Heart of Darkness

Chapter 4 - The Familiar Stranger

Copyright © All Rights Reserved 2012

He was completely unaware with the situation around him anymore. He didn’t even realize that Becky was no longer staying by his side. The little girl was on Talia’s side, whispering something to her. Leon could have heard that, but he was too busy staring at Talia. She was still the same as the last time he remembered her. The same bubbly girl—well, she got more beautiful than the past eighty six years.

She turned to him. In that moment, it wasn’t gravity that held him; it was her, her eyes. Those stunning hazel eyes, Leon could spend eternity just by watching them, even from distance. She walked toward him. Even though his heart had stopped beating long time ago, he felt like it was about to tear up his chest and come out. There was a jolt of electricity that came out from nowhere running through his veins.

Go and embrace her, his legs were pleading him.

Go and tell her, his heart was killing him.

*********

Talia POV

“Talia,Talia,Talia.” Becky ran a little toward the brunette girl.

Talia passed the kite string to a kid beside her, before kneeing down to face Becky.”What is it, Becky?” She asked as she put a strand of the girl’s hair behind her ear.

“There’s a cool who guy wants to meet you.” She purposely added an emphasis on the word ‘cool’.

Talia laughed,”A cool guy? Okay.So where is he?” She glanced around.

“There, there, there.” Becky pointed to one particular direction. Few meters from her stood the cool guy Becky mentioned. Talia couldn’t get a clear view of his face because of the distance. But from the height, his style, he reminded her of someone.

Talia walked toward him, there was a curiosity in her each step. She was close enough to see his face. His deep blue eyes were just attractive. She remembered those eyes. She remembered how those eyes could see through her. He had the pale white skin, which was shinning under the sun light. His lips, he had cherry coated lips. Who—what was he? 

Talia spent minutes to stare at him. No words were spoken. The stranger was so familiar, she had met him before, but where and when?

“The face is familiar…” she whispered lowly.”I’m sorry but have we met before?” she spoke first.

It seemed like her voice had brought him back from his own thoughts.

He chuckled.”Another common American’s face.” He laughed.

Her voice was just like an angel’s. So clear, so soft. 

“—And yes, we had met long time ago.” He smiled, the tone was calming.

“Ah. Really? I’m sorry but I can’t remember—I mean I..” Talia bit her lips before continuing.”I feel like I know you, but I just can’t recall it. I can’t even recall your name.” She smiled softly, she didn’t mean to offend him. But it was strange what she felt in that moment. Was she having a déjà vu? One thing she was completely sure about, that this guy was just someone from her past, her early life perhaps.

“It’s really fine. I do understand it. It was really a long time ago, actually.” He assured her while chuckling lightly.”The name is Leon. Leon Winters.” He extended his hand.

Leon. Leon. The words were echoing in her head. Where did she hear that name? No, it wasn’t just another common name that sounded familiar in her ears, there might be something, about him, about them.

“But you remembered me. Talia Hamilton.” She laughed and shook his hand. His hand was cold, delivering a strange feeling to her body. The touch. She had felt that before.

“Well, just say I’m good at memorizing then.” His half smile was so knees weakling. 

“One of a kind.” She laughed again.

There was something about him that she really liked. Apart from his angelic look that could get any girl fall instantly. No, it wasn’t just because he was handsome. It was bigger, stranger than that.

“Want to take a walk with me?” He asked suddenly after a few minutes of silence.

“Yeah. Sure.” She replied instantly.

Leon guided the way; he put his hand inside his pocket as they walked around the meadow in a random direction. Talia walked by his side. She wanted to look up, but was too scared, too shy. She set her eyes on the ground.

“So what brings you to Decatur?” She asked, still avoiding looking at him.

“You.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief. She instantly stopped walking and looked at him.”Me?”

Leon looked to his side, when he didn’t find her there, he turned back.”Well. you left something with me on out last meeting. So I’m here to give it back.”

She frowned.”What was that?”

“If I tell you now then I won’t have any reasons to meet you again.” He muttered in a sincere tone.

Her frown deepened.

Leon laughed.”Don’t frown. It doesn’t look nice on you.” He continued to walk again. 

Talia blinked a few times. A bright red spot appeared on her cheeks. She was blushing.

“You’re mysterious.” She said as she followed him from behind.

“Thanks for the compliment, miss Hamilton.”

“You’re welcome.” She shrugged.”How did you find me here?”

Leon turned his look to the groups of kids, pointing to a red haired girl.”Becky.”

“No, no. I mean, how did you find me here?”

“ A friend helped me.”

“Oh.” She replied 

And there was a brief silence enveloping them. Talia quiet enjoyed it, which was completely weird. She enjoyed a company of a stranger.

Leon suddenly stopped which made Talia bump into his back.

“Ouch. You should tell me when you want to stop.” She mumbled.

“Finally! Here we are. And now we can talk, without the fear of being heard.”

Talia watched the new scenery behind his shoulders. A lake, another side of the meadow. To be honest she had never been there before, she didn’t even know it exist. The water was so calm; it reflected the sunshine, which made it look as if millions of diamonds were hiding in the bottom. There were two swans swimming towards them.

Then reality struck in. It was really romantic and they were alone there. 

Talia turned around looking for Leon. He wasn’t there. She panicked. She ran a little toward the maple tree. There he was, sitting on a bench. His eyes were staring at the bright blue sky.

Talia walked toward him silently, and sat beside him.

to be continue..

Vote and Fan if you like it

reviews are welcome :)

@Acthy95 thanks for helping me the grammar. I love you so much <3