ALLETARE

6. Leap

She said nothing and just looked at him. A lopsided smile on her face that didn't reach her eyes. A single word escaped her lips, 'Come'.
Her hand stretched out to him. As if pulled by an imaginary force his body moved, he forced himself to stop.

'I can't do this with you again! I have no idea who or what you are neither do I know why you affect me strongly'. He said without looking at her face, scared that a glance was enough to end him.
'Give me something! anything!...at least your name'. Tim sounded desperate but he didn't care, he just needed to know.

Without warning, she started moving towards him. Tim jerked up and their eyes met.

'No! Stay back! Stay away from me!' but she didn't and kept moving closer till they were face to face.
'Alletare'.

A whisper, softly spoken, barely gotten but effective. She lifted her palm slowly and Tim watched, his breath caught in his chest as it rested gently on his left cheek. Her palm felt feather soft. Once more she looked directly into his eyes and said, 'Come'.
Tim needed no further prompting, once more he allowed her lead him, past his bedroom as they walked calmly, slowly, his bare feet felt cold against the hard tiled floor of the passage. Her yellow flowery dress seeming to dance with her every step. She let go of his hand as they got to the verandah.The early morning air was chilly. Tim wrapped his arms around himself, looking down and silently wishing he had worn something warm. When he looked up he was surprised to see her on top of the railing once more, oblivious to the cold.

'Come down from there! What do you think you're trying to do?!' She said nothing in reply but stretched out her hand again. He stared at her outstretched hand.

'Are you mad?! I can't go through this with you again. I won't!'

She looked at him again, this time, disappointment reflected in her eyes. Tim felt a sense of loss, of foreboding but he didn't have time to dwell on it as he watched her fall...again, this time, he went after her.