She tossed aside her long strawberry blonde hair from where it had fallen across her shoulder. “Come out, come out, wherever you are...” Criston called out, taunting her prey.
Just then, Criston heard a creaking noise, prompting her to turn toward it. It had come from the back of the church. There she stared at an open door.
“Great, not again...” she huffed, then stated, “... and the chase continues...” She paused taking in her surroundings. Yes, they had fled.
She called out, into the dark, empty cathedral, “You are just prolonging the inevitable,” hearing herself echo again.
She took a deep breath, and then spoke in a low voice, “Lucky for you – I have other plans to attend to ... but keep running, the game is more fun that way...”
Criston grabbed her weapon sling and slung it back over her shoulder. She stood still for a moment, looking around herself, and then made her way out of the massive open wooden door and into the pitch-black, darkness of the night.
Chapter 17
Coralie and Court walked along the roadside together. Chivalrously, Court had offered to carry Coralie's backpack that was chock-full of books from school. She allowed it, though it made her feel like woman of the eighteen century, like those spoke of in class by Ms. Sieve.
That was a time, wasn't it?
A time when young men did fine things to show their affections for a lady of such interest. A time when chivalry was something that was of the norm, much unlike today.
There were the few that were the exceptions, though. Her father, for one, had always shown the utmost respect and valiance toward her mother, Coralie remembered. And now, there was Court to be considered.
She looked at him from the corner of her eye. He had such a pleasant presence to him. She noticed that he was allowing a gentle smile to wash over his face.
She wondered if he could sense that she was looking at him. Not intending to answer her either way, Court reached for her hand. Coralie felt warmth run throughout her entire body from his touch. She allowed the same gentle smile to wash over her face as well.
“What?” Court asked.
“Nothing, really ... just thinking ... so, where is it that we are actually going?”
“You'll see...” he said, slowing to a halt.
Unexpectedly, Court ducked into the tree-line, through the brush. Coralie looked around her, but all she could see was the tree-lined road that stretched on for miles ahead. Coralie had looked to where Court had disappeared nervously.
Court popped his head out from around the brush and held out his hand, “You coming?”
She stared contemplatively at his extended hand. She wasn't cold or cool. She hadn’t even caught the slightest bit of chill. The weather was very nice for Spring. In fact, somewhat unseasonably warm for March. Sunny, a barely-there breeze ... it was a perfect afternoon. But Coralie realized that her hand longed for its warmth again.
It was not the weather that stimulated this desire to feel his warmth. It was her. It was she that simply needed him. She longed for him to hold her hand, to hold her, to embrace her. Even just the simple brush of his touch warmed her entire body and soul. Head to toe and back again. With him, she felt safe … she felt at home.
He smiled, “Trust me...”
Coralie sighed, giving up without a fight. Like a magnet, her hand slid into his.
Sure, she was following someone, of whom she barely knew, into the woods … the bear-filled woods. And not a soul knew where she was. She had to admit, this was not the smartest idea that she had ever had. In any other situation, in any other scenario, she would have told herself so. But things were different with Court. She didn’t know how or why, but she knew that she could trust him. Pushing crazy thoughts from her mind, she reminded herself of that.
Somewhere, someplace else in the world, she was certain there were crazies out there looking for innocent prey. But Court wasn't one of them. She knew this without another thought tracing though her mind. He was one of the good-guys. He would never cause her harm.
And Coralie knew this without a doubt.
She could feel his care, his concern, and his love for her. She could feel it when he looked at her. She could feel it when he touched her hand. She could feel it when would breathe her in.
They walked down a trail that wound through the forest, leading them down a brushy path. Suddenly, Coralie noticed that they were approaching an illuminating light peeking through the branches of the trees.
She looked up at Court, but he was still looking ahead of them. As they came to a halt, Coralie's eyes widened with awe. Her eyes focused solely on the light before her.
The lush, brushy forest had opened into a clearing, housing an embankment that surrounded an illuminating body of water. It seemed to stretch on forever. She wanted to look around for what could be aiding this beautiful sight, but she couldn't look away. Its brilliance was magnificent.
Coralie finally mustered up enough words to ask, “Where are we?”
Court answered, speaking softly, as if speaking of a loved one. “Empyreal Lake ... Beautiful, isn't she?”
“Beautiful ... it's absolutely breathtaking...” Coralie answered, still in awe of the sight before her. The both of them stood in a pleasant silence, as they took in their surroundings.
Breaking the stillness, Coralie spoke, “Do you come here often?” Suddenly, she felt the rush of stupidity set in. How awkward did she sound? Do you come here often? It sounded more like a cheesy, pick-up line than a sincere question, although sincerity was her intent.
But Court didn't seem to notice it as such. “Yeah, I come here to get away...” he said, as he took a seat on the ground, next to a brush-covered tree trunk, looking out over the water.
“Yeah, I guess everyone needs a place like that, huh?” Coralie said, nervously taking a place beside him. She thought of her own 'thinking place', though not even a comparison to the sight before her.
