Flutter

Flutter: Dix-Huit (2)

Nora startled awake and became instantly aware of two things:

The dark and the cold.

She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes with her fists, before looking about her. The night sky greeted her first, the stars small bits of light breaking up the blackness overhead. The moon hung overhead, illuminating everything around her. The pale light dappled on the surface of the lake and it looked as if someone had poured diamonds.

Nora sat up and rubbed her arms, shivering slightly. The temperature had dropped significantly since the early afternoon. Nora was not quite sure what time it was. In fact, Nora didn't even recall when she'd fallen asleep in the first place. One moment she was lying on the ground, contemplating, and the next moment she found herself waking up. While stretching her muscles, she rose to her feet, brushing off the skirt of her dress that was probably grass stained. She shrugged on her cardigan.

Earlier, after lunch, Nora had slipped out of the house unnoticed and took off. She knew she wasn't technically allowed but she needed to get away, if only for a moment. She followed the path she had taken with the kids on their adventure, walking aimlessly, lost in her thoughts. She didn't worry about getting lost, as a wolf always finds their way back. She walked along tree lined roads, trying to blend in with the brush, away from view. She could quickly duck into the bushes if a car appeared. She didn't want to be noticed, especially by anyone who had wrong intentions towards a young lady walking home alone. It was a long while before she paused, coming across a roadside diner nestled into a little clearing on the side of a lonely road.  She peeked into the windows at a few patrons munching on biscuits, gravy, fried chicken and mash potatoes.  Her stomach was grumbling.  

A server caught her gaze in the window and came to greet her but Nora shook her head, saying she was just passing by. She walked back into the dense woods. Nora was sure she looked pitiful. Nora had seen her reflection in the mirror - far off eyes and a forlorn look on her face. Nora had everything in Gillans her knew home, yet she felt empty. Nothing to her name except the things she had brought on her move. Everything was given to her and she was sure Quinton thought he was being generous and kind. However, nothing was truly hers. She didn't feel rich and she didn't feel purposeful. That's what Nora was thinking about - purpose. How could she gain some independence from Quinton's reigns? She thought they were making progress but then he bared his teeth. All had been well with Quinton for so long and yet yesterday, Nora had witnessed him becoming the same, unreasonable, wolf that he had been when she'd first met him.

She made her way back, walking briskly,  taking in account the sun's location in the sky. It was late afternoon and they would expect her for dinner come evening.  She strolled across the grounds, taking in the picturesque scene around her -  green grass, vibrant flowers, and crystal blue sky. Going outdoors just invigorated her. She looked at the trees, past the blue-berry thicket, and then at the French doors. The woods beckoned her deeper and before she knew it, she walked away from Gillians and arrived at the lake's edge. 

The lake held great memories.  Nora was happy that her instincts had brought here here. Perhaps, she could capture that lighthearted merriment again and bring it back to Gillans with her. How thing do change in such a short period of time? How easily steps forward become steps backwards.

While at the lake, she recalled the story he had told her in the diner, about how he as a child would sail boats on the water. Nora sat by the edge of the lake, trying to imagine a young Quinton. He probably waited on hand and knee, eagerly watching a paper boat float and imagining it sail off into distant waters. As pleasant an image as that was, Nora realized that that was far from the person Quinton was today. She laid on her back and gazed up at the blue above, replaying her conversation with him, still getting riled up by his statements.