The Wanderer, page 32
“Then why are you hiding something?”
He closed up again. His silence told Lizzy everything.
Joe reached for her arm but Phillip kept him at bay.
“You come near her again and I’ll kill you.”
Phillip drove them back to the Manor.
He went to touch Lizzy but she shrank away. She just wanted to be left alone. Phillip knew about this. He kept this from her. Why, she wondered. Was it for gratuitous satisfaction—he had something over Joe? Or was it to protect her? These thoughts weighed Lizzy down but there was nowhere to rest her head in the stupid car. She just remained upright and allowed the wind to envelop her. The bitter cold stung her confusion. It gave Lizzy something else to think about … for the moment.
Her hand reached across the bed. Lizzy expected to feel the extension of cotton sheets but instead she touched warm skin. Phillip had joined her sometime in the night, despite her asking to be alone. Mentally and physically, Lizzy felt debilitated. Closing her eyes did nothing. It was a forlorn attempt to trick her body that she could sleep. Eventually she gave up.
Lizzy put on pants and a jacket, made her way down the stairs and out the door. The fresh cold awakened her senses. Now she had to deal with it. But how could she discern what Joe did? He didn’t touch her that night but had he wanted to? Was that his intention but the other guys beat him to it? Did Joe collude with them? Lizzy felt lightheaded and stumbled over to a chair on the back porch.
“My best friend spiked my drink.” These words did not sound right. Lizzy repeated the statement a little louder. A family of birds in a tree began their morning song. They joined in with her, moral support she guessed. No matter how many times Lizzy repeated these words, she just couldn’t comprehend their meaning. Even if she did, what was the next step? How could she ever look at Joe the same way again? Without acknowledging her movements, Lizzy headed toward the entrance of Apology Path—fitting, she thought.
The morning glow gave Lizzy just enough light to see the track but she noticed a figure coming from the opposite direction. The outline of draping cloth was a giveaway.
“Xeno?”
“Elizabeth, what are you doing up so early?”
She shrugged, “Couldn’t sleep.”
He was unconvinced but rather than press her, he tucked her hand under his arm. It felt delightfully warm and she was contentedly compelled to walk with him.
“This is my favorite time of day to stroll down Apology Path.” He took a deep breath, “Usually, I walk in solitude but today I thank the Gods for company. I always find that when you’re tangled or confused, nature has the answers you are looking for.” Xeno looked about and took in the lush forest ferns around them. Suddenly he stopped, “The earth has music for those who listen.”
“Which philosopher said that? Protagoras? Socrates?” Lizzy asked.
“Neither. It’s Shakespeare.”
Oh. Her eyes looked to the ground as he led them down the path again.
“Is there an answer that nature could help with?”
“I don’t think any amount of flora could help,” she replied, fighting back tears.
Slowly, the path revealed itself as the morning light diffused through the trees. There was a damp freshness in the atmosphere but inside, Lizzy felt stale, as if the air she breathed never quite made it to her lungs.
She had to deal with what she’d learned but the only two people Lizzy depended on and could talk to were the cause of her issue. Then she realized she had one of the most famous ancient Greek philosophers wrapped around her arm. If anyone could provide clarity on this messed up situation, it was Xenophon of Athens.
“Can I ask you a question?”
He looked down at Lizzy with twinkling brown eyes, “Of course, my dear.”
“What do you do when the closest person to you does the unthinkable?”
Xeno rubbed his chin but quickly answered, “I would question how close they really were to me to begin with.”
Lizzy replayed her favorite memories of Joe and her; the day she first met him—thinking she could never be friends with such a know-it-all and the night he threw her a surprise birthday party at their apartment. She was so mad at him as she had a test the next day. But Joe knew it was just what Lizzy needed.
He always did.
The countless times he consoled her from the stress of University or her parents—dropping everything until she managed a smile. No matter the sacrifice, he would always be there.
