Beckoning Light (8 page)

I knew that logically I should no longer be in a garden and should be at the far wall, but judging by the foliage all around me, I was still in a garden. However, this was not the manicured garden of my yard; it was wild, full of flowers with colors several shades brighter than anything I had ever seen. These flowers seemed so much more alive than any plants I had ever seen before. I was so enchanted by the colors that it took me a few minutes to question where the light was coming from.

I tore my eyes away from the flowers and looked up to see a bright blue, sun-filled sky. The air was much warmer, so I took off my jacket. When the sun touched my skin, a comforting feeling washed over me, as if I had walked into my own house. My concerns over the party disappeared. I was awestruck by several trees that made the giant redwood trees in California look small. Even when I craned my neck, I couldn’t see the tops of them. The multitude of sounds nearly overwhelmed me. It was like an entire symphony, only the instruments were birds and insects. I could imagine sitting down with my cello to join in, losing myself in the soothing melodies.

I could have stayed in that one spot forever, but I continued through the garden and out into an open field. Although the trees and flowers didn’t extend that far, the low grass on the field was almost neon green, and the sky in the clearing was just as blue. 

A flock of birds colored with hues as bright as the flowers flew overhead. The colors were unbelievable, an artist’s dream. The birds veered and flew toward me. It took me a moment to realize they were actually flying away from a much larger bird that was equally colorful. The larger bird had long, sharp talons and, in the back of my mind, I wondered if I should be afraid, but I seemed to know instinctively that the bird wouldn’t hurt me.

Suddenly, an arrow shot through the sky, hitting the large bird. It fell to the ground, and I felt a simultaneous stab of pain. I ran to the bird with tears welling in my eyes. Without thinking, I pulled the arrow out of its side and stroked one of the bird’s beautiful wings. There was a sudden burst of heat, and then the bird rose and flew away. It looked back once as if to study me before it disappeared past the horizon. 

I looked around. Someone had to have shot the arrow, but from where? I heard the crunch of dirt and twigs behind me. Startled, I stood quickly and turned around. I came face to face with a guy who appeared to be a few years older than me. My eyes locked with his deep green ones, and I was transfixed. I felt a tightening in my chest and became dizzy.

“Hello, Miss,” he said. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, but why… why did you shoot that beautiful bird?” I was still unable to tear my gaze from his beautiful eyes. I felt like I no longer had control of my senses; all I could do was stare.

“I was saving your life. That bird could have killed you.”

“Hardly, it was so beautiful.”

“Even beautiful things can be deadly.”

After a few moments, I finally broke the trance and looked at more than his eyes. I immediately realized just how handsome he was. He was tall, at least as tall as Kevin, with even broader shoulders and jet-black hair falling just below his ears.  Maybe it was the stubble on his face, but there was something
rugged
about him. I could feel my heart racing; even our conversation didn’t make my feelings any less intense. It seemed like he was deliberating, taking small steps as he came closer, as though he was trying not to scare me.

“My name is Calvin.”

“I’m Charlotte.” I shook his offered hand. 

He looked at me kindly. “You’re not from around here, are you, Charlotte?”

I was puzzled by his question. “I actually live right through that garden, on the other side of the gate.”

“Oh, your clothing looked foreign to me,” he said, gesturing. “I didn’t know there was anything through that gate.” I looked down at my jeans and sweater and then over at Calvin.  I was startled when I realized that he was wearing clothing that appeared to be from a rustic Renaissance fair. He wore a white cotton shirt with black pants and black boots, but it was clearly not the type of clothing that anyone I knew wore.

“Where am I?” Between the colors, sounds, and birds, I already knew something was up, but Calvin’s comment about my clothes just reiterated how strange this place was.

“You’re just south of Rawlins,” he answered simply.

“Rawlins? I’ve never heard of it.” The description did nothing to help me.

“You said that you live through the gate, what city lies there?” Calvin asked.

“Charleston.” After I said it, I realized that he might not know where that was.

“Charleston? Never heard of it.” He sounded disappointed. “Do you come here often? It is not frequent that one encounters a young woman out in this area.” He took a step closer, so close I could feel his breath on my face.

