Overhill and Underhill

Chapter 7

Author's Notes: I'm sorry this one took me a while to get up. I went to a show last weekend with my business and I'm still trying to recover a week later from it. Staying up all night Saturday wasn't the brightest idea in the world on my part. Nor driving eight hours on said no sleep the very next day. I'll try to get the next chapter up much quicker even though I have another show or two to get prepared for next month. I hope you all enjoy this as I worked quite hard on it to get it out this quickly. If you feel the urge to let me know that'd be pretty awesome. It really does motivate me to keep going. ~ Scarlette

Over the few days that the weather finally started to brighten, Emma had made great progress with her photographs. She was pleased to see the growth in the photographs she had first taken till the current time. She only hoped it was enough. The day started out relatively normal for her. She'd packed her car the night before; careful of the portrait she had yet to send back even though August fairly insisted she do so the night before.

"Emma what is the point in carrying that heavy thing around? It's going to get damaged. At least if you send it back here, it'll be safe. I'll even not take it out of the crate and leave it in your room if that's what you're worried about." He'd insisted.

"It's not that August. I know it can get damaged…I just…I don't know. I can't seem to part from it. Is that stupid?"

He sighed, letting the air puff out across the line. "Emma, the woman is long dead you know that right?" His voice was gentle but held a note of firmness.

"I'm well aware she's not amongst the living anymore."

"You can't fall in love with the picture of someone you've never met."

"I never said I was in love August." She protested, feeling her fair cheeks flush with blood. She was glad he was back in the states for she knew her expression would give it away clear as day.

"Emma," He spoke softly, "She's dead and gone. It's time to let go. You don't even know her name. She'll be safer here than traveling all over the country of Ireland with you in the back of a hatchback that's probably seen better days."

"Har har…it's not that bad."

"Surely driving with something that big in that tiny rental isn't comfortable."

She twisted a golden lock of hair around her finger, nodding in agreement before she realized what she was doing. She pulled her fingers from her hair and sighed.

"Well you do have a point on that one."

"Yes I usually do when you choose to listen to me which is rare."

"Yeah right." She snorted, listening to him snicker for a moment before she spoke up. "I just…"

"I know you don't wanna share her. I could hear it when you called me and asked me about her; it's why I didn't ask you to send me a picture of her with your phone. I won't look at her or pull her out of her crate or anything of the sort. Okay?"

"I'll think about it."

"Well eventually you're going to have to be parted from her. It's not like you can cart her through airport security. Besides the frame alone looks like it weighs a solid ton."

"It is quite heavy." She agreed, flopping back on her hotel bed and staring at the white washed ceiling.

"It'll take her a few weeks to arrive by the time you get back home if you wait to send her. If you send her now, she might be here when you get back and then you won't be parted from your mysterious dead lady for that long."

"You make it sound so appealing." She snarked.

"Don't I always? It's the writer in me."

"Laugh it up dummy," She muttered and he laughed.

"Where are you heading off too tomorrow?"

"Aran Islands. They're supposed to be beautiful. I'm looking forward to shooting them."

"Weather improve any?"

"Strange as it flared up, it's back to normal again. Regina seemed as surprised about it as I was."

"Is that the art curator you keep talking about?"

"Yeah, we met at the Cliffs of Moher."

"Huh…you haven't sent me a picture of her...is she hot?"

"She's quite attractive yes." She offered once again glad he couldn't see the blush heating up her cheeks. Regina was beyond attractive, she was gorgeous but there was something not quite right about her that continued to persistently bother Emma every time she was around the strange green-eyed brunette.

"You gonna hit it before you leave?"

"What are you living vicariously through me or something?"

"Hey you're the one that went to an exotic country not me."

"Ireland isn't exactly exotic."

"It sure beats Boston and besides why shouldn't you knock boots with…what was it they call the girls...oh yeah bonny lass?"

"That's Scottish you idiot."

"Whatever it's close enough."

"I'm so glad I didn't invite you to come along; you'd offend the locals and get us thrown out of every pub from here to Dublin and back."

"Been hitting a lot of bars huh?"

"Shut up."

"Been hitting him with Miss Regina?"

"I'm gonna go, my brain is fried and I gotta get up early tomorrow."

August snickered, "Well let me know how it is when you actually get around to you know going heels to Jesus."

"Ugh…dumbass August." She muttered to herself as she pulled herself into the tiny rental car. Carefully she folded her knees up, not enjoying the cramped feeling but more prepared to endure it than give August an opportunity to snoop at her now prized find of the entire trip.

She pulled the door shut and took off down the streets, bearing towards the Aran Islands Ferry. She was thankful she intended to stay the night on the islands rather than trying to make her to her next destination in the dark. As confident a driver as she was, she wasn't that confident. She wasn't exactly familiar with the roads and the narrowness of them in the dark didn't seem like a great idea to brave. The Aran Islands hotel wasn't far from the ferry docks, which she was grateful for as she intended to lug her suitcase down to the hotel before venturing out of the village to continue her work. Her camera bag hung heavy from her shoulder as she eyed the portrait, covered with it's sheet and sighed.

"Wish I could take you with me…maybe August is right…maybe I do need to ship you back stateside." She shook her head, "As if I didn't appear crazy enough…now I'm talking to an inanimate object." She blew her breath out, letting it lift her heavy curls from her forehead before dropping back down and pushing the back door closed once she grabbed her suitcase. It was time to get going and despite the heavy feeling in her gut, she was happy to continue her next venture.

The sleepy village she'd been picturing had been shattered by her brief trip around the village. She did however enjoy the cheesy sweaters (jumpers!) and listening in to the locals talk in the traditional Irish tongue. That had been entertaining in ways she'd never thought possible despite the shock that went through her system at being so far away from everything she knew. It was nice to get out of one's comfort zone she thought to herself as she slowly made her way on foot towards a small rental bike shop where she could rent a bike to cycle out to the iron fort of Dun Aengus.

