I didn't want to turn around. My gut felt it right to do so. I was stuck between rationality and impulse. What was behind me? Why won't I react like a normal seven-year-old?
The right way to react right now would be for me to scream before losing my footing and stumbling to my death given how high up I was. But I on the other hand, I was quiet calm. Yes, I was scared as any other human being would be, but rather it was at the fact that I might have been discovered by annoying persons (my family) who didn't mind about me at all. The moonlight peeked out from the haze and the roaming clouds from time to time, making certain things come alive, but I was too immersed in the knowledge of the unknown that I didn't really mind their presence.
Maybe I was a bother that even my big brother didn't notice my absence during Pecku's party. Scratch that, they all did. Maybe I should react like any other normal person who is afraid of the unknown and plunge to my doom.
As if understanding my thoughts, the breath above me fell even more heavily while the voices turned into a cacophony where even my thoughts seemed like a whisper.
The chaos caused me to want them all to shut up and thus, I screamed at what one would call a pigment of my imagination.
"Keep quiet! You are causing me a headache." I complained while rubbing my temples.
"She can talk? I thought that she was dumb." Came a voice from my right. Side eyeing to my side, I was dumbstruck with what I was seeing. I fully turned to my right, ignoring the fact that I might die if whatever is behind me decides to end me. I didn't mind really. It would be doing some "creatures" (again, as I would call my family) a great favor ending my pathetic life.
The moonlight seemed to go right through them yet also seemed to bounce right off of them. It was such an amazing phenomenal! The silvery glimmer shone brightly in my eyes, bringing a ghost of a smile to my once frozen face and further making my eye balls pop.
The silvery lights soon morphed into beings, a cross between a ghost and a mermaid (if that were ever possible).
"Whoa!" I gasped. This was incredible!
"Can she react more like a child her age? Look at how intrigued she is by our appearance." Came a male voice from the same direction. Heh, even a ghost like apparition knew I was not normal.
Smack!
I heard what sounded like a slap followed by a female's voice.
"You don't say that to the poor child. What the heck is your problem?" She whispers yelled, though it was loud enough for me to hear. The shadow of her appearance spoke of an untold beauty, one I find rather striking as she sported full lips and fully arched brows, somehow making her small eyes pop while not making them vulgar, almost siren like.
"You guys should worry that she can see us." Another said from behind me making me turn around only to see a drop dead beauty. For a guy, his beauty would put even elves of legend to shame. His long flowy white hair blended and complimented his blue eyes. His ears seemed pointy and that intrigued me, making me wish I could touch them.
He walked or floated to the other people, making me face them once more. I realized that they were five in total, looking every bit grand in their ball gowns. Heh, even apparitions are attending that ball, what of me?
The group of people or entities seemed to have grasped the point as they all quieted down, making me wonder if the elf like man was their leader. Them standing together and the continuous glimmer from the moon made them look a beacon of light, shining down on those who feel at loss.
I wish I was like them, a beacon of light or maybe hope. I instantly became downcast. I was seen as a problem and a burden. I didn't know why it was so, but I believed that it was true, maybe I should not mind anything right now and just jump.
"If you jump, I'll save you each time." Came a heavy voice from my side as I was facing the side of the ledge now. This reminded me of the danger that was looming right behind me from before. The voice should have sounded guttural given how rough it was, but no. It did not. Instead it reminded me of when a painter is grinding different things, trying to create a powder, with two flat stones.
Rough as it may be, it was soothing and calm on the ears. This made me want to hear it over and over again. And had my tense body relaxing and a sigh escaped my lips. Maybe I was high strung with the adrenaline from the thought of jumping, but after sighing and relaxing amidst a sea of stranger things, my legs decided to give out.
I almost toppled over but was saved by a pair of warm arms. Pulling me to their embrace, the smell of a gingery musk with a dash of coconut assaulted my nose. I wanted to burrow further into this warmth but I realized that this was a human being and I am sure the voice from before was anything but human.
I lifted my head to try and get a look of my savior but was stopped by hand that held my head in place.
"Don't look. I'm not worthy of your presence." Came the voice.
"Why would you say that? It's me who is not worthy of such beauties." I said, sounding dejected. It was true. Since I could count to ten and though it was subtle, the my mother, always made me feel like I was the kingdom's ugliest.
"Why do you call us beauties yet you do not know us?" Asked elf man, seemingly surprised from my earlier statement.
