Thanks for your reviews! So finally, here's chapter 8, a pretty long chapter. Normally it wasn't finished, but I decided to split it in 2 because otherwise it would take me way too long.
Well, enjoy ...
----- ----- -----
Luckily for her, the rest of the night had been dreamless. Still she woke up unusually early due to worries. She was lying in her bed, trying to sleep some more, but then parts of that nightmare came back and it made her even more awake then she already was. Maria tried to think of other things, of Georg, the performance a day later, the 'double date' with Ludwig and Sofia, but nothing seemed to work. Even if she tried to deny it, deep down she knew that it was only a matter of time before her nightmare would become reality.
Not long after that, since she couldn't sleep anyway, she got dressed. Maria still had about an hour and a half just to start making breakfast, but staying in her bed with nothing that could set her mind on other things was not something that she needed at the moment. Quietly she opened her door, first peeping with her head in the hallway to see if the coast was clear. Then she tiptoed to the stairs and finally descended them. Not a single sound was made and Maria thanked God she got away unnoticed. It was still not entirely light outside and a cool breeze filled the air. Maria pulled her cardigan closer on to her. She didn't look or think where she was walking, but soon enough she found herself standing in the backyard of the Von Trapps. Quickly she ducked and took a few little pebbles. Then she started throwing them, one by one, to Georg's window.
"Come on Georg." She murmured to herself.
Georg was lying as comfortable as possible in his bed, with his left hand and foot hanging out of it. His sheets were half out of the bed, and the other half was covering the end of his bare back up until his right foot.
Maria and Georg had just bought this lovely little cottage that was standing near the lake, the lake where the two of them had spent so many beautiful days. Now it was all theirs ... the lake, the cottage, the huge meadows around it. He looked at his stunning wife who gazed happily at their property. The sun was going down behind the hills and the air was filled with soft orange, pink and purple colours. The lake reflected this spectacle so perfectly. And that was what it was ... perfect. Everything was simply perfect. He pulled Maria closer to him, who immediately put her arms around his neck. Georg saw Maria smiling contently and slowly he moved his head closer to hers to end up in a passionate kiss. Suddenly he heard ticking far away. It sounded more and more near by every time another tick came.
"Wha!? What's going on?" He mumbled sleepily with his eyes still closed. Slowly he sat up and yawned deeply. Then he opened his eyes. The noise was clear now and it seemed to be coming from the window.
"Just when I was having such a wonderful dream!" He lowly growled, his voice still not fully awake. Georg stood up and walked to the window. As he looked down to see who was responsible for disturbing his 'perfect' dream, he soon forgot his madness and smiled unconsciously. His dream was standing there, in his garden.
Maria had been standing there while throwing those little pebbles for nearly five minutes, when she finally saw her Georg standing behind the window ... shirtless. She felt she was blushing and tried to look away for a little minute. But she didn't succeed. Instantly all her problems were forgotten at the moment, merely by seeing her boyfriend standing there like that.
Quickly he grabbed a sweater and he ran downstairs. His parents were still fast asleep, so they didn't hear anything. In a minute Georg was standing outside. He wondered what she was doing there at that hour. 'What if something's wrong?' Concern had taken over again.
"Hey darling." He said as he walked towards her. "What are you doing here, because if I recall correctly, it isn't 1 PM yet." A little smile filled his face.
"It isn't? You don't say so." She answered while casting him a little 'duh'-smile.
Finally he had reached her and immediately he gave her a good morning kiss.
"No seriously ... is something wrong?"
Maria really didn't know whether she should tell him or not. It only had been a nightmare, nothing real had happened actually. She decided to ignore her inner fears until she had found something to do about it. Because worrying sick wouldn't do her any good.
Maria opened her mouth to speak, but her stomach was faster. Both looked down at Maria's tummy, smiling a bit.
"Can we eat a little first?"
The next moment they sat inside in the kitchen instead of the dining room, having breakfast. They ate quickly so they could get out faster. Maria didn't feel like explaining to the Von Trapps why she was standing there so early in the morning. Georg understood it, so as fast they had finished their meal, Georg went upstairs to get dressed and then they went out for a walk.
More and more people woke up and the plain wasn't as empty as when Maria came there just a quarter before. Finally having decided to tell Georg all about that dreadful night, she asked if they could talk somewhere more privately.
