Talisman 1 - The Emerald Talisman

by Brenda Pandos

  “Oh my gosh; what happened?” she asked as soon as I tried getting out of the Blazer. Both she and Luke had to help me get out.

  “You’ll never guess,” I said with a wry smile.

  I explained the whole story to her as she helped me get to our first period P.E. class.

  “You’re kidding!” she said wide-eyed as I got to the part where he caught me.

  I’d conveniently left out the “mountain lion” part. I just changed the story slightly saying that the spider caused me to lose my balance and then I toppled off the side of the cliff. It didn’t sound as good, but a mountain lion sighting could cause some to panic. If that information got back to my brother or my dad, I would surely get it. It would be Nicholas’ and my secret.

  By third period, news spread like wild fire around school about how I’d almost fallen to my death and some stranger rescued me. Girls I barely knew stopped me in the hall to ask me what happened. Each time I told the story, the reaction was the same –mouths open, then comments of how lucky I was. Every one of them astounded and a tiny bit jealous and I could only assume it was because they wanted to have the same thing happen to them. I would gladly trade my injuries and the attention with any one of them, as long as I knew for certain I’d meet Nicholas another way. But then, I’d be willing to fall again, just to feel the warmth of his arms.

  The endless questions grew annoying as the day dragged on. I just wanted to get home and wait for Nicholas to come see me. Plus, my armpits were sore from hobbling around on crutches all day.

  “What does he look like?” Dena asked me, while Sam and Katie listened in during lunch in the cafeteria; the boys talking about something else.

  “Well, he’s probably six feet tall with dark brown hair, green eyes, medium build and I think he’s my age. Oh and he’s really strong. I couldn’t believe he carried me up the side of the trail and then all the way home. He acted as if it was effortless. And the weird thing was he knew me.”

  “You don’t remember meeting him?” Sam asked.

  “No, I think I’d remember meeting him.”

  Again, I tried to place when we could have met. I wasn’t one for going to parties and we had a relatively small student body. I’d also grown up in this town and knew a lot of faces from the deli. I made a mental note to ask when I saw him. Yet another question he needed to answer.

  “Maybe he’s a peeping Tom and he was stalking you,” Katie said with a smirk.

  I shot her a look.

  “He’s not like that.” I would know being stalked for real.

  “Do you think he’s in high school still? Or maybe he’s in college,” Sam suggested.

  Dena and Katie giggled. I hadn’t thought of that. What if he was in college? Would he think I was too young?

  “Now you have a date for the homecoming,” Dena said in a sing-song sort of way, eyes beaming.

  “Oh, I don’t know about that. We just met,” I said quickly.

  I wonder if he’d want to take me.

  The bell rang and we all groaned.

  I tried to concentrate in Algebra, but I kept daydreaming about what happened and the entire class faded into a blur. I didn’t snap out of it until I saw our homework assignment and panicked. I’d not paid attention one bit and now was behind in two lessons. I’d forgotten to do my homework the night before. But it wasn’t due until the end of the week.

  But when sixth period Spanish finally came to a close and I was free to go I started to get nervous. And seeing Luke’s Blazer come into the parking lot to pick me up made me break out in a sweat. The wait would soon be over. He got out and helped me into the cab, putting my crutches in the backseat.

  “How was it today?” he asked after pulling away from the curb.

  “It was actually a good day. Everyone wanted to know what happened. It was crazy! I had girls I didn’t know wanting to hear the story. I couldn’t believe it!” I gushed.

  “No one had the guts to tell you you were stupid for going out on that trail alone last night?” he said with a smirk.

  “No,” I chided back, sticking my tongue out. He did have a point. “I think my school is just desperate for some good gossip and my mishap fit the bill.”

  “Uh huh.”

  I could tell he only half listened to me.

  “I still can’t believe it happened, you know?” I babbled. “I mean, here I am, hanging off the cliff and Nicholas is there to catch me just in time. If you think about it, it’s so crazy.”

