title: The Altar of Five Mountains
author: K.W. Andri
translated by Evlampia Tsireli
ebook edition: December 2016
isbn: 978-618-5218-49-2
website: www.iWrite.gr
contact us: 2311 27 28 03 | info@iWrite.gr
book’s artwork, layout, cover design & book curation was done by iWrite.gr publishing atelier
iWrite.gr Publications
http://www.iWrite.gr
Copyright © by K.W.Andri & iWrite.gr Publications. Unauthorized reproduction of this ebook is prohibited under the Copyright law of the European Union and the international Intellectual property law schemes.
To Paul Walker, this magnificent man.
I thank my family and friends for believing in me. You are the most important people in my life and I am so thankful for supporting me all those times I was lost in myself to write this book. Regards to the iWrite publications team for believing in my book as much as I did and for helping me make this big dream come true!
chapter one
Black, dark, cold, wet, mouldy; are some of the few words to describe the cave where the witch of the kingdom resides. Four royal warriors have come to visit her. They peer into the cave. Up, cold drops from the ceiling are following gravity’s law and drip on their faces. Down, on the ground. It’s so cold and wet that even their leather boots are not enough to keep their feet warm and protected. Left, right, the walls are so dark, almost black. The corridors are so narrow that the warriors are forced to walk in pairs since it’s impossible for all of them to walk one next to the other. Behind them, the only way out, the only opening, is so far away from the point they have reached now. Its light is so weak and distant to illuminate the dark cave. Behind them. The only way out. Ahead. Ahead, she is.
An old woman with long, gray and obviously unkempt and unwashed hair. Wrinkled, white, but obviously de-grated face. Her eyes... hollow; black, no distinguishable iris, pupil or sclera. One would think she is blind or that her eyes are missing; but no. She walks around a small altar at the end of the cave. Her footsteps are heavy and slow. She gives the feeling of swaying in every step, because of her hump that forces her body to bend forward. Her hands, weak and wrinkled similar to the rest of her body, move cyclical, almost like dancing, following her slow steps. They come out through the large and wide sleeves of her black robe, like aged branches within the foliage of the trees.
She murmurs. She mutters strange words in a low, shaking and distorted voice, through her carious and dirty teeth. Men are the only contrast between this death image, as their clothes are brown and gray, not bright colors, though the darkness of the cave prevailing, makes them appear happy. They stare at her and look forward for the oracle.
“Black hair; green eyes; white, pale skin”. The words that come out of her half-open lips sound like a mournful roar. “Anastasia!” she finally says and immediately the flames inside the altar, flickering throughout the duration of her spell whispering, suddenly become a big, loud scarlet fire as red as blood. Flames light up the whole cave, but there’s no heat. The woman initially touches the flames, slowly and reluctantly. But then enters completely in it and comes out on the other side of the big fire; on the side where the warriors stand. They take a step back, but their eyes are locked on her. “Her. That girl has the light. She is the only one that can destroy us all. She must die!”
One of the warriors, tall enough, with a strong body, steps forward. The flames make his deep blue eyes glisten and the blond-brown color of his hair become gold.
“Tell us, then, witch. Where can we find her?” he asks in a deep low voice staring fearlessly straight into her eyes.
A smirk appears on her face.
§
“In Crete;”
The king’s voice sounded like a slam, when the four men delivered the news.
“And how exactly are we supposed to go there?” he asks the warriors, as he gets up from his throne and walks towards them.
Anger is strongly perceptible in the tone of his voice. The kneeling men remain silent for a minute, until one of them in the one who talked to the witch- first raises his head and then the rest of his body in front of the king.
“We know the way to travel there, my lord” he declares with a deep low voice, while a smug smile appears on his lips. The king raises his eyebrow, obviously interested in the young warrior’s words.
“I am listening, young man. What is the way?”
“Beyond the horizon, beyond all the known territories you walk, beyond all the rivers that satisfy your thirst, beyond the trees which give you wood...” the old witch paces slowly to the opening of the cave, stretching her right hand and pointing to the distant high mountains. All four men stand behind, a few steps away, with their eyes fixed right where the woman points.
“The Gate of the Unexplained is situated on the highest top. It is the only place where you can find all the answers you need. It is the only place you can wish whatever you desire; anything. But beware!” And while saying those words, she stares straight into the eyes of each guard. They too stare insistently, scared, but also with bravery into her deep, dark eyes.
“Be careful with what you wish for”, are the only words she speaks while she returns back to the darkness of the cave, on the altar, where she disappears into a cloud of dust.
The men look at her until she disappears. Then, they look at each other. Now they know what to do.
§
“What are you waiting for. Go ahead!” the king’s command is clear. The men get up and prepare to leave.
“Rut”. The king stops one of them; the most loyal, the most decisive, the most dynamic, the most courageous, the youngest of the four.
The man stops and turns to confront the king. “Yes, Your Majesty”, says in heavy voice, standing directly opposite him.
“Βring her straight into me, Colin. Don’t kill her. I want het alive!” He commands in heavy voice. He walks towards the determined warrior and puts his hand on his shoulder.
“Bring her alive to me”, he repeats το Colin making explicit his intention to torture and kill her with his own hands.
Colin nods affirmative. “I will. I won’t disappoint you!” The young warrior’s voice, stable, sharp, is evident of his confidence.
“If your dream is to sit on my throne at my place, yes, you will do it. And no, you won’t disappoint me”. The king’s voice was low and serious, hiding a threatening message.
“As I’ve already told you, I won’t disappoint you... father!” the young man answers briskly, giving the king the message that the conversation has reached its end. He bows and exits from the same gate the three warriors had entered. The king watches him until he closes the door behind him, and then leaves the room through a second smaller door, with four guards accompanying him.
Colin, walks to the three warriors. “Get up! We’re leaving immediately! The sooner we finish with her, the better for us”, he says in heavy voice, commanding them like a leader.
They immediately get up and follow him with no objection or second thought. They direct fast to their horses. They ride faster than the wind in the place shown by the witch.
They know it’s a long journey, tiring and difficult, but nothing is going to stop them. They pause only to water and feed their horses. And then continue with the same speedy and relentless pace. The trip takes two nights and three days. It would be more distant with constant stops to rest. Colin knew this, so every time someone asked to stop, he just ignored him and went his way.
The only thing dominating his mind is to prove his father who he really is; how great his power and strength is; that he is worth to take his place one day. His lust for the throne blurs his mind. He has reached the point of hating the girl and wanting to find her caring about the impact of this act to the others or even to himself. His eyes are half-open, while his thoughts run again to the witch and her words. Some words that only he is aware of.
“You’re the only one who can kill her. You’re the only one who can make it. I saw this from the very beginning. You, my young man, you have the evil within you. You are full of pure darkness. Anything kind and bright within you has been dead
voice, stable, sharp, is evident of his confidence.
“If your dream is to sit on my throne at my place, yes, you will do it. And no, you won’t disappoint me”. The king’s voice was low and serious, hiding a threatening message.
“As I’ve already told you, I won’t disappoint you... father!” the young man answers briskly, giving the king the message that the conversation has reached its end. He bows and exits from the same gate the three warriors had entered. The king watches him until he closes the door behind him, and then leaves the room through a second smaller door, with four guards accompanying him.
Colin, walks to the three warriors. “Get up! We’re leaving immediately! The sooner we finish with her, the better for us”, he says in heavy voice, commanding them like a leader.
They immediately get up and follow him with no objection or second thought. They direct fast to their horses. They ride faster than the wind in the place shown by the witch.
They know it’s a long journey, tiring and difficult, but nothing is going to stop them. They pause only to water and feed their horses. And then continue with the same speedy and relentless pace. The trip takes two nights and three days. It would be more distant with constant stops to rest. Colin knew this, so every time someone asked to stop, he just ignored him and went his way.
