Installment 31

[author's note] I should mention that I am part of a writing group with, among others, my sister, and as part of this, we've been taking bits from each other's stories. I have now completely invaded my sister's story, but this will probably not make sense in the grand scheme of things, so the people talking at the end of this segment will probably be inconsequential and edited out later. It's just a way to keep us writing. Although, maybe I'll keep them in. Who knows? [/an]


"Like me being able to see the pendant."
"No," she shook her head, "We didn't do that to you. That's altogether different."
"So what's that?"
"That's... weird. I dunno. We don't understand why you can see it. No idea at all."
"Um...."
"Yeah?"
"How did you know it existed if you can't see it?"
She shrugged, "Legend. It was kept in a glass cabinet. I guess way back someone must have known how to control it, but it sure as hell wasn't me."
She seemed to shudder at the memory of it.
"What was it like?"
"What was what like?"
"Wearing the pendant; not being aware of yourself."
"It was... not scary... and not painful... but intensely uncomfortable. It was like wearing someone else's glasses, but not just for sight, for every sense. Everything was blurred and I started to forget... to forget who I was. I... it was the worst thing I have ever experienced and I'd rather not think about it."
"I'm sorry."
"It's ok. Are you hungry?"
I slumped into my seat, grinning, "Yes. So, so hungry."
"I think maybe we should stop for the night."
"Are you sure? Shouldn't we get to Ogmore?"
"It's fine. I can sense them. I'll know if they're near."
"What do we do if they find us?"
"You put on the pendant and run. I stay and deal with the situation."
"Won't they be angry?"
"Yes."
"Won't they hurt you?"
"It's possible."
"But..."
"It's ok. They probably won't find us. if they do, I'll deal with it."

I bit my lip and stared out the window at the fields and trees as we zoomed past them.

Janet pulled off onto a sliproad and slowed down. There was a a series of roundabouts and soon we were on a small country road with no markings or lights. We drove along it for about 30 minutes before I saw any signs. Straight on for Snowdon, or left for Beddgellert. Janet turned the car left and soon we pulled into a small town, full of postcard shops and B&Bs. She pulled into a car park and got out of the car. I opened my door and walked round to where she was pulling bags out of the boot.

“I left all my stuff in Elena's car.”
“It's ok, love. I've got a few clothes that'll fit you and we can get you more.”

I nodded, thinking of my flat and all the stuff I'd left there. I had no concept of how long it had been since I left. It could have been weeks or months ago. My time Ogmore had drawn out and everything that came before was a dull memory now.

Janet walked across the car park to the entrance of a hotel and I followed her. It was an old building with décor to match. The reception desk was ornate and made from dark wood, polished so that it reflected all the dim lights around it. There was a lounge just off the reception area with dark red leather chairs and wooden coffee tables. I wandered in there, gazing out of the window into the garden. The window was framed with ivy and the garden was full of rose bushes, with a large weeping willow in the centre.

I remembered the first time Kelly and I had gone away together. We took the eurostar to Brussels, then hired bikes and cycled out into the countryside and found a little guesthouse in the middle of nowhere. We spent lazy days sitting around sipping wine in the gardens of the guesthouse. It was perfection.

I felt an arm around my waist and I leaned into her shoulder, revelling in the warmth.

"C'mon, love. I got us a room."
I turned, blinking to bring myself out of the daydream, "Um... sure, ok."

I followed her to the room and sat down on the bed.

"What now?"
"We eat, sleep, then get back on the road. Head down the coast and round to Ogmore. Should be an easy day's drive."
I nodded.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just... I dunno, tired or something."
"Ok. I'm going to take a shower."
I smiled, then lay down on the bed, and rested my eyes. I wanted to sleep. I thought that if I was asleep when she came out of the shower that she would bring Kelly back for me, but my mind was racing. Thoughts of Elena, thoughts of that man, thoughts of what would happen if they found me. I started getting annoyed at myself that I couldn't just drift off into a peaceful sleep. I tried to remember some meditation technique that Kelly had tried to teach me. Let my feet go limp, let my legs go limp, feel all the stress leaving my body, but my brain wouldn't play along. Thoughts of relaxing brought thoughts of Kelly, which brought the knowledge that she was dead and I killed her and now some other-worldly being was going to cut me up to see how my brain worked and I just wasn't sure that it did anymore. I let out a sigh and hit the pillow, then sat up. I looked around for something to do. There were no books in the room other than the Gideon bible, which didn't appeal hugely.

Janet came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. She looked at me, a little confused, "I thought you'd be asleep. You seemed tired."
"Tried... Couldn't..."
She nodded, "Never mind. Maybe after dinner."
"Yeah, maybe."
"Come on, let's go and eat."

I followed her downstairs, feeling numb and slightly distant, like I wasn't really there, just letting my body do as I was told. The dining room led off from the lounge and was similarly decorated with big, dark wood tables and chairs with dark red velvet cushions. We sat down and Janet ordered food for us both, and a bottle of wine. The soup arrived quickly with big chunks of crusty bread. I dipped the bread in the soup and ate it wordlessly. Janet kept looking like she was about to speak, but then changed her mind. I felt like I was about to cry, but I didn't have the energy. I saw someone moving in the lounge; a girl, with an man and an older woman sat down. I wanted to know who they were. I couldn't say why, but I wanted to.

"Excuse me," I said, getting up from the table.
Janet looked up from her soup and blinked, "Ok."

I walked out into reception, toward the toilets, then went back round to the entrance of the lounge. I could barely hear what was being said. The woman was talking and the other two were listening intently.
"...Anyone who finds the pendant, it is said, will find whatever he asks and no other may see the power that the pendant holds.”
I gasped. They were talking about me. I wanted to stay and listen, but I was afraid they'd see me.