The Crimson Hunt

by Smith, Victoria H.

  I found him still sitting by the window, thumbing through the ivory journal he brought with him last time. Looking up, he gave me a small smile, then returned his gaze to the journal.

  I climbed under the covers and turned to my side. I lay there for a moment by myself, but couldn’t help but long for the comfort of his strong arms around me. Would that be too much to ask him? “Luca?”

  He drew near so quickly and silently that my ears strained to hear his steps. The bed dipped and the springs squeaked when he sat.

  “I ….” I couldn’t bring myself to ask and lay in silence. I hated I was being so weak.

  He touched my cheek, and I closed my eyes.

  “Could you ….” I tried again.

  The covers around me moved instantly and he slid in beside me. I shimmed back a little, hoping he would put his arms around me. Only a few moments passed before he did.

  The ache in my heart eased. I wrapped my arms around myself, touching his. The steadiness of his breath in my ear was so soothing.

  “Will it ever get any easier?” I asked after a moment. Still in his arms, I turned around. I hoped seeing his magnetic eyes would help comfort me even more, but speaking aloud only made my dark reality real to me again. The tears spilled down my cheeks.

  He gazed deeply into my eyes. Placing his hand to my cheek, he caressed my skin with his fingertips. “Ariel, you have a strength that cannot be hindered by anything. A strength that I admire greatly.” He moved my hair out of the way of my eyes, wiping away my tears.

  The glow of his bright eyes drew near as he caressed my cheek.

  My heart jumped and my body froze as I watched.

  I didn’t blink. I didn’t breathe. I didn’t move. I just watched.

  His fingers threaded into my hair and he touched his forehead to mine. His lips were so close I could feel the heat from them on my own. His long eyelashes flicked down, and he leaned in just slightly toward my lips. His own lips parted.

  I let out a small breath … and watched his parted lips close. He pulled back and clenched his eyes shut, and the tears pooled in my eyes as he leaned back from me completely.

  I swallowed the lump of disappointment in my throat and turned back around. My eyes weren’t strong enough to keep the tears in.

  Though his arms were still around me as I drifted off to sleep, the comfort they provided didn’t feel the same. He’d clearly stepped back from the moment. He’d clearly stepped back from me. The horrors of the night took my dreams once again that night, but this time … the images were the worst they’d ever been.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Bailey, what are you doing here? How did you even know this was my room?” I asked through the crack in the door.

  “I waited behind the corner and watched you go in.” She beamed.

  Brilliant.

  “And I know you told me not to tell anyone about you, but you didn’t tell me I couldn’t come and see you,” she said, her heart shaped face bright.

  She was right, dammit. I guessed I was just as dumb as I thought I was.

  “I promise not to tell anyone, but I had to see you. I brought you a present.”

  This girl was so sweet. I found it hard to resist her face. “I’ll tell you what, you can come in if you don’t ask any questions and you promise, promise, promise not to tell anyone anything you see, or even the fact that you met me.” I made sure to detail every word this time in our agreement. This little girl must have been a lawyer in another life.

  Luca probably wouldn’t agree with this decision—in fact, he would probably take me to a new location if he knew anything about my initial meeting with Bailey—but I couldn’t say no to her. The events of the night with Luca left me feeling so alone, full of so much pain. I needed a friend.

  “I promise!” She practically bounced with excitement.

  I opened the door just enough for her to come in and quickly closed it behind her.

  She walked in, immediately scanning my room with her little eyes. She ran to the open window and sat on the wide ledge. “This is great, Ariel. You actually have a kitchen in your room and an awesome view of Robin’s Windmill. You definitely have one of our best rooms.”

  I stepped over and sat beside her. “What do you mean ‘our’?”

  “Oh, sorry, me and my mom. We own this bed and breakfast.” She gave me her sweet smile.

  “Ah, okay. That’s cool.”

  Bailey looked into the sky. “My dad bought and named the windmill after my mom before he died. He used to take me out there all the time, and we would watch the birds fly in V’s in the sky.”

