by Jamie Summer
“The guy with the hood. He was right…” My voice trailed off when I turned to where he’d been seconds earlier. He was gone. “He was right there. I promise you. He… He vanished.”
“Emlyn, people don’t just vanish.”
“I’m telling you, he was right there!” Frustration rose within me. Then I noticed something else. “The shaking ceased.”
“It did the moment you walked toward him instead of running to safety.” Nathan looked at me curiously, as if trying to figure out if I were crazy or just scared. To be honest, I wasn’t sure about the answer myself.
“He did it. Maybe he stopped when I saw him because he didn’t want to get caught.”
Nathan said nothing, but his silence told me more than any answer could. That, and the arched brow he was now sporting.
“I’m serious. You may not believe me, but he was there. He made the bridge shake. He would’ve made it collapse if I didn’t see him first.”
“With us on it. Remember how I told you it was better to stay far away from this whole thing? This is why.”
Wait… What?
I furrowed my brows. “You didn’t even believe me about the man a second ago, but now this whole issue was what you’ve warned me about?” That didn’t make any sense.
“You almost got yourself killed, Emlyn. It’s merely by some miracle you’re still standing here. I won’t take any more chances. This bridge is being held up by a thread, so we need to get off.”
“The only miracle was me seeing the man responsible. That’s what happened, nothing else.” I wasn’t going to back down. I know what I saw.
Nathan grabbed my arm, ignoring me, and pulled me along, not stopping until we stood on sturdy ground once again.
I pulled my arm out of his grasp. “You said this was what you talked about, but this morning, you weren’t sure we were gonna find anything at all.”
Nathan ran a hand through his blond hair, a sure sign of frustration. Or annoyance. Both were a possibility with him. “It’s not that easy.”
“Screw easy. I’m not asking for easy. I’m just asking you to tell me what the hell you know.” I was pretty sure my voice could be heard on either side of the bridge, but I didn’t care.
“I can’t tell you anything here.”
“Then let’s go somewhere where you can talk to me about it,” I suggested. He simply nodded and walked off toward the old town of Lucerne. I scrambled to keep up, still a little shaken by what transpired a few minutes ago.
Pedestrians stood around, eyes wide and faces ashen. Several had cuts and bruises, while others lay on the ground, writhing in pain. Sirens echoed as more than a dozen ambulances and police cars sped up to the area. The expressions of the officers and EMTs as they got out mirrored everyone around. They instantly got to work to help those in need.
“Are you coming?” Nathan called.
I ran after him, still trying to get my racing heart under control. I didn’t have much success. Everything had happened so quickly, my thoughts still raced. And the prospect of getting some answers from Nathan just added to what had been going on.
We walked in silence for a few minutes until we found a small café. When we sat down, he ordered us two lattes. He didn’t speak right away. Instead, he played with the sugar packets on the table before doing the same with the salt and pepper shakers. He was nervous. It didn’t take a genius to figure that out.
He sighed. “The reason I haven’t told you more is quite simple. I don’t remember it exactly.” My face must’ve shown the utter confusion I felt because he quickly went on. “About six months ago, I was in an accident. Parts of my brain were damaged. I’m still working on getting all my memories back.”
I searched his face, trying to see if he told the truth. “What do you remember?”
He leaned back as the barista brought our lattes over. After nodding his thanks, he continued. “I know the keyholder is not just a fluke. I can’t say how I know, but it’s a deeply rooted feeling.” I swallowed, familiar with the sensation. “I also know that everything around this topic is dangerous. People don’t just stumble upon him by accident. So, whoever wrote you that letter knew what they were sending you to find.”
“Which means what exactly?”
“It means that whoever wrote you that letter knew the danger involved. Don’t ask me how I know it’s dangerous because I have no freaking idea. The moment you mentioned needing to find an urban legend, my heart sped up. And not the way it does when I’m attracted to somebody.” I couldn’t help the deflated feeling in my stomach at that. “It’s as if my subconscious is telling me I know the keyholder is bad news. I just can’t give you any explanation as to why.”