The only thing dominating his mind is to prove his father who he really is; how great his power and strength is; that he is worth to take his place one day. His lust for the throne blurs his mind. He has reached the point of hating the girl and wanting to find her caring about the impact of this act to the others or even to himself. His eyes are half-open, while his thoughts run again to the witch and her words. Some words that only he is aware of.
“You’re the only one who can kill her. You’re the only one who can make it. I saw this from the very beginning. You, my young man, you have the evil within you. You are full of pure darkness. Anything kind and bright within you has been dead and destroyed”, said the witch to the young man, while the other warriors had already left the cave. Although he was not sure what she meant by these words, he had simply left without asking her anything, without a single comment, without looking behind him.
Even now that his mind cannot forget her words, even now that his mind is trying to understand what she meant, he wouldn’t ask. He‘d leave the cave again with the same arrogant attitude.
I open my eyes dazed, after the ball hit my head. All the children around me ask me if I am in pain. My look is dazed but I am smiling. “I’m fine”, I respond after a while.
One of them reaches out his hand to help me get up. I look at him. He is covered in mud from the game. His is dressed in light colors so the mud is easily distinct on him. I stretch my hand. He helps me to get up. I look at him and smile. Ryan. Yes, Ryan, that’s his name. I remember. He is the child that accidentally hit me with the ball. We played volleyball in opponent teams. He tried to score and in my attempt to block him, the ball found me on the head so strong that I immediately fell unconscious. Besides, I am only nine years old. I was in pain but I didn’t care. I was happy to be with my friends and had such a great time, even if we had some accidents. They were not important. We looked at each other for some seconds, smiling and then I took the ball in my hands.
“Shall we finish the game?” I asked.
Everyone looked at me smiling and took positions for one more game. We play, we laugh, loudly… we laugh… used to laugh…
I open my eyes and I’m still dazed by the blow of brass knuckles on my head. Nobody is around me to help me get up. I am all alone, with a huge scar on my forehead and blood on my right eye. He is facing me. I look at him. He is covered in blood from the battle. The blood comes in sharp contrast with his black tunic. A black mask is covering his entire face, leaving only his red eyes uncovered. But I know he is smiling devilish looking at me fallen and exhausted from the battle; I have become an easy target after an eighteen years obstacle. The tunic billows with malice in the cold wind.
I notice behind him that everything is destroyed because of the battle; corpses everywhere; dead, opponents and allies. Nothing matters anymore. They are all dead. Now they were allied with death.
I look at him, holding his sword. Black and filled with blood, after killing so many innocent people. And now... now is about to kill me. He prepares to finish me with a single blow. I feel weak. I’m weak. I do anything. I know I will die. Or maybe not…
“Well? Shall we continue the game?”
The god damn alarm clock poles my ears! But I am grateful I wake up. Those crazy dreams won’t let my sleep calmly. Most of the times I wake up tired, not being able to rest because of them.
But today I notice that I stretch by body with a big smile on my lips. Why? Why today? Oh! Today is my graduation day. I’m incredibly excited for the huge party that is about to follow the graduation ceremony. I have chosen my dress a long time ago, with the help of my best friend, Liana. I may wear dresses extremely rarely, as I prefer a more casual outfit, but today I’ll make an exception. But first I must get ready for the ceremony at school.
I run to the bathroom, do a quick shower and wear my jeans with a white shirt and the blue school uniform. Then I put only some mascara, as I don’t like to make-up much for school. I gently comb my long black hair and carefully collect a low braid. Finally, I am wearing my black snickers and the funny, in my opinion, hat that fits my uniform. Ready! I run down the stairs and see my father and Maria, his girlfriend, which I somehow consider my mother, as I’ve ever met my real mother. They both look at me smiling and obviously excited.
“Beautiful as always”, Maria says, approaching me, and gives me two kisses, one on each cheek. I respond both in her compliment and kisses, with a big smile.
“Thank you”.
Now it’s my father’s turn, who comes towards me smiling. “Your graduation, honey. The day has arrived…” he says really moved and proud.
I smile and hug him.
“This won’t change a thing, father”, I appease him.
“Yes… Nothing changes… nothing”, he sighs and I notice a different tone in his voice. I am overwhelmed by a mystery.
I nod and kiss him on the cheeks.
“We better leave”, says Maria, who had enough time to talk. “You don’t want to be late on your graduation”, she smiles.
Within five minutes we all sit in my father’s car; a four-seat small but convenient red car. I sit at the back and look at the trees, which seem to run in the opposite direction, without even noticing us. I feel my eyes confused with that image until... Until within seconds between some trees I notice a weird shadow, which doesn’t disappear neither “run’” in the other direction, as the rest of the trees. The opposite. She remains in the same place. It seems like she bows her head and looks at her feet. Or is it his? I cannot be sure. I rub my eyes to make sure that it’s not just an illusion. And it’s not…
I try focusing my eyes better on the figure, until it raises its head and a pair of yellow eyes, as it seems to me, are looking at me straight in the eye. Or rather, not just in the eyes, but deep inside me. As if it has seen in my soul. Without realizing it I scream, and then notice Maria looking at me, while my father is shouting my name.
“Anya?... Anya!... Anastasia! Are you ok?”
I see him looking at me through the mirror, but always paying attention on the road. As for me, I’m still bad tempered as all that have left in my mind is the eyes. The slit yellow eyes. Soon I get over the first shock and note the concern that captured Mary, and, especially my father. Fortunately I need only a few seconds to find a good excuse to calm them.
“I pricked my finger. There was a pin on my outfit they forgot to take off”. I am such a good actor and a liar that at the end of my sentence I pretend to slightly bite my finger to get through the pain.
“Oh, such careless people”, says Maria laughing. They believed it.
A few minutes later I chat with my friend Liana, and she informs me that she and Alexander, the boy with whom I am in love the last three years, have already arrived at the high school,
I am so absorbed by the message that I don’t even notice that my father has cut speed. We have arrived. We are all getting off the car.
“All parents and families have to wait in the conference room. Go to the front entrance and you’ll be informed when your seats are ready” I say and talk fast with the words running like water from my lips. I am obviously excited and quite nervous.
“My girl, can you please calm down a bit?” my father and laughs slightly.
“You don’t need to worry about us. We will reach our seats. Go to your friends now”, Maria comforts me. I can only smile gratefully.
“I’ll see you later, then”. I give them both a hug and within seconds I run to find Liana.
I see her waiting in the backyard of the school with the rest of the children. There is Alexander too. Once I see him, I feel my legs shaking and my stomach churn.
“Isn’t he wonderful?” I whisper to Liana, without taking my eyes off him.
“Come on Anya, snap out”, she says with a smile, turning my head to her side. I look at her and sigh with my mind still in Alexander, who looks gorgeous even in the blue uniform of the graduation.
“Believe me, I want to snap out, I am trying...” I say.
“…in the past three years”, she completes my sentence in laughs. I laugh with her tapping her lightly on the shoulder with the back of my hand.
“Cut it out! It’s not like that!” I say jokingly, having the knowledge that things are exactly as she says. She prepares to answer, but then the bell rings.
“It saved you” she says and points me with her finger.
Some teachers start to call us to take our positions. Everyone’s parents are seated, ready to gloating for their children. The teachers prepare for their long speech
-boring in my opinion- and then call the names of the children in alphabetical order. I admit this will take a long time. Luckily I am one of the first and will get it over with soon, although this won’t make it less torturous.
Soon my eyes are stuck upon Alexander who stands opposite me, waiting to hear his name. And yes, now that I think of it twice, maybe the whole thing isn’t that torturous at all. My eyes are stuck on him for several seconds. And I realized it now that he has turned. He is looking back at me! He obviously noticed I was staring at him. My smiles at me! I’m ready to lose it but I finally smile back. I am sure that I have blushed, and my face has changed in all the colors of the rainbow in those few seconds. No matter how spirited I am –I always confront even the most robust type in school, even if I know that I will end up in hospital – when I see Alexander, I feel so weak, like I just want to let myself in his hands to protect me.
