Linger (Camren)

Chapter 8: Keeping You In Mind

{Camila's POV}

This girl is everything I want, everything I didn't know I needed and everything in between.

We stayed in the park until midnight. By then, there was an abundance of fireflies that, almost by magic, appeared before our eyes at some point. We weren't quite sure when they had arrived, but their presence was welcomed. They added light to the already star filled sky.

Every so often, one or two would land on her. She looked so amazed by the little creatures
. Pretty soon they were everywhere and it was insane. It was like something out of a book.

We spent a good part of the night running around catching them. We'd close our eyes, cup our hands in the air gently and see how many we had caught.

We ended up in a large grassy area, surrounded by tall mossy trees. The place was pretty secluded, though most of the park was by now. We had came across a fallen tree as we walked deep into the wooded area. Oddly enough it was shaped like a boat. Being the dork that I am, I leapt into the tree boat and pretended that we were in the murky waters of the rain forest.

"Young lady ! Do you know where you stand ?!"

It took her a moment to catch on, but she eventually decided to play along with my little act. She looked around slowly, her eyes wide.

"... I couldn't say for sure. Where am I ?"

"You stand in the home of the Crookabook ! Come on the boat quickly, and I will save your foolish young life!"

She quickly scurries over to the tree and hops in. She puts a hand over her chest and breathes dramatically.

"Thank you for saving me. I didn't know where I was. What the hell is a Crookabook anyway?"

" Young girl ! Do you know not anything ! The crookabook is the myth amongst all myths. Surely you've heard of his touch that could melt your bones in a matter of seconds. His hair is the color of darkness. It flows long and could wrap you up and take you places you couldn't imagine. His skin is of that of a ghost, though warm. His eyes are two green gems that will leave you mystified and at his mercy. But it is his words that will make you stay. You become his slave at first listen. What is strange though, is that you can't help it. Once he has you, you are his, and you don't even care."

The entire time I was telling my story, my hands were moving animatedly, I ran up and down the tree boat frantically, but towards the end, my voice softened and my movements slowed down. I looked deeply into her eyes, and spoke the truth of the legend of the Crookabook. I held both her hands in mine, just in case she got scared. I ended in a mere whisper.

"Wow" is that she says, still looking at me completely enthralled by my story. I wonder if she caught on.

"It is OK though," I say softly, putting both my hands on her warm cheeks, "You are here, and you are safe. That is all that matters."

She grasps each of my wrists with her hands. I thought she was going to pull my hands away, which she does...

Eventually.

Though we were swallowed by darkness, I could still see the rosy color on her cheeks. I'm sure she could see mine. Her eyes shined brighter than any firefly could. I could feel her breathe on my face.

And even though we were swallowed by darkness, I swear that I had never seen so clearly before in my life.

---

I offered to walk her home once again, but she refused. She said she didn't want me wasting my time or metro fare, plus she didn't want me to be out so late by myself.