His Silence : His Silence - Chapter 36 by Jacob1395 Book of the Month contest entry |
Warning: The author has noted that this contains the highest level of language.
There’s a bitter taste in my mouth and the sun’s warming my face. My eyes flutter open. Gripping the bedsheets, I pull myself up banging my head on the headboard. It’s OK I’m in the annexe. My beating heart calms. Mum’s dress I wore last night, is hanging from the handle on the wardrobe to my right. Shit, I passed out last night. What happened to me? Who brought me back here and got me out of my clothes? I rub my chest and glance at my cabinet where my phone’s lying, I pick it up. It’s just gone nine a.m. There are several texts from Emma, damn, I forgot to text her yesterday. Hope flight was alright? How’s the hotel? I know you’re probably tired but text me as soon as you see this. You’re making me worried xx I type a reply out to Emma and press send. Outside a bird lets out an angry squawk. All good, sorry was absolutely shattered when we landed. Forgot to text. Flinging off my covers, I dive into the bathroom and jump in the shower. Hot water pummels my skin and the scent of the woody, fresh Molten Brown shower gel wafts over me, but I can’t relax. I want to find out the answers and leave. The man I spoke to last night said he wanted to give something to me. I need to find him. I finish getting ready and slip out of my room. In the hallway I gaze at Oliver’s closed door ahead of me, letting out a steady breath. What the hell went through his mind when he saw me with the man? I swallow and head for door taking in deep breaths. At least there’s no way he could’ve heard what we spoke about. I trudge up the pathway towards the house, hugging my arms to my chest. A whiff of smoke still lingers in the air. The bonfires looking like squashed roadkill to my right. ‘Ah you’re awake, dear.’ It’s Mary who greets me when I open the kitchen door, making me jump. ‘Oh, sorry I didn’t mean to startle you. How are you feeling? You gave us all a bit of scare last night.’ ‘I’m fine. What happened?’ I ask, rubbing my forehead. I look over Mary’s shoulder towards the breakfast things set out on the table. There’s a basket of croissants and a couple of packets of cereal. My stomach groans. I need something to eat. The door connecting the kitchen and the dining room creaks open and the man I spoke to last night, before I passed out, ambles through, carrying a bowl. My heart seems to stop. His eyes meet mine for a brief second, and then he turns his gaze away. There’s no way I can question him, not with Mary standing here. He doesn’t make eye contact with me again. He leaves the room. You had a bit of a funny turn, dear,’ Mary says, concern in her voice. She’s appraising me like a school nurse does, checking me over for any signs I might still be unwell. ‘Oliver carried you back and I got you all sorted for bed, I hope you don’t mind.’ ‘No, no, it’s fine,’ I say, my eyes flickering over to the living room door. The thought of Oliver carrying me back makes me feel sick. I would’ve preferred it if Callum carried me back. ‘I’m just going to grab some breakfast.’ ‘I’ll see you later, dear,’ Mary says, still fixing me with a concerned stare. I enter the dining room, rubbing my arms. Oliver and Luke are sitting at the head of the table, talking quietly to each other. My stomach sinks. Perhaps I should grab something to eat and take it back to the annexe. ‘Danielle,’ Oliver says waving his hand. I grit my teeth. Can’t he allow me to have some toast in peace? ‘Please join me. I hope you’re feeling better.’ ‘Erm yep, I am, thanks. Mary told me you carried me back last night after I collapsed,’ I say. Forcing a smile, I shuffle over, and sit beside him. Luke smiles at me. His hands are clasped around a glass of orange juice. ‘I’ll sort you something out to eat,’ Oliver says, standing up and picking up some toast and the butter. He scrapes it onto the bread. The wild flowers are still strewn across the table cloth. He places the plate in front of me and sits back down, pulling his chair forward a little. ‘You gave us all a bit of scare.’ ‘Think I scared myself. Perhaps I still wasn’t quite recovered from what happened earlier on,’ I say, laughing slightly. ‘Maybe, coming back here, has stirred up some old memories you may thought you had forgotten,’ he says rubbing the corner of his right eye. My eyes flicker over the scar again, I look away. ‘But we can work on overcoming your past in our sessions together.’ I take a bite of my toast, it’s not quite well done enough for my liking, but I continue to eat it anyway, at least it’s still warm. ‘Honestly I think yesterday was just a bit overwhelming for me, but I’m glad I’m here, Oliver, I really am, and I want to be an active member of the community.’ The lie feels thick in my throat. He nods. ‘I understand, Danielle. But to truly help you move on from your past, I think you need to choose a new name, like everyone else here has,’ he says, picking up his coffee and taking a sip. Nausea skitters through me. Except you. ‘I hadn’t thought of changing my name,’ I say softly. He places his coffee back down. ‘I think it would really help you, Danielle. You could, if I might suggest, go back to the name your birth parents gave you when you were born, Grace. I think it suits you much better than Danielle.’ I shift in my seat. He wants me to agree to it now. My stomach squirms. I don’t want to change my name. I like the name I have. He’s trying to claim ownership of me. I rub my hands down my jeans. This is wrong. ‘If . . . if you think changing my name is the best thing,’ I say. He smiles at me. ‘I really do, Grace,’ he says. Oh God, he’s already using it, I’m going to have to get used to this. My stomach tightens. ‘Also, I know we talked about having another session today, but I’d like you to take things easy. I get you might be keen to become more integrated with what we do here, but we can start to look at ways, at how you can help out, in the coming days, OK?’ ‘Sure.’ I take another bite of toast. A headache’s forming now. Oliver goes back to speaking to Luke, picking up his coffee again and taking a final sip. Did Oliver hear any of my conversation with the man last night? If Callum noticed I’d followed him outside, surely Oliver must’ve as well.
|
| ©
Copyright 2025.
Jacob1395
All rights reserved. Jacob1395 has granted FanStory.com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work. |