I am so lost in his gaze until I hear his name. Ηe slowly proceeds with beautiful smile. With my eyes constantly on him I feel so proud and happy watching him receiving his school graduation certificate. I applaud as loud as I can so the rest of the people in the hall. While he gets off the stage, he casts me a very sweet look, something I don’t expect, however, although unprepared, I don’t take my eyes off him. Instead, I smile back warmly.
The names in between his and mine, are not many.
“Anastasia Angelopoulos…”
That’s my name! My heart beats like crazy. Not because I am stressed or scared, but because I am so excited. With this certificate I am officially ready to leave home and live on my own, something I always wanted. I take a deep breath and wearing my wider smile, I go up on stage. I walk towards the director of the school who awards me and thank him with a handshake and two kisses, one on each cheek, like everyone did before me. Then I smile to the camera for a commemorative photo. My eyes scan the crowded hall. I see my father and Maria cheering and applauding with pride. I smile and then move to the stairs when I suddenly see her again. The same shadow I saw before, in the car. I feel dazed and scared as I realize that it’s not my imagination. She isn’t looking at me. Her eyes are on the ground.
I am getting dizzy…
Suddenly I feel someone holding my hand, something that makes me take my eyes off the shadow. I look forward really startled. My mind comes back to reality when Liana anxiously grasps my hand.
“Are you okay?” she asks me looking into my eyes. I am not answering right away, I just nod affirmative.
I focus my eyes on the corner, where I saw the shadow. But as I expected, I see nothing. It is no longer there. It has disappeared, just like that, as it did before, in the car. I want to feel safe, so I immediately turn my eyes to my father, who is there, and still smiles proud. Obviously he hasn’t noticed my strange behavior; otherwise he would have run by my side to see if I’m okay.
When the ceremony is over, the students gather in the courtyard, with their parents and teachers. The director of the school comes forward. He looks at us really excited, with a smile so wide, that one could say it stretches to his ears. We wait without anyone talking, in respect, to hear his last words before we leave the school. He remains silent for a while, and then nods affirmative twice.
“I started to manage this school eighteen years ago! I did very well, I have to admit”, he jests and a pleasant roar of laughter come from the audience. “And here I am now, in this courtyard, with you. Ready to say goodbye, leaving this great building but taking with me all those memories, pleasant or not, with me!” he continues.
The truth is that this news surprises us all. Most of the children are looking at each other, surprised and confused. The rest keep staring at the director waiting him to speak. I think that he is too young to leave the school which he clearly loves. I must admit he had been an amazing director.
“So let us all celebrate our last day before our lives change completely!” he says with a loud voice, and that’s the moment we all smile and throw our hats up in the air.
Before our lives are completely changed! director Stavros’s words are stuck in my mind. I am sure that something more profound underlies this expression. But now is not the right time to think about it, and I understand why, when I hear him pounding the microphone several times, wondering if it works. This makes us laugh. But at the same time he draws back our attention.
“So everybody be at the party tonight at eight to sing, dance, but also...” sometimes he lifts his eyebrows in a funny way “... food!” he completes his sentence causing our laugh once again. He then leaves and in turn, gives us permission to go home, celebrate the occasion with our people and get ready for the party to be held in the school gym.
I see my father with Mary moving towards me and Liana. Knowing that it’s time to say goodbye for a while, we look at each other smiling.
“Six o’clock my house”, I say and Liana agrees immediately.
“Awesome! I’m going to find my family and I’ll see you later”, she says excited and hugs me tight. I turn to my father and smile.
“Well, that was it”, I say obviously happy, but stressed at the same time, about what follows. Maria’s look shows that she knows this a father and daughter’s moment. My father bends and kisses my forehead, locking his lips there for a few seconds while closing his eyes gently. Then he caresses my cheek with the outside of his fingers.
“Everything begins now”, he says in a low tone. I hug him tender and he immediately responds. Mary caresses his back. I smile at her.
“Shall we go home now?” I ask.
“It is important to celebrate just the three of us before the big party. Don’t you think?” she says and from her tone I perceive she has already prepared something special for lunch. I nod and we proceed to the car. I turn and look at the school for the last time and take a deep breath before I open the car door. I get in. My father starts the car while Maria puts my favorite station on the radio at full blast. I did realize how fast we arrived at home.
I run to my room instantly and change; wear my overalls so to be more comfortable. I collect my hair in a pony tail and run back downstairs. I see Mary preparing the table. My father puts some loud music; it’s our favorite song; we dance. I smile, knowing that I’m going to miss all this when I leave: Maria’s wonderful dishes, my father’s craziness, the advice and care of both. The dance is interrupted when the table is ready. My smile is doubled when I see my favorite dish on the table. Pasta with red hot sauce!
“It smells awesome! Thank you Maria!” I say and she looks so happy.
“Wonderful food, wonderful smells, wonderful company! Let’s not wait any longer! Let’s eat!” my father says really excited. I laugh and instantly agree with him.
After we eat, we sit together in the living room, talk about a lot, but mostly about the past, recalling moving and funny moments, look at our photo albums and videos... until we hear the bell.
I look at the time and I see it’s already six. I am surprised by how much I disported myself. I run to open the door, and see Liana waiting with her stuff on hand. I grab her free hand and drag her inside full of enthusiasm. She laughs, and follows me in my room, barely managing to greet Maria and father.
“Hello Mrs. Maria... Hello Mr. Thomas!”
They both laugh with how I drag her into the room. “Hello Liana”, my father says with a smile.
We close the door and spread everything on the bed; dresses, mascara, everything. We immediately start getting ready. We help each other with the hair and dress up. I look at her. A gorgeous strapless red dress with black details, reaches down to her knees.
“Liana, you’re beautiful”, I say truthfully. The tawny color of her hair matches perfectly her red dress and her curves. She really looks like a model.
She stares at me. I suppose not because I look pretty as well, but rather because she has never seen me wearing both a dress and high heels at the same time.
“Anya! You look…” she holds my hand and makes me swirl. “You look great!” she really seems to believe it.
I look myself in the mirror. A light smile is on my lips. My dress suits me better than I thought while emphasizes the shape of my body. It’s almost sheath, black –without any particular detail- the simpler the better in my opinion. The straps gently touch my shoulders and it covers my legs to the thighs. My red high heels flatter my legs.
My hair, unlike Liana’s who had made a neat bun, were slightly wavy. Our makeup was simple. Personally I emphasized on my green eyes, while Liana on fleshy lips.
“I guess we are ready”, she says and grabs her cell phone to see the time. “Just in time” she says rolling her eyes with a big smile. “Seven-thirty”, she shows me the time and I sigh full of joy.
“Let’s go then. What are we waiting for? They have already begun to gather”, I say as I take my mobile before I open the door and walk down the stairs with Liana following me. My father and Maria are in the living room, watch a movie.
“Is that Hobbit again? I tease my father, who loves this movie and so do I. They are laughing and turn to say goodbye.
“You two are so beautiful”, my father says.
“Well, we’re not used to see you dressed so… feminine”, says Maria cheerfully.
“You better take a good look of me now, because I won’t get dressed like that again for a long time”, I say and they both laughed out loud.
“I bet you won’t”, says Liana, as I clap her hand playfully.
“Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Angelopoulos!” Liana thanks both of them for the compliment.
“As I’ve told you so many times, Liana, we prefer to call us Tomas and Mary”, my father says and she nods gently.
“Will you takes us there, father?”
“Of course I will. But first...” before finishing his sentence, we walks to the living room opens a drawer and comes back with a small red box in his hands.
“What is it?” my eyes are nailed to the box.
“My gift for your graduation”, he says and opens the box, in which I see a lovely silver pendant with a small blue gemstone; it looks like a pendant.
“Dad...” I am speechless by how beautiful this blue gemstone is. “It’s beautiful!”
“May I;”
I nod and he clasps it on my neck. I put my fingers under it and admire it on the mirror with an expression of admiration.