"Of course." He took her hand in his followed by leading her away from the village. Maria didn't have a clue where they were going as again she was too busy with her thoughts. It wasn't until she saw that tree from afar, the tree with that same swing from her nightmare, that she just stopped because every little detail came back to her. From all the places they could've gone to, Georg had chosen this one. Was it coincidence?
Georg stopped and turned around as soon as he felt Maria's hand gliding out of his. She was just standing there, while staring at the swing. It was as if she had left this world.
"Maria? What's the matter?"
She had no choice, now she just had to tell him. Georg stepped over to her and held her arms while trying to break her gaze. He could see her eyes were welling up with tears. As he came in Maria's vision, Maria's trance seemed to be broken.
"I-I'm sorry it's just that I ... I ..."
She could feel the weight upon her, his hand sliding underneath her dress. You'll never get away with it kept echoing in her head. She just was grateful that Georg was there now, standing in front of her. When he saw that a tear was about to fall, he simply pulled her closer again. For a little minute he let her sob against his shoulder, then he moved his head back to face her. Maria knew that look, he didn't have to say anything. So instantly she started explaining her nightmare, how horrible it had been. Then she told him what may have caused this nightmare.
"Why didn't you tell me, Maria?"
He asked her as he pulled her closer to him again.
"Because I thought he only did that too scare me."
"Is that the reason why we're standing here at this hour?"
Maria looked up into Georg's eyes. She nodded briefly before talking. "I couldn't sleep anymore and I felt like I had to go away there for a minute. Before I knew it I was standing in your yard, throwing rocks at your window."
"It was the right thing to do, coming to me. Don't worry darling, we'll get you out of there. Today you'll be gone for almost the entire day, tomorrow as well with Sofia and Ludwig and then the performance. We'll think of something ..."
As if to comfort her, he kissed her softly on her forehead while holding her tightly in his embrace.
"Oh I should be getting back." Maria remembered. "I must prepare breakfast in time." She wiped off her last tears, then she took Georg's hand in hers. He raised it to his lips to give it a kiss. Maria seemed to brighten up for a moment, a smile came on her lips. To his surprise, that alone delighted Georg more than he possibly could've hoped for.
About fifteen minutes later, Maria was standing in the kitchen doing the same as every morning. She and Georg had walked back to the Von Trapps' house where they said goodbye. Then Maria hurried to her own house. Hanz still seemed to be asleep as she didn't hear any sounds besides the ones she was making herself. All kind of thoughts came to her mind, and just for once, it weren't bad ones. Maria tried to think of the coming day in that great meadow with all the daffodils. It would be one of those unforgettable family-picnics, because that's what it was ... a family-picnic. Besides that she couldn't help thinking of their double date. What would happen? Could she and Georg be close? Could they hold hands, even give kisses? Or did they have to hide everything again? But Maria couldn't see why they couldn't, Sofia and Ludwig knew about them so normally there shouldn't be a problem, should there? Soon she had forgotten about the picnic and only questions popped in her mind. She wasn't familiar with the whole boyfriend-girlfriend thing, was she even ready for it? 'Of course I am!' Maria answered her own question. But what would happen? 'Well we'll see ...' That was all she could think off.
Then she heard dim footsteps upstairs in the hallway moving towards the stairs. Quickly Maria put some plates, knives and forks on the table, along with the bread, bacon and eggs. As soon as she had finished, Hanz descended the last few steps. He gave a quick yawn before slouching to the table. As he sat down on his place, Maria took two glasses and orange juice. Then she took place herself on her seat. Nobody said a word, the two just started eating, minding their own business. Maria was looking forward to the afternoon. A whole day with the Von Trapps and away from Hanz, away from her nightmare, how could it get any better?
After breakfast, Maria cleared the table and started with doing the dishes while Hanz lazily walked to the living room. She sighed deeply now she wasn't longer in the same room with that man. Her nightmare had had an enormous effect on her. A few days ago, she could be in the same room with Hanz without feeling any fear, just hate and anger. The fear would come when he had one of his outbursts. But now, every single second with him was unbearable. Again and again she kept telling herself that it was only a nightmare, but it wouldn't help. Her song wouldn't help much either to her dismay.
As soon as her work was done, she walked upstairs and sat in her room. For a while she just stared out of the window, looking at all the free teenagers in the village, or the lovely blue sky. It kinda hurt her, to see everyone doing what they like, but she herself was sitting there, waiting for approval to go into town. Even little children from about 6 years could enjoy themselves on the market plain, without any real supervision, because the town was very reliable. And Maria sat in her room, wishing she could be one of those children.
