by E. S Night
“I know honey.” She interrupted. “I read it in your diary; now please don’t be mad - I saw it today! It fell open and I –”
“You did what! You read my diary? You can’t just do that!” I shouted in a rage – still not understanding why she would invade my privacy.
“Calm down, I was putting the washing away when I got back to the house, I knocked it on the floor and it fell open. After what you’d been through the other night, I wanted to know if you were okay about –”
I butted in. “You would know if I was okay, if you had asked me! I can’t believe you did that. I’m going out.”
“Abigail please don’t be mad at me, I’m sorry, you’re right, I shouldn’t have read it!”
“I can’t talk to you right now mum, I need to calm down.” I grabbed a jacket from under the stairs and closed the front door behind me.
It rained as soon as I reached the end of the road. Luckily, for me, I picked the waterproof jacket, although it made no difference I wasn’t going back inside that house – jacket or no jacket. There was only one place I was safe on
this island, and that was the Garrison Wall. I made my way up the mountainous stretch of land, using the main road, this time – I didn’t want to take any chances in the woods today.
I made it to the enormous clearing. I continued my journey to the stonewall attempting to re-gain my balance with every stride. I controlled my footing well on the slippery ground and grabbed the edge of the wall to find a sitting position. I had rested for what could have only been a few minutes when I heard footsteps walking towards me. I turned my head, trying to make out where the sound was coming from. I wanted to ring my mum and say sorry for my childish outburst; I reached into my coat pocket for my phone. OBVIOUSLY, I'd left it at home! Typical.
The branches on the ground still breaking under their feet. I angled myself towards the noise; the sound was getting much louder now. What was I seeing? Standing in front of me was a wolf only three metres away from where I was sitting. I froze in fear, debating with myself whether I should run or stay put. How had this animal got here? It’s not like we have wolves on the island, what’s it done? Bloody swam here! I
focused on the water that was dripping off its white fur, I tried to distract myself from the fear I was feeling.
It looked over four feet tall; it was much bigger than the ones I'd seen on television. It must have weighed like 200 pounds. The animal had legs like stilts and gigantic muscles I’m sure were exceptionally strong. I had no chance of outrunning the wolf if it threatened me. My best chance of staying safe was to stay still and pray that it would leave me alone.
Fortunately, for me, the wolf was showing me no malice – it stood there staring at me with a strange look in its eyes. I wanted to follow my first instinct, which was to reach for the huge rock that was sitting by my side. I held the stone with both hands awaiting the wolf's response. Suddenly, the animal retreated a few steps and crouched down.
I couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to this freak encounter than I thought. My gut told me that the wolf was male because he was so big. His eyes were most peculiar - he had one blue and one green eye. I’d have been stupid not to realise the similarity of his eyes with Grayson’s and I appeared to let my guard down a little. The
wolf stood up and stepped towards me, his large feet acting like padded boots keeping him from sinking into the mud.
I can't explain it but my fear faded away, just like magic. The animal continued to walk towards me, I hadn't a clue what to do I stood there staring, but I still wasn't scared, I should be but I wasn't. He came closer, so near I could have touched him. His eyes were remarkable. The wolf sat on his haunches right next to me and shoved me as he repositioned himself into a resting stance. A wolf trusted me enough to come and lay down at my side. I wanted to try my luck more and reached out to stroke his fur. He glanced up, looking straight into my eyes and I knew he was telling me it was alright to touch him. We sat there for what seemed like hours, waiting for the sunset to draw near. I was experiencing the most serene feeling of peace run through me – like fate or destiny, whatever you want to call it.
A growl crept up from behind me. I spun around panicking, alerting the wolf at my side who had drifted off to sleep. My eyes failed to believe it – it was another wolf! I had never seen a wolf before in my entire life and now; there I
was, seeing two of them in the same day – what was going on? I’ve lived here my whole life and to my knowledge, no one has ever seen one here.
This animal was different from the other, it showed its teeth and snarled as its brown eyes stared at me from further up the hill. Its dark grey fur moved as the wolf arched its back in anger. My feet had forgotten how to move and I could barely budge them to slide backwards.
The white wolf leapt over the rocks, standing in front of the other one, blocking its path. Was the wolf defending me? He circled the other animal; it was as if they were having a conversation I couldn't hear.
The beast then dived through the air attacking my wolf; it grabbed hold of his leg biting furiously. I couldn’t take it anymore! I ripped off my jacket and swinged the heavy material at the grey wolf, swatting his head to force him off. Suddenly, he stopped and turned his head in my direction as I tried to back away. The ledge of the wall could only be a few steps behind me. The thought of the drop sent shivers up my spine, the fall, at least, was the height of a two-storey house, there’s no way I'd make it. The grey wolf
continued to force me closer and closer to the edge. I started to lose my footing, skidding down the gravelly bank. It growled at me and bowed his head. I gulped as it looked like the wolf was turning away. I'd made a lucky escape!