“What about the mysterious man on the bridge?”
“Honestly, Emlyn, I didn’t see anyone. I have no idea what you think you saw, but there was no one there.” I didn’t like the tone he used with me—a mixture of pity and condescending.
“He was there, Nathan. He was the one who tried to destroy the bridge.”
“I know there’s danger involved in finding the keyholder, but I have never heard of any hooded man showing up on a quest.” He took a sip of his coffee.
“You don’t remember everything, so how can you be sure?”
He stayed quiet for a moment, obviously realizing his argument was invalid.
“Okay, if—and that’s a huge if—someone were on the bridge, why bother showing himself? Why not just make the bridge collapse and be done with it?” Nathan asked.
“Maybe he merely wanted to scare us. If that’s the case, he definitely succeeded.” My heart still raced at the thought.
Nathan studied me closely. The vulnerable feeling I had before was back full force. What was it about him and those gray eyes that got me so flustered?
“All I know is the way to the keyholder isn’t an easy one. Actually, it’s impossible. I might not have all my memories, but I know no one has found the supposed keyholder as of yet.”
I contemplated his words, feeling some of the self-confidence I had starting to vanish. If no one had found the urban legend so far, how would I? I mean, there wasn’t anything that made me more qualified, right? I was just a small-town girl running from the biggest mistake of her life.
“This is why I told you to stay away. I’m not kidding. I know a lot of people who want to flee from something, but it’s not worth losing your life over. Believe me. You gotta move on and try to live your life without chasing ghosts.”
“You said it yourself. The keyholder isn’t a ghost. He’s real, and he’s the only one who can help me.” My voice had lost its edge, and I tried to hold in the tears threatening to fall. I hated that the mere thought of that night still turned me into an emotional mess.
“That’s where you’re wrong. You can go back home and get help there. I can help you. The keyholder isn’t the only answer to your problems.”
Nathan doesn’t understand. He couldn’t. He hasn’t been through what I have.
“Emlyn, please, listen to me. Let’s fly home.”
“The note said ‘live or die’. Even if I decide to go home, something tells me we would never make it.”
“This isn't a joke, Em. This is serious business. Like I said, I might not remember all of it, but I know this is bad news. You do realize we almost died on that bridge, right?”
“That only means we’re on the right track.” His sigh made it clear he didn’t share my sentiment.
“So you think being in danger is a sign of being right? What are you gonna do next? Jump off a bridge because it seems like the most dangerous thing to do?” I laughed at his ridiculous suggestion, but Nathan’s face stayed serious.
“That’s something completely different, Nathan. That’s me willingly jumping, not being thrown off during an earthquake,” I remarked.
He sighed and ran his hand through his hair, again making me think part of him wished he were anywhere but here. Then, suddenly, he leaned forward, his face right in fr
ont of me.
“You need to understand what you’re getting yourself into. If they wrote ‘live or die’, that’s what it is. Have you truly considered that? Are you honestly ready to die?”
I had trouble keeping up with his words because of his proximity, so it took me a little longer to reply. He was close. Very close. His breath washed over my face, gently brushing away my self-confidence.
“I don’t know if I’m ready for it. I’m more of a jump first, think later kind of person. However, I want to do this. I need to do this. And I don’t plan on failing.” My voice sounded hoarse to my own ears. He searched my face, as if trying to gauge the truthfulness of my statement. Much like I had done to him moments ago.
“At least you’re honest,” he finally said, leaning back.
I wanted to thank him for getting out of my personal space, but I realized I liked having him close. My heartbeat, which had started racing uncontrollably the moment he had leaned over, could attest to that.
“Are you okay? You look a little flushed.” I heard the grin in Nathan’s voice. He knew exactly what he did to me.
Perfect.
Silence fell, but it wasn’t the uncomfortable one you’d expect after the kind of conversation we just had. It was more like two people hanging on to their own thoughts, while never losing focus of the other.