“I’ve never been through the gate before tonight.” I felt so warm and comfortable in his presence.

“Tonight? Have you been here that long?” he asked, suddenly concerned.

“No.” I realized how crazy it might sound if I tried to explain that I had left my house late at night.

Calvin didn’t seem to hear; he just stared at me. Then, he said, “I do not mean to be so forward, but would you like to take a walk with me, Charlotte?”

“Yes, that would be great.” In the back of my mind, I knew that taking a walk with a guy I didn’t know wasn’t very smart, but I couldn’t help my response. It was like when I had kissed Liam, out of my control.

Calvin grabbed my hand and led me across the field to a forest. I couldn’t understand why I was so drawn to him. He had a physical effect on me I had never felt nor imagined, and the thought of saying goodbye gave me a sharp pain in my chest. I found myself going through every description I knew of love at first sight and rejecting them as a comparison—this was different; it was stronger. It was like something larger than myself was pushing me toward him, telling me that I belonged by his side.

We walked through the forest until he led me to a rock overlooking a shallow river. The water was an iridescent blue and seemed to change color slightly as it flowed. He helped me sit, and then sat down next to me, never once letting go of my hand. I turned toward him and looked down at my hand in his; my hand looked so small in comparison. With my free hand, I traced his other palm with my finger and could tell by his rough skin and callouses his were the hands of someone who had worked hard. I guess I should have known that already, considering he was hunting with arrows.

We sat on the rock for what felt like hours, listening to the water and the birds. Every time I looked at Calvin, he was looking at me, and each time our eyes locked, I got the same sensation I had the first time I saw him. I was about to look away after the third time when Calvin pulled me closer and kissed me. The tightening in my chest became stronger, and I felt incredible warmth. I kissed him back with more intensity than I thought possible. When I finally pulled away, I felt lightheaded. Calvin, as though he knew, pulled me tight against him so my head could rest on his chest. I breathed in his scent, more content than I had ever been in my life, listening to his heartbeat. Somehow, I knew I was where I was supposed to be, in the arms of this boy I had just met.

“Charlotte?”

“Yes?” I turned my head so I could look up into his eyes again.

“Do you feel it, too?” He ran his hand gently down my back.

I nodded, still looking into his eyes.

“Is it not wonderful?”

“The best,” I said. He kissed me gently on the lips.

Suddenly the sky opened up, and rain poured down. The rain felt cool and warm at the same time.

“Unbelievable,” Calvin said, as he looked up at the rain.

“What is?”

“The rain. It is the first we have had in many months,” he said excitedly.

“Really?” I was surprised. We had just had rain earlier that week.

“Yes, but I do not want you to be soaked. Let us find a dry place to wait it out.”

Calvin led me to a denser part of the forest where the tree cover blocked the rain.

“Is this okay? You are not cold, are you?” he asked, concern clear in his voice.

“No, no, I’m perfect,” I assured him, snuggling in as close as I could.

We sat down in the grass under the trees. Calvin took both of my hands in his. My hair was wet, and my ponytail was slipping, so I pulled my hands from his to fix it. He touched my wrist gently to stop me from putting the hair band back in, so I let my hair fall down around my face.

“You have such beautiful hair. Please, can you leave it down?” He brushed a few strands away from my face.

“Yes, of course.” I put the hair band around my wrist.

“Who are you, Charlotte?” Calvin asked, once my hands were back in his.

“Who am I?” I asked, confused.

“How is it that I meet the girl of my dreams when I am only home on leave for a fortnight?” He squeezed my hands lightly.

“So, you don’t always live here?” I asked, suddenly afraid I wouldn’t see him again.

“My family is here, but I am now training in Bellgard.” His tone let me know that this was something to be proud of.

“Bellgard?”

“Yes, the capital. I have started at a good rank, and the prospects are great. I have to return soon.” He looked happy by my interest.

“When?” I hoped we had some time.

“In three days,” he answered solemnly.

“Oh.” Sadness flooded through me. He was leaving in three days; I wouldn’t even get the chance to get to know him. Somehow, that thought finally snapped me out of my daze long enough to make me realize that I needed to go home.

