The Educator (dark h.s)

Chapter 17 - discoveries

Hunches pay off and nightmares come true.

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The silence that prevailed upon us wasn't as nerve-wrecking as I had expected. Had you asked me a few hours ago what I'd do in an abandoned forest with only Harry by my side, I would've laughed in your face, telling you you're delusional and that I'd rather have my neck wrung.

But now, as the snowflakes fell off the cloudy sky, our sides occasionally brushed against one another and the chirping of mockingbirds was heard, everything seemed quite natural. I glanced over at some trees in search for a dark lost horse. I remembered how Harry had accidentally stepped on my foot halfway into our journey. The stream of apologies flowing out of his pink lips was rather hilarious as I groaned. I chuckled lightly at the memory.

"What's so funny?" His raspy tone inquired. I bit my lip to stop my loud giggles from filling the place.

"Nothing." I managed to choke out through my fits. A small curve was evident on his mouth as he mumbled whatever and kept on looking.

Suddenly, a loud neigh was heard and my head whipped back to find no other than Absolute sprinting towards me. I grinned and waited on him to get closer- so I could get him in hand and under my control again. Once done, as I ran my hand over his shiny fur, I could tell somebody had eaten some leafs.

"Get him to the stables then go home, don't roam round all by yourself. Alright?"

My waist was being pushed up to the saddle before I could even protest, a flat hand landed on Absolute and there I was - galloping down the path hastily while nodding my head in agreement. My head turned back slightly to peek over my shoulder. He was no longer there, only heavy footprints of his boots were left on the creamy snow- the place he had occupied just a second ago.

I bent down and stroke Absolute affectionately, thanking my good fortune, for once saving me from a terrible loss.

Three days later

My left hand was twisted upward in a tight grip on my horse's rein, knuckles almost white.

The sound of legs crashing against the snow coated ground, causing small thumps to be heard was my only cue that Harry was here, walking next to me. He was awfully quiet, no ambiguous remarks nor nagging me to walk faster. It was as if someone paralysed his tongue, leaving him mute. My breathing was decreasing into short pants as I tried to pick my pace up and get over this creepy silence.

The sky suddenly howled in a petrifying thunder, so loud I was certain Harry and Absolute could hear my heart throbbing against my ribcage. Absolute hadn't flinched which was weird. Maybe the leafs he had swallowed beforehand made him calmer, just a scraggy guess.

I peeked over at the green eyed boy beside me. If I thought my heart was going mad, now it was nearly breaking out of my chest. His eyes were pitch black, no evergreen left in them, just ruthless darkness. His jaw was clenched so tight I was surprised his teeth hadn't cracked. The thing that scared the breath out of me however, was the black long cloak engulfing his muscular body.

An annoyingly high voice was heard and I covered one ear with my unoccupied hand. Only then did I realise I was screaming.

All of a sudden Absolute was gone and so was Harry. I observed my surroundings hysterically. The wooden floor, fancy furniture, fishy aroma and memories that nearly brought unwanted tears up my vision. Home.

I trudged up the stairs to my room and reached for the knob, twisting it. The door was opened with a small crack and I immediately stormed in, slamming it shut behind. For the love of God, what the hell was going on? Dad didn't seem to be home and so did my sanity. Please don't let me hit insanity.