by Wolf, Bree
“Hey, tell me honestly,” he said, “do I come across as a bit needy for calling you so soon? You don’t feel stalked, do you?”
I chuckled. “Not by you.” Sometimes the universe really had a sick sense of humor.
“What?” he asked. “Someone is stalking you? That’s just so weird.”
I frowned. “What’d you mean?”
“I’m the bestselling author, and you get your own stalker.”
I laughed. “Okay, if you put it like that.” But if he were the one with the stalker then he’d be stalked by…himself. In a way, at least. And that would be even weirder.
“So, who is it?” His voice sounded a bit more serious.
“That really is a long story. And I’m actually on my way into bed. So…”
“It’s only 9:30,” he said, sounding reproachful.
“So what?” I felt annoyed again. How did he do that? “You’re really kind of irritating, did you know that?”
I almost heard him shrug. “My only flaw.” There was humor in his voice though.
“Your only flaw?” I asked, trying to keep the grin on my face from showing in my voice. “What about your pride? And your ego? And your lame jokes?”
“Ouch,” he said. “That last one was really below the belt!”
“Well, what can I say? You don’t want to cross swords with me,” I said lightly, but my voice betrayed how much I was enjoying our conversation.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said. “See you tomorrow then?”
I nodded. “Sure. Goodnight.” I was about to hang up when another thought occurred to me. “Wait,” I said. “Where’d you get my number?”
He chuckled. “Wouldn’t you like to know that?” He sounded pleased. “Well, what can I say? I’ve got my little secrets, too.”
***
That night, I slept well. Again, I heard the voice, but this time, whoever was speaking to me had Nathan’s face.
If it really was his voice or if I simply projected him there, I didn’t know. The voice wasn’t loud enough. It was very faint, like it was coming from far away. But for the first time, I didn’t feel scared or trapped. That night, the dream was comforting, and I woke feeling refreshed.
Unfortunately, that feeling didn’t last long. Only moments after I’d eaten a little something, a wave of nausea washed over me and I barely made it to the bathroom before my stomach rejected the breakfast I’d fed it.
After throwing up, I instantly felt better as though nothing had happened. So, I got dressed and headed into town. When I walked into City Gardens an hour later, I stopped by the door. At the bar sat my brother in deep conversation with Abby, their heads bent close together and a smile on each of their faces.
I had to have made some noise or it had been that strange sense you sometimes have that someone’s looking at you, but suddenly they turned around and saw me. For a second, they didn’t just look surprised to see me, but it was almost as though I had caught them doing something they weren’t supposed to be doing.
Quickly, they had a friendly smile in place that came across so fake they looked like zombies fresh out of a horror movie.
“What’s going on here?” I asked, taking a seat next to my brother.
Again, they looked at each other as though to agree on a story before Abby said, “Oh, nothing. Your bonehead of a brother just stopped by to…pick up a CD he’d left at my place.” There was definite stuttering in her voice.
I looked from one to the other. “Okay, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you two are back together and for some reason you don’t want me to know.”
Their eyes flew open, and for a split second, they did look busted. Then Abby started laughing, and Andy joined in a moment later.
“Funny! What have you had for breakfast?” Abby asked, her eyes not meeting mine. “By the way, how was your big interview last night? Found out anything new?”
I decided to let them off the hook and went along with the change of topic. I told them everything that had happened last night, including the phone call.
“That’s just getting better and better,” Abby commented, eyes beaming.
I shook my head. “You mean creepier, don’t you? It’s getting creepier.”
She frowned at me. “C’mon, you have to admit he sounds really nice, and he seems to genuinely like you. So, why are you being this bitchy?”
Andy started laughing, and I glared at him. “Since when are you two on the same cycle? I’m not sure I like this.”
“So, you’re meeting him for lunch?” Abby cut in.
I nodded. “Yes, how did you know?”
She grinned at me, and her eyes shifted to the side. “Because he’s standing right over there,” she said, pointing to the door.
I turned around, and there he was.
For a moment, I wondered which one of the two selves I’d met was standing there. But then an open smile spread over his face as he came walking over to the bar, and I knew that this was the man I had spoken to the day before.
“Hey there,” Nathan said, leaning on the bar casually. “Looks like I’m not the only one showing up early.”
“So it would seem,” I said, unsure what to say with Abby and Andy basically staring at us as though we were some kind of lab rats.
Nathan’s eyes flashed to them and then back to me. He leaned closer and whispered, “Why are these people staring at us?”
I shrugged. “They can’t help it. No one ever taught them how to behave in public. Just ignore them.” I rose from the bar stool. “Since we’re both here, shall we sit down?”
A bit theatrically, he offered me his arm, and I breathed a sigh of relief when we left the two onlookers behind.
“Speaking of people you have to deal with, would you include those two in that description?” he asked, jerking his head at them.
I laughed. “Oh, yes, I sure would.”
Sitting down, his eyes narrowed as he observed them from afar. “Granted, they are giving off a slightly bizarre vibe, but other than that they seem okay. Harmless even.”