“Thank you so much!” I hug him and kiss him on the cheek.
“You should wear it all the time. It is... it brings good luck”, he says.
“Oh I will…” and I do want to wear it. It is casual, goes with all my clothes and I love it. “Oh how times fly”, I say.
“Yes, yes. You’re right”. He takes the car keys, kisses Maria gently and then gives the signal to follow him. Within a minute we sit in the car.
Liana and I are tittering in the back seats about the ball, our dresses and Alexander. These are the only thing concerning us at the moment and I feel so good about it. I wish we could stay so forever: carefree.
The car stops and my father gets out quickly to open the doors for us. He first helps Liana to get off the car with a gentle gesture and then it’s my turn. I hold his hand knowing that I am safe. I feel so protected when I am with him and secure about myself. He kisses us both on the forehead and then stands to look at us for a while.
“Have fun but be careful!” says slightly strictly and we smile at him.
“We will”, Liana says.
“We promise”, I add.
Then he leaves back home and we walk to the gym which is already crowded. I’m instantly looking for Alexander.
“Where is he?” I whisper to myself, as I feel Liana nudging me with her elbow.
“Well well…” she says in a low voice. I turn around. I feel my heart beating faster and faster. She stands next to the dj.
“Oh, he is so handsome!” I say to Liana
“Oh, yes”, Liana completes my sentence, “your wonderful husband is looking at you:, he smiles and I am slightly shocked when I see her raising her arm to greet him.
I don’t let the opportunity. Indeed, his gaze is turned upon us, he smiles and greets us both he and his friend. I hold my wide smile that lurks in my lips and slightly lift my hand to greet. He leaves his drink and whispers something to his friend, just before he walks to us.
“He is coming! What shall I do now?” I whisper to Liana who seems calmer than me. She slightly squeezes my hand to calm me down.
“Calm down and, above all, be yourself”.
“Hold this for me I want my hands to be free” I pass her my cell phone which she puts in her small black purse –an accessory that I never carry.
“Hello beautiful!” I hear his voice very close, I watch his gorgeous eyes and swallow nervously before answering.
“Hi Alexander”, I answer in a lower voice.
“Well, I’m going to get something to drink” says Liana, to leave us alone.
I smile to her slightly, feeling my legs trembling. I’m not sure if the trembling comes from the fact that I wear heels, Liana who leaves us alone or that Alexander’s eyes nailed on me. I turn back to him again. My smile is shy but sweet.
“Anya, look at you. You look really beautiful!” he says and his eyes run from top to bottom, on my face, my body, my legs.
“You look so different today. You should dress like this more often”. He smiles at me and his eyes are all around my face.
“Thank you, Alexander, and you are... perfect in your suit. It looks great on you”. We both smile shyly.
He catches me by the hand and leads me to the table where the drinks are. He serves us drinks. He smiles as I take the glass from his hand.
“Well, what are your plans from now on?” I ask before I bring the glass to my lips and drink.
So does he, drinking some, and then answers. “I am thinking to follow my father’s steps and study medicine”. As he starts talking, he walks to a wall and rests his back on it.
I am following him with small and cautious steps, so as not to stumble. I’m standing in front of him drinking slowly and watching him talking about his future plans. Suddenly he slightly leans towards me smiling. “The truth is that this is not actually my dream” he whispers and then his eyes meet my face again. I pry an eyebrow obviously curious about his little secret.
“I see…” I lean my head to the left.
“Yes… you see I’ve always wanted to become a musician. As you might already know, me and the kids have a band”.
“Of course I know that” I answer with a playful smile.
“So playing music is one of my basic plans. I’ll do it simultaneously with Medicine”. His enthusiasm is evident.
“This is wonderful, Alexander! But... does your father know? Or is that something you do... secretly?” My smile is cunning - something he likes, judging by his expression.
“I’ll do it secretly. He would never like to see me as a musician. He even hates our band!” he says sadly, slightly shaking his head from side to side, showing me how tired of his father’s behavior he is.
And I thought everything was going great for him; being the rich, the most handsome, with a perfect life. But I made a mistake. “I’m so sorry, Alexander” I reply.
My father would never impose me to do something I don’t want, especially when this something concerns my future. It seems so strange that someone like Alexander cannot really do what he is dreaming of.
“It’s okay,” he smiles while gently caresses my hand, a little lower than my shoulder. “Really, don’t think about it. If you want something very much, you always succeed in the end, whatever obstacle comes in your way”. His words are very optimistic. His dynamism makes me believe that he’ll manage to get what he desires.
And now, I officially like him even more… and I thought it was impossible.
At last, I feel his hand touching my waist. He knows I like this. He has nothing to be afraid of. He knows he can have me. I observe his hand locking my waist and then straight into his eyes. He pulls be towards him. My body touches his. And this is something I really really like. I insist looking at him while he puts his drink upon a table next to us.
“Allow me please?” he asks to take my drink too. He doesn’t have to say more to give it to him. I nod while I keep staring into his eyes.
“Of course”, I whisper and give him my glass.
He takes it gently and puts it on the table. He hugs my waist with both hands, his smile is light, mischievous, clearly declaring his will to kiss me. I wait with my heart beating so loud that I believe everyone in the hall can hear it.
“I’ve waited so long for this moment…” he whispers, touching his lips on mine.
I put my arms around his neck. I close my eyes and leave myself enjoy his kiss.
He is such a great kisser! Exactly as I imagined… maybe better. Definitely better… At last… at last… at last….
I feel him gently pulling back pausing the kiss. He looks at me in a very sweet way and smiles, while his arms caress my back on the spot they’re locked all these moments. I get the chills all the way down my spine. It’s a great feeling. I bite my under lip, watching his smile and eyes. Then he kisses me once more. The second kiss is shorter though perfect as the first one. He holds my hands and leads me to the dance floor where all the other couples are dancing a ballad. We do the same. I put my head on the side of his neck and my hands on his shoulders. He lowers his head and I feel his chin touching my temple and his arms hugging my waist. I let him lead the dance. It’s like a dream. This can’t be real. I have to admit that it’s more beautiful than in the movies.
But always there will be someone ready to ruin moments like this. I open my eyes and look straight ahead.
Oh no… God! Not again!
He is standing among my classmates. Back to the wall where Alexander and I gave our first kiss. My hands grip slightly tighter his shoulders. This makes him pull back slightly and look at me.
“Anya? Are you ok?”
I look at his eyes and nod once.
“Yes. Yes of course. Fine! Just...” I look back to the wall and, as expected, the shadow has disappeared. I turn to Alexander again Alexander, who follows me with his eyes the whole time, obviously confused by my behavior. “Just... a little dizzy. Probably I should... go out to get fresh air”. I walk away, not with sudden or quick movements, but with gentle and slow steps.
“Would you like to accompany you?” he asks me and holds my hand. I nod. We walk together to the exit.
“Anya?” Liana runs towards me uncomfortable.
“Don’t!” I stop her, knowing that she wants to come out with me. “I’m fine. I just need some fresh air”. Before she answers, I open the door and go out.
I close the door behind me, take my shoes off, and sit on the stairs. I lay me head on my hands. I am shaking. Yes, this time I am shaking. I want to cry, because I am so scares. I am so scared. I just want all this to end… all this…. Mind game.
I’m lost in my thoughts when I hear a noise outside the school, coming from behind a wall. I knit my brows and look there. My wondering makes me get up and slowly walk to the spot. I stop halfway shaking my head to recover.
“Anya what are you doing?” I whisper and turn my back to the wall to go back to the gym. But at the time I turn around, a man appears before me. At least six feet tall -judging by his stature- and certainly much older than me. I step back terrified, ready to turn and run in the other direction but another one, younger than the first, stops me. I hope that he is one of my classmates and this is a hoax. I can’t be sure of that, because his face is not so visible in the dark. He makes a step closer to me and then I see a pair of deepest blue eyes I have ever seen in my life. He is not someone I know.
