Untold Truth

Chapter 2

He holds me loosely, but doesn't let go. To support myself, I wrap my arms around his neck. As our eyes lock, I refuse to let my eyes flash even the smallest ounce of fear. Almost to quickly, he sets me down and backs away. I try to untangle myself from the net but the weight of it holds me down.

Sitting down, I lift one arm up but it falls down immediately. Hopelessly I look up at the boy who burst into a spit of laughter. I stare daggers at him as I give up. He looks so amused, it makes me aggravated.

"What?" I spit defensively.

He raises an eyebrow. "Need help?"

I won't let him get any kicks out of me, that's what people in situations like this want.

"No." I struggle some more before he comes over and cuts the rope with ease. "Hey! That's my knife!"

"Is it?" He says smugly.

I climb out of the net and stand in front of him. Next to him it's obvious how much taller, and stronger, he is than me. Something about the way he carries himself makes him look years older; confidence and pride.

"What's with the dress?" He asks nonchalantly pointing the knife at me.

"Doesn't matter. Thank you very much for helping me, I'll be on my way," I began to walk away when he grabs my upper arm roughly, forcing me to turn around. I look down at where he's holding me and when he doesn't let go, I stare up at him with intent.

His face stays expressionless: lips pursed, eyes looking through me. My hearts quicker as I remain under his gaze, feeling powerless. We continue in our stare battle, until I see the slightest shift in his eyes.

"You're Neil O'Conell's daughter." It's not even a question. Suddenly, a knot ties in my chest, but I try to match his cool.

"What are you talking about?" I manage to get out in my shock as a million questions run through my head.

He finally wavers and let's put a small scoff.  "Look I'm not with anyone, you're not fooling me okay?" I rack my brain for some kind of recognition of what he's talking about, but nothing comes to mind.

"Who are you?" I spit fiercely and try to pull away again, but he forces me back to his eyes. Showing my fear I look into them, returned with a soft gaze.

"You don't know," he says it to himself while looking at me. His face shows sympathy before it quickly hardens back to his emotionless mask. He lets out a long small sigh, "This was a mistake. We shouldn't have talked this much."

More confused then I've ever been, I try to find a way out of the situation. "How about we just act like this didn't happen..."

"I can't have you telling anyone about me." He interrupts. He stares off for a second and I sit in the electrified silence he's created. For a moment I feel he forgets I'm even there. I feel his grip loosen just enough, and I yank my arm out quickly running the other way.

I feel free in the dark forest, but with each step I can sense him behind me. I take in where I'm at, but nothing looks familiar and I curse myself for not realizing how far off path I wandered. My legs push me further and further away from where I met the boy, until my body can no longer handle the pressure. Coming to a stop, I look around with a few quick motions then dart up a tree.

I take in deep breaths and sit for several minutes, never once hearing the boy. Part of me begins to feel like I imagined the whole thing, as it seems so distant blinded by the adrenaline. When I feel the coast is clear, I let out a deep sigh, but still I realize: he let me go.

I shake in the tree, recounting the nights events. It had to be close to dawn by now, and as the adrenaline begins to wear off I feel more tired then I thought possible.

Ungracefully, I climb down the tree only now realizing he took my knife, the only fork of protection I had against whatever lurked in the woods. I should be braver, I walk these daily. But rarely do I mess around with nature's forces.

I walk quietly through the woods, my mind refuses to let me ruin what little peace has been created. Every step quieter than the last, every breath blending in with the wind.

As I get in with the rhythm of the earth, my mind pounds around the boy. There was something about his charm, how easily he stunned me with his eyes. It's sickening. Like he wanted me to feel that way, like he wanted to manipulate me. I shake my head, trying to rid myself of the thoughts of his appearance.

But yet, there was something else there. He knew exactly who I was. You don't know.

What are the odds that I'm saved by a random stranger who knows more about me then I do about him. Better yet, why was he wandering around the woods in the middle of the night? Though that last question I'm sure he's asking himself too.

By the time I began to recognize where I am, I've come to a full conclusion that I need to find the boy again. He's not dangerous, I could feel that tonight, and he clearly knows something that I need to know.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After what feels like forever, I reach my house. I walk up to my back porch but I stop. My dad must be furious that I'm home so late. I take a deep breath and head inside, hoping he'll be asleep.