Court smiled slightly at her unspoken thoughts.
“So,” Coralie continued, “When you are in Greece or any of the other places that you travel, do you miss it? Coming here … to your special place, I mean?”
His smile continued, as he looked around, as if he were taking in all of the scenery that surrounded them. As if this were the first time he'd seen it, at all. “Yeah, I guess, but you see, I can always come back here, you know –”
“What do you mean?”
“I just mean that by being here, I know that...” Court paused, leaving his words hanging in the air.
“You know that what?” Coralie questioned, knowing that he was trying to tell her something … but what?”
“From here, from this place ... I know that I can go anywhere – be anywhere in an instant ... do you understand what I’m trying to say?”
“No, I’m sorry … I think that you lost me...” Coralie looked confused at him, leaving Court at disheartened hopefulness of his words. “So, how come I've never ... I mean, I’ve basically lived here all of my life ... in Thessla, that is. I know that I've never been here before, yet I find myself...” Coralie paused, trying to find words.
Trying to read her better, Court moved closer. “Go on...”
“I don't know ... it's nothing – just a stupid thought...”
“Nothing you think or say is stupid ... Please tell me, Cor ... what are you thinking?”
Court knew things were beginning to fall into place for Coralie. But he wanted her to say it. He wanted to hear it from her lips. For her to say what she felt. To say what she felt was real … what was truth ...
“This place feels so familiar, you know … In a weird sort-of way, like home...” Coralie finished, looking up at him.
“I know...” he smiled, looking back at her.
“Court –”
“Yeah?”
“Do you – I mean,” Coralie paused, searching for words that could help her explain her insane thoughts.
“Do I, what?” Court asked, prompting her
to continue.
She sighed a heavy sigh, thus acknowledging the possibility that Court would think she somehow should be committed to a psych ward for her crazy thoughts and questions. She watched a smile sweep across Court’s lips, this giving her a bit of encouragement to continue. “Do you ever feel like there's something out there, you know ... like there's some kind of secret or inside joke that you haven't been let in on yet? Is that crazy?”
“You mean, like someone, everyone, has been keeping something from you? No, that’s not crazy...”
“I don't know ... maybe I shouldn't have said anything...”
“Yes, you should have. Cor, you can tell me anything … you know that, right – you can trust me with anything...”
Coralie stood up, taking a deep breath before starting her spiel. “It's just that I've been having these dreams … strange dreams and weird feelings...”
“Have you tried talking about this with your parents?”
“Yeah, I've tried to talk to my parents about them, but they just,” she paused, and sighed as she looked at Court. “... They just look at me with these concerned looks on their faces ... sort of like the one that you have on your face right now...”
Court rose to his feet and faced her. “Cor, though this is a concerned look on my face, it's not like what you may think. It's you that I'm concerned with – your safety, not your dreams.” He sighed. “Do you ever think that maybe there's more to your dreams than just what meets the eye, or mind rather?”
“Like what do you mean?” Coralie asked, trying to smile jokingly, but was unsuccessful.
“Like that your dreams may be more than just dreams. Maybe they are more like premonitions or even –”
“What? Or even what?”
He shrugged. “Maybe they could even be a reality...”
“Court, come on – I think I would know if I was some superhero-type, warrioresque, vindicating heroine, that went around kicking villain tail and taking names on a daily basis ... but I'm afraid, my friend, it just isn't so...”
“No?”
“Well ... it just doesn't seem very likely or possible even...”
“Maybe the reality is just one of which you are unaware of – just a thought –besides,” he paused, leaning closer to her, causing her breath to catch in her chest. “... I could totally see you as a superhero ...,” he finished, as he stepped backward.
Suddenly, Court lost his footing, falling hard against a fallen tree and a bouldering rock wall. The large portion of the fallen tree began to fall towards Court. At the same time, Coralie saw at the top of the rock wall was a large, loose stone – about the size of a beach ball – teetering along the edge.
All within seconds, both objects started to fall. Still trying to regain his footing, Court seemed unaware of his dire need to move his place of stance.
Coralie knew that she needed to do something. Without another thought, she absentmindedly allowed herself to throw one of her hands out to her side and the other in front of her.
When Coralie’s eyes met Court's, she expected to see a look of terror or exasperation even. To her surprise, she saw something very different. There was a smile that slowly stretched across his face.
Coralie looked around herself to see what may have triggered his ever-growing smile. She looked sideways, out toward her right arm. There at a short distance, held at mid-fall, was the large portion of the fallen tree. She slowly looked to her left – there was the large boulder hovering in mid-air.
Coralie realized that she was holding them there at a distance with her own hands. But how? She was not within reach, but yet as she moved her hands, the objects moved with her. Almost as if she was commanding them to move.
That was it ... she was.
Court walked toward her in a leisurely saunter, still grinning. As soon as Court was next to her, she lowered her arms gently, watching the two objects do the same. Startled by the sight of her own doing, she jumped and lost her concentration, causing her to drop the objects to the ground abruptly.
