Awakening (new chapters added)

Chapter nine

As there were no clocks or calendars that marked the passage of time; the only way to appreciate the ebb and flow of the hours was by the slight changes in the view of the garden. Evie became adept at recognising the varying changes in daylight as it swept across the bank of trees.

Overall the garden barely seemed to change, as if the world had stopped moving, as if time itself held its breath. This reinforced the feeling she had that she had lived there forever. Evie could remember nothing before this life and yet she didn't find that strange or of any deep concern. There was just the minute in front of her, the present, just that perfect moment in time.

Evie was restless; everything was beginning to be such hard work. Getting Joseph to dress and leave the bedroom was virtually impossible. Inside her room he had control, he entertained her and kept her close, outside Evie was drawn to others. Outside he could hear her talking, laughing; he had to ensure she stayed away from them.

Joseph knew he had to manage her carefully, she was not to be patronised or manipulated, she would be angry if she thought he was deliberately keeping her isolated from the others. He had to be seen to offer her freedom.

Eventually they were ready to leave, Evie headed for the door desperate to be free of the confines of her room. She moved into the corridor first, she slowed waiting as he closed the door behind them.

As he released the handle his arm naturally gathered around her waist and she turned her face to him and smiled. He pushed his cheek against her hair as they walked. Evie felt his other hand reach out, his fingers interlaced with hers. Joseph smiled with pride, he loved her and he wanted to feel her skin against his, but Evie felt claustrophobic, she needed to be free of him, even if just for a short time. As he squeezed her tight she felt herself begin to shrink from him.

He felt her body react, the infinitesimal way she pulled back confused him. Evie was drowning, her skin needed to breathe; he reacted by pulling her closer. By the time they had traversed the corridor they weren't smiling quite so widely.

Joseph released her in the meeting area, the link to all rooms. It seemed to be a welcoming place for reading and relaxing; Lewis glanced up. He fidgeted, considered standing, but remained seated. Lewis standing would change the proportions of the room making it feel out of balance. He kept his eyes firmly on his book, but no page was turned.

"I'll wait here." she said firmly. Joseph glanced at Lewis.

"Come with me."

Evie shook her head firmly. "You go, I'll wait here." Joseph's face relaxed into a blank expression, this was the default mask he used it to hide his true feelings from both of them.

"I won't be long. I..."

Evie smiled back. "I'm not going anywhere. It's fine."

He nodded and turned, then span back. "It's just, I missed you so much. I know I'm over bearing but it's because I missed you so...and one day you'll understand why."

Evie reached out to his arm and pulled it back to her, tugging on his shirt. "Explain it Joe, tell me."

He shook his head sadly. "It'll come out all wrong. You need to remember and you will, but until then...."

Something had happened, something that could affect their relationship. Evie loved him; nothing could affect that, could it?

He turned back, in control again. "Just ten minutes." His eyes flicked to Lewis, and then he disappeared.

"How can he do that?"

Lewis stood and stared at the Joseph shaped space.

"We can all do that. He's just faster than most of us."