Duskwood: And Beyond

20. One Step Closer

ORYN

After spending some time on Amy, Anabelle and I decided to get some sleep. I managed to sleep after tossing and turning for an hour.

I woke up the next morning. Jake was in the living room reading. Anabelle was staring out the window.

"Why are you here, you are not supposed to visit," I questioned Jake. He didn't even look at me.

I tried to get his attention but it was like he didn't even hear me.

"Anabelle?" I questioned but she also remained motionless.

I approached her. She was so focused on something. I looked outside to see Richy. I rushed outside and hugged Richy like my life depended on it. He hugged me back.

"I was so scared. What happened?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" He looked confused.

"You were attacked Richy," I whispered.

"No, that can't be possible. I was here all morning," he responded.

Suddenly we heard a scream. It was a female voice, my voice... I was calling out for Richy.

"Did you hear that? What if it's Hannah?" Richy started rushing into the forest. I followed behind.

"It's all quiet now," he said. I knew where this was going.

"We have to leave Richy," I said.

He turned to me. His eyes grew as he started to walk away from me.

"Oryn what is that, what are you doing?"

I looked down to see a baseball bat. I was holding a baseball bat. Why was I holding a baseball bat?

Instinctively, I raised the bat and hit Richy at the back of his head. I stood there watching blood coming from his mouth. Then Richy turned into Jake, then Anabelle. I started screaming. Someone grabbed my arm which made me scream louder.

I opened my eyes. Anabelle was standing in front of me, shaking me. We were outside. I was still wearing my pajamas and I was barefoot.

"Oryn! Are you ok? You were sleepwalking," Anabelle yelled causing me to focus on her. I couldn't respond.

"Come on let's get you back inside," she guided me inside. I sat on the couch, trying to process what just happened. Anabelle made some tea and sat next to me. We both drank our tea in silence. Then I lay on her lap. She started to play with my hair.

"Do you need anything?" she asked. I shook my head.

"I am really worried," she whispered.

"I will be fine... Once this thing is over..." I responded. She nodded. I tried to sleep a bit more but that was useless. Eventually, I got up and returned back to my room. I picked up my phone. Jake texted me saying he found something about Amy. I asked him if Lilly was awake and he said no. I returned back downstairs. I was feeling numb. Anabelle was walking back and forth in the living room. She immediately turned to me when she heard my footsteps.

"I am going over to Lilly's," I said.

"Oh, yeah, ok, sure. Do you need me?" She asked. I shook my head.

"May I at least drive you?" she bargained. I nodded.

She took her jacket and the car keys. I only wore my shoes. It was not warm, especially the mornings were chilly but I needed the cold air. It was the only thing that felt real right now. Anabelle looked me up and down.

"Hold on," she said as she rushed upstairs. She returned shortly with a bag. It had clothes and a jacket in it. I realized I was in my pajamas still but I didn't care.