Weariness came over her again, since she hadn't slept much the night before. She looked at her clock and saw that she still had a few hours before the picnic. 'Well, what can I do besides sleep?' Maria glanced around the room. Her sight fell on her shelves with books above her little desk in the corner of her room. Next to the shelves, a painting was hanging on the wall. A beautiful painting of an open meadow with so many colours. Unconsciously, a little smile appeared on her face.
Her aunt and Maria had made that painting, one nice day so many years ago. Maria's aunt, Elisabeth, was the towns painter. Ever since she was little, she had loved painting, drawing and so on. So later on, she decided to make her job of it. Sometimes people would come to her, and asked for certain things, like painting a little brook in a forest, or some birds flying in an orange-purple sky. She'd also paint portraits of people sometimes. But that was only rare. Why, she didn't know and neither did Maria.
In the old days, Maria used to stand next to her aunt, watching her paint or draw while Elisabeth was enjoying Maria's angelic voice. Once, her aunt had even made a portrait of Maria. But when Elisabeth died, Hanz grabbed the painting of Maria that hung in the living room, and threw in against the wall. It was shattered into little pieces. Maria remembered how she stood there in the door opening, tears rolling down her eyes. She had loved that painting so much, and then all of the sudden, it was gone ... broken. When Hanz finally went out that day, Maria slowly walked over to the smashed pieces on the floor, then she kneeled down and took some of the parts in her hand. On one part, she could see the heart-shaped locket that belonged to her aunt. For the painting, Elisabeth had given it to her, so if something should happen with her, Maria'd always have a memory from her, the painting, and Maria who's wearing her aunt's locket.
Maria snapped her head. She found her hand holding the locket around her neck. Although she didn't have the painting anymore, she still had the locket with a little photo of her aunt in it and herself.
Finally she pulled her sheets back and laid down in her bed. She let her head lean on her pillow, but instead of closing her eyes, she gazed in front of her, at nothing in particular. While doing so, her fingers slightly stroked the heart-shaped locket.
Georg was sitting in his room, waiting for his parents to wake up. His mind had been busy with trying to think of things to protect Maria, to keep her in safety, but not much had come to his mind. What could he do? Should he ask his parents for help? No, he couldn't do that, he would be betraying Maria if he did so, even not only betraying, but also putting her in more danger.
Finally he heard some movement in the hall. Quickly he got up and opened his bedroom door. He was right, his parents were only just descending the stairs. So he followed them down.
"Why good morning, Georg." His mother said as she turned around to see her son behind her.
"Good morning Mum, Dad."
As soon as they were in the hallway, on their way to the dining room, Mrs Von Trapp could see her son properly for the first time that morning. And to her surprise he was already dressed, his hair was in order and he seemed fully awake.
"My, why the sudden change, dear?" She asked him as she glanced at him with a little smile.
"Change?" Georg looked at his mother and saw her skimming him from head to toe. "Oh I just couldn't sleep, so I went for an early walk."
"An early walk eh?" She asked him suspiciously.
"Yes mum."
Luckily for him Mrs Von Trapp let the subject fall. Instead she brought up Maria.
"So lovely Maria's coming as well today, don't you think?" She paused for a little minute and a frown made place on her face. "Hmm do you remember at what time she has to be home?"
"No, not really ..." Georg answered absentmindedly.
"And tomorrow she'll be with you again the entire day ..."
"Hmm"
"Well, maybe it's better if she spends the night here. Wouldn't that be easier for everyone?"
Georg wanted to say that she only lived five minutes away, how could that be difficult for everyone? But quickly he thought better of it, because this was the perfect chance to get Maria out of there for as long as possible. His face brightened up.
"Mum, you're a genius!" Georg walked over to her, not able to stop smiling, and kissed his mother on her cheek.
-----
Maria was happily on her way to the Von Trapp's house. Georg's parents were out of town and he and Maria had planned a day just for the two of them in the open. They had agreed Maria'd be at the house at midday. When she had arrived, she walked into the backyard, to finally go in through the backdoor. A smile beamed on her face and the warm sunshine that peeped through the little white clouds shined warmly down on her.
