Page 48 of Beneath the Watching

“Are you a ghost?” I asked, before returning my gaze to the brook.

The figure smirked lightly and vanished.

If it wasn’t for the feminine cadence and sound of the voice, I would’ve suspected the man with the black eyes was responsible for my new abilities to converse with the disembodied spirit in my head. Shivering, I had to consider he’d been following me around for ages. There was no one out here but me so the interlude had to have been personal.

Upon further reflection, I realized he’d been peering at me with clinical curiosity and not as if he were familiar with me. That revelation made me feel a tiny bit better.

“Why was he here?” I asked, hoping for an answer. None came and I scooped more water into my dry throat.

There’d been no shelter anywhere that I could see, and I was exhausted. I stood up and walked to a cluster of bushes that seemed like they’d hide me at least temporarily. Curling upunderneath, I tucked my legs in toward my chest and rested my head on my hands, closing my eyes. The best I could hope for was that eventually, I’d find myself back home.

When I woke up, everything was dark. Something was by the water, lapping at the edges of the stream. I couldn’t see it, but I heard the throaty swallows and the messy drips hitting the stones along the shoreline while I stayed unmoving in the brush. The squeaking of tree frogs and occasional flapping of birds’ wings were the only other disturbances in the quiet of the night.

The thirsty animal left after what seemed like forever and I crawled out of my hiding place wondering if it was safe to return to the castle. There was no choice but to return to Stefan’s home. I knew I’d never make it out here in the wilderness of a strange land.

“Did you want me to run into the woods?” I asked, tilting my head, and hoping the voice would answer.

Your choice, it said.

“Why do I hear voices? What do you want with me?”

This is your home, came the obvious answer. I’d already decided it was where I’d stay.

“That doesn’t tell me anything.”

You’re not the only one,it replied.

“Kiara can hear voices?” Stunned, I wondered why Kiara hadn’t said anything before. Then I remembered it made sense why she wouldn’t—who would’ve believed her?

Not like you. She is a source of magic. Very powerful.

A twinge of jealousy prickled me for a second before I had to acknowledge I didn’t want to be a powerful source of magic. It sounded debilitating, and I could barely handle the mentalintrusion I was already dealing with. While I was okay with hearing voices, I wasn’t entirely positive I wanted to.

“But why me? What a waste.”

You allow it to be.

The response felt like a punch in the gut. Only my own head would cut to the heart of the chase. It was convenient and easy to exist in my own little world, distracting myself with my own running narrative of the things going on around me, weighing and measuring more than just food and flour. If I kept life away, I wouldn’t be reminded of all the ways in which I lacked. Fortunately for me, I quite enjoyed my own company, so it wasn’t a bad way to exist.

It just got lonely at times.

An image of my dark guardian filled my mind, his angry countenance glaring at me with a layer of what may have been love underneath. I wanted to go to him, but I didn’t know where he was. A small thrill ran through me, over the chance he might be looking for me at this very moment. It felt like too much to hope for, but he’d been adamant I stayed safe and I couldn’t completely doubt he’d search for me.

“Where is Stefan?” I asked the empty night, softly. “Who was that man reflected in the water?”

Another realm, the feminine voice replied.Other.

“What are you?”

Knowledge.

“That’s not helpful.” Immediately, I flushed. I could feel my cheeks burning after snapping at the sound in my head.

I’m everywhere and in everything. Few can hear me. Collective consciousness.

“Are you God?”

I am not the Creator.

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