Chapter 5

 

 

          Nairne could feel the sun warming her face as she slowly woke up. Keeping her eyes closed she sat there letting the morning light wash over her. Moving around a little Nairne felt something missing. Touching her chest she suddenly realized what it was. Gene. Her eyes shot open and looking around the room started tearing up. As her eyes slowly became accustomed to the light Nairne stood up quickly and began searching for the small child. He probably decided to play some hiding game again. I hope that's what he's doing. Walking by the stairs she heard voices. Stopping she walked back and climbed the steps slowly. Concentrating on the voices, her hearing became sharp and she was able to understand what they were saying. Recognizing Vance's voice Nairne calmed down and continued walking down the hallway relaxed.

 

          Vance could sense Nairne approaching them halfway down the hall. He'd been playing with Gene all morning so she could sleep. Turning, he watched her peak into the room. Nairne gave him a small smile and walked in sitting down next to him. Both of them watched as Gene played with a small stuffed bear. Glancing to Vance for a second she noticed his eyes on the wall where the wallpaper had been torn away. Seeing her glance at him out of the corner of his eye, Vance turned to her.

 

          "What happened to the wallpaper?" Watching her closely she seemed relaxed.

 

          "Well, yesterday I came up to play with Gene and he wandered over there. As I went to lift him he somehow got a hold of it and it ripped. It is actually a secret door. But I'm guessing you already knew that right?" Nairne looked him straight in the eye. Vance was mildly surprised to find that she'd figured it out. Looking away she closed her eyes and smiled.

 

          "I suppose I did deserve that though. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I just wanted to make sure it was something worth telling, that's all." Nodding his head Vance stared out the window.

 

          "That's where you found the key to that hidden door in the wall right?" Nairne looked at him sharply. She was surprised that he'd known about the door.

 

          "I saw you opening it yesterday. I don't know why you were so intent on getting into there. The only thing I could see was trees and thorn bushes." Vance continued to look out the window. Nairne observed his posture.

 

          "It's magic. That's what you are supposed to see from the outside. I'm sure you could feel the magic, it made you feel like there were butterflies in your stomach." Vance glanced at her with a small nod.

 

          "Magic? I thought it was only a theory."

 

          "No. Humans contain no magic, so they do not feel its presence. Transhumans are to magic as humans are to technology." She looked over to Gene who was lying on his stomach watching them. Vance nodded his head in understanding.

 

 

 

          Nairne was cleaning off the table when Vance walked in. He watched her silently. She hadn't noticed him yet and continued humming as she washed the plates. Suddenly images again started rushing into her mind as she dropped the plate into the sink. Vance leaned against the doorframe rigid. A deafening noise rushed into his ears.

 

           A middle aged man was sitting at a desk writing in a journal. He was deep in thought and didn't notice the little boy that had entered the room crying. Finally the man turned around and lifting the boy set him on his knee. Hugging the little boy gently his mouth moved but no sound came from his lips. The little boy started laughing and jumping down from the man's lap, grabbed his hand and started running out of the room with the man striding behind.

 

          Vance opened his eyes slowly.  What are these visions I'm seeing. Who are the man and boy? Looking up he noticed that Nairne was watching him, with her back to the sink.

 

          "They are yours aren't they. The visions are coming from you." Vance stood there momentarily stunned. How does she know about them. Nodding his head he started feeling uncomfortable. It felt like she was peering into his soul when she stared at him like that. Finally she broke her gaze and looked off to the side.

 

          "I have the ability to see peoples' dreams and sometimes memories." He didn't know what to say. His mind was racing to fast for him to think straight. They can't be dreams…does that mean they are my memories then? I can't remember anything before Urgan finding me. He could feel the anger rising as his confusion only grew. Nairne took a step towards him and held out her arms.

 

          "I can help you remember. It won't be easy but I will be there. Let me help you." Her voice was gentle and sad. She could see the frustration in his eyes. She slowly kept walking closer to him.

 

          He looked down to the ground trying to get his thoughts together. It wasn't working and suddenly he felt he couldn't take it anymore. Nairne was only a couple of feet away from him when he snapped.

 

          "NO! I don't want your help for anything. Maybe there is a reason why I don't remember!" He pushed her back, knocking her to the floor and punching the wall strode off. Nairne lay on the floor with tears in her eyes. Curling up into a ball she cried. Staying in that position Nairne stared at the wall when her tears ran dry. Hearing Gene begin to cry she lifted herself off the floor and cleaned her glasses. A bruise was forming from where her glasses had jammed into the side of her nose when she hit the floor. Carefully putting her glasses on she made her way to Gene.

