Th13rteen

Chapter 21

Th13rteen

Chapter 21

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Alex...

"Yes, Mum, I'm fine. I'll be home for dinner. I promise...bye, I love you, too." I hung up the phone, and tossed it onto a hay bale. If I wasn't crying in my room, I was crying in the stables. This is the only place I could find peace, without the worry of being judged. It also eased my mother, because she thought I was out and about, trying to live life again. She didn't need to know I really just sat with a bunch of horses, depressed for hours.

Leslie neighed, nudging my body with her head. She's very quickly become my favorite, and it was clear she was fond of me. She always was the best horse in Aurelia and I's adventures.

"I know, girl, I miss her, too."

Moving to sit on the stack of hay, I let the tears blind me again. I can't remember the last time I wasn't crying, or had dry cheeks.

I felt the familiar change of atmosphere that always came with a ghostly presence. "Lindsey?" I was hopeful the girl finally would make her appearance after a long and torturous week and a half.

She appeared beside Leslie, who cautiously stepped back until she calmly realized it was a familiar presence. "Hello, beautiful steed." She hummed to the horse.

"Where have you been?"

"I have been needed elsewhere."

"Where is Aurelia? Is she safe? Did she find you? Did you find her?" I shot questions at her like no tomorrow. "Is she okay? Is she here?" I quickly glanced around the room, hoping to see her.

"Calm yourself." She giggled slightly before glancing around. "Silly girl." She mumbled to herself.

"Well?" I looked at her expectantly.

"Aurelia is fine. She is distraught and misses life, but that is normal."

"Why hasn't she come to see me? Didn't you tell her that I could see you? Maybe I'll be able to see her." I couldn't help the slight excitement of getting to see her again, no matter how.

"Alexander, you must understand, seeing your loved ones after something so tragic, is very difficult. Watching them mourn for you, it can tear a soul apart."

I felt my heart clench, not liking how sad and afraid she must be.

"We were at the funeral. Alexander, seeing you so broken...it hurt her beyond repair. It took her some time to be able to face you."

"She saw me?" It was a weird feeling knowing she was watching me cry over her body.

"Indeed. I will admit, my heart was broken for you as well."

I couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. "Where is she now?"

"Well, she was with me, but the poor girl is having struggles learning how to transport." She moved to sit on the floor by the bale of hay I was previously sat on. Sitting back down, I used my sleeves to wipe my wet face.

"While we wait for her to figure out her way, how have you been fairing?"

"Not great." There was no need to lie. The evidence was staining my face. I didn't know how to feel, knowing that I may or may not be able to see her spirit.

"It will heal with time." She assured me. I trusted her, knowing she's experienced this before.

"What if I...can't see her?" I voiced my worried thoughts.