RACHELLE'S POV
After breakfast both Alexander and I headed to the library and now here we are both seated, reading away in the journals trying to find some kind of hint. We had been reading a lot but up until now, the research remained fruitless.
Sighing I stood up and picked up the journals that I just finished reading to put them back on the shelves.
"Tired?" Alexander asked not bothering to look up, after the time that I have spent with him I already got used to his sudden questions and mildly rude facades.
"No really just… a little disappointed." I said as I looked towards the window, seeing the huge lake located at least a kilometer away from the house.
"Because we still found nothing?" he asked.
I only nodded eyes remained fixed on the lake.
"Well, it's truly irritating because we've been at it for hours" he said. It's true none of the journals suggested time travel, only a book about Greek mythology has mentioned it.
It was Kronos he who held time as his domain therefore able to bend it to his will but that's it, nothing about an old lady or a contract.
"You know, we need a break" Alexander said which caused me to look t him.
Standing up he placed his hands inside his pants pockets and stood right beside me, eyes fixed in the lake just like I previously did.
"When I was a child we used to have our lunches near the lake as a family you know… then my parents and I will ride a small boat, happily rowing across the lake. I would watch the fishes swam away as the boat pass…" he said looking over the lake helplessly.
With a deep sigh, he said "huh, good old days..."
Alexander turned to me "Why don't we go there? You know have some fresh air and leave the dusty library and scribbled writings behind" he said smiling yet eyes filled with sadness as if begging me to agree.
I smiled back at him and nodded.
"We should, I'm sure it will be fun" I said voice brimming with excitement.
"Alright then, shall we go Miss?" he said extending his right arm for me to hold on to…
The walk towards the lake is a long one however it only felt like seconds because of our conversation. Both of us just talked about the random things that we used to enjoy.
I told him about how I like to paint when I was younger and my old dream of becoming an artist.
"Why let it go? If you really enjoyed painting" he asked curiously.
"Well, just didn't pursuit becoming an artist but I still draw in the free time. Besides becoming a doctor is a dream my father had for me and it's also a choice I never regretted" I said as we walked on.
"You really love your father don't you?" he said wondering.
"Of course I do, don't you?" I asked him knitting my brows.
Alexander stopped walking.
"Well… I'm not sure. We had a complicated relationship after my mother passed and the only time we talk after so long is when he was on his deathbed. So I think you could say I have mixed emotions about the subject."
I looked at him a bit shocked, did I just ask a critical question.
In all honesty, the last thing I want is for him to take me as nosy.
Chuckling he continued "Don't look at me as if I'm a ghost, it's fine I've been in the process of letting it go for a very…very long time"
"Look we're here" he said pointing at the lake.
As I looked over the lake I was overwhelmed, the surface of the water glimmered like a diamond under the sun. Birds flew across the lake trying to catch the fishes that would lift out of the water, while lilies grew along the shores of the lake and thick lush grass spread around the lake.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Alexander asked as he looked at me with emerald eyes glimmering brightly just like the surface of the water.
"It is" I said as I gave him a smile.
We both walked closer…
I took off my shoes ready to feel the water on my feet while Alexander seems to wander off elsewhere.
In the distance, I caught a glimpse of a black stallion drinking in the lake water.
Change of plans, I want to pet the horse.
As I move closer the stallion seems to be friendly and unthreatened by my presence, maybe it was Alexander's pet.
I was a few feet away when I heard a voice screaming at me.
"Rachelle no!" it was Alexander
Looking back I saw him running towards me at full speed, he looked frantic as if he's being chased by a monster.
I heard the horse neighed and it once again captured my attention.
I started approaching the horse again.
Before I could reach the horse, however…
A strong hand grabbed me by my wrist and pulled me into a well-toned chest.
Looking up it was Alexander breathing heavily from sprinting his way towards me.
He held me in place…
For some reason feeling his warmth made me wish to be never let go off.
"Don't touch the horse" he said after finally catching his breath.
"Why?" I asked turning my head to look at the horse.
"It's not a typical horse" he said.
He let go so I could turn and look at the horse properly but his handheld mine firmly.
"It's a kelpie" he continued
"It's a water spirit that lures people into the water once you touch it, the kelpie will use its power so you wouldn't be able to pull away. It will run to the water in full speed dragging you down along with them." Alexander explained.
"Hey, we had an agreement" he said looking at the kelpie brows crossed.
Suddenly there was a voice "The agreement was to leave a little girl and a boy alone not a woman"
"Well now she's included!" Alexander shouted.
"That can't be done, you can't just change the agreement as you please" the deep voice said.
Alexander stared at the horse for some time, evidently crossed.
He clicked his tongue and dragged me by the arm, away from the seemingly harmless creature.
As we walked further and further away from the creature which he called kelpie, he stopped and suddenly turned giving me a tight hug.
"Rachelle, don't ever go near that thing again and if possible don't go into the lake on your own" he said still holding me close.
I could feel his body tremble.
I put a hand on his back in an attempt to calm him…
"I will keep that in mind" I said as I finally returned his hug.
We remained unfazed for some time, just holding each other.
As his warmth embraces me… I can't help but feel at home.
I'm calm, relax and everything seems lighter.
Like on a cold Sunday morning and you're still tucked in the thick warm blankets, without a care in the world.
In his arms…I feel so, so secure.
A SECRET POV
As the two held each other, a woman in a red robe approached the kelpie. Her long black wavy hair flows in the wind as she walked by, red-painted lips and sparkling black eyes shimmered with victory.
"You did well…" she said to the creature with a smile eyes fixed on the people in the distance.
"If it was a command from you then I shall follow Master" the kelpie spoke.
Nodding the woman spoke once more "from here on out leave the girl alone, I already gave a warning"
"I wonder… did Alexander, had a good scare?" she said tilting her head to the side a little, lips forming a pouty frown.
Chuckling she continued "No matter, the game is just beginning"
"Ah! I can't wait to see the end of it all…"
In a quick moment, her eyes flashed with craze lips holding a cruel smirk.
"The moment you lose the one you held so dear! I shall laugh at your misery!"
With a sudden blow of the wind the woman vanished.
"I'll see you soon…Alexander…"