Destined

by A L Makin

  I’m shocked. On the outside looking in, I would never have guessed that Ravenhills has such messed up people living in it. Now I understand what my brother was warning me about.

  “Hang on a minute … If some of these people are so nasty and evil as you say they are, then why the hell are they free to roam about doing whatever they please. Why are they not locked up for life?” I demand.

  He shakes his head sadly. “Because they hover just below the radar. They make sure there is either not enough evidence or no evidence left to be convicted with. So they’re free to continue regardless.” He finishes leaning back on the bench staring out into the night sky.

  I feel cold and sick at what Travis has just told me. And I can’t help but replay over the bit about they make sure that there’s no evidence left … no evidence means no witnesses. ‘Where the hell have I moved to? Maybe I’d have been better off back in Newthorpe and with dip-shit Drew’. I think to myself.

  “You ok Willow?” He reaches out and touches me softly on the arm. “You’ve not said anything for a few minutes and you’ve gone as white as a sheet,” Travis asks in a gentle voice.

  “I’m just peachy, thanks,” I say sarcastically, and immediately regret my tone. “Sorry Travis, I don’t mean to sound like such a bitch. It’s just I’m finding it difficult to process what you have just told me, while completely regretting my move here.” I laugh uncomfortably.

  “I know, and I’m sorry. But like you said before, you deserve the truth.” He drops his hand from my arm.

  I sigh as I turn to face him. “It’s just frustrating. I moved here for a new start. To get my life back on track after every inch of it fell apart back in Newthorpe. But instead, I find out that I actually might have been better off staying there living in hell.”

  Travis looks at me with sad eyes, leans forward and cups my hands in his. They feel cool against my warm skin. But I don’t move. Sitting here with Travis feels nice, and I realise I miss this kind of contact.

  “I’m sorry life didn’t work out the way you had it planned back home.” He gives my hands a gentle squeeze as he smiles. “But I believe in fate, and that everything happens for a reason. You were destined to move here Willow, and fate has sent you down that path, even if you had to pass through heartbreak to get here. And I know what I’ve told you can seem shocking, but know that you now have a friend in me, and I’m here for you always. Whenever you need me, you only have to ask. Take my number, and then you can always reach me.” He lets go of my hands and pulls out his mobile phone from his jacket pocket.

  Mirroring him I reach into my pocket and grab my phone. Unlocking the bright home screen I see I have a text message from Tom.

  Willow, where are you?

  Are you ok?

  You coming home soon?

  Text back asap x

  “Shit,” I say out loud.

  “What’s wrong?” Travis asks.

  I look up at him. “Nothing major. It’s just that my brother Tom has text wondering where I am and if I’m ok. With everything that’s happened today, the time has completely escaped me. I really should be getting home before he sends out a search party.” I laugh.

  I fire a quick message back to him telling him I’m ok that and I’ll be home soon. I ignore the bit of his message where he asks where I am. Now I know the truth about this village, if I tell him where I really am, I know he’ll only worry. He goes to California soon, and the last thing I want him to do is to cancel the job. If he knows the truth of today’s events, he’d cancel it immediately. Right or wrong, I change my mind and decide not to tell him about being chased earlier today.

  “Ok, but let me walk you back. So I know you get home safe.” Travis replies as he puts his phone back in his pocket.

  “Sure, I’d appreciate that.” I smile back at him.

  “So whereabouts do you live?” He asks.

  “At The Old Manor House, do you know where I mean?” I ask hoping he knows the village well.

  “Yeah, of course. I know where that is.” He smiles. “So the man of the house is your brother then … Not had a chance to get to know him yet. He keeps himself to himself.”

  I think of how lonely Tom must have been all this time here. To only know a few people in the village, doesn’t spell an active social life. “I know, since he moved away from Newthorpe he’s become a bit of a recluse.”

  Travis nods slowly. “What made him move here if you don’t mind me asking? I mean Newthorpe is meant to be an amazing city. Surely it beats anything we have to offer?”