“Hel-...” I try to run, but the young man grabs me by the neck with one hand, while with his other palm shuts my mouth closed. He uses his free hand to grab a long knife and place it on my back.
“Shut up!” he commands, tightening the grip around my neck so I can’t move. But even if I could, he would immediately immobilize me with his great size.
I feel my tears now running. My fear has me overwhelmed. I need help. I need help. But no one is around. And I wonder... if it was, would he try to help?
I feel the man dragging me outside the courtyard, heading to a van, parked on the roadside. My tears are growing, but I can’t cry with sobs. The grip is loosened around my neck, but I still feel the knife on my back. I dare not resist. I dare not speak. I dare not groan. If I do anything, I’m dead for sure. I just let myself in their hands, hoping that at least I will survive it.
They push me into the van violently. I’m on the floor and turn to look into his eyes again. His eyes are locked upon mine and I don’t need to keep looking to see the evil hid in there. He tightens his jaw showing a smirk. Devilish. Pure evil.
He shuts the door and locks. I feel impotent to make any move. Fear has paralyzed me. I hear them are moving to the front seats. I try to keep my balance and force myself to go near the partition. I put my ear there trying to hear something, but in vain. Either they do not talk at all or keep it very quiet. My fear now changes into anxiety and rage. Why me? What the heck are they? I feel the car moving and speeding up really fast. Oh no. This isn’t good. I look around me to find anything that will help break the door and manage to get out. Get out? How the hell can I get out of here? Jump? Judging by the speed at the moment, I could be killed.
I sigh and sit in a corner, in the van. There is nothing to help me defend myself, to help myself. My cell phone is in Liana’s purse, as I never carry one with me. My God, why can’t I carry my own purse! I could even use my heel right now somehow. But no. I had to take my shoes off, because my feet were in pain.
How much time am I in here? How much time are they driving? I wonder if my friends are worried about me. Does anyone look for me?
And suddenly the car stops. I can’t hear anything. My heart starts beating faster and faster, louder and louder as my fear grows. I hear the doors open. Steps... I can’t hear anything except their heavy steps. And the back door opens. That’s it. What is to be done will be done from time to time.
The younger one enters and grabs me by the arm. I did not understand that I was completely motionless, until he grabbed me so hard. I look straight into his eyes, as he makes me stand up. I want to resist, but I cannot. I’m just too weak. He pulls me off the van and forces me to follow him. My eyes meet the second man, the older one, and then I realize something is wrong... their clothes are different. As if they came from another era or they are too poor to wear something else.
But as I deal with their strange clothes they already literally drag me deep into the forest. This is not good at all. And then something hits me and blocks me from moving forward with them. Or at least I try not to, making it more difficult for them.
“What do you want from me, you people!?” without realizing it, my voice came out loud and finally enraged.
My look are sullen, something that they obviously don’t like. All this time I did nothing, letting them believe that I will make no effort to resist.
My eyes run from one to the other. My heart is pounding so hard that I think they can listen to it. And then, the younger one, who dragged me by the arm, uses his body to make me walk backwards until my back touches a trunk, while he grabs me by the neck. He holds me so hard, I feel my breath is cut, and the next minute, my attempt to breathe, is sharp and fast almost makes me gasp. With my hands I try to loosen his grip on my neck, but in vain. He is very strong and obviously barely feels my touching. I try to liberate pulling his wrist, but in vain as well...
I feel his face closer to mine. His lips find my ear and his hot from the anger breath burns my skin, as he whispers to me.
“You’re lucky our King wants you alive. I would have killed you already”. In the word “killed”, his lips are touching my cheek. This makes my whole body shudder. My eyes are tightly closed and I pray to leave me.
His hand moves lower from my neck, down to my chest just before he pulls me off. I can’t stop coughing, trying to reach my breath.
He then starts pulling me again, forcing me to walk and follow him. I feel dizzy and almost lose consciousness, resulting to stumble. I am sure I would be dead now if his king didn’t want me alive.
Wait a minute. I look the man who tried to choke me dragging me into the unknown to take me where? To his king? What kind of joke is this now? Is this the middle ages?
The other, stands a few meters ahead. First the clothes and now this. The king. Either I am so dizzy or everyone is crazy here. But then I hear a distant horse neigh. My lips slightly open. My eyes try to see from where the sound came. Fifty meters of walking were enough to finally see two horses standing and waiting for us. Before I even realize it, I sit on a horse’s back.
My… kidnapper grabs me by the waist puts me on his horse. He sits behind me, locking me in his arms and holds the headstalls tight. I grab the horse’s forelock to keep from falling.
But what the heck is happening? A few minutes ago I was dancing with Alexander and now I am on the hands of a dangerous man that wants me dead.
chapter two
One of them reaches out his hand to help me get up. I look at him. He is covered in mud from the game. His is dressed in light colors so the mud is easily distinct on him. I stretch my hand. He helps me to get up. I look at him and smile. Ryan. Yes, Ryan, that’s his name. I remember. He is the child that accidentally hit me with the ball. We played volleyball in opponent teams. He tried to score and in my attempt to block him, the ball found me on the head so strong that I immediately fell unconscious. Besides, I am only nine years old. I was in pain but I didn’t care. I was happy to be with my friends and had such a great time, even if we had some accidents. They were not important. We looked at each other for some seconds, smiling and then I took the ball in my hands.
“Shall we finish the game?” I asked.
Everyone looked at me smiling and took positions for one more game. We play, we laugh, loudly… we laugh… used to laugh…
§
I notice behind him that everything is destroyed because of the battle; corpses everywhere; dead, opponents and allies. Nothing matters anymore. They are all dead. Now they were allied with death.
I look at him, holding his sword. Black and filled with blood, after killing so many innocent people. And now... now is about to kill me. He prepares to finish me with a single blow. I feel weak. I’m weak. I do anything. I know I will die. Or maybe not…
“Well? Shall we continue the game?”
The god damn alarm clock poles my ears! But I am grateful I wake up. Those crazy dreams won’t let my sleep calmly. Most of the times I wake up tired, not being able to rest because of them.
But today I notice that I stretch by body with a big smile on my lips. Why? Why today? Oh! Today is my graduation day. I’m incredibly excited for the huge party that is about to follow the graduation ceremony. I have chosen my dress a long time ago, with the help of my best friend, Liana. I may wear dresses extremely rarely, as I prefer a more casual outfit, but today I’ll make an exception. But first I must get ready for the ceremony at school.
I run to the bathroom, do a quick shower and wear my jeans with a white shirt and the blue school uniform. Then I put only some mascara, as I don’t like to make-up much for school. I gently comb my long black hair and carefully collect a low braid. Finally, I am wearing my black snickers and the funny, in my opinion, hat that fits my uniform. Ready! I run down the stairs and see my father and Maria, his girlfriend, which I somehow consider my mother, as I’ve ever met my real mother. They both look at me smiling and obviously excited.
“Beautiful as always”, Maria says, approaching me, and gives me two kisses, one on each cheek. I respond both in her compliment and kisses, with a big smile.
“Thank you”.
Now it’s my father’s turn, who comes towards me smiling. “Your graduation, honey. The day has arrived…” he says really moved and proud.
I smile and hug him.
“This won’t change a thing, father”, I appease him.
“Yes… Nothing changes… nothing”, he sighs and I notice a different tone in his voice. I am overwhelmed by a mystery.
I nod and kiss him on the cheeks.
“We better leave”, says Maria, who had enough time to talk. “You don’t want to be late on your graduation”, she smiles.
Within five minutes we all sit in my father’s car; a four-seat small but convenient red car. I sit at the back and look at the trees, which seem to run in the opposite direction, without even noticing us. I feel my eyes confused with that image until... Until within seconds between some trees I notice a weird shadow, which doesn’t disappear neither “run’” in the other direction, as the rest of the trees. The opposite. She remains in the same place. It seems like she bows her head and looks at her feet. Or is it his? I cannot be sure. I rub my eyes to make sure that it’s not just an illusion. And it’s not…
I try focusing my eyes better on the figure, until it raises its head and a pair of yellow eyes, as it seems to me, are looking at me straight in the eye. Or rather, not just in the eyes, but deep inside me. As if it has seen in my soul. Without realizing it I scream, and then notice Maria looking at me, while my father is shouting my name.