"Georg? I'm here. Where are you?" She called as she was walking through the hallway. But no answer came. "Georg?" Briefly she stood still, listening if there were any sounds in the house, but only silence filled the space around her. Maria made her way to the kitchen, dining room and then the living room, but absolutely no sign of Georg. "Darling? Come on ..." She still wasn't used to the word darling, yet it had left her mouth before she knew it. Frowning, she looked through the hall and stood still for a little moment, then she persisted her way upstairs. Instinctly, she walked over to his bedroom. The door was closed. Maria waited for a minute. 'Georg never has his door closed during the day.' Slowly she stepped forward and put her hand on the doorknob. As she opened it, she peeped with her head inside. Then her heart just stopped beating for a second. Georg lay on the floor, blood all around him. Immediately Maria stormed in the room. Without thinking she kneeled down and grabbed his shoulders. Slightly she shook him, as if to say wake up. The first tears started to fall down on her cheeks. "Georg, don't do this to me! No Georg, please wake up!" Tears were streaming down her face and her hands were covered with blood. But it could care Maria less. "Georg!" She tried again, but no sign of life was to be seen. Then it dawned to Maria, Georg wouldn't wake up ... ever again. She had lost him. Still she kept murmuring through her tears. "Wake up, Georg! Wake up ..." Her head bent down over the lifeless body of Georg. She clenched him in his arms, never wanting to let him go. "I love you ..." Maria quietly sobbed.
"I knew it!" A low voice sounded behind her. Maria immediately got shivers all over her body. That voice ...
"You little slut! I knew it!"
The voice was coming closer by. Now she was in danger herself, she was aware of it. And if she didn't get out of there, she soon would see Georg again. Overcome with fear, she jumped up and ran over to the door. As she rushed down the stairs, she almost lost her balance and tripped. Luckily, Maria had the handle tightly between her fingers and this prevented her from falling flat on her face. She could hear Hanz' footsteps bouncing on the floor. He was running too. Maria knew that if she didn't hurry, he would have her in no time.
As fast as she could, she stormed out of the Von Trapp house, into the backyard, over to the street.
"Help!" She screamed. "Somebody please help me!" But no one was there. The market plain was abandoned. So she just ran on. Luckily Maria was fast. Whenever she had been in the mountains, she'd run a little part. So now it came in handy. As she was scurrying over the plain, her dress was being thrown back due to the wind. If she was fast enough to reach the road next to the church, she could make a run for the meadows and once there, she'd lose him in no time, because Maria knew the meadows thoroughly and Hanz never came there.
She looked behind her once, to see if Hanz was getting closer. But Hanz was yards behind and at one point, she couldn't even see him anymore.
At last she was on the road, between the fields of the farmers. Since she couldn't see Hanz anymore, she stopped, turned around again, facing the village and tried to control her breathing again. It wasn't until then that she felt the blood on her hands, and her moist cheeks due to her tears. She thought back of Georg, how he was laying there in his room, how cold he felt. Again her eyes welled up. She sighed deeply through her sobs, trying to breath normally, but it got harder and harder the more she thought about it. And that wasn't all, even though Hanz was no where to be seen, she still didn't have the feeling that she was safe. So she decided to run further, away from that town, away from Hanz, into her world. She turned back to go on, but the moment her face was in the direction of freedom, Hanz was standing in front of her. She could feel his warm breath in her face.
At that moment, her heart just stopped. Her fear was so big that she thought she'd die just because of that.
Hanz had a mischievous smile on his face and his eyes were shooting fire. He saw that Maria was paralysed. Then his hand just grabbed her arms. He turned Maria in to him and placed a knife against her throat.
"It's your turn now."
Maria was trembling all over. She could smell the alcohol in his breath. His arm around her shoulders was holding her tight and Maria simply couldn't escape.
"You don't know how long I've been waiting for this." Hanz whispered lowly into her ear while he put the knife to Maria's skin. Then slowly, he made the beginning of the cut.
-----
"Nooo!!!" Maria screamed and sat up in her bed. She was simply hysterical. Her hands flew to her neck, to see if everything was okay. No cut or anything. She felt how her heartbeat was racing when she had her hands around her neck. Short breaths was all she could take.
Instantly she jumped out of bed. It was a quarter to one. Hanz had no reason to keep her there now, so she grabbed her cardigan and made her way out of the house, towards Georg. She was running as fast as she could. Why, she didn't know. Perhaps to be sure that Georg was fine. In two minutes she was at the house. Quickly she went via the backyard inside, and to her relieve, both Georg's parents were sitting in the dining room.
"Hello Maria!" Mrs. Von Trapp began while she stood up to walk towards Maria. "I'm so glad you could come!"
"I'm glad to be here." Maria genuinely smiled, reassuring herself that everything was fine.