  Looking down at the sleeve of my hoodie, I pick at a small stray string on the cuff. “Same reason I moved here … Solitude.” I reply looking back up.

  Travis’s eyes furrow. “Solitude? I don’t understand?”

  “Solitude to heal,” I reply.

  “Sorry if I sound dumb, or that I’m prying, but you’re not giving me a whole lot of information here. If you don’t want to tell me, you can always tell me to keep my big nose out. I won’t be offended.” He laughs. “But why would he need to heal? Was he hurt in an accident or something?”

  I don’t know why I’m being purposely difficult. Travis seems like a genuinely nice guy. But I can’t help being a tiny bit cautious with what my brother warned me about yesterday.

  “Sorry for being cryptic. I don’t realise I’m doing half the time.” I lie. “He moved here because the one person he loved the most in the whole wide world shattered his heart into a million pieces, and then she stamped on every last piece till nothing was left but dust. He moved to get away from her. To get away from their memories. To get away from their life. It’s ironic really.” I finish.

  “What's ironic?” Travis asks.

  “It’s ironic that two years later, almost to the day the same type of heartbreak brought me here too. What happened to my brother, happened to me” I shrug awkwardly finally telling him the whole true story. “So if it is fate or destiny like you say that brought me here … us here, then she is cruel and twisted.”

  The air around me fills with pity. “Now I see why you said living in Newthorpe would be hell.” He runs his hand through his golden hair. “I’m so sorry Willow.”

  I shrug again. “Thanks, but it’s all over with. Drew is in the past where he will forever stay.” I smile at him. “Anyway ….” I exclaim while putting my phone back in my pocket and standing up carefully. “Shall we?” I motion to leave.

  Travis doesn’t push the conversation any further. Resting his palms on top of his muscly thighs, he pushes himself up and holds his arm out for me to link. I look at his offered arm and then back to his face.

  “What kind of man would I be if I didn’t help you home? I’d offer to carry you, but somehow I sense you’d hate for people to think of you as a damsel in distress.” He laughs.

  He’s right. Some might class us as the weaker sex, but I’m far from weak. However, the way my ankle feels means it will take me forever to hobble home by myself, so reluctantly I link his offered arm. His muscles flex as he helps to support my weight and he holds me with ease.

  Slowly making our way out of the church grounds, a gentle breeze blows by sweeping Travis’s scent of aftershave past me. It’s strong and masculine, making me feel safe. Leaving my senses open, I can’t help pick up that there is something different about him. It’s only faint and I can’t quite put my finger on what it is, but it’s there.

  Walking up past the church and away from the village we cross the cobbled street and come to a large field with a gravel path running alongside it. We walk the short journey to my brothers making small talk. The walk is pleasant and my ankle has stopped throbbing, but I’m sure it’s still going to be sore for the next couple of days.

  Arriving at the gates, I stop and let go of Travis’s arm. “I think I can take over from here.” I smile. “My brother won’t exactly appreciate me turning up on his doorstep with a random bloke.” I laugh.

  “That’s a fair point.” He laughs. “I know i
f I had a sister, I’d feel the same way. But before you go, don’t forget my number.” He finishes as he pulls out his phone from his pocket.

  “Of course,” I reply as I grab my phone out my jacket pocket and swap phone numbers.

  “Well, I guess it’s goodnight then,” Travis says while holding out his hand.

  “Goodnight Travis. Thanks again for walking me back.” I reply as I slide my hand against his cool palm. With his eyes fixed on mine, he wraps his hand around my fingers, brings my hand up to his lips and kisses the back with a soft cool touch.

  He lowers my hand and I can’t help but blush from the romantic touch from an almost perfect stranger. A comfortable silence falls between us. Nothing is needed to be said. Instead, I smile at Travis as I carefully begin to walk backwards. With a beautiful smile on his face, Travis watches as I leave. After walking a few feet I turn around and walk up the rest of the drive, all the while feeling Travis’s eyes on me.

