Running On Empty

Chapter 13 ~ Jaylin~

I never liked long rides at all. Being stuck in a trailer with Silya was by no means "magical" like before. I wanted it to be like that, but reality seemed to be kicking in when my father called in with brand new news about a girl that I was to meet named Frica Brown.

We pulled into my driveway in silence at around 2:45 in the afternoon. I felt the trailer sway a little when it made its turns around the parking lot. I saw Silya sit down with her hands folded neatly in her lap, looking down at the ground. Her hair hid her eyes and her smile from a few nights ago had vanished.

"Is something happening? My father said I am going to meet a girl named Frica." I watched her squirm nervously in her seat.

"No, I'm sure that it is nothing major," she said quietly, "Whatever happens will happen."

"What do you mean by that?"

The door of the trailer opened before I could get my answer and Madeline stepped in looking as sad as Silya. What in the world is wrong with them all today? It was like they were stepping into their death beds! Silya nodded to Madeline and Madeline gave a nod in response back.

"Young Master, the Headmaster is coming out to meet you. Please wait here will Silya and I go greet him and Miss Brown."

"But-" Silya got up quickly.

Then she walked towards me, and patted my head. "It will be OK, Jaylin."

I watched her with my face flushed red. What a sly person she was. Madeline gave me a reassuring smile.

I wheeled over to my crutches. I had to know what was going on. What was everyone so nervous about? I got out of my chair and tried to stable myself like that onetime in the boat. My legs started to shake again, but I managed to move couple of steps forward just like before.

Come on, you can do this Jaylin! I felt my shoulders shake and my fingers go numb as I squeezed hard on the crutch handles. I heard my crutch tips bagging against the floor then I opened the door of the trailer. As I looked down, I saw steps. I got on my hand and knees and decided to crawl down I threw my crutches to the ground and had one foot on the step and then another. I thought I had a good enough grip to move my hands down with me. It was just two steps. I slipped falling backwards a little. I saw the light blue sky and the white clouds. I heard my head it the ground with a plump and felt my back hit something hard. I managed to roll myself to the left side a little, struggling like a turtle on its back. I grabbed one crutch and got on my knees and then I grabbed the other and used both of them to help me stand back up on my feet. I lifted my head up and saw Madeline and Silya in the distance.

I had to get to them no matter how long it took. I had to go faster. I moved forward with each step and then gradually, I started going faster. I felt my feet become light and my crutches were easier to lift each time. I could feel the wind start to brush against my face. I felt the wind ruffle through my hair and my eyes stayed wide open. What was this sensation?

My heart pounded against my chest faster than I had ever felt before. I felt myself to smile as the air in my lungs started to fill up. I felt myself panting. I felt my feet brush lightly on the ground and the scene next to me run on pass me. It was like the tree themselves were running in the opposite direction. Each second that passed by, I could see the backs of Silya and Madeline even clearer. I wanted to call out Silya's name. I wanted her to turn around, her hair twirling along with, smiling. I wanted her to reach out her arms and come out running out to meet me. I wanted her. I wanted her here with me.

"Silya! Silya!" I screamed from the top of my lungs as loudly as I could. She didn't turn around, she kept on walking.

"Young Master, please come back in," Garrett places his hand on my shoulder.