“Anya?... Anya!... Anastasia! Are you ok?”
I see him looking at me through the mirror, but always paying attention on the road. As for me, I’m still bad tempered as all that have left in my mind is the eyes. The slit yellow eyes. Soon I get over the first shock and note the concern that captured Mary, and, especially my father. Fortunately I need only a few seconds to find a good excuse to calm them.
“I pricked my finger. There was a pin on my outfit they forgot to take off”. I am such a good actor and a liar that at the end of my sentence I pretend to slightly bite my finger to get through the pain.
“Oh, such careless people”, says Maria laughing. They believed it.
A few minutes later I chat with my friend Liana, and she informs me that she and Alexander, the boy with whom I am in love the last three years, have already arrived at the high school,
I am so absorbed by the message that I don’t even notice that my father has cut speed. We have arrived. We are all getting off the car.
“All parents and families have to wait in the conference room. Go to the front entrance and you’ll be informed when your seats are ready” I say and talk fast with the words running like water from my lips. I am obviously excited and quite nervous.
“My girl, can you please calm down a bit?” my father and laughs slightly.
“You don’t need to worry about us. We will reach our seats. Go to your friends now”, Maria comforts me. I can only smile gratefully.
“I’ll see you later, then”. I give them both a hug and within seconds I run to find Liana.
I see her waiting in the backyard of the school with the rest of the children. There is Alexander too. Once I see him, I feel my legs shaking and my stomach churn.
“Isn’t he wonderful?” I whisper to Liana, without taking my eyes off him.
“Come on Anya, snap out”, she says with a smile, turning my head to her side. I look at her and sigh with my mind still in Alexander, who looks gorgeous even in the blue uniform of the graduation.
“Believe me, I want to snap out, I am trying...” I say.
“…in the past three years”, she completes my sentence in laughs. I laugh with her tapping her lightly on the shoulder with the back of my hand.
“Cut it out! It’s not like that!” I say jokingly, having the knowledge that things are exactly as she says. She prepares to answer, but then the bell rings.
“It saved you” she says and points me with her finger.
Some teachers start to call us to take our positions. Everyone’s parents are seated, ready to gloating for their children. The teachers prepare for their long speech
-boring in my opinion- and then call the names of the children in alphabetical order. I admit this will take a long time. Luckily I am one of the first and will get it over with soon, although this won’t make it less torturous.
Soon my eyes are stuck upon Alexander who stands opposite me, waiting to hear his name. And yes, now that I think of it twice, maybe the whole thing isn’t that torturous at all. My eyes are stuck on him for several seconds. And I realized it now that he has turned. He is looking back at me! He obviously noticed I was staring at him. My smiles at me! I’m ready to lose it but I finally smile back. I am sure that I have blushed, and my face has changed in all the colors of the rainbow in those few seconds. No matter how spirited I am –I always confront even the most robust type in school, even if I know that I will end up in hospital – when I see Alexander, I feel so weak, like I just want to let myself in his hands to protect me.
I am so lost in his gaze until I hear his name. Ηe slowly proceeds with beautiful smile. With my eyes constantly on him I feel so proud and happy watching him receiving his school graduation certificate. I applaud as loud as I can so the rest of the people in the hall. While he gets off the stage, he casts me a very sweet look, something I don’t expect, however, although unprepared, I don’t take my eyes off him. Instead, I smile back warmly.
The names in between his and mine, are not many.
“Anastasia Angelopoulos…”
That’s my name! My heart beats like crazy. Not because I am stressed or scared, but because I am so excited. With this certificate I am officially ready to leave home and live on my own, something I always wanted. I take a deep breath and wearing my wider smile, I go up on stage. I walk towards the director of the school who awards me and thank him with a handshake and two kisses, one on each cheek, like everyone did before me. Then I smile to the camera for a commemorative photo. My eyes scan the crowded hall. I see my father and Maria cheering and applauding with pride. I smile and then move to the stairs when I suddenly see her again. The same shadow I saw before, in the car. I feel dazed and scared as I realize that it’s not my imagination. She isn’t looking at me. Her eyes are on the ground.
I am getting dizzy…
Suddenly I feel someone holding my hand, something that makes me take my eyes off the shadow. I look forward really startled. My mind comes back to reality when Liana anxiously grasps my hand.
“Are you okay?” she asks me looking into my eyes. I am not answering right away, I just nod affirmative.
I focus my eyes on the corner, where I saw the shadow. But as I expected, I see nothing. It is no longer there. It has disappeared, just like that, as it did before, in the car. I want to feel safe, so I immediately turn my eyes to my father, who is there, and still smiles proud. Obviously he hasn’t noticed my strange behavior; otherwise he would have run by my side to see if I’m okay.
When the ceremony is over, the students gather in the courtyard, with their parents and teachers. The director of the school comes forward. He looks at us really excited, with a smile so wide, that one could say it stretches to his ears. We wait without anyone talking, in respect, to hear his last words before we leave the school. He remains silent for a while, and then nods affirmative twice.
“I started to manage this school eighteen years ago! I did very well, I have to admit”, he jests and a pleasant roar of laughter come from the audience. “And here I am now, in this courtyard, with you. Ready to say goodbye, leaving this great building but taking with me all those memories, pleasant or not, with me!” he continues.
The truth is that this news surprises us all. Most of the children are looking at each other, surprised and confused. The rest keep staring at the director waiting him to speak. I think that he is too young to leave the school which he clearly loves. I must admit he had been an amazing director.
“So let us all celebrate our last day before our lives change completely!” he says with a loud voice, and that’s the moment we all smile and throw our hats up in the air.
Before our lives are completely changed! director Stavros’s words are stuck in my mind. I am sure that something more profound underlies this expression. But now is not the right time to think about it, and I understand why, when I hear him pounding the microphone several times, wondering if it works. This makes us laugh. But at the same time he draws back our attention.
“So everybody be at the party tonight at eight to sing, dance, but also...” sometimes he lifts his eyebrows in a funny way “... food!” he completes his sentence causing our laugh once again. He then leaves and in turn, gives us permission to go home, celebrate the occasion with our people and get ready for the party to be held in the school gym.
I see my father with Mary moving towards me and Liana. Knowing that it’s time to say goodbye for a while, we look at each other smiling.
“Six o’clock my house”, I say and Liana agrees immediately.
“Awesome! I’m going to find my family and I’ll see you later”, she says excited and hugs me tight. I turn to my father and smile.
“Well, that was it”, I say obviously happy, but stressed at the same time, about what follows. Maria’s look shows that she knows this a father and daughter’s moment. My father bends and kisses my forehead, locking his lips there for a few seconds while closing his eyes gently. Then he caresses my cheek with the outside of his fingers.
“Everything begins now”, he says in a low tone. I hug him tender and he immediately responds. Mary caresses his back. I smile at her.
“Shall we go home now?” I ask.
“It is important to celebrate just the three of us before the big party. Don’t you think?” she says and from her tone I perceive she has already prepared something special for lunch. I nod and we proceed to the car. I turn and look at the school for the last time and take a deep breath before I open the car door. I get in. My father starts the car while Maria puts my favorite station on the radio at full blast. I did realize how fast we arrived at home.
I run to my room instantly and change; wear my overalls so to be more comfortable. I collect my hair in a pony tail and run back downstairs. I see Mary preparing the table. My father puts some loud music; it’s our favorite song; we dance. I smile, knowing that I’m going to miss all this when I leave: Maria’s wonderful dishes, my father’s craziness, the advice and care of both. The dance is interrupted when the table is ready. My smile is doubled when I see my favorite dish on the table. Pasta with red hot sauce!
