SPLIT

Chapter 8

I was too panicked by the fact that I was in such deep water -heaven knows where they found so much - to comprehend the voice calling out to me.

"Can't you swim?"

"I- don't - what's - that-" I struggled to say as the water kept trying to pull me under. I never knew water could be this dangerous. The next thing I knew someone's arms wrapped around me and I was back on dry ground again.

I started coughing up water like crazy as I saw the stranger jump back into the strangely large water pulling Charlie out next.

"Are you alright?" He said sounding weird. He didn't talk like we did. The words he was saying was the same but the way he said it was different. Curious I looked over seeing him run up to us with towls. He was ...good looking. Like really good-looking . I couldn't stop staring. He was so clean and different than any guy I've ever seen.

"Better ? " he said handing us the towls as I didn't say a word while I watched him do the same with Charlie. "Who are you ?" He asked crouching down before us while I looked over at Charlie shaking his head.

"I get why you'd be sceptical. My name's Linus. Linus Hamilton. " He said with a smile making his teeth twinkle in the light like a star. I was now more than ever convinced he wasn't one of us.

"Okay then... uh , my house is over there if you need anything. It's been a pleasure to meet you by the way." He said politely while walking off.

"Wait !" I called making him stop and turn back around.

"Yes ?"

"What is that ? I mean , how did you get so much water in one place?" I said making him smirk and walk back to us while I could see Charlie silently cursing at me for calling him back.

"It's a pool. You swim in it." I had no idea what any of that meant but I smiled and nod anyway. 

"Do you wanna stay for dinner ?" He asked while I begged Charlie with my eyes to let us stay one night. This was all so new and different and I had to know more.

"We'd love to . Thank you Linus. " I said standing up while I heard Charlie groan in disapproval before doing the same.

"Splendid! Follow me to my humble abode." His house was huge . No scratch that , humongous! We could fit the Pit into this piece of land it was something I've never seen before.

"Coffee ? Tea ? Hot chocolate?"

"I - uh don't know what that is." I said embarrassed while sitting on a soft piece of furniture facing a large rectangular mirror thingy that was controlled with a smaller rectangular box.

"You drink it." He said with a smile , putting his hands in his pockets.

"Oh . Uh , just tap water please." I said while he brought out two bottles of water for us that were fruit flavoured and bubbly.

"Thanks ." I said intrigued while he sat across from Charlie and I.

"I'm assuming you're from Norview from the looks of it."

"What ? I - uh - you see -" 

"It's fine. I don't mind you dropping in like this. Welcome to Faylea." He said sounding so accepting of us just invading his space like this.

"Is this your house ?"

"That it is." He said sitting back.

"Such a big home. Do you live alone ?"

"I do. "

"I'm so sorry . What happend to your parents ?" I asked making Charlie shove me with his elbow for asking so many questions, but I couldn't help myself. My curiosity got the best of me.

"They're alright. Mummy and daddy have their own place up on the hill. I moved out when I turned 22. "

"22 ? I'm just 20. Still living with mine." I said embarrassed , putting a loose piece of hair behind my ear.

"And there's nothing wrong with that. I just find it a lot more comfortable to be by myself at 24." He said with a charming smile while I could tell Charlie didn't like this one bit.

"Okay I can't take this. Where can I dry off ?" Charlie said frustrated getting up .

"Of course. Bathroom is down the hall champ." Linus said while Charlie rolled his eyes and walked off.

"May I just say , you're quite the beautiful specimen miss. Never seen someone with such raw beauty. " he said while I didn't understand half the words he was saying , yet I gathered it was a compliment and thanked him.

"Might I know your name miss ? I promise you can trust me. Won't tell a soul. Scouts honour. "

"What is a scout ... Nevermind my name's Vera. Vera Hood."

"Well , it's a pleasure to meet you miss Vera Hood." He said taking my hand and placing a kiss to it

"Believe me , the pleasure is mine." Charlie said hostile, yanking my hand out of his hold. "I can't believe you told him your name Vee."

"I'm sorry but he's so nice and he promised he wouldn't tell anyone. "

"When did you get so naïve ?" He said upset sitting back down.

"And on that note , dinner is served." Linus said leading us to a grand table with more food than I've eaten in the last 20 years of my life. It all looked so strange and delicious at the same time.

"What is this ?" I said in awe while Linus pushed my chair in for me.

"Infront of you is roast duck , on your left lasagna and on your right Chicken Francese"

"Looks delicious thank you Linus."

"You're most welcome Vera. What can I get you ..."

"Charlie. His name's Charlie. " I said watching Charlie huff and roll his eyes at me again.

"Charlie. What can I get you ?" Linus said while I could see Charlie was trying hard to hold himself back.

"This is fine. Thank you. " he said through gritted teeth as the clanging of utensils was all that was heard. This was the single most amazing and scariest place I've ever seen. Everything was so new and different, yet all I could think about was going back to that crummy place I called ... home.

That's it ! This is where the real fun begin! *rubs hands together maniacally * thank you so much for reading. Remember to leave your thoughts in the comment section below. Until next time keep howling my wolves ❤🐺

Ps: Linus above 😉