And I wasn’t. It was hard to ignore Nathan, no matter how much I sometimes wanted to. His presence filled the room, and I wasn’t the only one who noticed it. A few of the waitresses had already approached him with a napkin, which probably contained their number. The way he nonchalantly threw them onto the table, though, made me think he wasn’t interested.
“Wanna go and check out the Musegg Wall?” I suggested. He nodded, finishing his coffee. I had already emptied mine in a rush after our close encounter, yet I still held onto it. I needed something to keep my hands busy. Otherwise, I wasn’t sure what they would’ve done. Certainly nothing they needed to be doing.
He called for the bill. Once we settled it, we left the café and made our way to the city walls. I wasn’t sure if it was what the website meant by walls, but it was as close as Lucerne had. It took us ten minutes to get there, and the sight was a beauty to behold. Positioned on the edge of a hill, the old wall was almost wholly intact, despite its age. Nine towers connected the sections, but only four of them were open to the public. And I planned to visit them all.
“It’s impressive,” Nathan said in awe. Glancing at him out of the corner of my eye, I saw him staring at the structure in front of us, seemingly mesmerized by the sight. And I didn’t blame him.
“It’s always amazing to see something so old still standing,” I replied, then relayed the history of the towers as we walked up the steps and joined other spectators.
Each tower was unique, and I felt as if I were traveling back in time. Nathan walked off to search for clues, while I marveled at the history before me.
“Miss, you dropped this.” An elderly gentleman touched my shoulder lightly to get my attention, then handed me a piece of paper.
“Thank you.”
Smiling, he walked away as I tried to figure out which piece of paper could’ve fallen out. I knew I didn’t have any in my pocket. Curious, I unfolded the paper and gasped in shock as I read the words written on it.
Ice crystals shot through me, eliciting a steady pain in every cell of my body. The cold crept into my pores, leaving no warmth in its wake. When my stomach churned, I held onto it, trying to keep the vomit at bay.
“Ma’am, are you okay?” It was the same man who had handed me the note. He held onto my arm, steadying me. I hadn’t even noticed how weak my legs had gotten. “You look a little pale. Do you want to sit down?” I think I managed to nod, but couldn’t be sure.
“Emlyn? Emlyn! What happened?”
Nathan’s voice sounded far away and laced with panic, but I couldn’t answer. I started shaking and felt him pull me into his arms. I welcomed the warmth and leaned my head against his hard chest, drawing strength from his closeness. The same way I seemed to draw warmth from him these days. Whenever something threatened to overwhelm me, it just took a single gesture from Nathan and I was okay again.
“It’s okay. I’m here,” he whispered, holding me tightly. “Take a deep breath. It’s gonna be okay.”
I tried to follow his instructions. Slowly, my mind cleared enough to realize I held Nathan way too tightly. I let go, almost jumping back.
“Is she going to be okay?” the man asked. Nathan must’ve said something because the man nodded and walked away, leaving the two of us alone.
“What’s going on?” Nathan asked, pulling me over to one of the benches. The shaking had lessened, and I tried hard to take one deep breath after another. Without answering, I handed him the piece of paper. He read it, eyes widening.
“What the heck?” he yelled. Several people in the vicinity turned to look at him. “What bullshit is this?” He knew, as well as I did, this was anything but bullshit, but I knew I didn’t need to point that out to him. Whoever had written that note knew exactly what he or she was doing.
That was only the beginning.
He looked at me. “It could mean all kinds of different things.”
I just arched a brow at him. This note proved what Nathan said to be true.
This quest was dangerous. More than I thought it would be. If the earthquake was only the beginning, I didn’t even want to imagine what else awaited us.
Chapter Eight
“We have to leave. We need to end it before it’s too late.” Nathan’s stern voice left little room for discussion, but this wasn’t his decision to make.
“I can’t. I won’t go home empty-handed,” I explained matter-of-factly.