  She lost family, too. I couldn’t help but see some of myself in her. “I’m sorry about your dad. I lost my parents when I was young, too.” I fought the somberness in my voice, so she wouldn’t feel sad.

  She turned away from the window and pulled her legs up to the sill. “I’m sorry, Ariel. Do you mind me asking how they died?”

  I tried to keep my heart from sinking back to that day. I answered quickly as to not dwell on the memory too long. “No, I don’t mind.” I gave her the strongest smile I could. “They died in a fire when I was five.”

  She lowered her head, her face sad. “My dad died in a construction accident. How do you deal with it?”

  I reached for the keepsake, but once again, there was absence. I rubbed at the empty spot casually. “I have this necklace my parents gave me. It has a moonstone in it. They told me once they found the stone when they went to Sri Lanka on their honeymoon, and made it into a necklace for me when I was born. Whenever I get sad, I just hold it and they’re with me.” I thought it best not to tell her I lost it.

  “That’s really nice, Ariel.” Her smile returned.

  “What about you? How do you remember your dad?”

  “I draw what I feel. My dad taught me how. I like to draw all kinds of things, like butterflies and flowers … anything I find beautiful.”

  Now, I could really see myself in her. “I draw, too.” I picked up my sketchpad from the side table next to the window, and turned the pages to one of my nicer sketches of Robin’s Windmill. “Here.” I handed the pad to her.

  Her eyes grew as big as saucers. “Wow. You’re so much better than I am.” She handed the sketch back to me.

  “You’re still little. I bet when you grow up, you will be able to draw circles around me.” I leaned in, bumping her shoulder with mine. “Do you want it? I have so many drawings of it already.”

  She lit up. “Can I really?”

  I ripped off the sketch and handed it to her.

  She received the drawing like the work was a delicate and precious treasure. Holding it securely to her chest, she said, “Thank you, Ariel.” She folded it up and placed it in her pocket. “I know you told me not to ask you any questions, but could you tell me more about your friend? The one with hair like mine?”

  I hesitated, but didn’t see the harm in it as long as I didn’t reveal Piper’s name. “Sure. I’ll tell you about the day we became friends.” I crossed my ankle under my knee and considered the best way to tell the story to a ten-year-old. “There was this girl that didn’t like me very much in school. And then, one day, in came my future red-headed friend. She saw the girl who didn’t like me argue with me about one of my paintings. The girl felt I didn’t deserve the award the teacher gave me and that her own work was way better than mine. Well, do you know what my red-headed friend did?”

  Bailey leaned forward, eager to find out.

  “She picked up a can of finger paint and dumped it all over the mean girl’s head. The girl was completely covered from head to toe in green paint. She looked like a giant piece of asparagus. It was that day I realized, if someone cared about me enough to stand up for me, we were meant to be friends.”

  Bailey laughed so hard she snorted. “She sounds so cool. No wonder boys like her.” After a few seconds, she looked at her hair again and somberness formed across her sweet face. “I could never be like that.”
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  “You’re cool, too. You just have to grow into your wings, then you’ll be fighting off the boys with a stick. Take a look at that boy that picked on you the other day. He sure gave you a special amount of attention.”

  “Tyler?” Her face contorted in disgust.

  I laughed. “Yeah, Tyler. That’s what boys do when they like you. They pick on you.”

  She looked confused. “So, you’re saying, Tyler calls me tomato head because he likes me?”

  “I’m saying he sure spent a lot of energy on someone he doesn’t like.”

  She thought about that for a while, but then shrugged her shoulders. “I guess I will never understand boys.”

  “Tell me about it.” I said, thinking about my night with Luca. Speaking of …. I glanced at the clock against the wall. He would probably be checking in with me soon. I had to get Bailey out of here before he arrived. “Hey, it’s getting pretty late. You probably should get going.”

