Where's My Dolly?

Hi readers I'd like to start by saying that I replied to some reviewers but not all cause I'm not sure if the messages sent or not… So just to clarify, I really appreciate the support! Keep it coming and in case you haven't noticed, here's the reward for reviewing!

Chapter 5: Let's Forget This Ever Happened

Her eyes fluttered. They opened eventually, allowing her brown eyes to take in her surroundings. She gently sat up, making as little noise as possible, almost as if the slightly bit of noise hurt her.

She looked around her. It was an environment that she was all too familiar with which made her feel safe, but after remember why she was here, she felt her heart shatter.

Using the little bit of light that seeped through the gap between the heavy curtains, Leaf managed to rummage around for her clothes: a pair of jeans and an oversized t-shirt. She drew back the curtains after getting dressed and found her slippers before opening the door quietly and tip-toeing across the hall.

She wasn't sure if she should knock or not. Actually, when she thought about it, she didn't even know the time! All she knew was that there was light outside so it couldn't have been that early. Deciding against knocking, she popped her head into a small gap and peeped into Gary's room.

The bed in the room was empty and neatly made up. But Gary wasn't up yet. He had fallen asleep at his desk, his head resting in the cavity formed by his arms.

Leaf watched him sleep for a while. On any other day, the said brunette would have surprise slapped his back. But he had been so nice to her; it was because of her that he was sleeping on his desk, probably because he had sat by her bedside for a couple of hours last night, telling her a story until she fell asleep again.

*FLASHBACK*

The duvet was only half on the bed. The other half was covering the floor beside the bed, keeping the floor cosy. Leaf had been tossing and turning so much that the noise from the crumpling of the bed and everything on it could be heard from outside the room, with the door shut tight.

Gary had just finished talking to his grandpa. His head was filled with so much, it was hard for him to think straight. He wanted to head back into his room and write down everything he had just learnt but the noise stopped him.

He can hear movement emanating from the guest room, where Leaf was staying. He cracked open the door slightly and went in. He went up to the bedside and sat down, waking Leaf, who looked as if she was having a nightmare- which she was.

She gasped, loudly when she was shaken, sitting up quickly in the process.

"It's just me." Gary whispered, trying to keep her calm.

He could tell that Leaf was scared. Her heart was pounding so quickly that it hurt her; her hands were sweating; her skin was red and hot and her pupils were dilated.

Gary wrapped an arm around her shoulders while whispering comforting words in her ear. He shuffled closer, pulling her into his chest.

He knew Leaf well enough to know what would work, what would calm her down. A distraction.

"Let's forget everything that's happened lately… Let me tell you a story." He said. He didn't proceed with starting the story until he felt Leaf's nod of approval. "There was a little girl." He started, "she was smart and she could do anything but one day…"

*END FLASHBACK*

Leaf turned and proceeded to step away from the room when she felt herself walk into someone.

Xx-x-xX

Leaf entered the kitchen and looked in the fridge. Eggs and milk. Check. She then opened the cabinet along from the sink. Flour and sugar. Check.

Leaf found the scales and measured out all the ingredients and put them all in a bowl and whisked them together. Pancakes. That's what Leaf was making as a breakfast thank you to the Oaks for helping her.

She heater a pan and started to make her first batch of pancakes. While she waited for them to cook, she thought about what Gary had said to her last night, the story he told her.

"There was a little girl. She was smart and could anything but one day…

…One day…"

She tried hard to remember what came next. But nothing came to her head. She remembered hearing the story; she just didn't retain anything.

"Careful!"

Leaf snapped out of her thoughts. All she saw was Gary hurry to where she was standing and moved the pan from the ring.

"Careful or you'll burn the place down!" Gary said.

Leaf looked at her blackened pancakes in the pan. "Luckily that was only the first batch…" Leaf said to herself as picked up the bowl of pancake mix and gave it another stir.

Gary noticed how Leaf acted so differently from yesterday. She longer seemed to be in that mood that made his heart ache when he saw her but she wasn't her completely like her usual upbeat self. But he did consider this to be a huge improvement from yesterday. Was this because of the story he told her?

"Maybe I should empty that pan and try this again now the pan is at the right temperature." Leaf continued to speak to herself as she manoeuvred round the kitchen to do what she needed to do before she could start again.

"You okay Leaf?" Gary asked as he stood in the same spot, not moving but keeping his eyes on Leaf.

"Yeah…" Leaf said as she tried to concentrate on the cooking. "I just want to do what you said."

"What part of what I said?" Gary asked, slightly intrigued as to where this was heading.

"The part you started with, 'Let's forget all this ever happened'." Leaf quoted as she watched her pancakes, taking extra care not to burn them this time.

"I'm glad you will." Gary said as he watched Leaf's intense stare towards the pan.

