Chapter 10

The rage cleared from my head as I ran out all my animosities racing down the length of the street and stopping at the street corner. I leaned against a red brick wall, panting and sweating out my anger. Night had fallen over Santa Monica. The street lights cast threatening shadows along with the stars that shown faintly over head. The moon was missing from the velvety sky.

The street was deserted except for the occasional car that would rumble past, kicking up a slight breeze that rippled my loose hair and filled my pores with cool, smoky night air. It relieved my sore head that throbbed from my extreme fury and from the hot tears that began to roll down my cheeks.

I never thought of myself as a short tempered person, I thought of myself not unlike my father, calm and easygoing. But something in my mother's voice when she was interrogating me set me off. If I had just lied, but I had wanted to make her hurt, I wanted to make her see I wasn't some naive little girl who hasn't a clue. I regretted it now so strongly I felt my heart would burst from sheer remorse. I couldn't even fathom my father's reaction when she told him but one thing I knew for sure. He would never look at me the same way again.

I sat on the sidewalk for a long while, heaving and sobbing silently, wishing I could take it all back. I wanted to be at home with my family, not out here all alone in the dark. I looked around the dark street thinking of the other night when Mr. Hockley had seemingly evaporated into the air while walking me to my door the other night. Remembering my awe and my mother's fear made my eyes grow wide and I began to search the alleys for someone who may be lurking in the offing.

I straightened up at the sight of a dark figure moving across a pool of lamp light before dissolving into the darkness once more. My heart began to thump furiously. It's not safe out here. Do something, go somewhere. I thought of Nathan and my father. I had never known my father's anger. What if it was greater than expected? What if mother told him Nate's real name and he came after him? I will go to Nate, I decided firmly.

I got from my place and began to walk confidently down the street. I knew the way, it was easy enough. Just take the main street all the way down and take the last side street that led out to the field land. The Hockley's Mansion was the first old manor on the right.

But as I began to walk hurriedly along the narrow asphalt street, I began to feel uneasy as I looked at the long dark stretch of road I had ahead, filled with assumed night lurkers of all sorts, perhaps even kidnappers, just waiting for a vulnerable little girl to amble by.

I quickened my pace, concentrating on the road ahead of me, not daring look to my sides in fear of seeing something that would scare me back to my house. But then my spine began to feel tingly like someone was standing close behind me, breathing down my neck and I began to hear faint footsteps behind me, growing ever louder.

I stopped; listening to the air and the sound of my labored breathing, and listen to the footfalls fade to a halt. I felt him behind me, standing in a few feet away, waiting for me to commence walking. So I did, and he did also.

And then I began to run.

I pounded my fists on the thick oak doors, screaming Nathan's name to anyone who would listen. The frosted windows still glowed in the darkness and I knew someone was still awake at this hour. I was sure I had lost whoever was chasing me before, but the fear and the panic of the chase had not left me yet and I worried that he might catch up to me eventually.

The maid, Ruth answered the door looking weary and exasperated as ever. Narrow grey eyes widen at the sight of me, windswept and panting.

"What in the world!" She said, bewildered. "Miss Elizabeth do you realize what time it is."

"Someone...is chasing me. He is going to catch me. My dad's gonna kill Nathan. Please...I must speak to him." I gasped. She grabbed me under the arm and yanked me through the doorway, searching the front yard with her cold, hawk-like eyes before shutting the heavy doors and locking them.

"The children are all in bed and I'm afraid Mrs. Hockley would not approve of me waking them at such an hour and I must ask you to calm down before you wake them." She said disapprovingly. "However, if you are in danger I can wake Mr. Hockley and tell him to assist you."

"I just need Nathan, Please." I looked at her, my eyes glazing over with fear and desperation. Something in her cold, pale eyes seemed to melt and she sighed, her perfect posture sagging.

"Very well, I will try." She said primly, her thin lips crooking into a slight smile. Her eyes lingered on my face for a moment, her eyes vague and yet full of intense emotion. But when she noticed me watching her she turned to stone again.

"Why don't you go wait in Mr. Hockley's study." She suggested coldly. "There's always a fire burning in there so you'll be warm while you wait."

"Thank you. You have no idea how much!" I groveled as she ushered me into the study and slamming the door shut behind her without another word.

My heart rate slowed at the sound of the fire crackling, it reminded me of home. His study had a very masculine feel, with the large dark wood desks, shelves of worn, musty books, and the overpowering smell of scotch and cigars in the air. There was a small wooden door on the opposite wall, light streaming out from the crack beneath the door. Suddenly I remembered coming through this door the day I met Nathan, through the wine cellar. I smiled and giggled to myself, thinking of the devilishly handsome Mr. Hockley drowning his troubles in his illegal scotch late at night.

I walked in front of the hearth putting my hands to the flickering flames, thinking of what I would tell Nathan when he came in. How would I tell him that I had divulged our darkest secret to my mother on purpose? I felt like a slut.

My heart jumped as the floorboards moaned behind me and I had to force myself not to run to Ruth. It just the wind, or one of the twins tricking me, I told myself. No need to fret right now. The doors were locked, the windows shut and no angry fathers had come pounding at the door. Yes, I'm okay.

At least that's what I thought, until a hard blow from behind knocked me out cold.