SOULMATES | a short novel

Chapter 1

Kate had a feeling that something would go wrong. She knew it deep in her bones. But it still surprised her when it appeared. Or should I say, when he appeared.

Kate's scream was loud and gut-wrenching. But what else would you expect from someone who saw a literal ghost, well not exactly a ghost, but a person who wasn't there a minute ago and now he was standing right in front of her, watching her. She wanted to get out of there so badly, but the thing was, that Kate couldn't walk properly, so running was out of the question. Therefore, she decided to act bravely:

"Who are you?" she asked, her voice not even shaking. She was proud of herself.

"Are you talking to me?" the boy asked. He sounded bewildered, as if it was impossible for her to see him.

"And who else would I be talking to? Some ghost?" she burst out laughing, as if ghosts were real.

"Well, of course not. Ghosts don't exist." He said, but there was something about his voice, that wasn't quite right. Like if by the sentence he let out of his mouth, he meant the actual opposite of what he just said.

"You still didn't answer my question." She pointed out for him, but it seemed he wasn't really paying attention to her.

"What?" he said, he looked rather confused.

"I was asking you a question, just a minute ago, and you haven't answered it yet. Who are you?" she was probably meant to be scared, he was a total stranger but somehow, she wanted to laugh, because this whole situation was absolutely absurd! She was leaning against a wall in an abandoned castle, her crutches underneath her armpits, just for stability. Her right leg was from beneath her knee fully in a cast, the injury still causing her a bit of pain, but she was used to it by now.

He finally paid enough attention to her, and now that he heard the question, he started to laugh.

"What's so funny?" she asked him. He was standing in a dim light, so she couldn't take a proper look at him, but from what she could see, he was quite handsome. He had longer hair than most of the boys she knew, they were pitch black, but somehow, they were still shiny. His eyes were icy blue, and his lips were full. His whole face was sharp and the most curious thing about his unique face was a scar that cut through his left eyebrow. It wasn't a long ugly scar, this one was light and short, but still noticeable. It made his face look a little bit rough and dangerous, but his laugh was so bright and full of happiness that she simply didn't find him dangerous at all.

"Oh, nothing's funny, dear. I just can't believe you don't know who I am, that's all." She was looking at him, puzzled, there was no way she already knew him, this face was the kind she'd never forget. But he sounded so certain that she knew him, as if he was some kind of royalty or celebrity. Someone everybody knew. But she didn't. When it occurred to him, that she really didn't know who he was, he gave in and introduced himself: "My name is Rey Khan. Does it ring a bell?" he said, a crooked smile settled on his lips.

She put in deep thought but his name, nor his surname rang anything. "I'm truly sorry but I don't know you nor I do know your name. There's just no way I heard the name 'Khan' before." Rey's lips fell open a bit in surprise, so Kate settled hers on an apologetic smile, even though she didn't feel sorry at all.

"That's just... unexpected, I guess. But that's okay, so who are you again?" he asked her and took a few steps towards her. As the light fell more on him due to the window he was approaching, she noticed his unusual clothing. He had an old-style suit, black button up shirt, tie, trousers and jacket. It was unusual, especially in this old, abandoned castle.

"Sorry but, why are you clothed like this?" she asked him, totally ignoring his question.

"Why wouldn't I be wearing a suit?" he asked right back, as if a suit was an everyday outfit. Who knows, maybe he even sleeps in it.