Images whisked past me, moving so fast they were nothing but a blur of color, it was disorienting, I felt I was off-kilter, about to fall. Suddenly everything came to a halt, though it continued to tilt as I tried to regain my balance. I recognized the scenery, it was the woods I've seen before.
This time, however, three figures were standing near each other. All were blurry like a foggy mirror, two of the figures were taller than the third, leading me to believe that she was a female and they were males. That familiar humming soon reached my ears, it irked me that I couldn't catch what they were saying.
Something changed, I couldn't tell what, it was as though there was a sudden shift. The three figures stopped talking, the two taller ones crowded around the supposed female. She appeared to be hunched over, maybe in pain. In a flash, her head jerked up, aimed in my direction.
The two followed her line of sight, I felt a soft vibrating sensation start in the base of my skull. When I moved my arm up to feel said area, the female suddenly appeared in front of me, I could make out the shape of her mouth moving, slower this time. The taller ones appeared behind her, one on either side of her shoulders.
I heard a voice, her voice, it was muffled like I had my head submerged. Slowly, she raised her hand, bringing it towards me inch by inch. As I felt a cool tingling start on the side of my head where her fingers were just barely grazing, I sunk, quickly.
As the corners of my vision were being engulfed by black tendrils, I could see her head jerk down, before collapsing on the ground pawing where I previously stood.
Snapping my eyes open staring at the ceiling, its checkered pattern slowly becoming clear as the haze of drowsiness faded. Why do I keep having such vivid dreams, and of that forested area? it's only happened twice, but that's once too many to be normal, right?
Then again nothing, where I am concerned, is ever normal. Looking out the window, I saw slim blue cracks in the clouds, allowing beams of sun to shine through. Throwing my legs off the side of the bed, opposite the window, I turned my gaze towards the clock. Its face glowed 8:23 A.M. Standing I stretched, before making my way out the door.
I was greeted by the familiar scent of food, something I would never tire of, descending the stairs I saw the living room was empty. Walking in the kitchen Esme was shifting from counter to stove and back, alternating between chopping meat and stirring what was in the pan.
Spinning to set something on the counter, she smiled when she saw me.
" You're up early sweetheart," she mused resuming what she was doing.
" Yes, as are you," I replied moving to sit at the counter.
I liked this, the routine, the promise of food, talking with Esme, the sizzling from the skillet. It was so, calming? Yes, that seemed to fit.
" Would you like to help?" Esme asked.
" Sure, what do I need to do?" I asked, standing up.
" You can pull this lettuce apart, and make a pile on this plate." She instructed, pulled a chair out for me. She gave a quick demonstration before leaving it to me.
Doing as told I could hear her shuffling around behind or beside me, she seemed to be completely in her element, not once stuttering in her movements. It was quite fascinating to watch.
When I got down to the white of the lettuce, I was going to continue when she stopped me.
" That's good sweetheart, we only need to use the green ones for now. Here, can you peel the skin off these onions?" She asked taking the pile of lettuce, placing them on the chopping board.
After she gave another demonstration, I grabbed one of the onions and went to work. I struggled with the first one, but after getting into a rhythm it was quite simple. When I placed the fourth and final onion on the plate I had to ask.
" Why are you making so much food?" She paused and a thoughtful expression came to her face as if she just remembered something.
" Oh! I'm making some to go, a friend's daughter has gotten ill recently, I'm hoping some soup will help cheer them up, and make her feel better." She explained, resuming what she was doing.
Nodding, I looked at the pile of onion skin left on the counter, scooping them up in my hands I hopped off the chair making my way towards the trash can.
" Oh, thank you, sweetheart! You didn't have to do that, " She said smiling warmly.
" It was no trouble on my part, is there anything else you require?" I asked rubbing my hands on my shirt.
" No thank you, I've got everything else covered. You're more than welcome to go watch tv or play if you'd like." She said turning back to the skillet.
Knowing when I'm no longer needed I nodded, before making my way toward the living room. It was still clear of the others. I looked around, thinking of something to do. I remembered my books, Walking upstairs to my room, I saw the books I got with Esme still neatly on the shelf where I placed them.
Plucking one from the group that caught my interested the most, I looked around, I didn't want to read in here, for some reason, it felt very, empty? I didn't know what was the right word to use to describe how I felt correctly. I loathed it when that happens.