  “Yeah, you are.”

  “Shut up!” I said as I jabbed him in the side deciding it would be better to remain silent the rest of the ride home.

  At home, I quickly changed and put on a light pink shirt I always received compliments on. I also touched up my makeup and fixed my hair a little bit, still trying to look natural.

  I decided that I would sit on the couch close to the front window, with my leg propped up and work on homework until he showed up. This would give me a perfect view of the street and still look casual.

  But I got nothing done. Every car that drove by, or walker on the sidewalk, drew my attention and my head bobbed up in anticipation. This constant back and forth made it impossible for me to concentrate, so I gave up trying to do anything and just stared out of the window instead.

  I tried to imagine what he might be doing at the moment. Did he have a job? And did he live close by? And how old was he really? Maybe he would take me to homecoming. Visions of me and him dancing on the floor with the “popular” guys looking on made me smile. I would have a real date for once.

  I also couldn’t wait to get a little better so I could return to the place where we’d met. The thought of going back to the cliff made my insides knot up, in a good way. Maybe I could find some answers to my questions too.

  “Don’t even think about milking this injury,” Luke joked as he walked past the living room. “You’re still going to have to do your chores.”

  “Whatever! I’d trade this sprained ankle with you in a second to do chores!” I yelled after watching him disappear upstairs.

  I hoped he wasn’t watching me a few seconds ago when a goofy grin covered my face.

  Dad cooked salmon for dinner and it made the house smell like a seafood restaurant. I moved from my choice location into the kitchen to watch him work. I needed another distraction to help me in my quest for patience.

  “How was your day?” Dad asked, turning for a brief second.

  “Okay I guess. I’m pretty popular all of a sudden. Everyone was curious about what happened.”

  “Oh?” he said, as he chopped up veggies to stir fry.

  I’d always felt like my dad was different than other dads. For one, he loved to cook. So did Luke for that matter. Most other kids’ dads that I knew enjoyed sports or news on TV in their spare time, but not mine. When he wasn’t traveling on business or in the kitchen, you could find him in his office, on his computer doing research or reading a book.

  If I wanted any of his attention at all, this would have to be the time.

  “I think the kids at school are just bored for something to talk about.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “The good news is my ankle feels a lot better. I can move around the house without crutches, so I think I won’t need them in a week like the doctor said.”

  “I see.”

  “I also think now is a good time to get my gas gauge fixed since I won’t be driving until I do get rid of my crutches. I was hoping you and Luke would take it in for me.”

  “Okay.”

  “Oh and when I woke up this morning, I had a weird incision on my left temple. I think alien’s abducted me in the night and returned me in the morning because I don’t remember having to get stitches yesterday.”

  “Uh huh… Wait?” He spun around, his face contorted. “What did you say?”

  I laughed. “Just checking to see if you’re listening, Dad.”

  Normally, Dad or Luke would make dinner and I’d clean up. It bec
ame an unspoken rule since all I could cook was cookies out of a pre-made package and scrambled eggs. But tonight, someone else would need to do the dishes because of my injury. That made me kind of happy.

  “How was dinner last night? Is there anything new going on with Auntie Jo or John?” I tried to hide my disdain while saying his name.

  “Dinner was nice. John got a new job and likes it. But Jo said she misses you and would like you to come over soon. Says you’re always so busy. Are you avoiding her for some reason?”

  I knew eventually someone would notice that I’d completely stopped spending time with Aunt Jo and John. The reason I avoided them happened to be that I couldn’t stand to be around John. If I had an unsafe list, John would be the first one on it. He made it impossible to spend quality alone time with her.

  The last time I tried, he inadvertently invited himself along and turned it into a “let’s analyze Julia” nightmare. I secretly hoped his new job insisted that he travel like my dad.

  “No. I’m not,” I half fibbed. “I just don’t want to intrude since she’s married now.”

