He said nothing at first, only gave her a disbelieving look.
“Do it for me?” she pleaded. She was clutching at straws because what she’d said was as far from science as she could possibly get. But if he didn’t understand, nobody could. She had to try.
“I suppose we can,” he gave in after an interminable pause. His tone was full of sadness but also present was a faint thread of hope.
So here they were now, hand in hand. Unvoiced emotion cast itself around them with every breath they exhaled into the crisp dawn air. The foxgloves and cypresses were still around, and not much had changed with the passage of time, except that there were no dead bodies around. No remnants of blood and gore that marred the perfect balance of the natural world.
Deep within her, Melita had no doubt that mystical secrets lived here – secrets that divided the known world from the other side. Yet there was nothing now but the quiet woods and the precious sound of silence in the plain outdoors, pure, untouched. Theirs was the only human presence in that serene place, which remained nonetheless just like she’d always loved it in her childhood.
Whatever the truth was, she couldn’t come to believe that her apparition had come from a hostile or evil source, or that it meant her harm. She sent a silent prayer to the forces that had once manifested themselves to her.
Please, say something. Tony, are you there?
Please.
The occasional snap of a twig beneath their soles was the only sound she heard. Her resolve started to waver.
She and Alex looked at each other. He was close enough for her to read the weariness marked on his face and sense the strain that weighed him down like a cinderblock.
“I’m sorry,” she simply said.
He turned to cradle her cheek with a cool hand. “Don’t be. I’ve lived with it so long. I’ll just keep going as I was, no big deal.”
But she wasn’t fooled. It was a big deal. He pulled her close and replaced his hand with warm lips on her cheeks.
“You think Jeanette Lagrange knew about our association?” he asked, while they hung on to each other. “They do say she’s got a nose for these things but I thought it was just a marketing ploy.”
She pulled back. “If she did, she either has a direct line to…” her gaze lifted skyward, “or she’s made a thorough background check on us.”
She stared sideways at the spot where that cold, ghostly hand had shoved her to the ground. It all seemed so long ago now. What had it been? Just a ghost? A portal to another world? She supposed she’d never know.
“Perhaps Tony’s happy now and wherever he is, he’s not sick anymore,” Alex said gravely, as if reading her thoughts.
She gripped his hand tighter and observed his profile. Oh, how she wished to see every line, every angle, every blemish on his face. “I like that thought. Perhaps what I stumbled upon that day was Tony crossing over to the other side. I wasn’t supposed to be there so the hand pushed me back. It’s all the explanation I can think of, although it sounds crazy enough.”
How else could she make him feel better? How could she remove the millstone of guilt that held his heart captive?
“You really think so?” he said.
His lips curved up. Even through the permanent fog, she could see his smile was wan but beautiful. The more the days passed with Alex in her life, the better she would be able to see the way his smile brought into relief the lines around his eyes and mouth, and eased the severe lines of his face.
With time, the better it will be.
“I really think so,” she replied with conviction, while daylight bloomed.
He kissed her softly, solemnly. It felt like a vow – one that she’d always protect his heart and, from his end, a promise that he’d cherish her, help her truly live like she never had. Life had a way of giving back that was sometimes hard to process; it was both a blessing and a curse.
They turned to leave together, their arms around each other. Two steps forward, and a rustle, followed by a soft bumble, made them pause.
Then came an unpleasant grating sound that plucked at one of the fragmented strings of her memory. The one that took her fifteen years to the day.
Heart pounding, she swivelled them both in a u-turn. Then it dawned on her.
“Alex, turn back now!” she cried.
She clasped his head and pulled it down, buried his face in her shoulder while she looked away from the blinding flash. The raw electric charge sizzled around them. She knew the exact moment when it dulled down because the harrowing glare mitigated to a warm, golden radiance that flirted with Alex’s hair and the back of her hand.
She released him and gingerly turned toward the circle of light. This time there was no hand but the figure of a tall man who stood at the entrance. He looked half real, half wraith-like, and the halo that framed him cast a deeper shadow on his form.
He stepped away from the radiance and onto the earth. The sun sneaked through the foliage above and revealed further the ethereal features of his face. Still, the creature seemed nothing more than an indistinct phantom to her.
“Tony!” Alex gasped. He broke away from her and took a step toward the figure in front of them.
“Oh, God. Is it him? Alex, is it really him?”
Alex didn’t answer her, transfixed as he was. “Tony, I want to… Tony, I’m so sorry.”
Tony’s face transformed into a thing of beauty when he smiled at Alex. His expression, earnest and full of love, conveyed a silent message. If she managed to notice it, Alex had to see it.
“Why did you do it? I miss you.”
Tony turned to her, then back to Alex. He extended his hands toward both of them. Alex reached out but Melita stopped him. She curled her fingers around his arm and held him back.
“That’s his world, his place. Let him be. He’s at peace.”
Tony nodded to them when she spoke those words.
Alex stared at his brother. Silent suffering oozed from his pores, as though he waged some brutal inner battle and no matter who prevailed, there’d be no win. His body felt somehow tougher, more rigid, like rock. He was strong enough to shake her off and rush through the portal if he wanted to, but fortunately, he relented and accepted her gentle restraint.
“It’s time to say goodbye, Alex,” she said softly.
He breathed in harshly and released a broken breath. “Tony, you’ll always be a part of me, but I’m glad you’re happy.” He paused. “Goodbye, bro.”
Tony smiled again and faded back into his world. With him went the light, and all traces of the portal.
Alex’s tension seemed to ease. He moved to where Tony had been standing. “Melita—” he started, but his voice broke off.
“I know,” she responded. “It’s over now.” He had to learn to be all that he was meant to be, to live without the cloud of regret.
He gave her an intent look. “Yes. Thank you. I know he’s okay, and he’s not mad at me.” He extended a hand to her. “It’s our cue that we should be happy, too. Will you do this with me? Will you be with me?”
She took his hand and smiled.
I am not alone any more. This man is all my own.
“Breakfast?” she suggested.
“Sounds like a plan.”
They walked to the car, huddled close, while the future loomed bright. She did believe Tony was at rest now, and because of him, they’d learned a lesson.
To hold on to life. To relish the little things it offered, while they lasted. To follow their dreams.
And to never be alone.
For all people really required to be happy was someone to go home to after a day’s work, and to have a life lived with purpose.
They needed someone to share all the madness of life with, the good and the bad. All that mattered was a reason to be.
Someone, and something, to live for.
top
THE END
About the Author
Natalie writes stories of romance, suspense, paranorma
l and horror, sometimes set in exotic locations. She got her first taste of serious writing in her teens by penning poetry, short stories, and articles for college and local publications. At university, she trained as a lawyer. In 2006, she started freelancing as a writer and editor, and later still, she finally turned to thinking up plots and talking to her characters when everyone else was asleep. She sold her first story to an e-publisher in 2007.
Natalie is married and has one son. She spent 11 years in Atlanta, Georgia, but since 2009 she calls the beautiful island of Malta home. When she isn't working or writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, watching a good movie, taking trips, and most of all, reading. Her tastes in books are eclectic, but she possesses an extensive collection of romance and mystery novels, both in print and on e-reader. She loves to meet other authors and readers. Her strong belief is that creativity shouldn't be put in a neat little box. All writers should write what's in their heart - as long as they give it their best.
Website:
www.nataliegowens.com
Facebook profile page:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=563297082
Facebook author page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Natalie-G-Owens-Author/24911987111)
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/natalie_g_owens
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4527498-natalie-g-owens
Something to Live for (Moonlight Dating Series) Page 4