I took one-step forward attempting to reach the harder ground and just like that - in a flash, my foot had collapsed into the soil causing my body to tumble over the side. The jacket I was holding, by chance, had snagged on one of the larger rocks as I’d plunged down. I was hanging on by a thread. My feet were just touching the rocks, giving me some traction. All those years at gymnastics had paid off, I was holding my weight well, but I wouldn't be able to do it for much longer! I was slipping. I couldn’t see anything but the rocks and I refused to look down. Both wolves howled as if they were screaming for help. I held on for a few more minutes gripping the material for dear life.
Then out of nowhere, the material began to stretch upwards - I was being pulled up! I squealed in terror. The jacket crawled little by little up the rocks trailing pebbles as it ascended. I was almost at the top, safe.
As I reached the hilltop, I wrapped my leg
over the wall. I couldn't see from the white hood that lined my waterproof, it covered my face. I stuck to the wall, clinging – not wanting to move an inch. When I caught my breath, I reached out for the person who had saved me.
I shouted. “Hello? Thank you! Who is that? Please be careful, there are wolves around.”
There was no response. Not a sound, not even from the wolves. Now I had calmed down, I reached up to remove the hood from over my head. No one was there! A sense of dread came over me. Had I imagined everything? I glanced down and saw the fresh blood that had sprayed onto the rocks from the wolf attack. It happened! I needed to get home and at last tell my mum everything. Something was happening on this island, something extraordinary and I wanted to figure out what it was.
Chapter Six
My Apologies
Mum was waiting for me in the kitchen when I got back. I couldn’t believe I’d been out for over three hours. I looked straight into the bay window at the front of the house. I could see her pacing back and forth on the tiles, the fear she was feeling for me was evident on her face. I regret how I acted towards her; she was only trying to make sure I was okay. I moved to the front porch dragging my feet.
Without warning, the porch light turned on and my front door creaked open. “Abigail!” Mum shouted. I draped my arms around her shoulders and held her close.
I lied. “I’m okay; I was at the library, English course work and that.”
She sighed. “I thought you might have gone to those walls of yours, my heart has been beating non-stop – Konrad's gone out looking for you.”
“No, I didn’t, I’m fine. I’m sorry I panicked you
both, I didn’t realise what the time was.” I replied with half a truth.
Lying never used to be easy for me. In these past few days, I've told more lies than I care to even think about. What had happened? I never used to be dishonest with my mum and now I have difficulty keeping up with all the white lies spurting from my mouth. It was about time I told her what was going on.
I dragged my mum to the living room and signalled her to sit down. She lowered herself, scared of what I was about to say. I bet she thought I was pregnant, isn’t that what every parent thinks when their child decides they need to have a serious talk? No, I might crazy but no pregnancy here. I spoke for at least thirty minutes. I hoped the calmer I remained the more willing she would be to buy what I was selling. My mum’s face looked vacant. I lost her around the time I spoke the words, “The man from my dreams has moved onto our island.“ As soon as that phrase came out, alarm bells went off.
When I started this little speech, I didn’t realise the full extent of my desire to tell my mum the truth and nothing but the truth. It was like I couldn’t stop telling her things. God, damn it! I
told her about the wall as in my clumsy inability to stay on it. The best plan I had was to avoid eye contact with her. She looked downright terrified. Perhaps telling my mum about my accident wasn’t the best idea when all things considered.
Afterwards she sat there glaring at me. I’m sure I could have belted out into song and she would still sit in that same spot gawking in my direction. “You fell off a wall?” She questioned.
The story I told her was about wolves and a man coming out of one of my dreams for God’s sake – but no! She went straight in for the kill about falling off the bloody wall!
“Yes, but it's fine, someone pulled me up! Which is more of the point?”
My backchat seemed to only anger her even more. “Oh, I’m sorry. My daughter nearly killing herself takes precedence over anything else you have to tell me! And a wolf attacked you? We have none on the island.”
“Yes! I fell off the wall and Yes! I was stupid for even going up there in this weather, but you’re missing the whole point, like how did the wolves get here? How is Grayson here? Does any of this interest you at all?” I needed her
advice and support.
“Abigail, what do you want me to say. I’ve not seen any of it!” In truth, this hurt me; she didn’t trust that what I was saying was real.
“So, what you mean is - you don’t believe any of this happened?”
Mum reached for my hand. “That’s not what I said Abi. What if I go up to the wall with you in the morning and see if we can find the wolves or maybe I should meet Grayson for myself?”
“I would, but I have to go to see Anna tomorrow, she’s helping me with my coursework.” I explained.
My mum nodded her head. “Yeah, Konrad brought me back up to speed. Did you enjoy it today?”
My mum was growing impatient with the whole ‘fantasy talk’ but changing the subject this early in our conversation was just plain rude. “I learnt a lot. I’m going to bed; it’s been a long day.” I muttered.
“Now? It’s still early! Abigail, you’ve only just bombarded me with all of this, can you not give me a little time to wrap my head around it?”
“Sure, take as long as you need, but I’m going to bed, see you in the morning.” I said,
walking out of the living room.
