Angel Kiss - Laura Jane Cassidy [31]
Simon came over and sat between Emily and me. I guess he’d got over his earlier embarrassment. I was beginning to regret that I’d drunk so much as he was being really chatty, but all I could think about was how unwell I was feeling. Had I really had that much to drink?
‘Are you all right?’ he said, shifting away slightly.
‘Yes … I’m fine … Think I’ll just go for a little walk in the woods.’ I tried to sound casual. ‘I’ll be back in a minute,’ I said, making my way over to the trees.
Colin called after me but I kept going.
My vision was getting blurry, just like it had in the back garden, and there was a stale taste in my mouth. Then something moved over to my right. The trees rustled and I heard someone walking behind me.
‘I’m OK,’ I said. ‘I’ll be back in a minute.’
But the footsteps kept going, past me and then further into the trees.
‘Who’s that?’
There was still no reply. I followed the footsteps. I’m not sure why, but something told me to. I could see a grey figure moving quickly through the trees up ahead. It would vanish for a second and then re-emerge, weaving in and out between the tree trunks. It moved very fast. Unnaturally fast. I quickened my pace, jogging in the same direction. After a few moments it slowed down and stood still. I was getting closer to it. Part of me said turn back, but another part said to keep on running. As I got closer I could make out the frame of a woman – slim and tall with long black hair, but I couldn’t distinguish her features. She was close but I just couldn’t focus on her face. I stopped maybe a metre away, squinting through the darkness.
‘Who’s that? I asked. ‘Who’s there? Who are you?’
She didn’t stay still for long. She came towards me and sped past. I jumped back and stumbled on a root, landing hard on the ground.
‘Are you OK?’ said Colin. I looked up to see him and Simon standing behind me.
‘Yes, I was just … the girl.’ I looked around, but couldn’t see her. I couldn’t understand how somebody could move that quickly.
‘We were worried there for a second. We thought we heard a scream.’ I didn’t remember a scream. Maybe I’d cried out when I’d hit the ground. My arm was grazed, but I was so confused I didn’t feel the pain.
‘Where’s she gone?’ I said. I looked around again, but she wasn’t there any more.
‘Who?’ said Colin.
‘There was a girl here. I … I saw a girl.’
Simon leaned over and looked into my eyes. ‘What did you take?’ he said. Great, I was acting so weird he thought I was on something. But I knew I’d definitely seen her.
‘She didn’t take anything!’ said Colin, pushing Simon away. ‘She just had too much to drink. Maybe she’s not used to it. I’ll take her home.’
‘Right so. Whatever,’ said Simon, heading back to the group.
‘There was a girl here, I swear!’ I didn’t understand why neither of them would believe me.
‘OK, Jacki, just take it easy. We’re going home now.’ He helped me to my feet.
I shivered as we walked along the path, the chill seeping through my skin. I had tried to explain to Colin that I wasn’t out of it, that I had seen a girl in the trees, but he was having none of it. The night had got even darker, a half-moon offering the only light from a starless sky. I pulled the baggy shirt tightly around me. Colin noticed and immediately offered me his jacket.
‘No, I can’t be taking all your clothes.’
‘I insist.’
I put on his jacket and instantly warmed up. Even though I was freaked out by what had just happened, I felt safe with Colin. He seemed to know every pothole and every protruding branch on that path. I stayed close behind him, mirroring his every move, so I wouldn’t trip over.
‘Tonight was fun. Thanks for inviting me up to the forest,