Autumn Leaves Fall (On Hold)

Chapter Seven - The Power of Dreams

I was too slow. Running from them is like running from your own shadow. It's impossible though I'm trying as hard as I can. The forest surrounds me. Trees a blur and the ground hardly touched.

The only thing to stop me was the cliff edge I grabbed onto as I fell. Faces loomed above where I tried to hold on to my life.

"You disgust me. You disgust us." A voice like the sound of home spoken from a face I could never forget. Max's face looked down at me, as did my father's, mother's, Sammy's and Jeremy's.

"Why? What have I done?" I thought it was simple but the answer I got wasn't easy to understand.

"You are an abomination. You shouldn't have lived." My father spoke this time, though the words still froze my heart.

My mother moved closer to the edge. Her favorite heels I bought for her 35th birthday came into view as they began to crush my fingers that kept me from falling to my death.

My grip loosened and as I fought to survive, my parents and Max just stood there with sorrow, pain and love in their eyes, not moving to help, just watching me fall.

I woke in a sweat with a scream escaping my lips. Max was in my room in a moment, our parents following closely behind. Max sat on the edge of my bed trying to calm me.

"I'm fine. I'm sorry to wake you." I couldn't have them near me. I got up and walked passed them all to the bathroom. I didn't know what was happening but I already knew that I couldn't trust them. The dream was confusing. Who was putting these scenes in my head?

The water from the shower flowed over my head and down my back. I closed my eyes and breathed slowly, trying to calm myself down.

A knock on the door and a quiet "Scarlet?" from Max, who only got told to go away in response, reminded me of the love I still have for them, no matter what I see in my dreams.

After about an hour of standing under running water I got out of the shower and got dressed. I went back to my room and sat down at the desk. If I was going to figure this out I needed a plan.

I knew that someone was sending me a message but it isn't Samantha or Jeremy. If it was them why would they have looked longingly at my falling body?

-------------- 1853, England --------------

Never age, always a picture of beauty. This isn't always as amazing as it sounds. I may stay at the same beauty that I had when I turned 21 but that doesn't mean that it's all great. Everyone I meet dies, loved ones have gone and I have to move from city to city every 5 years. Never aging, never settling. Always running, always hiding.

If I could choose, I wouldn't live this life.

I was born over a hundred years ago. Fallen in love time and time again. And hiding from my home since the day I was born.

My name is Lila and I will never die.

---------------- present day ---------------

I woke the next morning no closer to a plan or an idea of what they were hiding from me. I dragged my aching body down to the dinning hall where they were all gathered.

"Hey Scarlet. How'd you sleep?" Max was just trying to be kind but his secrets, their secrets, reminded me to put up my guard. I hated blocking him out but at least they aren't trying so hard to read my thoughts.

"Fine." I didn't want to let them know my true anxieties. Until I knew what was going on I couldn't trust them.

We ate in silence. Neither side wanting to give anything away. Eventually I broke the silence. "Can I go for a run?"

They all looked up startled that anything had been said. It took a moment for my mother to say: "sure sweetie. There's a gym area around the corner."

"I meant outside. In the forest. I need fresh air."

"That won't be possible. It's too dangerous." Dad said quickly.

"I can protect myself."

"No you can't. You got abducted last time you left our sight." Mum put in.

"And who said this isn't an abduction?" with these words we all froze. I couldn't believe that I had just let that slip. To cover it up I said: "I'll be back later. Don't try to stop me." And with that I walked out, not giving them a second glance.

I hardly saw where I was going. I knew my guards were up. I ran through the forest faster then I can remember. My feet barely touch the ground.

----------------------------------------------

I had run for what seemed like a few hours before I found a large lake. I checked for signs of life nearby but there was nothing but a book and a note resting on a large, rain smoothed rock on the waters edge.

As I walked closer, hoping to find a name on the book so I could return it, I saw the note was addressed to me.

Scarlet Minna King,

You do not know me but I know you. In time you will know the truth, but for now I leave this novel with you. Read it but do not let anyone know what it is or says. You need to keep this a secret or I will not be able to help you. When you are ready for the next piece I will find you. Your parents are not bad people. They do hold secrets, but they are keeping you safe. Know this: love comes in many shapes and forms. You may not always agree with it but it is love none the less. Stay safe, be careful. I can only protect you so much.

****

The note was odd. It looked to be on paper that would have been only for the rich centuries ago. The handwriting from the same era. Who was this? was it a joke?

I flipped it over and saw the post script.

P.s. Do not trust the dreams. Trust your instincts and your eyes. Otherwise they win.

'They win'? Who were 'they'? What were the dreams? What are my instincts saying? What do my eyes see?

I picked up the book and placed the not in the back cover before taking a seat on the rock, which curved in the right places so as to be comfortable to sit on, almost as though it had been molded that way.

The title was 'A Winter Storm, Spring's Agony'. It wasn't a very inviting start but I was curious.

I was about to begin when I realized the light. I needed to get back. I tucked the book with the note inside my jacket and began to run as a light shower began to fall on the leaves of the trees making them sparkle when they caught the light.

I knew I was at a cross road. Do I trust this mysterious person or continue to figure out what everyone's hiding from me?