Honeybee

honeybee-chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

2 weeks later

"Hey Sarah! Wait up!" Sarah, on her way back from the village market, turned around to see Riley running towards her.

"Wow you really must be in your own world to not hear me shouting that loud! It's been quite a while since i last saw you, what have you been-" his sentence was cut off in shock when he caught a glimpse of her face.

Her once glowing face was now grey with fatigue and lack of sleep. Her cheeks were slightly sunken, her skin dry and chapped, and her eyes above huge black circles.

However the most shocking change was in her eyes. The green of her eyes, accentuated  by the sparkle which perpetually twinkled in her eye,  seemed to be of a  dull lifeless grey.

When the shock wore off,  Riley took her hand firmly and ignoring her weak protests, pulled her to the nearest inn. He ordered bread and ale for her.

"Riley what on earth are you doing? I need to go back to the bakery. Michael's alone...." her voice trailed away; nowadays, it took more energy than usual to speak.

"It hasn't been a problem before. The boy is sensible; he can manage. But you," he said in an accusing tone," need to be kept an eye on. Eat. " he said firmly.

Seeing that she had no choice, Sarah tried a bite of the bun in front of her. But it wouldn't go down; nothing would. She put the bun back on the plate; Riley saw this and shook his head in disapproval. Before he could start berating her, she spoke up.

"Riley I know that I look a mess, and that you're worried, but it's nothing!" she willed a believable explanation into her head . " Uh... we females feel like this...at certain times of the month. Umm.. we get this kind of depression all the time!....it's nothing serious- " her sentence was cut off by a series of racking coughs. He looked at her sceptically.

"I think I know about that as much, or even more, than you do. Don't forget I have three sisters at home. When they get their damned depression," his voice was dangerously loud now; he seemed on the edge of anger." -they don't bloody kill themselves by starvation like you're trying to do! I mean look at you-!!" He knocked his mug of ale off the table in his anger.

He stared at the floorboards, trying to control his emotions. When he finally looked back at her after what seemed like ages, she could see the anxiety, frustration and anger he was feeling.

"Why don't you tell me what's wrong? You are my best friend. and I'm yours. At least I thought so. Because if I really am, you would have told me why you are doing this," he gestured at her .                "to yourself. You don't know how it kills me watching you become like this, and not even have the slightest inkling as to why......" Riley held his head in his hands; he couldn't say anymore.

Sarah was speechless.Tears trickled down her cheeks.

What on earth was she doing?She didn't want to spill out her doubts and fears to anyone; she didnt like sharing her burden with others. But if she didn't, people who cared about her were still getting hurt.

Deep down, she resented herself the most. Couldn't she do anything the right way? She always had to bring sadness to the ones she loved.......Sarah raised her hand to wipe away her tears, but Riley got to them first. As his large, but gentle hand brushed her cheek, she noticed something was different about him.

She realized with a start ; the anger and frustration in his eyes were gone. Now, there was only pure determination.

"You will tell me what's wrong.I know it's about Leanne," Sarah winced "but I'm going to find out what exactly happened, and why you're acting like this. Somehow or another,  I will get to know."              His voice was hard, sure. There was no trace of doubt there; for some reason Sarah feared it.

"I need to go back .......bye."She whispered and got up.Sarah could feel Riley's gaze burning a hole through her head as she walked away. She knew that she should have told him about the dream, but for some reason she felt she would have lost something close to her if she had. Like a secret she was honor bound to keep. A secret, that if she kept, might be the key to finding the lost part of her...the part she had lost seven years ago.

Engulfed as she was, Sarah didn't notice the lady standing in front of her with a lost expression, until she knocked heads with her.

"Ouch! Oh I'm so sorry! I never seem to look where I'm going nowadays. Are you alright? Again, I'm so sor- " her apology was cut short  when she saw the face of the lady properly. She had never met her before, but there was something about her face that seemed so endearingly familiar......

Leanne?

"Oh it's alright; just a little bump, nothing serious! Anyway nice to meet you." The lady said with a smile in her voice.

She was petite in an overlong coat and woolen dress. She had straight brown hair, a smiling mouth and......dark brown eyes.She looked like she was around Sarah's age. Sarah swallowed a few times to wet her throat. Could it be?

"Yes, well it would have been lovely to meet under..less painful circumstances. I'm Sarah Clearwater, and you are...?" here goes nothing, Sarah thought.

Hearing this, the lady froze. Her face showed shock, disbelief and just for a second..... recognition? Sarah held her breath.

The lady managed to force a sound out of her throat, and smoothed over her expression.

"Sarah?"

Sarah's heart skipped a beat. Her voice, the way she said it,...........it all seemed to be so right...so perfect.......it had to be her.

"Sarah? Sarah Clearwater? That's such a ...lovely name. I'm-" she swallowed again.

"I'm Leah......Leah...Evans." She assumed a more pleasant expression on her face

Sarah's heart dropped a thousand miles underground. She was wrong. Again. But there was sometime about Leah....something she felt she knew about her. she decided not to lose all hope.

"Leah Evans....well,"Sarah glanced at the luggage she carried " do you need a place to stay?"

"Actually yes I do,...could you suggest a good inn.....or maybe....." she ventured.

Sarah caught on like lightning.

"Consider it done. If I suggested you a good inn, it would've been an insult to our hospitality. You are more than welcome to stay with me!" After what seemed like months, Sarah felt her chapped lips stretch into a wide smile.

Seeing this, Leah was speechless.But soon her expression softened and she said softly,

"You don't know how grateful I am to you Sarah. Thank you."

Sarah's heart was beating like crazy.

What is this?She isn't Leanne, so why am I feeling so....hopeful? It's like after searching for so long I've finally found what I needed. This is the first time I've seen Leah Evans, but I don't think I'll be able to let her go.

But why?

look out for chapter 4 guys!!

-Makaela