  Disappointment moved over her face. “You’re right. My mom usually expects me back around this time for dinner, anyway, and if she knew I was in the room of a guest she would be really mad.” She got up and walked toward the door.

  I followed and opened the door for her.

  She stepped out. “Oh, I almost forgot the real reason I came here.” She reached into her pocket, took out a piece of paper, and handed it to me. “Ariel, do you think I could come back sometime to see you?”

  “We’ll see, girlie.”

  She smiled her sweet smile and skipped out the door, heading down the hallway.

  I closed the door and took a look at what she gave me. The paper was a drawing of me, or what looked to be me in the vision of a ten-year-old’s eyes. My caricature was surrounded by flowers and butterflies; things she thought were beautiful.

  *

  Knock, Knock, Knock.

  It seemed as if Bailey had just left when Luca’s familiar knock came to the door. I was glad I thought to get her out quickly. I left the windowsill and went to let him in.

  He was looking down when I opened the door, and when his eyes found mine, I could see the strain in them. Their beautiful hue seemed not so bright tonight. He looked so worn out.

  I blinked, realizing I stared and hadn’t greeted him. “Hi.”

  “Hello.” He gave a small smile, and glanced away.

  Crap. He did notice I stared. I wanted to hug him like I always did, but now it just seemed awkward. Not knowing what to do, I stepped aside and let him in. After closing the door, I watched him.

  He walked over to the couch. Running his hand along the threads of the material, he gazed into the light of the setting sun.

  Staring at him, I wondered what was on his mind.

  He turned around. “How have things been for you here?”

  I actually did feel stronger after seeing Bailey. “Umm, really well. I have been putting good use to the sketchpad you brought me.”

  His mouth formed into a small smile. “I am glad you have been keeping yourself busy. I know it has been hard for you. I was afraid you might have been growing restless.”

  “No, not at all. This place has been so stress-free; nothing really exciting going on. I appreciate it, though. It helps.” Wait. Was I lying to him? Should I tell him about my visit with Bailey?

  “That is great, Ariel.” His gaze returned to the window.

  I stepped closer to him, but hesitated when his eyes met mine. God, he looked so stressed. So tired. “Umm, is everything okay? How are things on the outside? What do you suggest our next move should be?”

  He motioned for me to sit on the couch, and I made my way around it. After I sat in the middle, he took his own seat on the far end, keeping his gaze ahead of him.

  Why did he sit so far from me?

  “I feel it would be best if you stayed here for a little while longer,” he said, his eyes still gazing in front of him.

  I leaned forward, trying to find his eyes. “Why?”

  He breathed in deeply. “It is the safest place for you for the time being. I will do my best to make sure your stay is not too terribly long.”

  I kept looking for his eyes, but he wouldn’t let me see them. Perhaps he didn’t want me to see him so tired. Not wanting to increase his stress, I said, “O-Okay, if that’s what you feel is the best.”

  He let out a short breath and a small smile formed across his lips. He finally transferred his gaze to mine and his expression brightened a bit.

  Oh. Maybe he just wanted me to stay put here and was worried I’d be upset by that. That was a relief. I was worried something else happened. He was so stressed today. The tension finally easing in my body, I said, “Is there anyway … umm. Is there anyway you could stay tonight?” I felt forward asking again, but I couldn’t help but ask.

  His eyes flickered and he looked away. When he did that, I knew what the answer was going to be. “I wish I could, Ariel, but I am needed back in town. I actually cannot stay very long tonight. I just wanted to check in with you and make sure you were all right and did not need anything.”

  I needed him. He was being so standoffish, like he was fighting with himself to be here. “Oh, well that’s okay. I don’t think I need anything. You brought me a bunch of stuff last time you were here, so I think I’m pretty much set,” I lied. I pulled my legs up onto the couch and into my chest. My eyes veered away this time, not wanting him to see the frustration and disappointment building within them.

  He rose. “I will check back in a few days.” He made his way toward the door.