Again, I laughed. “Believe me, that’s just camouflage.” Then I frowned. “Hey, didn’t you call me bizarre yesterday?”
“You didn’t forget,” he said, grinning.
I shrugged. “How could I? It’s not very flattering, now is it?”
“Well, I’d say that depends,” he started. “There’s bizarre, and then there’s bizarre.”
“You’re not making any sense.”
He laughed. “Well, what I meant is that there is a slightly creepy and somewhat disturbing kind of bizarre,” he pointed at the two by the bar, “you can find perfect specimen for this kind of bizarre over there.”
“Okay, and what about the other kind?”
He breathed out slowly, looking at me intently. “Mmmh, the other kind is more of a strange, yet fascinating kind of bizarre. The kind that makes you want to know more.”
I smiled. “So, that’s why you wanted to meet me? This is a social study. Are you writing a new book? Maybe about different kinds of bizarre people?” I shrugged my shoulders. “Whatever that means.”
Nathan’s eyes opened wide, and he stared at me while an amused smile slowly appeared on his face. “Wow.” He leaned back. “I definitely did not see that one backfire.”
Satisfied about denting his armor of self-confidence, I said, “What? Are women usually charmed by this? Do you use the bizarre line often?”
He laughed openly, then shook his head. “Actually, this is a new one. But since the field testing turned out to be so negative, I think I’ll retire it right away.”
“That might be a good idea,” I said, nodding. “How about no lines at all?” He looked surprised, and I lifted my hand to keep him from saying something. “I know. I know. This is new territory for you, which will probably make you behave like an amateur, but…”
“But?” he asked, leaning forward.
I smiled, remembering what he’d said yesterday. “B
ut I think that sounds promising.”
He held out his hand. “All right, deal.”
“Deal,” I said, taking it, and once more my skin tingled with delight.
“Utter honesty,” he mused. “It’s unusual, rare even, but I think I like it.”
I frowned. “What? Another line?”
His eyes serious, he shook his head. “No, just an old-fashioned compliment.”
Watching him carefully, I nodded, “That, I can live with.”
“I’m glad,” he said, opening a menu. “So, can you recommend something? You seem well-acquainted with this joint.”
Over the next two hours, we talked, ordered and talked some more. The atmosphere was pleasant and somehow easy-going, and at times, I completely forgot why I was here in the first place. The food was delicious as I knew it would be, and I enjoyed myself and his company immensely. I was even completely oblivious to the cautious stares from the bar. As curious as they were, neither Abby nor Andy were able to concentrate on anything else.
“So, will you tell me now why you think we know each other?” Nathan asked when dessert came around. Hot apple pie with cream. This day kept getting better.
Again, I eyed him carefully.
“C’mon, try me,” he said. “I promise I won’t laugh.”
Now, I laughed. “That’s not it. I’m more afraid you’ll think I’m insane. Believe me, others have already gone down that path.”
“Really? Others as in those two?” He pointed to the bar.
“One of them,” I said.
“Your brother?”
I nodded. “How do you know?”
Nathan shrugged. “He seems the type. Someone with a broad range of unusual interests, but when something unusual really comes his way, he is unable to believe.” I frowned at him, but he just shrugged his shoulders. “What can I say? I know my readers.”
Laughing, I said, “He actually does read your books.”
“Well, at least one in the family does.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? I thought it was refreshing that I hadn’t read your book? Or was that just a line, too?”
His eyes narrowed. “Are you always this aggressive?”
“I’m not aggressive,” I insisted.
“No? Well, you should see yourself. If this is not aggressive, I don’t want to see you when you are.” He leaned forward conspiratorially. “And by the way, you’re changing the subject.”
“You really want to know?”
“Would I have asked if I didn’t?”
“All right,” I said. “Here it goes. A guy, that looks…exactly like you, has been following me around lately.” I decided not to mention anything about the time shifts. At least not yet. “He suddenly shows up out of nowhere, even asks for me, but he always disappears as quickly as he’s come. I don’t really know what he wants because whenever I try to talk to him, he—”
“What?” he cut in, his voice sounding a bit shocked. “You actually tried to talk to your stalker? Okay, I’m not sure if I’m impressed by your bravery or concerned with your stupidity.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“Only trying to help,” he said in an appeasing tone.
“Well, you’re not.”
He exhaled audibly. “All right, go on.”
“So, when I try to talk to him, he either disappears as though he’s intentionally avoiding me or he says something really cryptic that I can’t make any sense of.”
“And when this happens,” he asked, suppressing a grin, “you’re sure you’re awake?”
I looked at him disbelievingly. “Were you here before when I mentioned how people don’t believe what I’m saying? Or was that the other you I was talking to?”
“Sorry, I couldn’t help it,” he said, trying to keep a straight face. “And…eh…he really looks exactly like me?”
I nodded. “He does. Just minus the arrogance.” Again, he laughed. “You don’t happen to have a twin, do you? One who has recently escaped from a mental institution?”
A wide grin spread over his face. “I’m sorry, no.”
Suddenly, I remembered another reason why I’d come, and dug into my purse. “Here, take a look. Have you seen this before? Does this look familiar to you?”