“I have to go,” I said reluctantly; it was the exact opposite of what I wanted to say.

“Now?  Please, will you not stay?” he pleaded.

“I want to, but I know that my family might start to worry.” I hoped it was still night at home so Monty wouldn’t have called the police thinking I was missing.

“May I see you again before I leave?” Calvin asked.

“Yes, when can you meet me?” I knew that I would find a way to see him whenever he was available.

“I do not think I can get away tomorrow, but what about the following day, at the same time?”

“I can do that,” I said, as he helped me to my feet.

“I will walk you home, Charlotte. A young woman should not be walking unaccompanied, although I am so glad you were today.” He smiled and held my hand in his again.

“Me, too.”

We walked back out through the forest and into the field.  I would have had no idea how to get back, but Calvin led me. He looked over at me every few seconds. When he wasn’t looking at my face, he was looking at our hands. Calvin walked me back through the garden, and we stopped at the gate.

“I live right through here,” I told him, wanting him to know where to find me.

“I will meet you right here in two days time.”

“I can’t wait.” I gave him a light smile even though I hated to say goodbye.

“Me, either,” he said quietly. I was about to take out my necklace to open the gate, but he suddenly pulled me to him for a kiss. I was left breathless.

“You really make me do things I normally would not, but am I right to assume that you do not mind?” he asked, smiling.

“Not in the slightest.” I returned his smile. 

Calvin squeezed my hand before slowly letting it go. I inserted the crystal key in the lock and felt the gate give way. I looked behind me as I walked through, and Calvin stood watching me.

“Until next time, Charlotte,” he said quietly.

“Bye, Calvin.” I closed the gate.

Chapter Eight

Charlotte

Daylight was just breaking through the clouds as I walked back into my yard. I felt a mix of disbelief, euphoria, and fear as I ran down the path and slipped as quietly as possible into the house. I walked up the first flight of stairs and tiptoed past Monty’s and Kevin’s rooms. I soundlessly went up the last set, ran into my room, and quickly changed into pajamas before collapsing on my bed.

I rolled around in bed for hours, unable to stop thinking about Calvin and the intensity of feelings I had experienced. Now that I was away from him, the craziness of my actions hit me— had I really followed a boy I didn’t know into the woods, kissed him more than once, and made plans to see him again? Even more bizarre, I knew I had made the right decision. Being with Calvin was the most natural thing in the world. I was also contending with thoughts about where I had been. The evidence was irrefutable; the gate led to a place that was nothing like Charleston, or any place I had ever seen. That was when the doubt set in.

Had it been a dream? Calvin seemed too wonderful, too real, to be a dream. If not a dream, maybe I imagined it all. I must have finally fallen asleep because, when I glanced at the alarm clock next to my bed, I saw that it was already noon. I crawled out of bed and went to pick up my jeans from where I had thrown them earlier. I noticed a vivid flash of color and realized with surprise that it was a feather, a feather that could belong to only one bird. The bird was real; Calvin was real! I felt like I was flying. But how was I going to make it two whole days?  Suddenly hungry, I jumped out of bed.

As I walked downstairs, beautiful piano music filled my ears; Monty was playing a song I had never heard him play before. I had barely heard him play since we got home, and I had been meaning to ask him about it because usually he played often. The melody was in a minor key, creating a sorrowful, melancholy sound full of emotion. I stopped right behind him at the bottom of the stairs. He immediately stopped playing.

“Morning, Charlotte. Rough night?” He turned around to look at me.

“Um, yeah.” I assumed he was making fun of me for sleeping so late.

“Char, you are absolutely glowing. Who’s the lucky guy?”

“Excuse me?” I tried to understand how he could possibly know. Was I really glowing?

“I’m no expert on teenage girls, but I do know what that glow means.” He smiled. I leaned over the piano to examine the music and noticed that Monty had been playing one of his own songs. I focused on it so I could avoid looking at him. He continued, “Fine, keep your secrets, but I have my hunch, and I’ll find out sooner or later.”