Beyond the Lamppost

VIII. Stalker

Chapter Eight:

X

Stalker

He leads me down to the center of the mini pavilion at the right side of the garden. Yes, I intended to humiliate him in from of an audience but right now, I am not pretty confident enough to embarrass myself too. So I silently followed him to that area. The place seems secluded nevertheless I felt safe.

"You can turn me down now, Miss Natalie. No one is watching." He smirked as he took a step back and faced me to see my reaction. I rolled my eyes. So he was just being a show-off earlier. Jerk.

"Nah, I agreed to a dance. Don't want to be indebted to you, Mister." And with that, I heard a hearty laugh.

"Very well then, shall we?" I willingly accepted his hand and he leads it to his nape while holding out my other hand at the sides. I felt his other hand at my waist, with a gentle grip.

I did know how to dance. But since the accident, I didn't intend to try once more, until tonight. As he started moving, I can sense the gentleness of his every move. And I felt relaxed.

"So? What makes a fine lady escape from the spotlight?" his question made me look at him in the eye for a brief seconds before looking away into the darker shade of the garden. His gaze is soft too like he cared for me, but I doubt that.

"Not used to it." I simply answered and a long silence followed. Maybe our closeness creates this awkwardness.

"Uh-uh. Can I ask a question?" I can sense the hesitation in his voice.

"Okay."

"What happened yesterday?" And I met his eyes once more and confirmed the sincerity of his actions. "Not that I'm snooping but I – I can't forget your terrified eyes." I am contemplating whether I'll tell him or not. If I'll tell him then I can be safer from that man, if I did otherwise, then I can save him from my misery. "' aight! Haha! You don't need to answe---"

"I was chased." I take all the courage I have to face him. He stood there silently, waiting for me to fill him with details. "My stepdad owns a big debt to a powerful man; I was chased by that man and I'm terrified because he once threatened me..." I raise my eyes and looked at him openly. I felt the rolling liquid down my cheeks and I can hold no longer. "...death."

I let out a soft laugh on how bizarre my situation had turned to. "Silly me, right? I had almost reached that point, what am I afraid of? Am I too selfish to think of freedom? I'm tired, so tired that I can't sleep at night with so many things stuck in my head. Blaming it to myself that I brought that bad luck to me." I stopped moving and stooped my head down. Tears no longer suppressed and breathing heavily breathed in.

"No." I felt a soft caress on my cheeks. "Aren't we all selfish at times? That's the nature of human beings, like animals, they needed that to survive. So don't question yourself. We are always here. I am—"my surroundings went still. I saw the movements of Mave's mouth but I can't hear a single word.

What's happening? Mave! Mave!

This same feeling! What's this?! I saw a silhouette of a man under the lamppost on the opposite side of the garden. That same man! I remembered his built. Though I can't clearly see his features I know that it's him. The man in the park!

Our eyes met. Between the distances, I know we did. And I could feel the hatred with those eyes. Those bright deep green eyes, which flashes recognition. He was the first one to break the contact and walked away.

"Natalie! Natalie, what's wrong?"

"Mave, I need to check something. I'll be back." I hastily dismissed Mave and walked towards the direction of the man. I need answers! And he can give me those.

I ran without minding the pain. Until I reach an exit of Olive's mansion. I saw the man turned into a corner before disappearing from my view and I followed him. He entered the park and he looked back before walking away again. As if he is leading me the way. But to where?

He walked into the deeper part of the park with tall trees and lesser access to light. This is when my heart pounded erratically and I stopped in my tracks. Am I still safe? Maybe I should go back now. He turned back once again, and now without the hatred in his eyes but longing and pain. I'm confused. My mind is in haywire and I hear voices I never even heard of calling me.

'My child, my sweet child'

'Please, please keep her safe. Protect her.'

'I'll keep an eye on her, your majesty.'

That voice. It was him. My feet started to move forward, mindless of the path. It feels like I was being dragged involuntarily deeper to who-knows-where. I can feel the searing of my gown. I am fighting against the force of my feet but I can't feel anything. It was numb but somewhat moving. But my hands can freely move.

"Stop! Please stop!" I begged towards the man but it's as if he didn't hear anything. I tried grabbing into the vines and anything I can grasp, only to find both my palms covered with blood.

"Ouch!" I fell. I tried moving my feet and I did. Relief flooded my whole system. Now I can escape. I get up quietly but as I look forward, no one was around. The man disappeared and I'm now facing the blocked entrance of the old train station. Only the light from the moon illuminated the whole place. I can't see the path I've walked on a few minutes ago and I doubt if there is any.

Looking forward, all my confusion came back.

Where did that man went? Or is it a ghost?

As I took one step, something lit up from the center of the entrance.

A lamppost oddly attached to the wall. It was a century-year-old lamppost based on its intricate design but what's odd is that it was somewhat eaten by the wall. Only the front portion of the post was seen and the other half, buried into the thick layer of blocks and cement. And what is more confusing is that it lit up! When there are no wires or electricity or even a filament in the lamp if you look closely.

I stumbled backward as the realization dawned. Something is not right. Even from the start of this day, I can feel that something bad is going to happen. But what did I do? Nothing! God, I'm so stupid!

'Come.'

"Hey! Someone's there?!" I heard that same voice again! "Please, I want to go back!" tears started pooling in my eyes and my breathing started to hitch. I can't do this! I need to escape now. I am not safe in this town anymore. The mayor's son already found me and there's a weird stalker that told me that I don't belong here.

'Here.'

"Please, just let me go. Let me find the way out of here." I begged. The voice came from the other side of this wall. I am sure of that.

"LET ME GO!" I slapped the walls real hard even if it pained my injured palms. I was furious and terrified at the same time.

"Why won't you let me go?!"

"LET---"

As I pound for my second attack, I did not feel the rough and hard surface of the wall. My hands flew forward like it passes a hologram of some sort and I dived forward face first.

With the strong force I gave, the only thing I remember before passing out was the unbearable pain in my head, the coldness in my bare shoulders, and that voice again.

'Veri?'