Chapter Eleven :

Revelations…

In spite of my intense curiosity, I brought my hand back to my side. It felt like disrespecting him and he was always so sweet and shy, no, I wouldn't do this to him.

I took a deep breath, detached my eyes from his face and tried to reunite all my bravery to ask him:

"Was the rose from you?" I showed him the pink flower. He smiled and answered that it indeed was from him. He then saw my confused face and reddened enough for me to see the color reach his cheeks. He was obviously embarrassed and it was quite… entertaining. I know, I'm cruel.

"Hum… I… followed… No, no, that's not what I mean, I didn't follow you! I… was by the border of the forest and I saw you with your friend… and you were crying. I disliked seeing you like that, but I couldn't do anything so I thought of a way of cheering you up. I don't know you very well so, I began doing an inventory of what girls like and I thought "hey! Girls like flowers!" So, I took a rose and quickly brought it to you since I can't live the forest for a long time." He said, nervously tugging at his cloak.

-"Well, it really was nice of you. You're a good friend" I grinned at him.

-"It was nothing", he said still embarrassed and looking at his feet. I gazed at the rose and said:

-"That's weird because I when I saw the rose it was blue and then when I took it my hand it seemed to turn purple then pink…"

-"Really?" he suddenly asked all excited. I frowned and asked him why but he told me to continue.

-"And then, Katie, my best friend was all "It's magic!" and I laughed so hard! People believe crazy things!" I said, smiling. Cillian stayed silent but smiled at me. He then told me he was glad it cheered me up and began to ask me questions about my, my friends, my school…

He always found a way to drift the conversation towards me and my life.

"I guess he isn't fond of his life or family…" was always the conclusion I made. I wasn't really wrong…

Surprisingly, I felt at ease speaking to him about my life: I even told him about what happened with Zéphyr and he helped me see things differently.

-"His attitude is clearly… abnormal. He may have a reason for acting like this, he wouldn't have apologized otherwise. Maybe… his cousin forced him to do that? Didn't you say that Freddie (is that's his name?) didn't like you?" he seemed understanding and rather affected by my situation.

-"I don't know… All that I know is that I can't explain this and he really hurt me because I was beginning to see him as my friend." I looked at the ground thoughtfully. "For now, I'm not forgiving him, and I don't think I will. I'm sick of being the nice girl that says nothing when someone's picking on her." I answered bitterly and I heard him sigh.

-"I'm sorry" he simply said. "You don't deserve anything you're going through, you're… you're so sweet and nice. I don't know why people would do that to you."

Wow. Someone's getting emotional. But I like it. Hey! Compliments are nice, I just enjoy them very much!

-"Thanks, but that's not your fault and that's just how life is! And, that's not the end of the world, I'm just disappointed, in him but in me also. I promised myself not to get too close from someone so I wouldn't get hurt like other people do. But, I guess, I was beginning to cross that line… But I really appreciated talking to you about that." I answered and he assured me that he was too, happy to talk with me.

I suddenly remembered the paper I found in my mother's room written in an unknown language, at least, it was unknown to me but maybe not to Cillian…

"You said you studied a lot of languages… I found this paper in my mother's room, and I think it might clear up things about her death… Unfortunately, I can't read it, do you know this language?" I showed him the crumpled paper. He took it and looked at it. He passed a hand over his face, a desperate gesture, and sighed.

-"I do", he said in a deep, serious voice. I ignored his attitude; it was not the time to be confused.

-"Then what is it?" I asked with excitement mixed to frustration at his silence.

-"I cannot tell you, Eden" he told me with such desperation as he took taking my hand that for a second, I was deeply worried. But then confusion and anger took the upper hand and I began to ask him violently why he wouldn't tell me.

-"I cannot tell you Eden, please…" he kept answering, looking away from me.

I was now desperate too, and anger faded to let place to sadness. I approached my hand to his face, touched his chin and slowly turned his face towards mine.

-"I might not see your eyes, but you can see mine, that's for sure. Don't you see I'm about to cry? What for, do you think? It might reveal something about my mom's death. I was sure it wasn't an accident since the day I saw she left her ring at home. She never ever removed it; it was her clue to me that something went wrong. And since, that day I cannot find peace not knowing what happened. So, I'm begging you, if you know something, show me I wasn't wrong for trusting you and considering you my friend." I saw a drop falling on the paper Cillian had in his hands. He quickly brought a hand to his face and I realized he was crying. And then, I was crying too; I can't stand seeing someone cry, it makes me cry instantly, and also, I don't know what to do.

However, he took a deep breath and recollected himself.

-"Please, believe me when I say I cannot tell you, I promised… I'm terribly sorry" he apologized.

-"Wait, are you saying you're involved in my mother's death?" Horror struck me and my heart seemed to stop beating.

-"No, no! I am not!" I was still not reassured.

-"Do you know people who are?" I asked warily.

-"No… look, I know my answers are vague and seem really suspect. I know it's certainly a lot to ask but… please trust me. I don't want you hurt or anyone of your family." He said in kind, reassuring tone. I thought, and thought, for minutes, about what he said; the heavy silence was torturing and seemed an eternity, for both of us.

I whispered a little "okay…", tears slowly and silently making their way along my cheeks and dropping to the ground.

He tucked a loose strand behind my ear; a gesture that would have produced at any other time the apparition of a blush on my face but that went practically unnoticed during this sad moment.

I stood, not making any noise, barely said goodbye and left.

I had only walked several meters when I realized I had forgotten my bag, and I decided to go back.

When I returned to where we had been, Cillian and I, a shocking vision was presented before my eyes.

There was Cillian sitting on a rock, his back to me, one of his music box floating in the air, in the air!, he left hand up, as if he was controlling it. With his right one up also, he made circles and waves in the air which produced a sort of aurora borealis of… music. I could hear music but also, almost seeing it! I thought I was going insane… He drew his hands together and the "music" entered in the box and that was then that I decided I was really confused.

"Cillian?" I asked frightened by what I just saw. He quickly turned, startled to see me. His mouth opened in surprise and realization of what I just saw him do.

A/N: Here's chapter 11! I hope you like it Thanks to those who reviewed and added me in their alert list! Please let me know what you think.