the mysteries that were driving her insane. Only then could she change her life for the better and follow in the footsteps of her friends, whom she held so dear.
As she looked at herself in the mirror through swollen eyes, a realisation dawned on her. She had not dreamed in the night. For the first time since she did not know when, there were no night terrors about battle, no cries of war tearing at her soul, no smell of blood and sweat and no feelings of imminent danger, as the shadows, there but unseen, hunted her down. She had slept straight through the night and despite her troubles, she felt good, almost positive. She was up in plenty of time for work and more importantly, she was alive. Nothing had come for her in the dead of night while she slept, as was her last waking thought of the previous evening.
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