With the book held comfortably to my chest, I made my way downstairs. Reaching out to open the front door I paused, looking down to my bare feet. I had the sudden urge to moan as I turned to go retrieve those foot-beasts.
After that short battle I was about to go outside when I again paused, can I go outside? Why wouldn't I? I'm not going far, but thoughts of my little excursion with Jasper made me hesitant. Was I scared? No, I wasn't. Worried? That still didn't sound like it fit. Concerned? Yes, but not for myself.
Thinking it over I pulled my hand back, deciding to just go ask Esme instead. Walking into the kitchen, I saw her still bustling about, chopping the onions.
" Can I go outside?" She paused, glancing at me up and down, pausing on my book still cradled in my arms, then again at my shoes.
" Can you read on the couch, just until someone returns? It would give me some peace of mind." She said, still looking at my book.
Who was I to say no, muttering 'okay' I made my way towards the couch, that is until I spotted a chair in the corner, it looked more inviting than the couch, not bothering to take my shoes off I pulled myself up onto the chair, immediately sinking back into the cushions.
After finding a comfortable position, I marveled at how mystical and enticing the cover was, caressing the spine, I began reading.
I was barely past the third page when I heard the door open. Looking up I saw Emmett, who upon seeing me grinned widely, I waved in return. He continued walking into the kitchen, I heard him and Esme talking, but couldn't make out what they were saying.
I went back to reading, only to be interrupted by Emmett minutes later.
" So I hear you wanna go outside," He said grinning, leaning against the wall. Nodding he smiled wider.
" Well, what are we waiting for?" He said making his way towards the front door.
After some struggle I was able to pull myself free, trailing after Emmett clutching my book tighter. I was slightly disappointed it wasn't someone else, only because I wanted to read this book, I had been so, excited? Yes, to read it. But Emmett didn't appear to be the quiet 'curl up next to the fire with a cup of tea' type. Walking onto the wrap-around porch, Emmett spun on his heels to face me, still grinning.
" So what'd you wanna do?"
" I wanted to go find a nice place to read," I answered holding up the book in question.
His smile seemed to falter, if I wasn't paying as close attention as I was, I may have missed it.
" Oh, ok, that's cool, do ya mind if I sit with ya though?" He asked rubbing his hands in front of himself, a nervous tick? Maybe.
" Okay, if you want to," I say beginning to walk past him.
"Cool!" I hear him almost whisper shout behind me.
My initial plan was to go find a simple tree to lean against, but now with my energetic company, maybe a large rock, or big tree with roots sticking up from the ground would be more appropriate. Looking towards my right where I ventured last time, and where Emmett just so happened to be standing, I saw him tense.
" Can we go this way?" I asked him, pointing left, the opposite of where I was looking.
He seemed to almost deflate with relief at my question, he was far easier to read than the others, not to say he's an 'open book' so to speak, he just seemed more, passionate.
" Sure kid, I'm right behind ya," He said excitedly.
I knew if I ventured too deep into the trees I'd eventually stumble onto the road, keeping that in mind I kept a lookout for the perfect tree or a spot that seemed the most comfortable. Emmett seemed confused by my behavior of constantly looking about, but I assumed he'd catch on eventually, probably.
Then I saw it, a huge twisted tree covered in vines, big roots sticking up from the ground at odd angles, it was perfect. Walking closer I saw an area that looked comfortable for me, testing the assumption I found I was right, the roots on my left and right side acting as arms to a chair.
I opened the book where I left off and began reading, I heard Emmett shuffle closer before finding a place next to me, I saw from the corner of my eye he laid his head down on the root that I rested my arm against. I continued reading, but I was constantly aware of any slight movements he made, whether it be to adjust his position or lean his head back.
Minutes ticked by as I heard him rummage through the leaves, picking one up only to tear at it till it was nothing more than slivered shreds. I felt slightly bad for him, why did he force himself to stay? Surely the creature, that they irritatingly code-named 'guest' which I still haven't been able to find out exactly what that means in correlation, should be long gone by now, right?
" You don't need to force yourself to stay, I know my way back from here and I won't wander off," I say looking down at the evergrowing pile of shredded leaves between his legs.