  “I don’t think John minds if you come over every once in a while and spend time with them. He understood when he married her you and your brother are practically her children.”

  “I mind,” I muttered under my breath so he couldn’t hear me.

  After the let’s analyze Julia session, I refused to let John know anything further about my life. But what bothered me the most was Jo seemed oblivious to the intrusiveness of John’s inappropriate questions. On top of that, it hurt that she hadn’t come to find out why I’d distanced myself or even seemed to miss me. It felt good to know she actually did.

  “Okay. I’ll try to make it over there this weekend,” I said, figuring it was time to at least make an appearance.

  Dinner came and went and I’d completely lost track of time until I noticed it was a little after eight. My heart sank when I realized Nicholas was unlikely to show up tonight. Where was he? Did I misunderstand? Maybe he was running late?

  I needed to find something to do. There was a slim possibility he may come within the next few minutes but I couldn’t wait and watch the clock.

  I limped into Dad’s office and sat behind his large desk, moving the mouse to activate the screen. From the desktop, I opened the browser and typed in ‘mountain lion’ and clicked ‘search’. A few menacing images of lions popped up with over a million links to choose from.

  I scanned the list and then clicked “mountain lion attacks on people in the US and Canada.” On that page, I clicked, “statistics of attacks,”. The new page loaded and I looked for the details in California. To my surprise, there had only been one attack last year and no deaths.

  Interesting.

  I clicked another link and jumped as the sound of a cougar cry came through the speakers.

  “Geez!” I exclaimed.

  “What’s that?” Dad asked, calling from the other room.

  “Oh, nothing. I’m just researching something for school,” I said and quickly turned down the sound.

  On the screen was a list of Do’s and Don’ts.

  Do’s and Don’ts… Never turn your back on a lion. Never ever run from a lion. Do look at them in the eyes. Don’t go out in lion territory alone. Don’t go out from dusk to dawn. Act aggressively towards the lion. Make menacing noises. Smile and show your teeth. Use a stick and thrust it towards its face….

  Then I scrolled to the bottom and my eye caught a peculiar sentence.

  It’s important to keep in mind that lion attacks are still extremely rare in California and nationally.

  Rare?

  I clicked to read some first hand stories and noticed a common thread. All of the attacks happened during the day and most of the victims survived. Still the stories were creepy and I shivered.

  Maybe it was another cat? I looked up “bobcat”.

  Though the Bobcat prefers rabbits and hares, it will hunt anything from insects and small rodents to deer.

  Nope, it wasn’t that.

  Extremely rare?

  Something just didn’t fit.

  Suddenly Aladdin jumped up onto my lap and startled me. She looked right up at me and meowed loudly, begging for some affection.

  “Laudie, you brat,” I said as I gave her my meanest glare.

  It didn’t faze her as she rubbed her head against my outstretched arm, meowing repeatedly. Reluctant, I scratched her neck.

  She gently purred and started kneading my leg as if it were dough. I continued to pet her when it donned on me; she belonged to the cat family.

  I mentally reached out to see if I could sense her emotions. I would think I’d be able to feel her happiness and contentment as she purred softly on my lap, but I felt nothing.

  So, it had to be something other than an animal or was it only extreme emotions I felt.

  I thought about startling her to be mean, but decided against it as I casually glanced at the time. It was 9:32 p.m.

  Where did the time go?

  I felt all hope drain from my body like a deflated balloon as the reality sunk in. He didn’t come and I would have to start the wait all over again tomorrow. I sulked as I limped upstairs and got ready for bed, fighting my disappointment.

  Why did I make such a big deal about it at school today? If it wasn’t for Luke actually meeting him, I would be sure people would think I’d made the whole story up. I started to think that I did. But my healing cuts and aching bruises were a constant reminder that it happened.

  Oh, this is so embarrassing.

  I climbed into bed and turned off the light. I looked out the window again at the night sky wanting the stars to guide me, maybe give me answers.

