UNTITLED

seven

When it finally stopped, I felt myself becoming breathless as the air was suddenly knocked out of me. My feet landed on something and I was tripping on them. Fred's hold on my hand tightened as his other hand grabbed my arm, keeping my steady.

I tasted bile at the back of my throat but I quickly pushed it down along with the nausea. My other hand grabbed Fred's, squeezing it for comfort when I felt dread take over me.

"It's only my second time doing this and I'm already hating it," I mumbled, straightening up.

"You will get better," Fred replied. "In time, of course."

I grimaced. "Not quick enough, I guess."

A small smile graced his lips and I took the time to look around us to see that we were standing in front of a house.

The sky was dark though the stars were shining brightly above our heads. A strong gust of wind blew pass us and I shuddered at the cold feeling, discomfort washing over me. Fred noticed and he squeezed my hand.

My eyes wandered over to the house, fawning over the beauty of its design. It was a house that could easily be found during the Victorian Era, with white washed walls and painted roofs. Though it was dark, I could see that they were dark blue.  

"Where are we?" I asked, still staring at the house in front of me.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see that Fred was staring at it too, though it looked as if he was surrounded in a sense of remorse instead of awe. I turned to look at him as I was expecting for a reply, but it never came.

"Fred?"

His eyes snapped at me, blinking a few times like he was trying to get out of trance. After a few moments, I saw his surprise wash away, quickly replaced with something similar to rage and fatigue. A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he turned away to stare at his boots, making me quirk an eyebrow in concern, if not, curiosity.

"Fred?" I said again, lightly squeezing his hand. "Are you okay?"

He squeezed my hand back, giving me a small sense of comfort.

"I'm quite alright," he muttered loud enough for me to hear though it sounded more like he was talking to himself. "Only lost in thought. Nothing to worry about."

I felt him squeeze my hand again, harder this time and somehow, I could tell that he was lying. Maybe it was the way he was acting or the small voice at the back of my head that was yelling at me the whole day. Either way, it wasn't helping me with the creepy feelings that had been crawling up my spine.

"If you say so, then," I mumbled, turning back to look at the house after giving him another look of concern. "Where are we, anyway?"

"Home," he simply stated, letting a small smile touch his lips.

Confusion struck me again and I was sure that the face I was making clearly showed it. Fred chuckled softly at my reaction, walking off to the house as he pulled me along with him.

"Home, Adeline. We're at home."

The way that he said it made me grow warm inside despite with coldness of the weather. My heart was fluttering in my chest as I followed him, anticipating whatever it is he wanted to show me. We reached the front door and I was about to say something when he walked through it, like it was nothing but air.

That made me halt, planting my feet on the ground. Fred was tugged back towards me and he turned to me, confused as to why I had suddenly stopped. I made a pointed look at him, particularly at his body that was half through the door while his head was poking out of it.

He seemed to have sensed my conflict, walking back out as he gently pulled me to him. One of his arm was wrapped around my shoulder, hand gripping it while his other hand was still holding onto mine.

"Close your eyes," he said as gently.

I did as I was told and he guided me through the door, still holding me against his chest. The feeling was uncomfortable as I could actually feel the wood around me. Splinters threatened to pierce my skin, though it was only for a few moments, it felt like it went on for hours.

I braved myself to open my eyes when the feeling was gone, only to see the light brown colour of Fred's shirt.

"We're through," I heard him say.

I made no move to pull away as I, instead, buried my face into his chest. "It didn't feel good."

His arm held me closer to him and his head was on top of mine.

"I know," he said and I could almost hear the sympathy in his voice.

"You're warm," I mumbled without thinking and I felt a laugh rumbled through his chest.

"Yes, I am, child," he replied, hinting the smile on his face.

That made me look up to him as my face contorted into a twisted expression. "Why do you keep calling me that?"

Another laugh escaped him and his smile grew wider. "Because you are one."

I rolled my eyes and finally pulled away from him, making another face at the loss of warmth.

"Come," he said as he pulled me along with him, still with the smile on his face.

"To where?" I asked, though it was only rhetorical as I knew that he would only say-

"You will see."