Chapter Eight

Half-drowned

Calian

Oh my god! I thought, trying not to run away as I climbed the stairs. What is wrong with me!? Why am I talking to her like that?? I am NOT that smooth!

Every morning interaction I had with Nova replayed over and over as I made my way back to my quarters. She tried to brush me off. To be cold, but… I recalled her slightly tinged red ear. The near imperceptible way she twitched at our proximity. The surprised look in her nebula eyes when I invited her out. I didn’t miss a beat when it came to her, and never have I paid this much attention to a single person, let alone felt this intense need to tease someone.

I reached under the bed for my satchel and grabbed for my sketchpad and pencil within it. Before I could stop myself, I opened to a fresh page and started drawing. I recalled the image of her from last night, bored and perfect with her hand against her cheek and hair pressed against one shoulder. Before I knew it, I was in the zone, as I brought that image to life.

I was so focused, in fact, that when a knock started at the door, I physically jumped. I closed the half-finished illustration and answered, “Come in!”

Jenna popped her head in the door, smiling as she said, “Hello, again. Ms. Bailey instructed me that you would need a cloak to come out to town with us.” The petite brunette placed a folded up black garment on the bed.

“Thanks, Jenna. I didn’t even think of that.” I confessed.

“No problem!” she was about to walk away when she added, “We’ll be leaving in about an hour.” She gestured to the grandfather clock. It was already nine thirty. “If you could please meet us out front, we’ll escort you to Amber Hill then.”

“Sounds perfect.” I agreed.

With a little cheery wave, Jenna went about her duties. But now that I knew when we were leaving, it reminded me of the lake. If there really is a lake nearby, maybe that’s the key to getting me back home. As much as I liked being around Nova, I’m fairly certain I don’t belong here, and despite being the author of this story, there seemed to be many things I didn’t know or understand.

I mean, honestly, how much longer can I fake it before I get found out?

I placed everything back in my bag and unfurled the black fabric Jenna gave me. I stared in disbelief at the length. “Ok, Bailey has it out for me or something, because this is ridiculous.” I commented aloud, as I draped myself with something that was more akin to a blanket than a cloak.

I couldn’t help but chuckle. Was Bailey hazing me as the new guy around here or did she genuinely have some sort of issue with me? I couldn’t fathom what about me bothered the woman, but I’d have to keep that in mind if I stuck around.

Although… I recalled Nova’s directions to the lake. Maybe I don’t have to be cautious if I head back to Oakheart. I slid the strap of my bag back, tucking it further inside the thick, oversized robe. As I walked out the doorway, a thought struck me. What if this doesn’t work and mom’s journal gets wet?

The idea that I could lose what was left of my mother’s existence made me tense. I headed towards the kitchen, wondering if plastic bags existed here. I only searched the cabinets for about a minute before a booming voice made me pause.

“You there, boy. What do you think you’re doing?” This may be one of the deepest voices I’ve ever heard. I couldn’t tell if he was growling at me intentionally or if his voice held such resonance that he just couldn’t help it.

I turned slowly, just in case. Sadly, the voice was attached to a man as menacing as he sounded. He towered over me at a height over six feet, his entire body was bulky and muscular. He wore a thin white coat that strained to stay buttoned. His blue eyes probed me curiously, trying to decide what my intentions were.

Suddenly, I glanced down at my own clothes as a realization struck me. “Bazil?”

The man nodded. “That’s right, and you are?”

I laughed awkwardly. He’s the cook! I thought, relieved. Though, he had the appearance of a hunter or warrior rather than a chef. The man’s thick brows pulled together, confused.

“I’m grateful. Well, I’m Calian, but I’m grateful to you, that is!” I took a breath, trying to pull myself together. “It seems I’ve been borrowing your clothes, and not to mention that delicious breakfast. Thank you!”

Suddenly, the cook smiled. His whole demeanor changed from intimidating to downright sociable just by the curve of his lips. He laughed, putting a hand out towards me. “Ahh, you’re the guest Jenna’s been rambling about since last night.” I took his hand, and he shook it roughly. “It’s good to meet’cha. I’m Bazil Clemens.”

“Since last night?” I asked, remembering that I only met the maid this morning.

“Aye, she spied you from the corridor last night. Is it your habit to sneak into my kitchen, boy?”

I remembered hearing the swinging door swish the night before when I went to get water. I glanced at that entrance briefly. So, the servants’ quarters are that way. Good to know.

“No, sir.” I smiled, clumsily. “Honestly, I was looking for a plastic bag.”

Bazil’s rubbed his large hand against his salt-and-pepper hair. The older man seemed confused. “A what kinda bag?”

That’s a no on plastic…

“Oh, never mind.” I shrugged it off. “Maybe I got the name of it wrong or something. Well, I need to get going for a bit.”

I was just about to take off at the side entrance that led outside when the chef stopped me. “Hey, how long you staying for? If you tell me what kinda foods you like, I can include them in your meals.”

