Chapter 4
Grace
I'm going under. The water rushes over me and I can't breathe. I want to scream out, to kick and flail until my body collapses from the exertion, but I can't. All I feel is that I deserve this, and I close my eyes and let calmness engulf me. I'm at peace, until I feel a pair of arms around me. I'm pulled to the surface in a hurry, and when I resurface and open my eyes I see the beautiful lights that surround the pond. My moment of peace is gone, and I'm welcomed to my world again. I feel someone shaking my body. It's the thief, Skye.
'Are you okay?' I watch his mouth form over and over again. 'Answer me! Are you okay?' I nod, disoriented. I try to sit up, only to be pushed down again. 'You...need...take it easy.' His lips form, and I nod again, slowly. Once Skye realizes that I'm not going to vomit or anything, he slowly helps me stand up. I look at him, waiting for his lips to form his next words, but he just looks right back at me. 'Are you sure you're okay?' He asked, emerald eyes filled deep with concern. 'I called...you...didn't respond.' I look down, ashamed. How do I tell him? I look around the pond, and spot a stick. I walk over to grab it, and without hesitation, I scratch some words into the mud around the pond.
'I'm deaf.' they read, plain and simple, and I point them out to Skye. He walks to where I am, then reads the words. He jumps back, startled ,before looking at me.
'You're deaf.' He says, his cocky expression long gone. I nod, then scratch into the dirt, 'I read your lips.' Skye reads the words, then nods at me. I look at him closely, wondering what he'll do. Would he be like most, and start giving me long, sorrowful looks? Or would he be one to give a fake smile, and tell me 'It'll be alright Jill.' Or maybe he'll be like some, who just say 'Oh' then walk away, a look of disgust on their face, and a extra spring on there step to get as far away from me as possible, as if I would somehow give my lack of hearing to them. Or maybe he'll just be himself, and give his cocky smile, which is what he chooses to do.
'I guess I should speak slower then. I would want a beautiful girl like you to catch my every word.' he says, very slowly. I stepped back, startled at his words. 'Hehe, like I told you beautiful, It was in the stars that we meet, deaf or not. I guess the universe wants us to be together.' Skye 's actually smiling now, not a trace of pity or disgust on his face at all. I'm still just staring at him, like he's a foreign creature. I guess in a way he is, as someone with his reaction is a rare creature indeed. 'Oh yeah,' his lips form. He walks away from me and around the sprite's tree. He comes back a moment later, leading Beauty by the reigns. I brightened instantly.
'Beauty!' I think, before I run to my horse. I bury my face into his neck, and resist the urge to cry. 'We're safe,' my mind races over and over. 'We're safe.' The last moments events came rushing to me, and my body starts to tremble. I'm soaking wet, exhausted, and confused, but I'm safe. I stay with my head in Beauty's fur, still trembling. Skye rests a hand on my shoulder, and I turn my head to face him.
'Let me take you home beautiful.' Skye says. I hesitate only for a moment, then nod and wait for him to take the lead. 'That might...easier if...where to go.' I catch him say. Oh yeah, he doesn't know where I live.
'The village farm,' I write in the dirt, then Skye looks at me, surprised.
'You're the farmer?' He asks. I instinctively both nod and sign yes. Skye looks alarmed for a moment, before putting his famous smirk back onto his face. 'Let's go then.' he says, before placing a hand on my back and leading me to my farm. I let him guide me past the pond, beyond the pretty lights, and all the way to the entrance of my home. I lead Beauty to his stable before going back to stand before Skye. There are no lights here, so we can't see each other very well. It doesn't really matter, because all he says is 'Sweet dreams,' before he leaves quickly, disappearing into the night. He became skirmish as soon as I told him where I lived. I guess I would be to if I'd found out one of the people I'd stolen from had a disability. I wonder if he became guilty about stealing from anyone else, or if that was a gift bestowed only to me. I rolled my eyes and walked into my house. I'm too exhausted to think anymore. I'll catch that thief another day. I try to be mad at myself for letting him get away again, but I'm too tired to care. As I crawl into my bed though, I can't stop the smile that forms on my lips.
'Thank you.' I sign to the stars, before closing my eyes and falling asleep.
A.N. Why the heck is Jill thanking the stars? I know, and you might too...maybe. Thank you so much for reading guys, and sorry this one took longer than usual. I intend to update faster next time. If you've reviewed, thank you so much. If you haven't and want to, please do! They're very much appreciated. Thanks for reading guys.
-Goldengirl