Disclaimer – anything you recognise is not mine

Chapter 3

Eyes. Perfect round, grey fierce eyes. My gaze moved down and I saw light tanned cheeks that were slightly red – so slight that only someone who was inspecting him as closely as I was would notice. Moving further down I saw rose full lips in the shape of a smile. A small smile – a smile of relief (I had experience) that was accompanied by two beautiful, heart stopping dimples on either side. My eyes trailed back to his lips – rather uncontrollably, I admit - and I imagined what it would be like to… No! I didn't let myself finish that thought. Remember your upbringings; remember your mother's manners lectures! I told myself off. Stop inspecting the inspector like you want to eat him. As I mentally scolded at myself, his smile widened just a tiny bit.

I slammed up my shields just in case there was a high chance he was not but maybe he could be. I fixed my eyes on his gaze and toughened up my face, making sure my shields were fully activated. I stepped forward to address him, but he got there first.

"You are mine".

That may have been the words of a killer but the way they came out of his mouth made me melt inside. Like a perfect melody, a perfect tune, one I would like to hear everyday all day for the rest of my life. Sigh! The actual words, however, what!?

Once again, I toughened up my face.

"I would like to see your credentials please" I demanded.

"Okay then" came his reply.

He took a step forward but as a result of his long slim legs, he ended up right in front of my face. I was now backed up against the wall and his face was a breath apart from mine. What was he doing? I scanned to glimpse his thoughts, but instead I saw shields.

A Savant's shields are like a strong wall that blocks anyone from entering their mind. The shield is usually made of what the person wants it to be, like mine was a lilac brick wall with fiery roses on them. A Savant can choose to change the style of their shields but the strength remains depending on the situation and the person. When I was ten and was first learning my shields with my sisters, my wall was pink and had blue flowers on them. So throughout my life I have changed my shields a lot and it only takes a second to change them but mine have always gotten stronger.

So now, I know for a FACT that this man was a Savant and I know for a FACT that he has just changed his shields, and I know for a FACT that my life could change. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against mine and took my small palms into his large ones and just held them, his thumb rubbing the back of my hands softly in a circular motion. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes and looked down at me with a smile. My mind was very confused and thinking of many reasons for what he was doing but my heart was beating so wildly in my chest that it definitely knew what was going on. I could hear it and I feared that he could too.

I stared into his eyes but was looking at his shields just as he said

Hello.

I saw it just before I felt it. The feeling of joy, the feeling of being complete, like I was in my own world with him holding onto my hand as we floated on snow white clouds into blue, heavenly skies and all around me I could feel his presence.

My soulfinder. I whispered into his mind.

Yes he replied in a content sigh.

Both our eyes were open and he had let down his shields – his shields which were pitch black with a picture of me (as I was when we met) on one side and the word 'Soulfinder' in bold neon blue. I had also let down my shields now knowing who he was.

Remembering that I didn't even know his name I said I'm…

But he beat me to it (again?)

Atoosa Nawabi. Yes I know. I'm Victor Benedict, your soulfinder.

The last part was quieter, like a content sigh. Then suddenly remembering why he was here, he took a small step back and sweetly tugged on my hand for me to come with him.

"Come on" he had reverted to speaking aloud again, his accent melting my heart all over again.

"The officer says they know you're innocent and are letting you go". Confusion must have crossed my face because he had switched back to telepathy again.

I used my power on them. Let's go

I smiled at my soulfinder and waved goodbye to the officers as I followed him out and we ran to a car and as soon as we were in, he set off at high speed. He was focused on the road so I sat and watched him. I could see that his lips were rapidly moving but I couldn't hear anything but the never ending, happy, completeness that was inside me. I felt bigger, better and stronger, stronger to fight for my innocence with my soulfinder by my side. My soul! My life!

I was staring up at his face and smiling when his waving hand blocked my view. The sound of his bubbly laughter then surely made my cheeks red as chillies.

"Honey, we're here." I looked past him and out of the window.

"Where? Why are we here?" I asked.

He laughed again and gently took my hands in his and kissed the back.

"Didn't you hear what I said?" I shook my head in response.

"Okay. Look, the plan is you stay here and get dressed with some stuff that I brought you and while then I will go and tell my dad and brothers everything and we will try to prove your innocence. No! We WILL prove your innocence. After that, we all get out of the country and go back home. I left to come and get you without telling anyone because I have six brothers and they all have their soulfinders and it was so hard for me to watch them all and not have you. I just know my family is going to love you honey. And my mother? Well she will just have her own sort of love for you as she has no daughters and you will be very happy with her. But anyways we will talk about that later, but for now this is the best place for you to hide while I go and get the others. That is my plan but, honey, is it okay for you?"

He went back to kissing the back of my hands while staring into my eyes. I thought through what he said and it was all okay except one thing.

"Will I not be able to see my family again then?"

He thought about his reply and then answered "of course you will honey, if everything goes to plan, then you will see them again and you will be able to pack your things and say goodbye." He thought for a second "that is if you want to go with me?"

A look of panic in his eyes would not be recognised by anyone, I could tell, except his family but I saw it clear as day and reassured him. "Baby, how could you think that? Of course I want to come with you. I can't live without my soul."

We both smiled and waited a second before he said "you okay?"

I nodded. "Yes, just… taking it all in. It is a bit overwhelming. Let's go."