  I listened, waiting for the open and close of the door, but my ears were met with no sound. Turning my head, I saw his hand on the doorknob, but he made no motion to exit.

  Smiling inside, I put my legs to the floor. My feet braced the floor to rise, but stopped when I saw his moment of hesitation had past. He turned the doorknob and walked out the door without another word.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “I’m never going to get this right, Ariel.” Bailey laid her oil pencil down and gazed into the sun, defeat on her face.

  “You’re doing great, just keep at it. Art isn’t always about perfection. It’s about how it makes you feel and where your hand takes you.” I smiled.

  She huffed. “But I just want it to be as good as yours.” She looked at her picture of Robin’s Windmill in disgust.

  I patted her shoulder. “You’re doing fine. One day you will probably be teaching me a thing or two.”

  She glanced up from her sketch. “Do you really think so?”

  “I told you. You just have to believe in yourself and nothing will stand in your way.” I touched my pencil to the tip of her nose.

  She giggled, her cheeks growing an adorable rosy color. “Thanks, Ariel.” She put down the sketch. “Do you think you could tell me another story about her? Your friend?”

  I stared into her eyes, seeing the sadness there. “Have those boys been picking on you again?”

  “No, it’s just when you talk about her it makes me feel like I’m not the only one, like I’m not so different.”

  I put down my sketchpad and cupped her chin. “You listen to me. You are different, and guess what? So am I. That’s what makes us unique. That’s what makes us stand out from the rest of them, and that’s what makes us beautiful. Don’t you forget that.”

  Bailey leaned up on her knees and gave me a warm hug.

  “Us different girls got to stick together, right?” I released her and lifted my hand.

  “Right!” She gave me a high five.

  Knock, Knock, Knock.

  Crap. My gaze shot to the door, and then I checked my watch. He was early. I looked at Bailey and put my finger to my lips. She clapped her hands to her mouth and nodded.

  Knock, Knock, Knock.

  “Just a sec, I’m getting dressed!” I shouted toward the door. I pulled Bailey’s hands away from her mouth, signaling it was okay to speak. “Now, Bailey, you must listen to me very carefully. I have a secret spy mission
for you,” I whispered.

  She perked up.

  “That man at the door is another spy. If he found out I talked to you he would think I shared top secret information, so I need you to hide until he leaves.” I hoped to God she bought this.

  If it was at all possible, Bailey’s face managed to get even more excited. “It’s okay, Ariel. All of these rooms have doors to the attic through the bathrooms. I’ll just sneak out through there.”

  This little kid really did astound me.

  Knock, Knock, Knock.

  “Almost done!” I shouted toward the door again. “Great. I will see you tomorrow, and I promise to tell you a story.” I gave her a big hug and watched her scurry to the bathroom and out of sight. I stood and hid her drawings. After I collected myself, I answered the door.

  Luca stared at me, hard. “Is … everything all right?”

  Oh God, he knows. “Everything’s fine,” I said quickly. Stepping to the side, I let him in.

  His eyes shifted about the room when he walked in. “It is just, it took you a while to change, is why I ask.” His eyes peered into the bathroom, and then flickered to the area under the bed.

  I wiped the sweat beads from my brow as I followed closely behind him. “Well, I’m a girl, I guess.” I gave a nervous laugh.

  Luca turned around and smiled. “I suppose you are correct.” His eyes unfocused from mine for a moment in thought and his expression faded. “Were you watching television a minute ago?”

  OMG. OMG. OMG. “Umm … yeah. I know it only has like two channels, but hey, it’s something to do, right?” I giggled like a buffoon. If that didn’t give me away, I didn’t know what would.

  His smile returned. “Well, I am happy to see you smiling again.”

  It was at that moment I felt really guilty for lying to him. I looked away from his eyes and walked to the windowsill. He followed me, and we sat down together in silence.

  Lines of stress and tension were etched deeply into his face. He looked so exhausted. I wished he’d let me in. Tell me what was wrong so I could help him. “Is everything all right?”