I took out his book and opened it to the page with the bookmark.
There was a frown on his face as he looked from the book to me and back again.
“You do recognize it, don’t you?” I asked, feeling hopeful.
“Eh, yeah,” he said, something strange in his voice. “I wrote it.”
“You did?” I asked. “Then tell me what it means. When did you write it? And why do I have it now? Do you know?”
He held up his hands. “Okay, this is weird.” He leaned forward. “You know that this is one of my books, right? The one you quizzed me on yesterday. So, yes, of course I wrote it. About a year ago. As to its meaning, I—”
My heart sank. “Not the book,” I said. “The bookmark.”
His eyes closed, and a smile appeared on his face. “Gosh, for a second there, you actually scared me. I can see why people might think you’re insane.”
“Hey!”
He shook his head. “No, I just meant maybe it’s all in the delivery. Maybe you just confuse them.”
“I doubt that that’s it,” I said. “So, you don’t recognize the bookmark?”
He shook his head. “No, what makes you think I would?”
“I’m not sure. It was just a feeling that there might be a connection.”
“Between the bookmark, your stalker and me?”
I nodded.
“And you still think he and I are the same person?”
“Kinda.” I hesitated. “There are differences but you…” I was about to say, you make me feel the same way, but then stopped. I had already told him more than enough. And even though I felt completely at ease with him, despite the fact that we constantly argued–in a weird way it reminded me of Abby and Andy–I remembered then and there, that he was actually still a stranger. I didn’t really know him. And maybe it was a mistake to be this forthcoming.
So I came up with a pleaded appointment and told him I had to go. From his face, I could tell that he didn’t believe me, but he accepted my excuse, asking if he could call me later this week. I agreed, realizing that I really wanted to see him again, and then before Abby could cut in with a question that would lead to another few thousand, I rushed out to my car.
Chapter Nineteen – Leap of Faith
I spent the rest of the day lying on the couch with a bucket next to me. Shortly after I had returned home, my nausea had returned as well, and only lying down on the side seemed to hold it at bay. At least a little.
Was it food poisoning? Probably. Although I couldn’t remember eating anything that might have caused this. And besides this feeling of nausea had come and gone a couple of times over the last few weeks. Mostly accompanied by dizziness or a headache. Only now it had gotten worse. Worse enough for me to pay attention to it.
Turning on the TV, I let it lull me to sleep.
Again, I heard Nathan’s voice, and this time I was sure it was his. However, he wasn’t talking to me. At least not all the time. Sometimes the rhythm with which he spoke was different. It was familiar, but it was not as though he was speaking to me. It was almost like…I couldn’t quite grasp it. But it sounded urgent. More urgent than before.
In the back, there was that beeping sound again, ringing out in regular intervals. I knew I’d heard it before.
When I woke, it was dark outside, and a look at the clock over the fireplace proved that it was already two in the morning. Sitting up, I realized that my nausea was gone. So I left the bucket downstairs and went up to bed. Once my head hit the pillow, I was out. Back in the world of strange sounds.
Although I had slept so much the day before, I didn’t wake until around noon. Luckily, I felt mostly relaxed and only a little weak. Deciding on a careful breakfast of only a piece of t
oast and a little hot tea, I settled back onto the couch, looking out the window at the icy fields and forest spreading far into the distance. It looked so peaceful.
Thinking about everything that had happened, I knew I hadn’t come any closer to an answer. But I was determined to see Nathan again. If there was an answer, it would lie with him–if he knew about it or not. And besides, I really liked him.
As though just thinking about him had made him materialize out of nothing, I suddenly found myself staring at him as he was standing outside my window in the front yard.
Sitting up, I put aside the cup of tea and then rose from the couch. But when I approached the window, he took a step backward. And then another.
Instantly, I knew that this wasn’t the man I had had lunch with the day before, and I also knew that he would disappear again if I didn’t act quickly.
So I rushed to the back door, pulled on my boots and threw on my winter jacket. A distant part of my mind alerted me that I was still in my pajamas, but I didn’t care. I rushed outside and just made it before he disappeared around a bent in the road, that led into the forest and to the lake we had used for ice-skating when we were children.
Trying to pick up my pace, I realized I wasn’t feeling all that well after all. The world started to spin a little, dipping here and there, and I almost slipped a couple of times on the ice that still coated the road. But when I came around the bent, I found him standing only a few feet ahead of me. It was like he had waited for me to catch up.
However, when he saw me, he turned back and marched onward. Again, I hurried after him, not knowing why. Something was pushing me. I knew I had to catch him.
At one point, I called his name, and he actually turned around. I stopped instantly, too shocked at his reaction, and stared at him.
His eyes were drilling into mine, a pleading urgency in them. “Hurry,” he whispered and headed farther down the path.
For a moment, I leaned against a tree, catching my breath before continuing my pursuit. The rational part of my brain warned me that I was following a total stranger into the woods. It also warned me of pneumonia as I felt the chill of the icy air crawl under my pajamas and raise goose bumps on my skin.
