❝ WHEN THE WORLD WAS BLOWN TO HEAVEN, MY HEART STILL STAYED WITH YOU. ❞
And in that moment, perhaps, all the stars in the heavens looked upon the earth in envy at the way he was looking at her.
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| ANNE WITH AN E / AN...
[ four. ] CHAPTER FOUR - K A T H L E E N; AVONLEA, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND APRIL 17th, 1879
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THE BIRDS SEEM TO JOIN IN MY EFFERVESCENCE, singing the hymn of the woodland to me in a soft melody, whispers of their songs projecting from tree tops. I clutch the beige satchel that the Caulfields gave me last night to my beating chest. A wide, hopeful smile spreads across my face at the idea that this is my life now.
I'm just an orphan, running through dandelions and vivid blooms, with the cloudless clarity of the sky reaching for the ends of the universe above me. The trees enclose me in a loving embrace, and I feel the warmth of the breeze brush against my skin. I am on my way to school. I am beginning today; and the world rejoices with me.
Suddenly, a figure appears from behind the twisted, umber trunk of a tree in front of my path. I gasp in alarm. The stranger creeps out into the aurelian glint of daylight. His eyes paint the image of a thunderstorm upon the seaside- a mixture of oceans and silver-grey clouds.
"You must be Kathleen, the Caulfield's adopted girl," he slowly speaks. His voice is low, and the words are spoken almost ominously. He edges nearer, and I begin to question my safety at this point. I stare up at him apprehensively, stumbling a few steps backwards.
I gulp, unnerved. An uneasy sensation runs through my veins, and I hate to admit I am trembling. I know immediately he possess malevolent intentions. I don't even know the boy, but I know that he reminds me all too well of Bryce Philipps. I instantaneously regret the decision of not leaving with Miles to make a stop by the bakery, as Mrs. Caulfield advised.
"What are you doing all alone, huh?" He interrogates as he draws closer to me. Oddly enough, I feel as though I am standing on completely different ground to where I was a moment ago- like the chromatic woods are closing in on my mere existence, and the colossal trees have blocked out the sun's glow entirely.
"I have to go," I croak, swallowing the unkind lump in my throat. I come to the grave realisation that I can go no further, and so I abruptly halt in my tracks.
Before I manage to dart past him into the expanse of the narrow wood, however, he has already placed a firm grip around my waist. My heartbeat races so rapidly that it pains my chest, and I feel the tears stinging harshly. I yell for release, but begin to lose hope within moments.
And then, a voice I recognise calls out for him in the near distance.
"Hey, Billy."
The both of us turn to see Gilbert, who strides onwards with an intrigued expression across his face. His narrowed glare is fixed upon Billy.