Nathan shook his head the moment my words were out. “You have to. We might have gotten lucky with the bridge, but I’m not so sure we’d be as lucky the next time. These people aren’t kidding around. If they want to keep the keyholder a secret, they will do so with all their might. Believe me.”
“I thought you didn’t remember much?”
I regretted the taunt the moment it left my lips. Hurt crossed his features and I flinched. He had opened up to me, but I just threw his vulnerability back into his face. That was so unlike me.
“I’m sorry, Nathan. That wasn’t fair. But can we agree on one thing?” Nathan’s scrutinizing gaze told me he wasn’t sure he’d like what I’d say, but he nodded. “Can we stop trying to convince the other they’re wrong? I’m set on finding the keyholder, no matter what. Nothing you say will change that. If you wanna fly home, I understand. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me so far, but I know that everyone has their limits.”
“I won’t leave you alone.”
“Then don’t try to talk me into stopping every step of the way. My mind’s made up.” The determination must’ve shown on my face because Nathan let out a long sigh.
“I’ll accept it, but I don’t have to like it. If things get more heated, I will urge you to go home again. I can’t help that. I’m sorry. Don’t mistake my desire to protect you with not wanting you to find the keyholder. The only thing I care about is your safety.”
His words choked me up, my resolution wavering a little. He was worried about me?
“The thought of leaving you to fend for yourself is even worse than sticking through everything together. Again, I don’t like it, but if we stay together, maybe there’s a slight chance we won’t die.”
What a positive outlook. I wanted to roll my eyes, but thought better of it. In the end, he came from a good place.
I gave him a soft smile. “Okay. So… Let’s see if these towers give us a clue as to our next step.”
He gave me a short nod and we returned to the first tower. I hadn’t had any time to look around after getting the ominous note.
A half-hour later, still nothing.
“Next one?” Nathan asked.
The second tower was five minutes from the first
one. After another fruitless search, we continued to number three, with pretty much the same result. That just left tower number four. My mood had shifted slightly, the positivity long gone. This was the last clue I had gotten from the website. If we didn’t find anything here, we’d have to start back at square one. And I had no idea where to go from there.
“Anything?” Nathan asked as he joined me in my search.
“Nothing. You?” He shook his head. My heart sank. I had been so adamant about continuing my search a few minutes earlier, but if there was no indication about how to go on, my journey might be over sooner than I thought. “Let’s give it another try.” I wouldn’t give up that easily. Nathan didn’t argue as he turned around and went straight to work.
I walked through the tower once more, my eyes taking in everything. I didn’t want to take a chance of missing anything. The tower itself was dimly lit, so it was hard to make out anything. I touched the walls as I walked, hoping the connection might make me feel something, anything. I had no idea what would happen when I hit a dead end, but I had the distinct feeling the powers that be wouldn’t take too kindly to it. Why I thought that, I had no freaking idea. Maybe Nathan’s danger talk was rubbing off on me.
I was so caught up in my own thoughts, I almost missed something as I reached one of the displays on the right side of the tower. The display showed the history of that particular area, but it wasn’t what caught my eye. Hidden behind the display was a carving that looked oddly familiar.
“Nathan?”
I wasn’t sure he heard me over the conversations taking place around us, but a few seconds later, he stood behind me, his chest almost touching my back. For a second, I forgot why I had called him over. The only thing my mind could concentrate on was the warmth radiating off him.
“What is it?”
I shook my thoughts off, pointing to the carving. “Seem familiar?”
He leaned over my shoulder. The movement brought us closer, and when he turned his head to look at me, his face was an inch from mine. I had no idea what he was thinking, but I knew, even with everything going on, the crazy thoughts going through my head were not appropriate. It shouldn’t be important that he smelled like the ocean on a summer morning, or that his lips had a nice shape…or that they opened slightly when he noticed how close we were. None of that mattered. All that mattered was that we had a mission to complete.