  But what could have kept him? I didn’t know his last name, where he lived, or anything about him to find him. I worried my earlier gut reaction was right and I’d never see him again.

  The letdown was overwhelming. I had such hopes that maybe he was different. That he cared. Not knowing made me furious. I started to wish he’d just left me there. I’m sure I would have survived the fall. At least being laid up in the hospital with pain medication would feel better than the complete embarrassment I felt right now.

  Why would he promise to come see me and not come? I wanted to feel sorry for myself, but my frustration overpowered me. He wasn’t going to have this type of pull on me any longer.

  I refuse to get upset over some boy I just met! Get a hold of yourself, Julia!

  Angrily, I grabbed the dirty shirt I slept with the night before and threw it in the corner. His scent had no business lingering on my bed, even though it had faded to just a whisper. I balled up my pillows before throwing my head down on them and shut my eyes tight. I was going to go to sleep if it killed me.

  It didn’t matter though. As soon as I closed my eyes, I saw his face; his beautiful eyes shining radiantly down at me and felt the pull that melted my heart. I knew, no matter what I did, he was going to haunt me forever.

  . . .

  5 – FRUSTRATION

  My eyes slowly opened and I strained to focus on the blurry surroundings. I recognized the place at once – I stood alone in the dark forest. What was I doing here again? I knew the creature was going to return and eat me like it wanted to and I had to get out of there but my legs wouldn’t move. I turned before I heard the angry snarl. The noise came from just beyond the trees. Frozen in fear, I waited and watched. Evil green eyes appeared and stared out at me with lips curled up to reveal teeth ready to rip me to shreds. I shied away but knew I couldn’t defend myself. I gasped when I recognized the face that bore daggers into me. It was Nicholas.

  I found myself sitting up in bed, drenched in sweat and screaming. I looked around the dimly lit room for the thing I feared, but the dark images floated away like a fine mist and suddenly, I couldn’t remember what it was I searched for. I flopped back onto my pillows and I rolled over shivering, afraid to close my eyes. The clock read 2:20 a.m. like it did the night bef
ore.

  The soft light of the full moon gently shined into my room and helped bring me to reality. My heart finally slowed as sleepiness clouded my mind.

  I’ll just close my eyes for a second.

  Something made a horrible buzzing noise. Feeling groggy, I opened my eyes to find the sun’s happy rays glaring throughout my room. Annoyed, I reached over, hit my alarm, and groaned. My body ached all over.

  Keeping very still, I wondered how I would make it to school today. Staying home seemed like a more logical choice, but I knew I’d go stir crazy waiting around at home all day.

  Once I got to school, I wished I’d gone with my first instinct. Even though only two days had past since the accident, life at school returned to normal. My rescue story was already yesterday’s news and everyone stopped living vicariously through me. Actually, they were starting to get annoyed at my disability and so was I.

  The girls played volleyball again while I sat on the bleachers and watched during P.E. class. I tried to listen and take notes in History, but found myself daydreaming and tuned out Mr. Marshall’s monotone voice. When the bell rang to let us out of Chemistry, I packed up my things and gasped when I looked at my notes. I unconsciously doodled Nicholas’ name all over my paper. Quickly, I crumpled the evidence into a ball before Sam could see it.

  There goes turning over a new leaf.

  We waited until the crowd subsided before leaving the room – less people for me to accidentally run into. She took one look at my pathetic heavyhearted expression and furrowed her brow.

  “You’re not doing any better, are you?” she asked.

  I pouted up my lips and nodded my head.

  “I’m trying, but I can’t stop thinking about him,” I said, completely despondent.

  We headed across the lawn towards the cafeteria and Sam kept a slower pace. Since the accident, my appetite diminished to practically nothing and the thought of food made my stomach lurch.

  “I know, let’s go do something tonight,” Sam suggested cheerfully.

  “I can’t do much with these,” I said while lifting up my crutches.