"Listen ..." she begun as she had her hands on Maria's shoulders. "... would you like to stay here tonight? It will be easier for you and Georg to meet tomorrow, because you're already here."
"Stay here?" Maria couldn't believe her ears. She smiled wholeheartedly, thinking this was the best thing Mrs. Von Trapp could ask her at the moment. Mrs. Von Trapp saw how Maria brightened up, so she assumed the answer was yes. But, the next moment Maria's smile grew dim, same happened with her eyes.
"Oh what's the matter, dear?"
"I'd love to stay, but I don't know if I'm allowed to."
"That's no problem." Jonathan added. "When we'll go by your house to pick up your things for tonight, I'll make sure you have permission to stay."
Maria could just explode of happiness. She wanted to yell it out, but instead, she just smiled and smiled, finally seeing the sun coming out into her life.
"Georg is upstairs." Mr. Von Trapp finally said. After all, that was probably why Maria kept coming back time and time again. Both Mr. And Mrs. Von Trapp knew that it was just a little more than friendship that was going on between their son and Maria.
"Thanks."
Maria woke up out of her dreaming, because even though she had gotten good news, the sudden fear of something happening to Georg filled the air again. Instantly she ran upstairs.
From afar she could see the open door. The soft music of Georg's guitar could be heard. Maria sighed deeply, glad nothing was wrong. Quickly she ran into his room, then she sat down on the bed, as hastily as she had entered, and embraced Georg as if the world was coming to an end.
"Oh thank god you're alright!!"
Georg, still stunned with this unexpected event, held her closely after he had put the guitar away, because he knew Maria had a reason for all of this.
"What's the matter?" He asked her when he pulled back to face her.
But Maria just kissed him. Lightly at the beginning, but then she deepened the kiss. Her lips parted and as their tongues entwined she felt a jolt down her spine. Meanwhile she slowly moved over so that she finally was sitting on his lap. Maria could feel Georg's hands gently roaming over her back. Her own hands were exploring his neckline. She could feel the passion growing and it startled her a bit how easy all of this went. Yet something was wrong. Slowly she parted. Maria's eyes stayed closed and her forehead touched with Georg's.
"It's going too fast." She whispered, even though she knew she had started all of this. What had started as looking for comfort, soon had turned into a serious situation.
As an answer, Georg simply nodded. He took her hands in his and then looked her straight in her eyes. His breathing still was a bit fastened, but he tried to control it. He too knew they could've gone far if someone hadn't said something.
"Are you sure everything's okay?" But he knew the answer, because Maria hadn't been like this before. He knew that she'd rather go slowly.
"No, not really ..." She began before sighing deeply. Somewhat she hesitated. "I had another nightmare."
Georg's eyes grew wide. "What did you dream about?"
"That he had killed you! And then he came after me ... I woke up when he was holding a knife against my throat ..." Her voice faded away. She looked for a second in Georg's eyes and she saw how his face was filled with horror.
"Oh Georg, it was awful! You were lying there, blood all around you."
The memory and the pain came back to her. Maria's eyes welled up and soon the first tears fell. But Georg moved his warm hands over to her cheeks and wiped her tears off.
"It's alright." His gentle voice started as he pulled Maria close to him. "It was just a nightmare. I'm right here."
Then he moved his head closer until their lips touched to soothe her even more. His left hand travelled up her back until it rested in Maria's neck. Her head was now resting on his shoulder while she was staring at the wall. Georg always could calm her so. That was one of the things she loved so about him. How reassured she always felt around him when she needed it. So slowly she let the nightmare behind her, knowing that everything was fine, and she started about more happier things now.
"You know, your parents have asked me to stay here tonight."
"And? ... Will you be staying?"
Maria pulled her head back and gave him a quick kiss on his lips.
"I want to, you know that ... but what about Hanz?"
"Don't worry, if my parents ask him, there'll be no problem."
"How do you know for sure?"
"Because it just has to be."
Maria heard the confident tone in his voice, and it convinced her as much as it did with Georg self.
"Well that's settled then." Maria tried to say with a smile, but Georg saw she didn't smile wholeheartedly. He tilted her chin with two fingers so she was back looking in his eyes.
"Cheer up darling. The nightmare won't take long anymore."
With that Maria's eyes smiled, soon followed by her lips.
"Well I guess I have to believe you then, now haven't I?"
"Definitely ..." Georg answered before he kissed her nose gently.
----- ----- -----
Please tell me what you think about it, because it's so much more interesting to write the more reviews I get.
Lotsa hugs xxXxx