I heard my mum sighing from outside the door, but I didn’t have the energy to make her feel better right now. I wanted someone to talk to, someone to tell me what to do next, but I guess it was all on me. I climbed up the stairs, feeling sorry for myself. I noticed that my bedroom door was open.
“Mum, have you been in my bedroom?” I shouted, holding onto the railing.
I could hear her moving downstairs.
“No, why?”
“Nothing, my bedroom door is open. I know I locked it before – has Logan been in there for something?”
“No Abi, no one has been in your room, I have the only key and I haven’t been in there since - ”
“Well I locked it! Now it’s open! See, this is the stuff I’ve tried telling you about.” My mum marched towards me.
“Abigail, come on. Maybe you forgot to lock it – it’s a new thing – you – locking your door. You just forgot.” Mum said, moving past me on the stairs. She was eager to check my room and put my paranoia to rest.
My mum searched the room and to my surprise, it didn’t look like anything was out-of-place. “No! I locked it! What’s the point in us even having this conversation. You used to believe everything I said!” I yelled slamming the door – I tried to lock the door from inside my bedroom.
“Don’t you lock that door! If there’s a fire, I won’t be able to get to you, unlock it! Now!” She shrieked.
I unlocked the door. “Fine!” My mum was still standing outside my bedroom.
“Try to get some sleep Abi, you’ve been through a lot these past few days, we can talk about all of this in the morning. And - I do believe you baby; I don’t know what you expect me to do about it.” She whispered. I heard my mum retreat down the stairs.
I looked around my room thinking to myself - could I - please have one normal day when everything made sense. I closed the thin curtains and peeled off my clothes excited to get into my comfortable bed. I noticed that one side of the curtain was caught underneath the radiator. I manoeuvred it around the heater - breaking the material free. A message written on white lined
paper flew into the air. In the process of grabbing the note, I burnt my leg. I felt my thigh stinging with pain but I didn’t care – I wanted to read what it said.
Abigail Lawson,
For your own sake, please, I urge you to leave the Hales alone!
If you continue to communicate with them, it will force us to take further action.
What the hell? Who would do this? This wasn’t Jackson messing with me; he would never do this. I bet it has something to do with that man who was harassing me!
“Mum!” I howled. “Come here!” I glanced back at the note wondering what the symbol meant.
My mum ran into my room. “What is it?”
I pressed the note into her hands. “Read this, I found it near the window.” I watched her eyes chase the letters as she read it.
“I need to call the police Abi and you need to ring the Hales.” She planned.
“The note says NOT to communicate with the Hales.” I pointed out – not considering what that meant for Grayson and me.
“You need to ring them, now Abi! And tell them what’s happening. Someone has been in our house. Ring them.” I bowed my head in agreement and looked for my phone to call them.
“I’ll go ring the police.” Mum said leaving the room. I searched for Anna’s number on my phone and then out of nowhere, the mobile rang – this was not a great time for a number not to have caller ID. I didn't want to answer it, what if it was the person from the note? My mum walked back towards the room.
“Answer it, Abi or I will.” I pressed the answer button and held the phone to my ear.
I coughed clearing my throat. “Hello?”
“Hello? Abi is that you? It’s Grayson.”
I let go of my breath. “Grayson! Oh God, Grayson, I’m so glad it’s you, I was just about to call Anna.”
“That’s kind of weird.” He laughed.
I needed him to focus. “Someone has left a note in my bedroom threatening me if I don’t stay away from you. Do you have any id
ea who sent this?”
He was quick to reply. “What? No! They broke into your room? Does it say anything else on the note?”
“Yeah, I guess. It has this weird symbol on it - it’s like three thin triangles inside a huge circle, oh and it has three small dots above the triangles. Do you know it?” I glanced at my mum looking for some comfort.
There was a slight pause on Grayson’s end. “It’s the three rays of light.”
I sighed. “What does it mean? How do you even know?”
I heard Grayson’s tone change. “I don’t know why someone would use that symbol to threaten you. In Ireland, we use it, as a symbol for creative artistry, I mean, it is nothing bad. People like – poets and musicians, they wear it around their necks as a blessing or muse for their work. It’s nothing.”
“Well this note is not nothing. I don’t get it - why would someone put that symbol on here? Are you sure that’s what it means?”
“I’m sure Abigail, wait – my dad wants to speak with you.” The phone fell silent for a few minutes. I stared at mum trying to read what she was thinking.
“He’s gone to get his dad.” I whispered. My mum nodded and then moved to the other side of the room sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Hello?” A gruff voice spoke.
“Hi, my name’s Abi.” I pressed the speaker-phone button, so that mum could listen to the conversation.
“Hi Abigail. It’s Grayson’s dad - Kaleb. I understand you received a note today?” He said quite matter-of-factly.
I wanted an answer. “Yes, I did, has Grayson told you about the symbol?”
“Yes, and he’s right. It’s the symbol for artists in Ireland, that’s all. It’s best to still ring the police, but I wouldn’t worry about it too much sweetheart - I’m sure it was a prank. I will hopefully meet you tomorrow Abigail when you come for your session with Anna.” He expressed.