 

 

         

          Nairne walked through the garden door slowly. She held the journal to her chest tightly. Letting her eyes adjust enough to see around her she made her way to the fountain. Wanting to stay as quiet as possible Nairne looked around to see where he was. Something caught her eye and when she looked over she choked back a sob. Vance was hunched over on his hands and knees in the middle of the garden, just passed the fountain. Fear and sadness filled her heart as Nairne placed the journal on the edge of the fountain. She turned and walked towards the door in silence.

 

          Vance heard her turn behind him. His hands were balled into fists, buried in the dirt. Tears of frustration blurred his vision as he refused to let them fall. He was angry at Urgan, his parents, at the world. When Nairne's choked sob reached his ears he barely contained himself from turning on her. As she reached the old door Vance suddenly felt sorrow. He felt it all the way down in his core. Remembering what he'd done to her in the kitchen he pounded the ground. I'm just like him! He was right, I am a killer…I can’t save anyone; all I know how to do is kill and destroy. Clenching his teeth he finally released the anguished tears. Just before Nairne stepped out of the garden she turned to Vance and stared at him.

 

          "You are wrong. You have saved us, more than once. A killer would not have done that." Nairne turned and walked to the house. Vance froze, letting her words echo through his mind.

 

 

 

          Nairne watched the fire dance in the fireplace. Her mind kept drifting to Vance who was outside in the garden. She had left him more than a couple of hours ago, leaving behind the journal of his father. An hour ago it had started raining. She had been planning on waiting for him longer but she could feel the drowsiness creeping over her. Standing up she looked at the fire one last time before turning and walking towards the staircase.

 

          Looking up Nairne froze in her steps, her hands clung to her night shirt as short breaths came out. Her eyes were wide as her mouth hung open slightly. Recognizing the drenched figure in the doorway she slowly started calming down. Backing towards the couch she leaned against it trying to slow her heart which was echoing in her ears. Vance stood there and watched Nairne regain color in her face. Walking passed her silently he could feel her eyes on him. He stood in front of the fire dripping water and stopping himself from shivering. The temperature had dropped since the rain had started, causing Vance to finally come inside when he could control his thoughts.

 

          "You should take off your wet clothes or you will catch cold." Her voice pierced into Vance's thoughts as he looked over to her. It was the first time he had seen her hair down. It was wavy and layered, curling around her face. Taking his eyes off her, he only nodded his head. He didn't want to speak to her after what he'd done. Feeling something warm against his arm he turned quickly to see Nairne standing there.

 

          "Give me your wet clothes before you catch cold please." Nairne stood there looking at him waiting patiently. Vance turned towards the fire and start unbuttoning his shirt. Nairne felt uncomfortable with him taking his shirt off in front of her so she turned and walked out of the room to go find some dry clothes. Her face felt hot, but she prevented herself from thinking about it as much as possible.

         

          Vance could feel how uneasy Nairne had become as he started taking off his shirt. Watching her leave he took off the soaked shirt and hung it on a hook by the fire. She's scared of me now….I can't believe I hit her…I'm so messed up I don't know what to do. Nairne entered the room carefully to see him staring into the fire. Clearing her throat she waited to catch his attention. Handing him the clothes she went to go wait outside the door for him to change.

 

          He looked at the door that Nairne had walked out of a few seconds ago and sighing changed into dry clothes. When he'd finished he went to the door and opened it looking around for her. Something caught his eye and when he looked at it he stood frozen staring at the glowing eyes in the dark. They were aqua colored and stared at him before approaching him. Walking out of the shadows Nairne turned her gaze off of him. She walked passed him and started gathering the wet clothes. Vance watched her silently and as she was about to leave the room he grabbed her arm turning her around. Fear flashed through her eyes for a couple seconds as she looked at his hand. Looking up at him her face expressed confusion.

 

          "Please let me go Vance…." Her voice was quiet and calm. He immediately let her go and watched as she made her way down the hall. Just as she was about to turn into the laundry room he called out to her.

 

          "Will you still help me?" Nairne stopped dead in her tracks looking down at the wet clothes in her arms. Finally she turned towards him and smiled.

 

          "I never said I wouldn't… but we shall wait until tomorrow." Her face was gentle making Vance feel relaxed. He nodded his head and turned going back into the foyer.

 

          Nairne leaned against the wall in the laundry room and smiled to herself. Hanging the clothes up to dry she walked back to the staircase and looked into the foyer quickly to see Vance sitting in the arm chair looking at the fire thoughtfully. Lying in bed she fell asleep quickly, hoping the next day would come fast.