“It smells awesome! Thank you Maria!” I say and she looks so happy.
“Wonderful food, wonderful smells, wonderful company! Let’s not wait any longer! Let’s eat!” my father says really excited. I laugh and instantly agree with him.
After we eat, we sit together in the living room, talk about a lot, but mostly about the past, recalling moving and funny moments, look at our photo albums and videos... until we hear the bell.
I look at the time and I see it’s already six. I am surprised by how much I disported myself. I run to open the door, and see Liana waiting with her stuff on hand. I grab her free hand and drag her inside full of enthusiasm. She laughs, and follows me in my room, barely managing to greet Maria and father.
“Hello Mrs. Maria... Hello Mr. Thomas!”
They both laugh with how I drag her into the room. “Hello Liana”, my father says with a smile.
We close the door and spread everything on the bed; dresses, mascara, everything. We immediately start getting ready. We help each other with the hair and dress up. I look at her. A gorgeous strapless red dress with black details, reaches down to her knees.
“Liana, you’re beautiful”, I say truthfully. The tawny color of her hair matches perfectly her red dress and her curves. She really looks like a model.
She stares at me. I suppose not because I look pretty as well, but rather because she has never seen me wearing both a dress and high heels at the same time.
“Anya! You look…” she holds my hand and makes me swirl. “You look great!” she really seems to believe it.
I look myself in the mirror. A light smile is on my lips. My dress suits me better than I thought while emphasizes the shape of my body. It’s almost sheath, black –without any particular detail- the simpler the better in my opinion. The straps gently touch my shoulders and it covers my legs to the thighs. My red high heels flatter my legs.
My hair, unlike Liana’s who had made a neat bun, were slightly wavy. Our makeup was simple. Personally I emphasized on my green eyes, while Liana on fleshy lips.
“I guess we are ready”, she says and grabs her cell phone to see the time. “Just in time” she says rolling her eyes with a big smile. “Seven-thirty”, she shows me the time and I sigh full of joy.
“Let’s go then. What are we waiting for? They have already begun to gather”, I say as I take my mobile before I open the door and walk down the stairs with Liana following me. My father and Maria are in the living room, watch a movie.
“Is that Hobbit again? I tease my father, who loves this movie and so do I. They are laughing and turn to say goodbye.
“You two are so beautiful”, my father says.
“Well, we’re not used to see you dressed so… feminine”, says Maria cheerfully.
“You better take a good look of me now, because I won’t get dressed like that again for a long time”, I say and they both laughed out loud.
“I bet you won’t”, says Liana, as I clap her hand playfully.
“Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Angelopoulos!” Liana thanks both of them for the compliment.
“As I’ve told you so many times, Liana, we prefer to call us Tomas and Mary”, my father says and she nods gently.
“Will you takes us there, father?”
“Of course I will. But first...” before finishing his sentence, we walks to the living room opens a drawer and comes back with a small red box in his hands.
“What is it?” my eyes are nailed to the box.
“My gift for your graduation”, he says and opens the box, in which I see a lovely silver pendant with a small blue gemstone; it looks like a pendant.
“Dad...” I am speechless by how beautiful this blue gemstone is. “It’s beautiful!”
“May I;”
I nod and he clasps it on my neck. I put my fingers under it and admire it on the mirror with an expression of admiration.
“Thank you so much!” I hug him and kiss him on the cheek.
“You should wear it all the time. It is... it brings good luck”, he says.
“Oh I will…” and I do want to wear it. It is casual, goes with all my clothes and I love it. “Oh how times fly”, I say.
“Yes, yes. You’re right”. He takes the car keys, kisses Maria gently and then gives the signal to follow him. Within a minute we sit in the car.
Liana and I are tittering in the back seats about the ball, our dresses and Alexander. These are the only thing concerning us at the moment and I feel so good about it. I wish we could stay so forever: carefree.
The car stops and my father gets out quickly to open the doors for us. He first helps Liana to get off the car with a gentle gesture and then it’s my turn. I hold his hand knowing that I am safe. I feel so protected when I am with him and secure about myself. He kisses us both on the forehead and then stands to look at us for a while.
“Have fun but be careful!” says slightly strictly and we smile at him.
“We will”, Liana says.
“We promise”, I add.
Then he leaves back home and we walk to the gym which is already crowded. I’m instantly looking for Alexander.
“Where is he?” I whisper to myself, as I feel Liana nudging me with her elbow.
“Well well…” she says in a low voice. I turn around. I feel my heart beating faster and faster. She stands next to the dj.
“Oh, he is so handsome!” I say to Liana
“Oh, yes”, Liana completes my sentence, “your wonderful husband is looking at you:, he smiles and I am slightly shocked when I see her raising her arm to greet him.
I don’t let the opportunity. Indeed, his gaze is turned upon us, he smiles and greets us both he and his friend. I hold my wide smile that lurks in my lips and slightly lift my hand to greet. He leaves his drink and whispers something to his friend, just before he walks to us.
“He is coming! What shall I do now?” I whisper to Liana who seems calmer than me. She slightly squeezes my hand to calm me down.
“Calm down and, above all, be yourself”.
“Hold this for me I want my hands to be free” I pass her my cell phone which she puts in her small black purse –an accessory that I never carry.
“Hello beautiful!” I hear his voice very close, I watch his gorgeous eyes and swallow nervously before answering.
“Hi Alexander”, I answer in a lower voice.
“Well, I’m going to get something to drink” says Liana, to leave us alone.
I smile to her slightly, feeling my legs trembling. I’m not sure if the trembling comes from the fact that I wear heels, Liana who leaves us alone or that Alexander’s eyes nailed on me. I turn back to him again. My smile is shy but sweet.
“Anya, look at you. You look really beautiful!” he says and his eyes run from top to bottom, on my face, my body, my legs.
“You look so different today. You should dress like this more often”. He smiles at me and his eyes are all around my face.
“Thank you, Alexander, and you are... perfect in your suit. It looks great on you”. We both smile shyly.
He catches me by the hand and leads me to the table where the drinks are. He serves us drinks. He smiles as I take the glass from his hand.
“Well, what are your plans from now on?” I ask before I bring the glass to my lips and drink.
So does he, drinking some, and then answers. “I am thinking to follow my father’s steps and study medicine”. As he starts talking, he walks to a wall and rests his back on it.
I am following him with small and cautious steps, so as not to stumble. I’m standing in front of him drinking slowly and watching him talking about his future plans. Suddenly he slightly leans towards me smiling. “The truth is that this is not actually my dream” he whispers and then his eyes meet my face again. I pry an eyebrow obviously curious about his little secret.
“I see…” I lean my head to the left.
“Yes… you see I’ve always wanted to become a musician. As you might already know, me and the kids have a band”.
“Of course I know that” I answer with a playful smile.
“So playing music is one of my basic plans. I’ll do it simultaneously with Medicine”. His enthusiasm is evident.
“This is wonderful, Alexander! But... does your father know? Or is that something you do... secretly?” My smile is cunning - something he likes, judging by his expression.
“I’ll do it secretly. He would never like to see me as a musician. He even hates our band!” he says sadly, slightly shaking his head from side to side, showing me how tired of his father’s behavior he is.
And I thought everything was going great for him; being the rich, the most handsome, with a perfect life. But I made a mistake. “I’m so sorry, Alexander” I reply.
My father would never impose me to do something I don’t want, especially when this something concerns my future. It seems so strange that someone like Alexander cannot really do what he is dreaming of.
“It’s okay,” he smiles while gently caresses my hand, a little lower than my shoulder. “Really, don’t think about it. If you want something very much, you always succeed in the end, whatever obstacle comes in your way”. His words are very optimistic. His dynamism makes me believe that he’ll manage to get what he desires.
And now, I officially like him even more… and I thought it was impossible.