"Me too…" Leaf turned to Gary and ushered him out of the kitchen and into to the dining room. "Breakfast will be ready soon!" She announced as she headed back into the kitchen to continue her pancake watch.

Gary did as he was told and took his usual seat at the dinner table. "Let's not go to school today. I want to take you somewhere."

Xx-x-xX

Leaf didn't exactly feel safe walking with a blind fold on. She never did, even when she was little, or rather because of when she was little but Gary insisted she wore one.

The brunet himself was walking behind. He had his hand on Leaf's shoulder and was steering her, making sure she didn't walk into anything or trip over anything. Of course, it was a lot easier now since he could easily see over her.

"Where are we going?" Leaf whined again, "Are we there yet?" She had repeated the two question several times since they left the house and not once did Gary give her the answer she desired.

"Almost."

"You've been saying that for the past half hour now!" Leaf whined.

"Well we are almost there. It's just up ahead but it's a pretty bumpy path." Gary warned as he tightened his grip round her shoulders slightly.

They walked for a few more minutes with Leaf's whines and Gary's replies.

"Okay, you can take off your blindfold now." He announced as he let go of Leaf's shoulders and stepped in front of her.

Leaf did as she was told and untied the back of her blindfold which was really just a handkerchief (or something like that) and looked at her environment. It was all so familiar to her.

In front of her was a lake, huge shimmering blue lake that was across from the hikers' path, which meant that this side was usually very quiet and secluded. Floods of memories just came Leaf's mind about this place that she once knew like the back of her hand; in fact, she probably still did know this place that well!

"It's been a long time since we've came here!" Leaf exclaimed as she stepped forward towards the lake, stopping just before it and making herself comfortable on the sandy ground. For the first time today, she felt herself smile like her how usually would.

"I know, I thought it'd be a nice way to just relax and forget about everything like we did whenever we were kids." Gary said as he made himself comfortable beside Leaf on the ground.

"Thanks for being there last night." Leaf said shyly for a change, "I really needed that." She finished. Her eyes never looking away from the clear water in front of them.

Gary smiled. "It was nothing."

Leaf sighed and smiled. "Your gramps spoke to me this morning." Leaf started, "Apparently mum's in a stable condition now and is likely to survive."

Gary noticed Leaf's smile and smiled too. "I'm glad." He said, leaning back slightly. "I spoke to the professor last night while you were sleeping." He paused for a moment. "He told me some interesting things."

"Like?" Leaf prompted, looking at Gary, fascinated as to where this conversation was headed.

He thought for a moment. "We're meant to be relaxing out here." He reminded the brunette. "I'll tell you later."

This got Leaf curious. She knew perfectly well that it was related to her parents but she left it for now. It was at times like these that she had to agree that Gary knew best. Maybe she needed this break.

"Is it bad news?" Leaf asked after a moment of listening to the trees rustle and the birds chirp.

Gary had laid back by this point. His eyes were shut but he wasn't asleep- yet anyway. He shook his head. "I'm not answering anything until our time here is over."

Leaf pouted. She got up and headed towards the water and put her hand in it, she did an ushering motion to the water and stopped when an idea hit her. She made a cup with both her hands and submerged it in the water.

Gary had pretty much fallen asleep by this point. He was up late last night and the only reason he woke up so early today was because of the burning smell from the "trial pancakes" as Leaf called.

"Gary?" Leaf called out. She stood above him and when she got a reply no more than a grunt, she parted her hands, allowing the remainder of the water that didn't leak out from the lake to where she stood now to drop on her friend.

Gary gasped as he felt the cool water soak through his shirt and have contact with his chest. He shot up from his relaxed position and looked for the brunette responsible for his discomfort. "Leaf!"

The said girl had already ran aside, behind her favourite tree which was just to the side of where they were sitting earlier. Though, she gave away where she was from her constant giggling.

Xx-x-xX

After spending the majority of the day by the lake like when they were younger, the two teenagers decided to go back to the house. It was starting to get chilly and it didn't help that they were wet from frolicking about in the water.

"Gary," Leaf started. The mentioned boy looked at her, "thanks for today. I really needed it."

"I know you did. I'm always right." Gary replied in his usual cocky way, earning him a shove.

They both laughed and looked at each other. They were sitting back on the same spot as when they first arrived, only closer to each other.

Leaf wasn't sure if it was only her seemed to notice but she felt the gap between Gary's face and her own face decrease, like he was going to try to-

Suddenly a shriek sounded, ripping through the forest's natural tranquillity.

They both snapped out of their… State and ran towards the scream.

At the source was a woman, a hiker possibly, Leaf noted and in front of her was a body.

A still and lifeless one.

Xx-x-xX

Well that's another chappie down! Quick right? Well just so you know it's thanks to my inspiration now! And the reviews of course! Can't forget those! Once again thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter. Please review this one too, even if it's only with one word! Oh, and don't expect me to update so quickly again!

Ta :)