[Blake]. chapter 4

                        
                          

Blake.

Chapter 4

 

    I fell in and out of darkness. It could have been days or weeks, I didn't know. But there was a constant uncomfortable sensation throughout my entire body, like I was freezing. The sensation caused me to shiver and convulse. My sudden movements only hurt more.

            Sometimes, through the darkness, I was aware of Chloe, Norah or Bear by my side. Sometimes my mother or father. I could hear their murmuring voices, and could distinguish between each one. Once in a while, I managed to break through the darkness. I could break through and open my eyes. Once, I had tea with Norah, through the freezing and the aches. I played chess with Chloe one rainy afternoon, but the darkness had slipped back over me as I had tried to steal her queen.

            I knew that I didn't resurface for a long while later.

            When I did awaken again, the freezing had ebbed a great deal. I was aware of a warmth, sweet and gentle, that ran from my left hip to my collarbone, and spread over my chest. Though my closed eyes wouldn't open, I could hear, through my sensitive ears, someone's breathing, close to my neck.

            The most amazing smell filled my nose as I kept my breathing even. A fanciful type of floral, but it was mixed with the scent of earth. It was one of the most mysterious scents that I had ever encountered.

            There was a light sigh against my neck, and through the darkness, I realized that the lovely warmth on my side and chest was someone's body heat. Chloe's, perhaps, or my mother's? It seemed too much for little Norah, yet I know that it wasn't my father, the sigh had been too gentle.

            “An ita.”

            It was Chloe's voice, too far away for her to be next to me.

            “Hmm?” A quiet murmur, against my neck, another sigh. A sound, almost like the pages of a book. The warmth was a little closer now.

            “Aren't you coming to dinner?” Chloe's distant voice sounded irked.

            “No, I'm not really hungry.”

            The voice that had denied my sister halted my breathing. Through the darkness, something connected.

            Anita.

            She was the warmth beside me, the lovely foreign scent. She was here laying close to me. Her head must be on my shoulder, for her breath tickled near my ear.

            I tried to fight the darkness, striving to open my eyes. I wanted so terribly to see her face. There was a long moment filled with nothing but her easy breathing, and there was the second of a page being turned. It sounded like it was coming from my chest. Is she reading?

            “Anita,” this voice was mum's. I recognized the edge in her voice, and would have smiled if I could remember how to move my lips.

            “I'm sorry Cathleen, I'm just not hungry.” Anita's voice sounded like music. I scowled inwardly at the darkness. Lift, I willed it, I want to see her. But the darkness did not give way. I heard my mother sigh from far away.

            “Anita, love, you've got to come eat something. You're not going to make me count, are you?” Mum's voice was nervous now.

            Anita let out a sigh that sent an electric shock through my entire body; her breath had caressed the cold skin of my neck.

            But then, suddenly, all the warmth was gone. I could no longer hear her breathing. Her body heat was ripped away from me. I fought against the darkness in vain. If I could catch her hand, I could pull her back to me. Through my fight against the darkness, I was aware of something warm against my cheek -her lips? But before I could wander, she was gone.

            I fought with renewed fervor against the darkness.

            I wanted so terribly to see her face again. I had so many questions for her; Why was she on Island? Why was she in my house? On my bed? Against me? My head clouded with such questions as I remained in the darkness. I remained but did not sink back beneath.

            I knew not how long I waited for her to come back; to feel her warmth again, but all the while, I fought against the darkness. Just let me open my eyes, I begged, if not that, then at least give me my voice...

            Finally, after a time that could have been days to me, I felt her again. She wasn't quiet as warm this time, and I could tell that her hair was wet where it laid against my shoulder. I wasn't sure that she was reading now, because I could feel her arm over my chest, and her fingers of the opposite hand were running through my hair.

            “Is he any better?” A distant voice murmured. I recognized the voice instantly.

            “I think he can feel me here,” Anita responded to Nathaniel's voice. Her fingers stroked my cheek, small and chilled. I could feel Nathaniel's weight on the edge of the bed. Anita sighed against my neck.

            “You aren't coming?” Nathaniel asked her. I felt Anita shake her head and as she did, her cool lips grazed my neck.

            Lift, I commanded the darkness, Lift and let me see her.

            “No,” Anita murmured, “You three go on without me. I'm going to stay here and read.”

            Nathaniel made an exasperated noise. “You know, they say that someone's hearing is one of the most reliable senses. You should try talking to him. He might hear you.”

            Anita's nose traced along my jawline, and her arms tightened around my waist. I heard her sigh, and her cool breath tickled my neck.

            “Can you hear me?” I heard her whisper. Nathaniel must have left.

            Yes, I wanted so terribly to tell her. I can hear you, please keep talking in your lovely hushed voice.

            I felt something cool against my cheek-her lips? I heard her laugh softly; the sound was like a peal of bells.

            “What is there to say?” she mused. For a moment it was silent. “They found the silver that you sliced your hand on. But they didn't seem to want Norah's help.” The peal of bells again as she laughed, “I went with her and she brought me right to it.” Another giggle, “Nathaniel and I tried to get it out of the ground all day. Chloe, Bear and Norah kept us company...”

            Her voice trailed off for a long time, it was silent again. I was cold, but I did not shiver, Anita kept me warm enough. Her fingers began to trace the contours of my face and I wanted so badly to do the same to her, to hold her small body close to mine.

            What are you thinking? I wanted to ask.

            “Well, you mother is trying to teach me to cook,” she giggled. “Though I'm terrible at it,” she laughed even more. I could hear her sigh and shift her weight so her head lay on my chest. Her hair was soft and tickled a bit.

            “You may want to know why I'm here, huh?”

            Yes, I thought, willing my mouth to open and my voice to work.

            “The day after you got sick, your father brought me here. I'm still not positive why.” The sound of her voice was slowly becoming more familiar to me and I felt as though I would never get tired of listening to hearing her talk. Another sigh, then Norah's voice rang.

            “Nina! Nina!” Norah called, she didn't sound close, maybe down the hall.

            “In Blake's room,” Anita told her. Her tiny feet pounded into my room.

            “Hi Nina! Hi Bake!” Norah giggled. I could hear her 8-ball shaking. “Yay Bake!” she giggled again. She sounded happy with the results Skip gave her. “Nina, Nana 'n Beawy tum'an,” she squeaked.

            Bear and Nathaniel? That's odd, I thought.

            “Knock knock,” Bear said. I was curious as to why they were here.

    “Hey guys,” Anita didn't sound thrilled.

            “Nathaniel and I wanted to know how Blake was doing.” Fine.

            “He's fine,” Anita answered. She moved, pushing against the side of the bed. Her warmth vanished and I heard her sigh. I wanted the warmth of her small body to come back. The darkness felt colder without her.

            Many foot steps filled the room just before complete silence. As I laid in the quiet dark, I thought over recent events. The ball in particular was one that caught my fancy. That night, Anita had appeared a bit nervous, though she hid it better that I had. Now, not too much later, she was laying in my bed, holding me, possibly even kissing my cheek.

 

 

Reviews

[Rhan F. Sydney]

Indeed, quite quit good.