“A couple days.” I grinned at the man’s kindness. He had to be close to fifty-years-old with the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. The lines on his face told me he seemed to smile a lot. “And I’ll eat just about anything. So, no need to accommodate me. I’m already thankful enough that Nova let me stay here while I catch my bearings.”

There was a glint in the older man’s eyes as he listened to my answer. “Alright then. See you later, boy.” Bazil went about the kitchen as I finally made my way outside.

*****

The air was crisp and the ground muddy from the melting snow. Unlike last night, it didn’t hurt to breathe. It was rather refreshing. In fact, the smell of the surrounding nature reminded me of my jaunt in Wanderers’ Woods. As I approached the lake, the sunlight glistened off the surface, beckoning me.

The lake was surrounded by trees and large rocks. They encompassed the lake in a way that reminded me of a cul-de-sac. I climbed up one of the big boulders towards the middle of the pool. “Ok,” I started, trying to hype myself up. “I can do this. I. Can. Do. This. It’s just portal… jumping. No big deal.”

All I need to do is jump. Just one little leap and… and…

I’ll probably wake up half-drowned in Wanderers’ Woods, floating beside the pier. Yeah. That’s definitely what’s going to happen. I think. I hope.

I glanced at the water below me. It rippled with the wildlife that lived beneath it. Then, before I could second guess myself, I leapt into the lake.

*****

“Oh, my god!” Jenna screeched when she saw me trudging along, covered in mud and grime and God only knows what else. “Why are you sopping wet!?”

Bazil’s cloak dragged heavily behind me as I finally stopped in front of the Dupont siblings—who were waiting for me in front of Gravitas Manor. “I jumped in a lake.” I muttered, a bit frustrated that my plan didn’t work. However, the sound of my teeth chattering from that cold pool was louder than my emotional distress.

“Why would you jump into a lake?” Jayson asked. His gaze all but screamed that I was a huge weirdo for diving into a lake so soon after a blizzard.

“I—” The thought to explain myself did cross my mind, but I found the whole thing embarrassing, considering what a huge failure it was. Besides, who would believe me if I said I was stuck in the world of my story? I sighed, “—I don’t know.”

“Well, you can’t go into town like this, Mr. Calian.” Jenna said, looking at me closely. Her observant eyes circled around me as she took in the mess that I was. “Think we should hose him off, Jayson?”

“Hose me off?” I inquired.

They ignored me as her brother said, “Water is easier to clean off the floors than mud.”

“Mhm. Mhm.” Jenna hummed. “It’s agreed then.” She placed her hands on my back and pushed me. “This way, Mr. Calian. Jayson, bring some of your spare clothes, please. I can’t stand seeing him in Bazil’s things anymore!”

“Fine,” Jayson uttered and entered the house through the main entrance.

Meanwhile, Jenna continued to corral me until we walked past the side entrance and towards the back of the house. Despite the remnants of melted snow, the backyard of Gravitas Manor had a rather large garden. Many of the blooms were wilted or dead due to the blizzard, but I could still tell it was well maintained.

“Jenna, what are we—”

“Take off your cloak, Mr. Calian.” Jenna demanded, matter-of-factly. The maid was not one to mess around when it came to getting down to business.

“Why?” I wondered, charily.

“It won’t do to have you tracking mud in the house.” she declared. “Don’t worry, we’ll take care of it.”

“Ooo…kk.” I dragged out the word, finding no fault in her logic. After all, she is one of the people that keeps the manor in order. Not that I would have let them clean up my mess alone. Still, I understood her stance.

I took off the wet rag, and it plopped to the ground loudly.

“And your bag.” She gave me a pointed stare. “I can help you clean that later.”

“Oh, you don’t have to. I can clean it.” I told her. The thought of anyone rummaging through the satchel to see what was inside left me flustered.

“Even still,” The maid started. “Please put it to the side, Mr. Calian.”

I eyed her warily but followed along as I placed it beside Bazil’s cloak. When I turned around, I felt the need to glance up at the house. To my surprise, someone was staring at me from one of the upper windows. Her arms laid across her chest before they shifted and lifted the pane all the way up. Nova leaned out the window, almost disinterested. Like she was watching two ants on the ground. Her silver locks swayed gently in the cool breeze, but there was a spark in her eyes, and the whisper of an amused smirk on her face.

“What’s this now?” her melodic voice echoed with that haughty tone she used when I met her. “Did you actually go for a dip?”

“I—”

“Hold your breath.” I glanced at the maid who revealed a wry smile, garden hose in hand before she blasted me.

I gasped so audibly I nearly choked on the freezing water as Jenna washed me from head-to-toe with the hose. My shoulders were up to my ears as I felt every last piece of grime and mud slide down my skin. I barely managed to glimpse back up at Nova, but when I did, a bit of warmth returned to my cheeks. Her pale hand covered her lips, and her dark eyes were ablaze with delight as she watched every second of my never-ending mortification.

I should just jump back in the lake. I groaned, turning away from her.