Was It Imagination?

Theres someone out there.

03


        I studied the picture for a moment, confused as to whether I should be afraid or not. How did he get this picture of me? I recognize the forest, it's the one surrounding this house. Impossible.

        I blink my eyes away from the photograph and glance out the window. The rain is picking up again. I walk across the hard floor to the window, looking out into the morning storm. My eyes brush across the edge of the woods and stick on a black figure.

        It's a boy, his hair wet from the rain. His skin is dark, tanned and smooth. His pants are black as well as his shirt. His eyes are fixed on mine, never moving. He has a bag thrown over his shoulder and something in his hands. He fiddles with it as I watch him.

        My curiosity is outweighing my fear. The boys head begins to tilt to the side, as if he is curious himself. Maybe he's wondering why this isn't frightening me. I'm kind of wondering the same thing.

        He takes whatever is in his hands and begins to raise it. He meets it with his eye, holding it their for a second. A camera. My lips separate and my weight shifts back on my heal. A flash, brighter than one would imagine, light's up the forest around him. And then he is gone. Vanished, before the light had fully gone.

        With my eyes fixated on the window, I take a step backwards, my foot slipping on the floor. I feel myself falling back. My throat let's a gasp as I crash to the floor. "Are you alright?" A boy's voice asks, and soon a set of arms is helping me up once more. I turn to see one of my cousins. To my discomfort, it's not Aden.

        I stare at the blonde haired boy, attempting to remember his name. "Darin." He says, probably understanding my gaze. He let's me go as I stable myself. "Thanks." I say, looking back to the window, trying to peer into the trees. I feel my feet floating closer to see.

        "What is it?" He asks, and I look back at him. He looks confused, even a little worried. I look at the pictures on the wall. "Who took these?" I ask, hoping for a name or some kind of story this time. Darin's eyes scrunch together, as if any mention of this boy causes him pain.

        "We really don't like to talk about it.." His voice trails, and his eyes shoot to the door. It's as if he wants to, but has been told not to. "I know he was a family friend." I offer, catching his eyes once more. "Not anymore." His voice is almost acidic.

        "What happened?" I ask, wondering what the big deal was. Darin takes a rather strong breath and sits down on the bed. I lean against the wall, keeping my eyes on him. "He turned out to be something different." He says, pulling his eyes from mine to the window. His gaze lasts for a few moments.

        "Something different?" I ask, letting my eyes wander back to the pictures. I look to mine, but I notice it has changed. I don't see myself anymore. I see the same trees, the same picture.. But it's missing me. Had I imagined it?

        "He just wasn't the same." I can tell he doesn't want to go into detail. "What was his name?" I ask, still staring at the picture. "Alec." He says. I hear a shift of the bed and his feet on the hardwood floors once more.

        My eyes travel back to him. He's gazing at the same picture I was. "I still don't understand why he left these pictures here." Darin says, talking out loud to himself. He shakes his head a little before meeting my eyes. "But don't worry about him," His voice was almost demanding. "He won't be around anymore."

        His tone was unsure, almost hopeful. I nod, deciding to let it drop for now. I glance back at photo, still wondering if my imagination had gotten the better of me. "Well hey, we're all going out to town later tonight.. If you want to come." He says, making his exit. "Okay." I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

        The whole new family thing was going to need some getting used to. Even back home, I didn't talk to my family much. Only dad. And I've never had a problem with being alone. In a way, I guess I like it better.

        As Darin leaves, I glance back out the window where the rain has settled to a steady down poor. Maybe I had imagined myself in the picture. There was no other explanation, right? And the boy, also in my imagination. He vanished just as my day dreams often do.

        I guess the trip to my new home has gotten me tired. I'm just worked up from my nerves and all of the past weeks' activities. I take a deep breath and prepare myself to go back downstairs. I've got to face them sooner or later.

        As a last reassurance, I'll take a look at the picture on the wall. When I'm not there, I'll know I was just imagining it. Then, there will be no worries and no wonder. I suck in a deep breath of air and close my eyes. Just my imagination. I turn my head, opening my eyes and focus on the photo for the last time. Almost immediately, I slam my eyes shut once more. I'm there.

Author's Note

Hope you like it, tell me if you want more?!

Reviews

[Norma M Sutton]

I do hope you are still working on this story. I want to know the ending!

[bluessadmood]

Oh this was nice I really liked this chapter..you told the story so well,i was kept intrigued to know
Was it magic she was handling or such nerves being tight over the long journey and the new surrounding
was it really magic ,something sinister in all you told ,like the boy watching her in the rain
strange things happening here..i loved this..ha ha and off course I want more ,excitement of all kinds,haha
lovely write..