The Eventide Enchantment

Chapter 2

Skye found herself rushing up toward brilliant light. The next moment, her eyes flew open. She was back in her room, back to her dreary, hated life. Downstairs, the rest of the family was up and bustling, ready to start the day. 

"Quinn." Skye whispered the name thoughtfully. It sounded almost musical especially when she associated the memory of the man with his name. "I hope we can meet again. I wish there was something I could do to help you." 

A sharp bang on her door shattered Skye's thoughts and made her jump violently. 

"Hey, Skye! It's time to get up!" Annie shouted. She followed up her first earsplitting bang with two more. 

Skye leaped off the bed and swung the door open. "I'm gonna kill you!" she screamed, uncertain at this point whether she meant it literally or not. 

Annie squealed and dashed away, laughing. 

Skye struggled to subdue her rage. She shut the door and slid down to the floor with a sigh. Getting through this day would be no easy task. One thought brightened Skye's outlook: she might meet with Quinn that night.

Several days and nights passed, and before long, two weeks had elapsed. During her sessions with Dr. Killian, Skye had been very careful not to make mention of her dreams anymore. In fact, she was careful to say next to nothing. Her mind and heart were wholly absorbed with Ilirande and Quinn, so that it all served as a needed distraction to help Skye cope with the troubles that were around her, for life was as difficult as ever. 

The hope and joy that Skye's nightly rendezvous with Quinn inspired within her, made it less difficult for Skye to deal with daily life. Even Annie's attempts to harass her had been failing as of late. Skye's free moments were spent daydreaming of her time with Quinn. 

Skye and Quinn conversed of many things, both grave and light. Sometimes Quinn played his fife for her, and she listened with delight. Quinn had already made his mark upon Skye's heart-so much so, that the distance between them made her heartsick, as did the thought of his plight. She desired more than anything to set him free. 

While Skye dreamt, loved and hoped, Annie became frustrated with the ineffectiveness of her antics. She decided to step up her game, concocting a scheme that was sure to bring the much desired effect on Skye that Annie craved.

The clock had not yet struck six, and Skye was still lost in the sweet bliss of her dream forest when a shrill scream rent the green and silver picture of the woods. She was abruptly torn away from Quinn, and roused from sleep. Her eyes flew open; her heart thudded wildly, threatening to explode in her chest. Out in the hall, Skye heard the barefooted thump of her father and Grace running to Annie's room just two doors away from her own. 

Skye was off her bed in a flash. She flung open her door and came up behind her father. The sight that met her eyes filled her with horror and unspeakable rage. 

Scrawled on every wall were the words "you're gonna die" in a very careful imitation of Skye's handwriting. Annie herself stood in the middle of her room crying and howling. 

"Good God!" cried Grace. She hurried into the room to quiet and console her bawling daughter. 

Mr. Nichols turned to Skye, his features distorted with rage and disgust. "Skye, how could you do this?! What the hell is wrong with you?!" 

Skye went livid. "You really think I did this?!" she exclaimed in a piercing shriek. 

"C'mon, Skye! You can't lie your way out of this; that's your handwriting!" Mr. Nichols said fiercely.