At last, I feel his hand touching my waist. He knows I like this. He has nothing to be afraid of. He knows he can have me. I observe his hand locking my waist and then straight into his eyes. He pulls be towards him. My body touches his. And this is something I really really like. I insist looking at him while he puts his drink upon a table next to us.
“Allow me please?” he asks to take my drink too. He doesn’t have to say more to give it to him. I nod while I keep staring into his eyes.
“Of course”, I whisper and give him my glass.
He takes it gently and puts it on the table. He hugs my waist with both hands, his smile is light, mischievous, clearly declaring his will to kiss me. I wait with my heart beating so loud that I believe everyone in the hall can hear it.
“I’ve waited so long for this moment…” he whispers, touching his lips on mine.
I put my arms around his neck. I close my eyes and leave myself enjoy his kiss.
He is such a great kisser! Exactly as I imagined… maybe better. Definitely better… At last… at last… at last….
I feel him gently pulling back pausing the kiss. He looks at me in a very sweet way and smiles, while his arms caress my back on the spot they’re locked all these moments. I get the chills all the way down my spine. It’s a great feeling. I bite my under lip, watching his smile and eyes. Then he kisses me once more. The second kiss is shorter though perfect as the first one. He holds my hands and leads me to the dance floor where all the other couples are dancing a ballad. We do the same. I put my head on the side of his neck and my hands on his shoulders. He lowers his head and I feel his chin touching my temple and his arms hugging my waist. I let him lead the dance. It’s like a dream. This can’t be real. I have to admit that it’s more beautiful than in the movies.
But always there will be someone ready to ruin moments like this. I open my eyes and look straight ahead.
Oh no… God! Not again!
He is standing among my classmates. Back to the wall where Alexander and I gave our first kiss. My hands grip slightly tighter his shoulders. This makes him pull back slightly and look at me.
“Anya? Are you ok?”
I look at his eyes and nod once.
“Yes. Yes of course. Fine! Just...” I look back to the wall and, as expected, the shadow has disappeared. I turn to Alexander again Alexander, who follows me with his eyes the whole time, obviously confused by my behavior. “Just... a little dizzy. Probably I should... go out to get fresh air”. I walk away, not with sudden or quick movements, but with gentle and slow steps.
“Would you like to accompany you?” he asks me and holds my hand. I nod. We walk together to the exit.
“Anya?” Liana runs towards me uncomfortable.
“Don’t!” I stop her, knowing that she wants to come out with me. “I’m fine. I just need some fresh air”. Before she answers, I open the door and go out.
I close the door behind me, take my shoes off, and sit on the stairs. I lay me head on my hands. I am shaking. Yes, this time I am shaking. I want to cry, because I am so scares. I am so scared. I just want all this to end… all this…. Mind game.
I’m lost in my thoughts when I hear a noise outside the school, coming from behind a wall. I knit my brows and look there. My wondering makes me get up and slowly walk to the spot. I stop halfway shaking my head to recover.
“Anya what are you doing?” I whisper and turn my back to the wall to go back to the gym. But at the time I turn around, a man appears before me. At least six feet tall -judging by his stature- and certainly much older than me. I step back terrified, ready to turn and run in the other direction but another one, younger than the first, stops me. I hope that he is one of my classmates and this is a hoax. I can’t be sure of that, because his face is not so visible in the dark. He makes a step closer to me and then I see a pair of deepest blue eyes I have ever seen in my life. He is not someone I know.
“Hel-...” I try to run, but the young man grabs me by the neck with one hand, while with his other palm shuts my mouth closed. He uses his free hand to grab a long knife and place it on my back.
“Shut up!” he commands, tightening the grip around my neck so I can’t move. But even if I could, he would immediately immobilize me with his great size.
I feel my tears now running. My fear has me overwhelmed. I need help. I need help. But no one is around. And I wonder... if it was, would he try to help?
I feel the man dragging me outside the courtyard, heading to a van, parked on the roadside. My tears are growing, but I can’t cry with sobs. The grip is loosened around my neck, but I still feel the knife on my back. I dare not resist. I dare not speak. I dare not groan. If I do anything, I’m dead for sure. I just let myself in their hands, hoping that at least I will survive it.
They push me into the van violently. I’m on the floor and turn to look into his eyes again. His eyes are locked upon mine and I don’t need to keep looking to see the evil hid in there. He tightens his jaw showing a smirk. Devilish. Pure evil.
He shuts the door and locks. I feel impotent to make any move. Fear has paralyzed me. I hear them are moving to the front seats. I try to keep my balance and force myself to go near the partition. I put my ear there trying to hear something, but in vain. Either they do not talk at all or keep it very quiet. My fear now changes into anxiety and rage. Why me? What the heck are they? I feel the car moving and speeding up really fast. Oh no. This isn’t good. I look around me to find anything that will help break the door and manage to get out. Get out? How the hell can I get out of here? Jump? Judging by the speed at the moment, I could be killed.
I sigh and sit in a corner, in the van. There is nothing to help me defend myself, to help myself. My cell phone is in Liana’s purse, as I never carry one with me. My God, why can’t I carry my own purse! I could even use my heel right now somehow. But no. I had to take my shoes off, because my feet were in pain.
How much time am I in here? How much time are they driving? I wonder if my friends are worried about me. Does anyone look for me?
And suddenly the car stops. I can’t hear anything. My heart starts beating faster and faster, louder and louder as my fear grows. I hear the doors open. Steps... I can’t hear anything except their heavy steps. And the back door opens. That’s it. What is to be done will be done from time to time.
The younger one enters and grabs me by the arm. I did not understand that I was completely motionless, until he grabbed me so hard. I look straight into his eyes, as he makes me stand up. I want to resist, but I cannot. I’m just too weak. He pulls me off the van and forces me to follow him. My eyes meet the second man, the older one, and then I realize something is wrong... their clothes are different. As if they came from another era or they are too poor to wear something else.
But as I deal with their strange clothes they already literally drag me deep into the forest. This is not good at all. And then something hits me and blocks me from moving forward with them. Or at least I try not to, making it more difficult for them.
“What do you want from me, you people!?” without realizing it, my voice came out loud and finally enraged.
My look are sullen, something that they obviously don’t like. All this time I did nothing, letting them believe that I will make no effort to resist.
My eyes run from one to the other. My heart is pounding so hard that I think they can listen to it. And then, the younger one, who dragged me by the arm, uses his body to make me walk backwards until my back touches a trunk, while he grabs me by the neck. He holds me so hard, I feel my breath is cut, and the next minute, my attempt to breathe, is sharp and fast almost makes me gasp. With my hands I try to loosen his grip on my neck, but in vain. He is very strong and obviously barely feels my touching. I try to liberate pulling his wrist, but in vain as well...
I feel his face closer to mine. His lips find my ear and his hot from the anger breath burns my skin, as he whispers to me.
“You’re lucky our King wants you alive. I would have killed you already”. In the word “killed”, his lips are touching my cheek. This makes my whole body shudder. My eyes are tightly closed and I pray to leave me.
His hand moves lower from my neck, down to my chest just before he pulls me off. I can’t stop coughing, trying to reach my breath.
He then starts pulling me again, forcing me to walk and follow him. I feel dizzy and almost lose consciousness, resulting to stumble. I am sure I would be dead now if his king didn’t want me alive.
Wait a minute. I look the man who tried to choke me dragging me into the unknown to take me where? To his king? What kind of joke is this now? Is this the middle ages?
The other, stands a few meters ahead. First the clothes and now this. The king. Either I am so dizzy or everyone is crazy here. But then I hear a distant horse neigh. My lips slightly open. My eyes try to see from where the sound came. Fifty meters of walking were enough to finally see two horses standing and waiting for us. Before I even realize it, I sit on a horse’s back.
My… kidnapper grabs me by the waist puts me on his horse. He sits behind me, locking me in his arms and holds the headstalls tight. I grab the horse’s forelock to keep from falling.
But what the heck is happening? A few minutes ago I was dancing with Alexander and now I am on the hands of a dangerous man that wants me dead.
