Chapter 8.
Nerea point of view
The cold sipped through my thin coat chilling me to the bones as I stood on the platform waiting for the train I had no car anymore I have sold it just to survive a little longer I had a lot of bills now to pay.
My fingers were numb, gripping the envelope that held the two letters I never wanted to see again I knew what they said I knew they would bring nothing but pain.
I crushed the envelope in my hand, feeling the paper crinkle under my desperate grip. With a sharp flick of my wrist I tossed it into a nearby being my breath clouded the air has I boarded the train trying to ignore the feeling that someone's eyes were burning into my back I glanced around but saw nothing but faces hidden in the shadows passengers lost in their own thoughts .
I found a seat near the window the glass fogged with the cold outside. I rested my head against it feeling the vibrations of the train beneath me my eyes fluttered shut but rest didn't come easily memories flashed before me in fragment ,faces places ,voices ,calling my name with an urgency that made my chest tighten my heart pounded a dull ache spreading through my temples I jotted awake gasping for air has if I had been underwater and only now broke the surface.
When the train screeched to a stop I hurried to join the crowd their hurried pace pushing me forward. My legs felt weak my body heavy as if weighed down by unseen hands.
As I stumbled forward I collided with an old lady knocking her basket of apples to the ground.
The fruit rolled everywhere write red against the cold gray floor.
"Oh I am so sorry!"I stammered bending down to help her. I quickly gather the apples, placing them back into her basket. The old lady's face crinkled into a warm smile, her eyes twinkling like she knew something I didn't.
"It's quite alright dear,"she said her voice soft and strangely soothing. She picked up an apple holding it out to me."an apple a day keeps the tears away."she added with a wink placing a single delicate petal in my hand.
I blinked confused."The ....tears."
She only smile wider, her expression serene and slightly amused and she handed me an apple."take care child."she whispered.
I nodded and accepted the apple thanking her with a small smile.
It was a perfect shiny red the kind of apple that almost begged to be bitten into.
Without thinking I took a bite. The taste exploded on my tongue sweet ,crisp, with an taste I couldn't quite place.
It was a delicious almost intoxicating apple.
I turned to thank the old lady again but she was gone.
I looked around my pulse quickening. She has been right there hadn't seen . I felt my heartbeat faster as I scanned the station, but there was no trace of her.
I shook my head trying to shrug off the creeping uneasiness that littered down my spine.
Maybe I was just tired imagining things.
I continueed on the chill in the air biting into my skin.
The street light flickered as I walked casting strange long shadows that seem to stretch and sway like they were alive.
I felt something wet on my cheeks and wiped it away with my fingers only to realize that I was crying.
I hadn't even noticed the tears hadn't felt them start.
"Why are you crying?"a soft gentle voice asked.
I spun around startled. A man stood before me tall and handsome with eyes that seem to pierce right through me.
His features were sharp yet softened by a concerned expression that made my heart skip a beat.
His presence was strangely familiar like a song I had heard long ago but couldn't quite remember the words.
"I..I don't know,"I admitted my voice barely a whisper. I couldn't look away from him it felt like he was drawing me in pulling me into some kind of spell.
He lips curved into a small smile warm and inviting." Happy birthday in advance," he said softly reaching out to brush a tear from my cheeks. His touch sent a jolt of warmth through me, melting some of the cold that had settled deep in my bones.
I opened my mouth to ask him who he was how he knew my birthday but he was already walking away, disappearing into the crowd like a shadow.
I watched him go my mind spinning questions a strange sense of loss tightening around my heart.
I took a deep breath and forced myself to move forward the night air was cool and I hope it will help clear my head.
I stepped out of the station I noticed a young woman sitting on the park bench and delicate ballet dress catching the light of the streetlamps.
She looked lost her face pale and troubled,her eyes darting around like she was searching for something- someone.
I hesitated for a moment but felt a pull, exchange urge to approach her.
"Excuse me."I called out my voice a little uncertain."are you alright? Do you need help?"
Her eyes snapped to mine and for a moment I felt an intense wave of sadness washed over me.
"I am looking for a coffee shop."she said her voice thin and frail like she hadn't used it in years.
"Do you know where I could find one?"
I nodded pointing down the street."just a few blocks that way."I you can't miss it."
"Thank you."should whispered her lips curling into a faint smile
as she shifted on the bench.
I watched her move, and then I noticed it the way her dress seem to flutter unnaturally has if there was nothing beneath it.
My breath caught in my throat, she stood up or so and I realized with a shock that she had no legs.
I stumbled back a screen ripping from my throat before I could stop it.
"Oh my god!"I cried out turning to two young men who were passing by.
"Help please help me did you see her?"
They turned to me confusion annoyance on their faces.
"What are you talking about?"one of sneered."there is nothing here."
The other chuckled shaking his head."crazy lady."immortal has the continued walking leaving me standing there my heart hammering in my chest.
I turned back to the bench but the girl..the ghost... Was gone.
I took a step back my body trembling has cold realization washed over me.
I had seen a ghost I have spoken to a ghost.
This had never happened before and I immediately felt so scared.
My breath came out in shallow gasp and I clutched my chest trying to steady the frantic beating of my heart.
My glanced around have expecting to see more ghosts lurking in the shadows but there was nothing just the quite hum of the city.
I turned around and ran off as fast as my legs could carry me ,I felt like I had seen the devil himself.
I j
ust couldn't wait to get home ,to curl up in my bed and wrap the duvet over me.