Escape the Covenant || Shawmila [Completed]

Chapter 11

It's ten pm and I'm standing alone at the end of the street, with my eyes fixated right in front of me like a creep. If most of the people of this town weren't witches who mind their own business, I would have already been reported to the police. Finally, a tall figure approaches me with a quick run. «Sorry if I kept you waiting, I hope it isn't too late» says Shawn out of breath.

«Don't worry, the night is still young» I wink at him. «Let's go». We walk for a couple of minutes, until I stop in front of a car and get inside.

«What are you doing? Stealing it? » he whisper-yells at me.

«I'm not some kind of thug, Shawn! This is my grandma's car! I parked it here so your family wouldn't notice. Now get in before I change my mind and leave you here».

He shuts his mouth and do as he was told, so he sits on the passenger seat without saying a word. My gran's car is pretty small and he's forced to bend his knees in a weird position, while his head barely graze the car hood. He looks ridiculous, like a huge clown imprisoned in a microscopic car, but I keep this thought for myself.

I start the engine and turn on the radio, then begin to drive. Shawn rolls down his window and the hot summer air strike through our hair, ruffling it. My chest fills with joy and I swear I've never felt more alive than in this moment. A great sense of freedom rushes over me, and I feel like I'm living in a movie. Occasionally, I glance at Shawn. He's mesmerized by the streetlights that slide beside us. His sight is focused outside, a smile hides between his lips as the wind messes his curls.

A comfortable silence rules our ride until, twenty minutes later, we pass the city limits and curiosity overwhelms Shawn. «Where are you taking me? »

I smirk at him mischievously. «Someplace where nobody can hear your screams»

He lifts his eyebrows. «I'm not falling for it again, you little witch. I know you wouldn't lay a single finger on me... right? ». His cockiness is quickly replaced by a trace of uncertainty.

I shake my head at his ridiculousness. «We're almost there. It's a cool but incredibly spine-chilling place. I hope you're not a chicken».

I park my car on the roadside in the middle of nowhere. Shawn doesn't look scared, but he's a little puzzled. We take a pathway that was hidden by some bushes, and we walk side by side, guided only by the moonlight. At the end of the street, I spot the familiar decadent shadow of the old mansion.

As we approach the building, I notice that Shawn is getting a little closer to me and my first instinct is to take his hand with mine. To avoid it I just clasp my hands together. I'm about to enter the house, but Shawn stops me. «Are you going inside it? »

«That's the plan»

«Isn't it a little bit dangerous? I mean, the shack is already falling apart. What if the ceiling finally crumbles above us? »

«Are you scared, Shawny boy? » I mock him while nudging his shoulder.

«Of dying under the rubbles? Well, of course! »

I walk ahead ignoring his complaints. «Nothing happened until now, so I think that it'll stay like this a little bit more. But if you want, you can stay here, all alone in the darkness, and wait for me». I hear him grunting behind me, but at the end he follows me.

Inside, the house is nothing special. It's old and dirty, with no furniture and covered by dust and spiderwebs. The steps creak under our feet like they've never done before, and for a moment I fear that they'll break under our weight. When we reach the second floor, I stride directly to the balcony, the real target of this visit.

I lean on the wooden railing like I've done a hundred times before now and simply look ahead. From this height, the view is breathtaking. I don't know why I like cotton fields so much, but I'm practically obsessed with them. Still the fields in front of us are particularly beautiful to me.

«Wow, that' amazing. I've never seen anything like this» whispers Shawn.

In front of us, the great cotton fields sparkle with hundreds of restless fireflies. I stare at the view, completely lost in my thoughts, until Shawn speaks again. His voice is low and sweet like honey, as if he's afraid of ruining this moment. «You don't like being around people, do you? »

I scroll my shoulder, not admitting the truth. «Why? »

«There's nothing wrong with it. It's just that, everyplace you took me it's far away from everything. The river, the cotton fields, this mansion... it seems like you're trying to isolate yourself». Well, Sherlock, it's exactly like that. «I refuse to believe that people don't like you. That just can't be true. So, I suppose that it's you that don't like people».

It's not that I don't like people, I'm just afraid of hurting them. But I can't say this to him, otherwise I should explain why and that leads to the story of my family's curse, and that is a big no. That curse it's like a disease to me and I'm convinced that everyone would end up scared away after hearing about it, treating me like a leper.

«Yeah, I find most of the people boring, mean or annoying, so I simply avoid them» I lie. «Why waste my time with them? »

He's a little taken aback by my words, but then his demeanor changes and it looks like he's biting his tongue. I'm sure he has already figured out part of the truth, but he's too nice to keep on bothering me.

«You know» I start «You're not the only one observing others. I noticed a couple of things about you too»

«Yeah? Let's hear them»

«I know that something about your parents is bugging you. The only time you mentioned your dad, I sensed some bitterness, and when you talked about your mom, I saw pure sadness in your eyes. Can I ask you what's wrong? Or am I too nosy? »

His body turns rigid, he clenches his jaw and furrows his brows. «It's a long story... »

«You don't have to tell me anything, just know that if you need someone to confide, I'm here»

He breaths out and runs his hand through his messy curls. «How much time do we have? »

«As much time as you need».