A Void Within the Door

Chapter 4

"Eleanor...come back to us." Her eyes opened and she scanned her bedroom. It was almost dawn, but Eleanor could still see the entire space. 

Taking a few deep breaths Eleanor tried standing from the bed, but a sharp pain filled her head, and the room started spinning. 

"Mom....Mom!" she cried out, needing the bed-frame for support. 

Eleanor's vision blurred as Rose came spiraling down the hallway and into the bedroom. 

"Come Back!" A sickly voice yelled, causing Eleanor to collapse. Rose was at her side in an instant, and caught her before she could hit the ground. 

"Ell....Ellie?" Rose panted. Eleanor breathed deeply as a reply; the headache and sickly voice had just stopped, disappeared, and now she was back in reality. 

"Mom, I...my head." she couldn't find the right words; how could she after going through something that crazy. 

"Hold on darling, I'm going to call the school, tell them you're sick." Rose said, helping her back onto the mattress. Eleanor grabbed her mother's wrist and shook her head. 

"I shouldn't miss my second day of school." 

Rose frowned, and argued, "I'm sorry, honey, but I think you staying here would be the best option." 

Eleanor didn't argue back, knowing it would be futile, and watched as Rose raced out of the room. 

Minutes later, Eleanor and Rose were sat at the dining room table with mugs of tea in their grasp. 

Silence surrounded the two like a thick wall, until Rose broke it by asking, "Ellie, do we need to call a doctor?" 

Eleanor shook her head, and exclaimed, "It was just a headache. I'm not feverish, or anything like that." 

"Nothing about the headache seemed weird to you? Rose continued to question. 

"No," Eleanor reluctantly lied; although her mother's curiosity did spark her interest. 

Rose looked down at her mug, and muttered, "Oh," under her breath.

"Why?" It was Eleanor's turn to be curious, and she raised her eyebrow at her mother. 

Rose tensed at the question as Mannix's words rang through her head. "I'll give you a week to tell little Ellie; Don't  and I'll just might have to pay her a visit." 

"N....Never mind, I don't know why I asked." she responded, before receiving another confused glance from Eleanor. 

The next day, Eleanor convinced her mom to let her go to school, but things didn't go to smoothly.

During lunch, Eleanor decided to sit alone and not with April and her friends since she wasn't feeling herself, and needed some space. She picked a table that was empty and near a corner of the cafeteria. 

As Eleanor sat there, chewing on a ranch-covered carrot, she heard footsteps behind her. Before Eleanor could turn around, she found Trace sitting across from her. 

Nervously, Eleanor swallowed her carrot, and stared intently at the foot-ball player. Finally she worked up the courage to ask, "Do you need something?" 

"Just your name." Trace answered, throwing his hands into the air and smirking. 

"Eleanor." she answered, relaxing a little; Trace didn't seem like he wanted to fight. 

"Alright, Eleanor. Listen, sorry about shoving you into the locker the other day." he exclaimed. 

Eleanor narrowed her eyes; she may have a bit frightened, but she wasn't going to show Trace her weakness. 

To hide her fear, Eleanor gave out a scoff, and replied, "Yeah, sure you are." 

Trace was unfazed; instead he responded with, "Well, I'm not going to shove you again. Promise." 

"Because you didn't get a reaction out of me like most of the new kids that you've pushed over the years?" Eleanor retaliated. 

A small chuckle escaped Trace's lips, and stuck out his hand for a handshake. "Nice to officially meet you, Eleanor." 

Eleanor smiled a little bit, and completed the handshake, but just as their hands made contact she felt a surge of something. 

Eleanor looked up, and for a split second Eleanor could have sworn that Trace's sharp, green eyes turned into a devilish amber before turning back to their original color. 

Her breath caught in her throat, but she managed to keep her composure. Unfortunately, Trace saw right through her. 

"Eleanor, your trembling. Are you alright?' he asked. 

Eleanor quickly nodded her head, and watch as Trace stood up from the seat. 

Gazing down at her, Trace gave Eleanor's shoulder a pat, before saying, "Well, in that case, see you later Ellie." 

When those words came out of Trace's mouth the surge from before flooded Eleanor's body once again, but faded as Trace walked further and further away. 

A/N : Sorry for the late update, but I hope that was worth waiting for. Strange things are happening to Eleanor now; any theories on Trace? Feedback is appreciated as always.