She was looking forward to seeing the famed structure but also the stunning views of the Atlantic she'd seen in other photographers' works. She wanted those shots for herself and her portfolio too and she was determined to get them no matter what it took. Plus the added bonus of being able to say she'd tromped all over a fort built in the Iron Ages. That had to be seriously cool to claim. Or so she hoped, maybe make her seem more exotic than she actually was…maybe not so standoffish…funny she wasn't acting that way here…maybe the change in environment was forcing her to get out of her armored shell a bit. That was a nice thought.

The bike rental was kept in a small stone building, which made her smile. She snapped a photo quickly. There was something charming about the white stone building. She zoomed in on a yellow sign that said Helmets prevent injury then pulled out her cell and snapped a photo. She'd send that to August since he often rode his motorcycle without a helmet no matter how much she yelled at him. Sometimes he'd wear it long enough to shut her up before he'd pull it off and stuff it in the back leather bag he kept on the sides of his bike.

She had never been big on the motorcycle though she'd ridden it a few times. She much preferred to keep her feet on the ground. The fact that she was even considering renting a bicycle was a bit unheard of for her but she was looking forward to giving it a shot despite the thought that she might fall and break her camera. She took a breath and let it out slowly; she'd break her arm or leg long before she'd allow her prized possession to get even a scratch. With that thought in mind, she pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The fort of Dun Aengus was strange looking from afar. The worn grey stones walls were all that remained and they looked to be crumbling steadily but they still stood as an impressive sentinel that shot up from the cliffs nearby. The remains consisted of three dry-stone ramparts with a fourth that was steadily crumbling. She snapped a few photos as she approached but was more interested in the cliffs and with the walls as a backdrop than anything else. The wind picked up as the waves crashed against the rocky shoreline. Ireland really was a beautiful lush place she thought to herself as she focused her camera while balancing the bike between her legs. She'd have to get off eventually if she wanted closer shots but for now she was content to try and see what she could do from a bit of a distance. She approached slowly, snapping a photo of the two plaques noting that they had English as well as Gaelic on them. She liked that; the bronze was worn with age but was still very legible. She'd have to show that to August when she got home. He'd like that too being that he was fascinated by languages in general.

Aiming a shot from the entranceway to the fort she almost missed the person coming towards her until she lowered the camera from her face.

"Maidin Mhaith," The man standing only a few feet from her greeted and she blinked a bit shocked at the fact that she'd missed him all together until he was practically standing in front of her.

"Good morning." She uttered, unsure if the man even spoke English or not. He was tall, dark, and handsome in ways she supposed women liked. His dark looks combined with his baby blue eyes likely made women swoon but she felt no inclination to do anything of the sort.

"Ah, I be apologizing. I was unaware ye didn't speak Gaelic." He dipped into a bow and she arched a brow at the strange behavior. He had a strange air about him, something wasn't quite right. It was a bit like Regina though with the small brunette she didn't feel unnecessarily uneasy. This man however made her feel extremely uneasy and she found herself backing up a few steps. The man's easy smile fell a bit at her behavior but then it was back with a mischievous tilt.

"No need to run lass. I won't be harming ye."

"You speak very strangely you know?" She resisted the urge to lift her camera as though it would provide some form of protection. She thought about reaching for her phone but who was she going to call that could get to her quickly? There was Regina but she was back in Limerick.

"Apologies lass. It's been a while since I've been in Overhill."

Her brows furrowed, the deep V appearing in the middle of her forehead. "Overhill?"

"Aye, it changes me speech patterns I'm afraid."

"I don't understand." She took another step back, almost tripping over a loose stone in the process but unwilling to put her back to the strange dark man.

He smiled at her but made no move towards her. "May I be asking ye name lass?"

"Why would you need to know my name?"

"Ah, well that be something of a secret." His scruffy face broke into a bright smile again.

"Then why would I tell you my name if it's a secret?"

"Ye be Emma yes?"

"How did you…"

"Regina's bonny lass yes?"

"You know Regina?" Her hackles rose as her suspicions continued to build. Who was this strange man and why did he know Regina?"

"Aye, I be knowing her quite well. Me friends call me Graham."

"Is Regina one of your friends Graham?"

"Aye, that she be."

"Where is she?"

"She be home, I be asking to take you there."

"She's back in Limerick right? I just came from there a few days ago. I'm on a bit of tight schedule."

"That not be a problem lass." He promised, taking a few steps towards her. She backed away as soon as he drew near steadily keeping him at arms length.

"Why would I agree to go?" She asked.

"Well I not be the one that wants to see you. I be merely acting as a messenger."

"Well who does? If not you or Regina."

"He be telling you himself when I brings you to him."

"And why would I agree to that?"

"Well ye don't really have to agree but I don't want to be hurting ye. Ye don't deserve that."

"You're insane." She twisted, finally putting her back to the strange scruffy man and taking off in a zig zag pattern in case he tried to shoot her across the grass and in the direction she remembered parking the bike. If she could get there, she'd have an advantage at least or so she hoped. She didn't anticipate the rock that tripped her nor did she think the strange man would use it to his advantage and tackle her into the ground. The air knocked from her lungs with a whoosh as his body slammed into hers. Her beloved camera sailed through the air and landed on what she hoped was a soft patch of grass. Wheezing and trying to get her legs underneath her was proving difficult to do but she continued to struggle, despite the burning in her chest. They must be making quite the spectacle but no one came to help. She slammed her fist against his hand as it tried to lock her other arm down to the damp grass. She tried to gasp another breath but his weight pushed down continuing to keep her air firmly cut off. She struggled and then everything went black.