Your Darkest Fears // Anne and Gilbert

Ch 9: You must be freezing

Anne's POV:

I hurried and ran as fast as my legs could take me away from the woman trying to take me away. I sat at the edge of a pond, far from anywhere Mrs. Hammond would look, but I doubt she would even try. I knew she would probably go straight to Marilla.

At this point, the tears were streaming down my face and I couldn't hold it all in anymore. I was a complete mess. It was foolish to think my life could change. Foolish to think this could have been my life.

I took off my boots and set them down next to me and timidly walked into the water. It was freezing cold, shocking my nerves, and yet, it was strangely calming. I let myself walk farther until everywhere up to my neck was submerged in the icy cold water. I bent my knees slightly letting my whole body go under the water letting my dress fill and soak with the chilling water. 

I don't know how to explain it, but it was freeing. I wasn't thinking about anything besides the feeling of the water touching my skin through my clothing. It gave me something to focus on. I knew I couldn't stay forever though.

The second I got out of the water, I could feel the sharp wind slap me everywhere the water touched. Of course, I would be so stupid to walk into freezing cold water with no means of warmth and an impossible walk home.

I contemplated just letting myself lay there on the ground until morning. Certainly, it can't be worse than going home to see Marilla and Matthew sending me off. They would be glad if I left. I'm just a burden to them.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard a voice say, "Hello?" Oh, you've got to be kidding me. There was no point in hiding.

Gilbert's POV:

I was heading back home when I heard something in the pond near the path I took to get to my home. I walked over to find it was a person. I couldn't figure out who it was so I called out. "Hello?"

I could see the figure freeze as I called out. The sun was setting, but as my eyes adjusted to the coming darkness, I could see it was Anne, and she was soaking wet. She must be freezing.

I quickly went over to her to see if she was okay. No one in their right mind would let themselves freeze like this. Then again, what else could she be doing?

"What are you doing here?" I asked going to her. "I thought you were going to Diana's," I said a little skeptical looking her up and down noticing her shivering.

"I-" she started but closed her mouth not knowing what to say. Looking at her, it was obvious if she stayed too long, she would get sick. Even just walking to her house might be too much.

"Anne, why don't you come to my house and dry off. You must be freezing." I knew something must have been wrong when she actually agreed. She just nodded and looked at the ground. I took off my coat and draped it over the shoulders and helped her stand up.

She pulled the coat tighter around her and I smiled softly. "That actually looks really good on you," I said looking at her in my coat. She almost smiled but didn't say anything. I could tell something was bothering her, but I didn't want to push her. We walked in a comfortable silence all the way back to my house.