Chapter 2
Issy felt an increasing pressure on her chest, like someone was using her body as a pump. Then she realised what was happening, someone was trying to make her breath.
She breathed out, coughing up blood and a large amount of water, more water then she thought would fit in her body, trying to get oxygen into her waterlogged lungs but failing.
She felt someone gently manoeuvre her body so that her torso rested against a tree trunk and she found it easier to breath in that position.
She took in rasping breaths, still coughing up water but not as much. When she finally felt free of liquid she allowed her eyes to flutter open and took a deep relaxing breath.
She spotted her saviour stood by the edge of the water with his back to her.
She coughed feebly to get his attention and he turned to face her. He was beautiful, the most beautiful boy Issy had ever seen. Very dark blue eyes, cropped unjelled jet-black hair and perfect features and skin that seemed to shimmer like pearls by the waters reflection. He wore ripped jeans and a blue checkered shirt that hung open to reveal a tight white vest that showed his well-refined muscles. He was drenched from head to foot as a result of him jumping in the water to save her.
He took a hesitant step forward and Issy felt a blush creep up her neck, though she tried to hold it down. "Thanks for pulling me out." She said.
"It's ok." He said awkwardly. "What were you doing anyway?"
"I was drunk, I fell in." Issy said frowning, she had hurt the fae so they had tried to hurt her.
"To me it looked like you jumped in." The boy replied, his voice musical and resonant. "Why were you drunk this early in the day?"
The girl looked up at him miserably and made to reply but he spoke before she could. "You're that girl who killed her sister ten years ago." He took a step away from her and pointed at her accusingly as understanding grew on his face.
"What?" Issy said caught of guard.
"It was in the newspaper this morning." He explained.
"Wait, what!" Issy snapped trying to get up but felt herself swaying on her feet, the boy rushed to stop her falling and caught her in his arms.
"You probably shouldn't try to get up, you did just nearly drown." He whispered softly into her ear.
"I did drown, you can drown without dying, god I feel awful." She moaned staring miserably at the water as he placed her back against the tree once more.
The boy stared at the cuts on Issys arm, only seeming to notice them for the first time and ruffling his nose as he smelt the alcohol on her breath. "What were you doing?" He sat down in front of he with crossed legs.
"Well, um," She coughed anxiously, not wanting to explain, but she did anyway. She told him about the cuts and how she needed to stay here until the moon was full and about what had happened the night Susie had died. The boy watched her speaking, sometimes frowning at the mention of fae or flinching when she explained a particularly sad part of the story.
"Wow, so you say it was faeries?" He said almost sarcastic.
"It was, they tried to drown me just then." She explained.
"You said you fell."
"You said I jumped." He frowned, his hair flopping in front of his almost black eyes. "What's your name?"
"Aiden." He replied hesitantly as if unsure of his own name. "I'm assuming you're Isobel."
She frowned.
"Oh, from the article in the newspaper. It said your name." He hastily explained.
"Issy." She muttered.
"I'll call you Belle."
She shook her head dismissively, as if to say she really didn't care even though it made her feel bubbly and warm inside. "Are they even allowed to put kids names into the paper, you know, safety reasons and all that?"
He shrugged and sat down next to her.
"Do you believe it was faeries that killed Susie or do you think it was me?" Issy said sturbournly, hoping for the first answer.
"Neither, I think she tripped." Issy looked at him a little shocked. "Why would faeries kill a little girl?"
"How old are you?" Issy asked, curious. "You've never been to my school."
"I'm home-schooled." He replied, as if the words were foreign on his tongue.
"Oh." Was all Issy said before putting a hand to her throbbing head, the effect of the alcohol was beggining to wear of and she felt very very sick as well as very very hung over.
"I'm starting school next week though. Where do you go?" He said suddenly, as if he'd only realised what he was saying.
"Really, why?" She said not trying to be rude but sounding it anyway. "And Lillygreens secondary."
"I want to go." He said defensively. "Lillygreens, that's were I'm going."
"School sucks, you're lucky you haven't had to go before." She replied but took another look at him and realised that he looked almost perfect. "You'll fit right in though."
"And why's that?" He asked looking genuinely hurt. "Do you think I suck."
"No, I didn't..."
"I did just save your life, you should be more grateful." He said but his words lacked anger and conviction.
"No, it's just, people who look like you tend to be popular and have friends." Issy explained hurriedly.
"I don't understand." He said looking confused.
"Good looking people get on well at school She sighed.
"You're pretty, you must have lots of friends." He stood up before she could reply. "I should probably go now." He smiled. "Aren't you gonna go eat something, it's lunchtime."
"I don't eat today." The girl replied.
"Part of your ritual grieving I see." He said understandingly just before turning to leave.
"Bye Aiden." Issy said uncertainly.
"Bye Belle." He smiled and left.
Issy sat back against the tree tiredly, and thought about her dead sister.
