Enchanted: The Run

Chapter 11 & 12

Chapter 11

Travis took mum on a personal tour, dad and Yasmin went off to look around together and the girls, Austin and I went in the opposite direction so that we didn't disturb them - or feel sick from middle-aged romance.

Stuff I said or read about the center and animal had felt like I’ve said or read them before. “De ja vu.” I muttered to myself. There were all sorts of animals: cats, dogs, lizards, tigers, lions, monkeys, dolphins, penguins, elephants, capybaras, zedbras, horses, snakes, ferrets, gerbils, hamsters, rabbits – it was like a zoo and a pet store. The friendly little animals were the ones that tourists and visitors were allowed to pet when supervised by a member of staff.

It was nearing lunch time, so we walked to the picnic tables and we got our lunch but the others were still looking around - probably 'stuck in time', as long as they weren't making out, I didn't really mind that they hadn't joined us.

“Aw, it’s says here that they do private tours for critically ill people and their families for free and they do charity events and donations for the hospital down the road.” Ashley pointed out as I brought over my lunch.

I looked at Austin and suddenly I heard the girls scream ‘Oh, my God’ and ‘Lexi!’

Everything went black, I felt like I couldn’t move – it was as if I was trapped. I kept hearing ‘BEEP.......... BEEP............. BEEP’ over and over again.

I had no idea what had happened. ‘BEEP...’ I had no idea where I was. ‘BEEP...’ I didn’t know if I was alive or dead. ‘BEEP...’

Then a blurry person was standing over me, ‘BEEP...’ they had something in the hand, ‘BEEP...’ and then a light was somehow shone in my eyes.

“Oh, thank God, we thought you were a goner!” Riley sighed with relief - she was so dramatic. It was a shame, a talent wasted because she didn't even pick drama for her GCSEs.

“Mm... what happened?” I adjusted myself, “I can move again!”

“You could always move you just fainted.” Emma looked at me as if I was mad.

“You probably fainted because it’s a hot day and you haven’t eaten all day.” It was as if Ashley had made up a lie for me.

“Here have some water and something to eat,” Austin gave me his bottle of water and half a sandwich.

“Thanks,” I had to take it to go with the lie, “and I’d really appreciate it if you wouldn’t mention this to anyone else,” I said, “I don’t want them to worry over nothing.”

They all agreed it was nothing although it wasn’t just ‘nothing’ – perhaps it was just like the visions?

After a long and confusing day, it felt even better to get into bed.

“Oh good, you girls are still awake.” Mum snuck into my room.

“It’s late, aren’t you and Travis going yet?” I asked before she said something embarrassing.

“Well that’s the thing,” Mum began, “Travis wants to take me to a restaurant tomorrow.”

“What as a date?” Riley jumped up.

“Well... yeah, a date. What do you think Lexi?” Mum sat on my bed.

Besides embarrassing?

I thought. “Go for it.” I said unenthusiastically.

“Okay then, I won’t see you lot tomorrow, have fun.” Mum said in the doorway.

“Night” the girls waved.

All the lights were turned off and just before we all fell asleep, we heard a noise from the balcony window.

“What was that?” Riley turned on the table lamp.

“Yeah I heard it too.” Ashley turned on her light.

“It’s coming from the balcony.” Emma woke up.

“Urgh, fine I’ll see what it is.” I opened the balcony door, half asleep. “Ow!” something hit my head.

“Oops, sorry. I didn’t know you were opening the door.” Austin whispered.

“What are you doing it’s two am!”

“You’ve got to come see this!”

“Who is it?” The girls came out to join me.

“Oh, it’s Austin!” Emma whispered.

“Aw, he’s throwing pebbles.” Ashley cooed.

“I’ll get my cardigan and trainers.” I disappeared for a minute.

With my old trainers, I climbed down the side. When I finally got to the bottom, Austin grabbed my hand and led the way with the torch he’d borrowed.

“What are we doing outside the garden this time of the night?” I asked even though it was ten past two in the morning.

“Remember I told you the garden’s called Fireflies?”

“Yeah Fairlight’s forgotten garden.” I could fall asleep standing up.

“Well, you asked why and I tried to answer,” He pushed open the gate, “This is the answer I was trying to say but it needs to been seen to be understood.”

Austin guided me into a new world.

Chapter 12

“Wow, it’s beautiful.” I didn’t know what else to say.

“Yeah, definitely beautiful.” I suddenly realised he was looking at me.

“How,” I changed the subject, “is this possible, fireflies don’t live in the UK?”

“Magic,” he whispered, still looking at me, “you can feel it in the air.”

“I knew there was something weird about this place.” I muttered.

“Can I take you somewhere tomorrow, all of you?” We sat down.

“If you want to.” Then I added, “Yeah, I’d like to see more of Fairlight before I leave on Saturday.”

“Well, you said it yourself, you’ll come back to visit.” He made me feel rotten inside.

“I don’t know if I can, I mean I want to but it’s...” before I could finish, his soft lips were on mine and suddenly the rotten feeling faded to a light, tingly feeling. “...complicated.” I finished my sentence.

“This garden is...” he just completely moved past it as if it was a daily routine.

“...enchanting.” Now I was finishing his sentences, the rotten feeling was back and it was growing. “We’d better go, the girls are worried and it’s very late.”

Instead of running back, we walked slowly back with the torch leading the way again and Austin’s fingers played with mine until they settled to holding my hand.

“Thank you for an amazing night, those fireflies was just amazing!” I whispered from the balcony.

To my surprise he climbed up to the balcony and whispered “No, thank you for making it amazing.” He stole a kiss and disappeared into the night.

“Where did he take you?” Ashley asked when I settled back into bed.

“It’s a secret.” I didn’t know if I was allowed to tell them just incase Austin didn't want me to and it was fun to keep a secret just the two of us knew.

“Hang on a minute,” Riley switched the table lamp on again.

“Really Ri, again with the light?” Ashley moaned.

“She got kissed.” Riley was good.

“How do you know that?” Emma needed proof.

“Look at her she blushing and gone all red,” she pointed out, “and she’s smiling.”

“Did you get kissed?” Emma asked.

“I don’t kiss and tell.” I winked, switched all the lights off and rolled over on my side, and eventually fell asleep.