"A beauty is someone who shines through to others despite their flaws. A beauty is someone who helps those covered in flaws not give up, pulling them from an abyss that might swallow them whole." I answered.
"You're the only one to call us beauties. Aren't you afraid of us?" Asked the beauty from before in a small voice.
"Since I was five, my peers were frightened of me because I was much more intelligent and profound than them. I've gotten beaten and abused so I can tell when I see beauty." I shot back.
I felt the stranger in whose embrace I had sought comfort stiffen and turn tense. Did I say something wrong?
"Make sure you look after her well enough. No harm should befall her until the day I return." He ordered in a cold voice before leaving.
"He left even before I got to know him, swell!" I thought, chuckling in a low tone. Sigh, I shouldn't accept the warmth anyone has to offer. I would be disappointed at every turn.
"You should stop having negative thoughts about yourself, Ravenna." The stranger said all of a sudden. He had his back to me and I could tell that he ought to be very handsome. He looked to be at least twelve but very manly. The way he said my name was very, how do I put it? Panty dropping (like I've heard the servants say). What am I thinking? I'm only seven!
His chuckle, smooth like whiskey rolling over ice, seemed to pass through my body like an electric current, awakening me from my reverie. Whoa!!
"It's good that you know you are seven. Stop having those kind of thoughts and have more fun. Life's too short for one to be sad." He said, before flipping and transforming into what looked like a dragon! Amazing!
"Did he just turn into a dragon? Wow, so beautiful!" I exclaimed. He really was beautiful with his blue and pale gold scales and wide, wide wings. Before flying off, he turned around and gazed at us, particularly me, and blew out warm air from his nostrils, making me miss his warm embrace.
I missed someone I had only met in less than an hour, the loneliness must be getting to me. It was completely irrational and not good for my health.
"Ravenna, you are special." Came a voice inside my head. Oh, it's back.
"Why would you say that?" I shot back. I really don't see how I am special. I'm the most ordinary girl out there.
"Don't let anyone know that you can see ghouls and ghosts. Don't let them know that you are the light. Prepare for a tough future." The voice faded away back into the recess of mind. I liked to listen to it even if I couldn't understand half of what it meant most of the time. The voice was soothing and calm, telling you everything will be alright. I really wish it would be so.
"Um, Ravenna, someone's coming towards your room." Said the elf man.
"How would you know? Don't tell me you have super hearing?" I asked sarcastically and they all looked at me like as if it should be that obvious.
"Oh snap!" I cried out, hurrying to return to the room. It was a bit difficult given that I had a half useless arm, but at that moment I really didn't mind it.
I shuffled through the small tunnel like window before thinking of something and turning around to come outside. I looked around and still found my new acquaintances in the same spot though it seemed like they were reminiscing about something as they looked off into the distance.
"Um, guys are you going to be ok?" I asked, shyly. I really didn't know why I was acting all shy right now. They all looked towards me and the lady smiled. She was the only female in this rag tag bunch but that was okay. She had an aura that was very peaceful, it calmed you the moment she was in your vicinity.
She floated my way and run her fingers through my slightly messy black hair. This touch was comforting that I almost leaned into her touch, but an over lapping memory made me freeze that thought.
"We will be fine. Will you be fine?" she asked. No one has ever cared for my opinion so I was a little shocked when she asked me the question. I was moved to tears for the little warmth I had received with them and I didn't want it to stop.
"I don't know." I answered back in a small voice. I really didn't. My life has always been a circus, with it not having a proper direction yet it still went on to entertain people. Somehow, they had surrounded me and seeing as I was silently crying, hugged me. I don't know if you can feel a ghost's hug but this felt nice.
"Don't worry. We got you." Said the guy who had dissed me earlier. This felt nice. We settled into a calming silence until the rattling of my door knob broke our little comfort bubble.
I felt my heart rate spike as I felt my feet turn cold. They were going to find me and give me a scolding and possibly a beat down I would never forget. I was visibly shaking as we broke the hug and the lady took a hold of my hand with hers shimmering and shining, immediately taking my mind off the possibility of being discovered.
It was an austere kind of glow. Shining like a diamond but still just as tough. I wonder how it was so. She took a hold of my left arm and run her right arm over it, as it kept on shining. I felt a tingle wherever her fingers passed and it was a little comforting.
Someone hugged me from behind and what happened next, I would live to remember for all eternity.