Beyond the Veil

Chapter 14

Sera couldn't decide if she felt more excited or nervous to meet up with Nishay. Her classes went by slowly, and she felt a pool of nervousness in the bottom of her stomach.

She knew Nishay was dangerous. In fact, despite herself, she was even confident Nishay wasn't human. Saul would know, as much as he hates being asked questions, she was going to have to ask him. She had to know, but would he be willing to put aside his secret keeping for her safety?

He seems to have some level of concern for her wellbeing. He saved her in the woods that night, and he intercepts everytime she gets close to Nishay. It didn't make sense how he knew how to get to her. There is so much she doesn't understand. This is why she has to meet with her in the first place. Maybe she can get Nishay to divulge some information while still remaining in a semi public area.

Sera was nervous. If things got dangerous, would Saul show up to save her again? It made her unhappy that she had to rely on that. If she knew it was dangerous then why go?

Maybe she'll bring a weapon... That thought made a blush of humility fall upon her cheeks. She would have no idea what to do with a weapon, she'd probably hurt herself.

Sera decided she was still going to go. She wouldn't pass up this opportunity at the risk of danger. Life is dangerous, and she isn't even totally confident Nishay wants to hurt her.

After school, Sera walked to Shadow Woods, and sat beneath the sign, waiting for Nishay, just like last time.

Just like last time, some time went by, Nishay still hadn't arrived. Sera dug through her book bag and pulled out her book.

Sera realized she had lost track of time. It had been at least 40 minutes, she wasn't going to wait any longer. Maybe Nishay was waiting for her in the forest, but Sera wasn't sure if she was going to go look. It didn't go well for her last time, she almost fell asleep in the clearing, and Nishay acted very differently in the forest.

Sera felt very safe in the forest. There was a certain energy there, it felt all encompassing and protecting. In an unexplainable way, the cold lonesome forest felt like home to her, it was a hearth to which the fire inside of her could burn. The forest seemed both perplexed and comforted by the heat of her body and the life inside of her. She was equally as perplexed by the forest, and she felt comforted by it too.

Maybe her feeling of safety here led to her lapse in judgment. It was ridiculous to be entering the forest looking for someone who couldn't bother to show up on time both times they agreed to meet. Maybe Sera was being too charitable entering the forest to look for her, but maybe she wanted a viable excuse to be inside the forest again.

It hasn't felt the same ever since Saul told her to not come back. She wasn't sure how his words could affect her relationship to the woodlands, but maybe she just let what he said get to her head. She must be projecting because after he said that to her she felt like the forest was mourning her, pulling her into its center, but pushing her away and keeping her out. She didn't like it.

"Nishay!" She called out, climbing through a thicket of trees.

She walked around calling her name, but to no avail. She was gone. Sera was going home.

What a waste of time it was for her.

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Nishay was not at school the next day. It was baffling to Sera because she couldn't seem to get rid of Nishay ever since she appeared. What a strange girl... She didn't blink, she didn't really seem to comprehend questions asked to her, and she had this off putting smile that sent chills down Sera's spine. Not to mention how awful her energy was, Sera did not enjoy being in her presence at all. She decided she was going to go looking for her.