  It doesn’t take long to reach the porch. Climbing the few stairs slowly, I turn at the top and lean against the column. I can still see Travis stood watching me at the gate. His blonde hair shining in the moonlight. Holding a single hand up he waves goodbye, and I wave back. Turning, he walks away and I continue staring out past the gates for a few minutes after he’s left. I just need a few more moments alone before I face the barrage of questions from Tom that I know is heading my way.

  Chapter Six

  A week later …

  Today’s the day that Tom leaves for California. His bags are all packed and the taxi is waiting to take him to the airport. He finishes helping the driver load his last suitcase into the boot of the car, then turns to me. “Are you sure you’re gonna be ok by yourself? I can call mum to come and stay with you for a few days if you like?”

  I sigh at him. “I’ll be fine Tom, I promise. I’ve got Max to keep me company,” I reason.

  “I know, but I …” He starts to argue, but I cut him off before he can finish.

  “Look, the last thing I need is mum here fussing around me the entire time you’re away. You know what she’s like. I love her, I do, but she’ll drive me insane,” I laugh. “No, this time alone is going to do me the world of good.”

  “Ok. If that’s what you want, I’ll drop it,” he relents.

  We hug and he gives Max a final goodbye rub on his belly before he gets into the taxi. With Max sat by my legs, we watch as the taxi makes its way down the driveway and out onto the road, eventually disappearing around a corner.

  We walk back up the porch steps and into the house. Entering the kitchen I switch on the coffee machine to make a latte. Just as the coffee machine springs to life, Max comes bounding past me and begins to bark at the back door.

  “What’s up boy? Do you want to go out?” I ask. But Max just stares at me with his head cocked to the side.

  “Let me have my coffee and I’ll take you for a walk,” I explain, quickly realising I’m talking to a dog that hasn’t got a clue what I’m on about.

  Max stays sat at the back door, staring out of one of the little windows, while I grab my latte and take a seat at the dining table. Placing the hot mug down, I pull my phone out of my jeans pocket. I’ve not heard from Travis in a week. I honestly thought I might have heard from him by now. Maybe the guys in Ravenhills are just like the ones in Newthorpe after all. I unlock my home screen and click on text messages. I don’t have the balls to ring him, so I send him a quick text casually asking how he’s doing and if he fancies catching up sometime. A lame message, I know. But I have no idea what else to say.

  I place the phone on the table and pick up the hot mug. Blowing the steam away, I think of how much my life has changed since moving here. Minus the first couple of crazy days, life here has been quite mundane. I sit back and take my time enjoying my coffee in the quiet house.

  After finishing my brew, I put the dirty mug into the sink and turn to find Max sat behind me waiting patiently. I grab his lead and clip it to his collar. Putting on my coat, I lock the door as we leave the house. Max’s nose is immediately stuck to the ground sniffing out a trail, and he tugs at his lead desperate to stretch his legs.

  “Guess you’re in charge tonight then, eh Max? But just because you’re the only man in the house now, don’t be thinking you’re gonna be calling all the shots, okay,” I half-laugh at him.

  The sun is beginning to set and silence surrounds us. I feel safe out walking with Max. He’s a big dog, and protective to those he loves. So I don’t have any concerns out walking with him at this time of day.

  We walk towards town along the path by the edge of the woods. The same route that Travis led us back by last week. I unclip Max from his lead to let him burn off some steam. He bounds happily a few feet in front from me, occasionally stopping to smell the grass and mark his territory.

  I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, and I take it out unlocking the screen. For a quick moment I hope it’s Travis messaging me back, but that hope is short-lived when I see it’s a message from Tom telling me he’s arrived at the airport okay and is about to check-in. I send him a quick message back wishing him a safe flight and to message me when he lands in California. I put my phone back in my pocket and pick up a stick from the side of the path. Looking up I can see Max getting closer to the end of the path. I call out to him while waving the stick in the air, and he suddenly stops. But he doesn’t look at me. Instead, he sticks his nose up in the air as he sniffs hard. With a startled look on his face, his ears prick up. He’s either heard something interesting or caught a scent he likes. Without warning, Max bolts off running towards the end of the path. I call out to him to stop, to heel. But he doesn’t listen. Whatever he can smell or hear overrides anything I’m saying and I’m drowned out by his instinct to run.