Emmett paused mid tear of another leaf, before looking over at me.
" I'm not forcing myself to stay kid, I like hanging out and getting to know my little brother," He said, nothing but honestly swimming in his golden eyes.
Maybe it was genetics that made them such a vivid yellow? I've never seen anyone else with such unique eyes. I tilted my head, 'getting to know me', I haven't said a word about myself, have I? There is not much to tell anyway.
" What have I told you?" Now I was curious, did I say something and just don't remember?
" Well, you've never told me anything, with your words I mean, but through your actions." He said.
Now I was confused, I cocked my head again, trying to think of what I would've done that would broadcast what I was thinking, I'm mean by now it was no secret that I adored Esme's food, and now, maybe, my newfound love for books, but besides those two things, what else could there possibly be?
" Explain," I say concentrating on him now. He chuckled shaking his head a bit.
" Well, for one, you're blunt, very direct when you do speak, but otherwise you're pretty quiet. Observant." He paused, looking toward the sky.
" I know you love Esme's cooking, and watching her cook, and," He paused again, this time looking over to my staring at my lap, or rather the book placed there.
" I also know you like to read, and by the looks of it, be outside as well." He commented, looking around at the trees. So far he wasn't wrong.
" I'm hoping to get to know you better, and in doing so you get to know more about me too." He finished smiling.
He seemed to be a very simple, happy person. So alluring? Charming? with his childish behavior. It was very, endearing. I returned his smile with a soft upturn of my lips, which he seemed very ecstatic about, so very easy to please.
An idea came to mind, if it were anyone else sitting beside me, I would have discarded the thought as quickly as it came, but seeing this grinning, carefree bear of a man, practically rocking where he sat, I felt no harm or hesitance in asking.
" Would you like to read this to me?" I questioned, holding the book out to him.
He seemed to be stunned for a moment, slowly taking the book like I was presenting him with the world's most delicate rare flower. He quickly recovered, however, smiling tenfold.
" I'd love to bro!" Emmett shouts excitedly. So much energy, how does he possess so much of it, even for something as calm as sitting and reading a book?
Adjusting in place Emmett opened to the first page, I've already gotten to page sixteen, but I didn't mind. As he read, almost giving life to the characters he was reading from, I stretched further over the roots, trying to get a better look at the illustrations that would pop up every few pages.
Finally, I gave up on trying to see and settled for just listening, Emmett's voice, though at times loud and theatrical, was soothing to hear, he didn't stutter or hesitate with his words, probably courtesy to how much he speaks.
Suddenly the silence caught my attention, looking over I saw Emmett staring at me, his brows knitting together in a furrowed expression, was he concentrating on something?
" Are you comfortable?" He asked.
Confused I looked down, realizing I was still stretched over the roots at an odd angle, I hardly noticed. Sitting upright, I brushed some of the dirt that clung to my clothes away.
" Yes I'm fine, you can continue," I said with a nod, leaning back into the trunk of the tree.
Though he didn't continue, looking over I saw the look that I assumed was concentration still on his face. He turned away, looking at the ground now. Before I could ask what he was doing he reached down and began sifting through the leaves, pulling out a healthy green one. Placing it in the crease of the pages he closed the book, setting it aside on the small mountain of torn leaves he created.
I was curious about what he was doing, Emmett leaned forwards reaching over. Grabbing me underneath my arms I was surprised when I was suddenly hoisted into the air, before gently being placed down into his lap.
My mind seemed to freeze for a second, still confused about what he was doing. It clicked, however, when he retrieved the book, opening it to the page the leaf was sticking out from.
" That's better," Emmett said, I felt his chest rumble as he spoke.
Emmett then resumed reading, like he didn't just reach over and drop me onto his lap. Granted he was far more comfortable than the ruff bark and branches littering the ground. As he continued reading, I relaxed further, leaning back into his chest. I was glad to be able to finally see the illustrations that were portrayed.
The cool that seeped from his hoodie was oddly enough like a blanket, providing the same effects in all but warmth.
A/N
Goodevening, night, or morning.
I'm sorry for the wait, I've been pretty busy, but all of your patience is greatly appreciated, and I hope this chapter can help make up for it.
As always sorry for any mistakes you may find and I hope you enjoyed it.