A Perfect Imperfection

Chapter 4

Karen

I stared at the beauty of the twinkling stars. Me and Kevin had practiced all day trying to see how much I could control the things I levitate. I have been  practicing on the rock and I've been able to hold it up for a very long period of time, throw it at something and in the end, I managed to break it in two. By then I was so very tired that I just laid down on the soft grass and stared at the late afternoon sky. Kevin laid down next to me and did the same. I don't know how long I was like that but the sun had set and I'm now staring at the stars.
I've always loved stars, even though I had a huge fear of darkness. They always had a way of relaxing me and clearing my mind. Even when I was young, I used to sneak out into the backyard of my orphanage at night and lay down for hours looking at the stars. But the headmistress caught me one day and banned me from doing it again. But even after that, I used to sit by the window and watch the starry sky for hours when I needed to clear my mind. I never stopped that habit but I did it less once I came here, especially after I met Kevin. But my love for the stars never died.
"Karen, it's time to go," I heard Kevin say from next to me. I looked at him and saw that he was up and holding my bag already. I stood up and looked around. I looked at Kevin, "where are they?"
"They are waiting for us in the car, come on" he said and grabbed my hand and pulled me into the darkness. I squeezed his hand when the light of the stars and moon were covered by the thick trees. I couldn't see anything at all. I couldn't even see him, I only felt his hand on mine. I stepped towards him but my legs were tangled up in roots and weeds which made me trip. I close my eyes as I felt myself fall but his hands wrapped around me before I could hit the ground. I opened my eyes and saw that his face was just inches away from mine. My breath caught at our proximity and I felt goosebumps where his skin touched mine and his smell intoxicated me. All I could see, breath and feel in this darkness was him. He stared into my eyes as if he was looking inside, and I looked back into his falling into his deep blue ocean. I don't know how long we just stared but for me it felt like hours.
"Are you okay?" He finally whispered breaking the silence. I couldn't form words so I nodded and stood up straight breaking our connection. What just happened replayed in my head and I blushed. But thankfully it was dark so he wouldn't see. I looked at him and he smiled, "hang on, okay", he said and held my hand again then slowly started to go towards his house.
When we broke out into his backyard, I saw a black sedan parked on the curb. It had tinted windows and someone, the driver I think, was standing outside waiting for us. He was young, maybe early twenties, and had striking features. He was well built and it was obvious behind his tight shirt that he worked out. He had dark cropped hair and hazel eyes. When he saw Kevin and me, his lips broke into a smile and he walked up to Kev and gave him a hug.
"I missed you buddy", he said when he let go. Kev chuckled "Of course you did", he said with a grin on his face. Kevin turned towards me "this is Karen", he told the guy who turned towards me and smiled. He extended his hand towards me "pleasure to meet you Karen, I'm Thomas. Kev has told me about you."
I smiled and shook his hand "nice to meet you too Thomas", I looked at Kevin and he smiled. "We should go", he said and opened the door for me to get in. He got in next to me and closed the door. Thomas was already at his seat buckling his seat belt. He started the car and the we started moving.
"Where are we headed?" I asked Kevin to which he answered "airport". He then started talking to Thomas.
"How are you? It's been a while since we talked. How is everything at the island?" 
"It's all good. Everyone is fine. The island is the same as you left it but tension has started to build up since he got out." He said and I saw what looked like fear in his eyes. But it was gone as soon as it came and I wasn't sure if I just imagined it. "I was promoted to be a trainer and I've been training the young ones. It's so fun," he smiled. "You'll see it for yourself soon," he said. "How are you? It's been so long."
Kevin smiled and looked at me. "I'm great thanks. I have been training Karen past couple of years. But you already know that."
Thomas nodded and started talking about the island but I tuned them out and looked at the familiar places pass by. This was probably the last time I was gonna see this place and weirdly, I felt sad. I had a lot of memories here and this is the first place that I felt like home in, mostly because of Kevin, and I was really gonna miss it. Especially the meadow and hanging out in his house. I thought back to the feelings I had earlier. Do I like him more than as just a friend? No. I was probably just over reading everything. I can't like him like that. And even if I did he would never share those feelings. I felt confused and that annoyed me so I just pushed my thoughts to the back of my mind. I closed my eyes and started thinking about all the time I spent here.
We were sitting on the soft grass and laughing  while eating my favourite food, margarita. Kevin told me a joke and I was laughing. Suddenly smoke was everywhere and screams came from the trees which were on fire. I heard my name from the edge and saw that Kevin was being pulled into the flames by lots of hands. He yelled at me to run away But I couldn't just leave him. I had to save him. I started running towards him but no matter how fast or far I run, I never moved. Kevin disappeared into the flames and I started screaming after him. Suddenly I heard my name from behind me. I turned around and saw a faceless man. "Join me Karen for everyone has lost" he said extending his hand for me to take. If you deny me, you will join all who have failed." I looked at him " never" I said. I will never say yes to your ways and I turned around and tried to run towards where Kevin disappeared. I heard my name again but this time it was familiar and distant. I started shaking and I heard my name again and again....
"Karen, Karen," I heard Kevin say and I woke up to his worried face. It was just a dream I told myself but I couldn't get the screams out of my head. Suddenly I noticed we weren't in the car anymore.
"Where are we?" I asked. "We're in the airplane. You slept and I didn't want to wake you. Are you okay?" He said.
I nodded. He looked at me and smiled.
"Look go back to sleep and I'll wake you when we get there okay." I was too tired to argue so I nodded and went back to sleep.
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