  “Fuck!” I shout out loud to myself. If anything happens to Max, Tom will never forgive me. I have no choice but to chase after him. I set off running and watch as Max’s golden coat takes a turn to the left. He’s heading in the same direction as the church. I manage to keep up just enough so that I can see the route Max is travelling. I follow as he continues along the pavement, following up the side of the church wall. He doesn’t go into the church grounds. Instead, he runs past the gate and continues up the hill. I’ve not been this far up yet.

  Max disappears over the brow of the hill and I continue my pursuit. When I reach the top moments later, I’m surprised to see the view continue with nothing ahead apart from flat fields, a single road leading far away from the village and a large forest close by off to the right.

  My calves’ begin to burn from the run-up hill, and then my heart sinks as I watch Max head towards the forest. I have no choice but to ignore the pain in my legs and press on. I can’t let Max get too far ahead of me otherwise I’ll have no chance of finding him in there.

  I call out to him a few more times, but he doesn’t listen. Whatever he is running towards has gripped him so tight that my pleading for him to stop is drowned out. I push on running across the field and I watch as his golden coat disappears amongst the trees of the forest.

  Stopping at the edge of the forest I call out in vain, hoping Max will see sense and return. But he doesn’t. Pacing back and forth a few times I try to decide what to do. Deep down I know it would be stupid for me to go into the forest, alone and at night, especially with everything that happened to me the first couple of days here. But on the other hand, I don’t have a choice. Max has disappeared and he’s my responsibility. I promised Tom I’d look after him while he’s away. If anything happened to him, Tom would be devastated and never forgive me.

  Reluctantly, I stop pacing and face the tree line and concentrate. I can’t sense anyone close by, so I reach into my pocket, grab my phone and switch on the torch. Poised and ready, I stare into the darkening woods, take a deep breath and step into the unknown.

  As I walk between the tall trees I call out to Max, but he doesn’t return. Making sure I don’t trip and hurt myself again, I shine the
torch on the ground and tread carefully. The floor is covered in fallen leaves and twigs which makes a crunching noise underfoot. I’ve no idea where I’m going, or where I should look. The forest is huge, and the deeper I go the more I become alert to my surroundings. Out of nowhere, a rush of wind blows past me carrying the faintest of feelings ... pain … I feel pain.

  The feeling is like a pan of water gently simmering on the stove. It warms up the whole of my right arm, concentrating on my shoulder. I stop and close my eyes, focusing on the direction that it’s coming from. It takes me a couple of moments to pinpoint it, but I manage. Opening my eyes I shine the torch back on the ground and carry on following the path of pain, increasingly aware that the closer I get, the stronger I’ll feel it.

  I’ve never been able to sense animals feelings before, so I know that the pain I’m feeling isn’t coming from Max. I’m relieved at that thought, but then at the same time, I’m worried because I have no idea who it could be coming from? Bobbing and weaving between trees, I follow the invisible path. Every step forward I take, the pain worsens, and it’s not long before a bolt of intense burning pain rips through my right shoulder. It swipes me by a powerful surprise making my knees buckle. I fall forward, landing on my hands and knees. Sitting back on the dirty ground, I try to catch my breath. Whoever I’m feeling this from is in great pain and I can’t help feeling torn between carrying on and turning away. Who knows what I could discover? But regardless of my thoughts and fears of what might lay ahead, my conscience won’t allow me to leave a potentially injured person. Realising I have no choice but to keep going, I stand up and dust myself off. Carrying on, I push through the mounting pain, my eyes watering from the constant assault of burning and the feeling of ripping flesh in my right shoulder.