Clapping, Court turned toward her. “Well done! And you said you weren't the superhero-type ...,” he said, smiling from ear to ear, with usage of her wording, “...that seemed pretty superhero-like to me!”
She turned to him, with realization and desperation in her eyes. “You can't tell anyone, okay?”
Beaming, he stood facing her. He took her hands into his. “Your secret's safe with me … Come on, there's something else I want to show you,” he said, leading her toward the water's edge.
Chapter 18
The colors were vivid and brilliant, surrounding her. The bright green of the trees and brush, along with the colorful hues of the flowers – in whites, pinks, yellows, reds, purples, and blues – all of them, illuminating off of the lake's rippling reflection.
Coralie followed Courtland closely, still holding onto his hand.
She realized how safe her hand felt – how safe she felt. She realized how natural her hand fit into his. How perfectly they fit together, like puzzle pieces, as if they were made from the same mold.
Every few moments, Court would give Coralie's hand a light squeeze. She had decided that this was his way of giving her a sign of reassurance, though she didn't know what for.
Nonetheless, it made her feel safe. He made her feel safe.
He stopped, bringing her close beside him. There, they stood at the edge of the water on the mossy bankside.
Coralie watched as Court stood peacefully, looking out across the water, breathing in his surroundings. He looked so magnificent, she thought, with the sun highlighting his blonde hair and reflecting in his bright light blue eyes. His perfectly flawless skin glistened in the sunbeams. Trying to tear her eyes away from him was almost impossible.
Finally, she looked down at the rippling water, splashing just before the tips of her shoes. She knelt down, sticking her fingertips to the water. She skimmed the surface, making figure-eight circles atop it. The water was cool, but not unbearable. It actually felt quite nice.
She rose back up beside him. “This is absolutely beautiful, Court.” Coralie said, smiling in bewilderment.
Court gave at a half-turn and let a smile spread across his face. “I'm glad you think so, but this isn't it...”
“There's more?” she asked, looking around them. She looked back at Court, as he was smiling looking out into the water. “But where? Where else is there?” she asked, puzzled.
He let go of her hand, and began to take his shoes off.
“What are you doing?” she questioned, still baffled.
Court began to unbutton his shirt and slowly walk into the water. He tossed his shirt onto a nearby branch and turned to her. “You coming?”
“In there?” she asked, with wide-eyes.
He nodded, and then beckoned her to come in and to follow him. She was hesitant at first.
“You coming or not?” he said, beckoning and bobbing in the water.
“I don't know ... I'm not so sure that I should...” She lied. Court knew that she would follow him anywhere. She slipped off her flats and uniform knee-highs, and then unbuttoned her uniform top shirt. With a nervy presentiment, she turned to hang her top shirt next by Court's, which hung loosely on a nearby tree branch.
Turning back to face him, Coralie grimaced, “I'm going to regret this, aren't I?”
“Oh, come on in ... the water's fine ... I'll be with you the entire way...” Court called out to her.
“Okay...” she started, but halted, with widened eyes. “Wait ... the entire way? Where exactly are we going?”
Court smiled. “And spoil the surprise...” he teased, “I guess you are just going to have to follow me to find out, aren't you?”
And how could she not? With a surrendering sigh, she continued her trudge into the water.
Finally feeling the water deep enough to begin swimming out towards him, she began taking long strokes with her arms. Up and over. Hand over hand. Coralie used her long sleek arms to p
ull herself through the water.
While splashing and propelling herself through the cool water, she became very aware that she was not exactly dressed for a mid-day, or any time of day for that matter, swim. She could feel her plaid uniform skirt and white tank top clinging to her body as she swam.
The likelihood of being out of the water at some point, she was sure, was somewhat high, so she pushed away the urge to stop and discard another layer, for the thought of their next destination.
A secret place.
A secret place that Court wanted to share ... with her.
Hand over hand, she continued until she reached Court. He was smiling, patiently waiting and bobbing in the water.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
Coralie just gave a slight and nervous nod.
Court smiled. “Take my hand...Do you trust me?”
“Of course, I trust you...but –” Coralie started, taking his hand.
“Okay,” he said, not allowing her to finish, “... follow me...” He took a deep breath, Coralie following in sync, and they both went underneath the water’s surface.
They began to swim under water, pushing themselves farther and farther away from the bankside. Suddenly, Coralie began to feel herself descending, further down into the deep lake water.
She realized that Court was still holding her hand. Holding her hand, and pulling her.
Pulling her down.
Further and further down.
Down into the deep water.
Towards the bottom of the lake.
Coralie started to panic. She wanted to rush back up to the surface and gasp for air. But her panic was short lived as she suddenly realized that her lungs were still full of air. And they did not feel like they were about to explode, though she had utterly expected them to.
Paused underwater, to explore her escape options, Coralie noticed that the water was so clear she could see Court.
Court was next to her, now, still holding onto her hand. He gave it a squeeze for reassurance.
Empyreal: Awaken - Book One Page 10