“Close,” Lizzy replied faintly
“And has his spot been replaced with another?” Xeno’s eyebrows lifted. He was meaning Phillip but Joe could never be substituted. There was history between them. Yet, over these three short months Lizzy had fallen unconditionally for Phillip. There must be an explanation for this. How could she feel so strongly toward each of them but under completely different circumstances?
“Apologies, I don’t mean to pry.” Xeno reverted his gaze, clearly feeling awkward by her silence.
“Paul said something about you giving him and the others relationship advice?”
He smiled and tapped Lizzy’s hand, “It’s not so much advice, just a theory.”
At this point she was open to anything.
Xeno cleared his throat, “Long ago it was believed that humans were originally created with four arms and four legs and a head with two faces. Fearing their power, Zeus split them into two separate parts, condemning them to spend their lives in search for their other halves.”
“You believe in soul mates?”
Xeno shook his head, “Plato believed in soul mates. I believe that despite the havoc around us, the Gods have granted us companionship to help us through. We have one other human soul meant for us, not because they are a part of us but because we cannot be apart from them. They create your happiness and completeness. Essential, they are your home.”
Lizzy considered Xeno’s statement. Surely, you could have two homes? she thought. A place of residency changes—did your soul work the same way? As if reading her thoughts, Xeno clarified.
“You all face a challenge because, as Time Keepers, your home is in another time.”
“Is that why you discourage the others from getting into relationships? Because they don’t belong with anyone from here?”
Xeno frowned, “It’s not my business. They can fool around with eros, desire, all they like. But they will only find wholeness once they have completed their search and that search does not end until they are where they belong.”
Lizzy stopped walking. The disheartening possibility hit her—as a Wanderer she didn’t belong anywhere.
“Have you told this to Phillip?”
Xeno stiffened, “Phillip … is different. He has other responsibilities.”
Before she had time to ask what that meant, he suggested they head back for breakfast.
Lizzy could see the Manor in the distance and spotted people walking past the window. Xeno stopped her before the entrance.
“Elizabeth, back to the person who you were talking about before … I don’t know what they did and I don’t need to know. But I urge you to be sure.”
“Huh?”
Xeno checked to see if anyone was around. “It’s a hard truth, but the saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from an enemy.” He straightened out his robes and headed through the door, leaving Lizzy wondering whom he was referring to, Phillip or Joe?
She could smell the coffee wafting from inside and heard Angus telling her to hurry up.
As Lizzy closed the door behind her, she turned and saw Phillip looking concerned. He was dressed in professor attire again, white shirt and casual brown jacket.
“Is something wrong?” he asked smoothly.
Lizzy strode over to him, grabbed his hand and led him up to her bedroom. As soon as she shut the door, she erupted.
“Did Joe really spike my drink?”
Phillip took a hard swallow.
“Do you know for certain that’s what he did? Did you go back in time and witness him doing it?”
“No,” he whispered.
Lizzy took a seat on her bed. “Then how can you be sure?”
“Because I am.” Phillip rushed over to her, “I’ve seen the way he looks at you—”
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
Phillip shuffled closer to Lizzy and his scent was intoxicating to her.
“Tell me what happened that night,” he demanded, “from what you can recollect, tell me what you and Joe did.”
“Nothing!” But as soon as she spoke, a flashback of Joe’s fist punching the wall beside her head interrupted her thoughts. He was angry. Really angry. Something about Lizzy missing her exams on purpose to be with him? He turned into something dark and so unlike Joe.
“He wouldn’t do that to me,” Lizzy said quietly.
Phillip frowned and pulled her into his chest. “I’ve seen enough to know the lengths guys will go to when they want something they can’t have.”
“But the same applies to you.” She pulled away from him, “How do I know that you’re not just saying this to convince me to hate him? You see Joe as a threat and an easy solution is to frame him.”
Phillip’s eyes softened, “No, no, Lizzy. I wouldn’t do that.”
“I don’t know what you’d do!” She stood up and paced the room, “I don’t even really know you!”
“How can you say that? I’ve never let myself get this close to anyone …” He got off the bed and she told him to stay where he was.
“Okay, but ask yourself this: why did Joe keep such a distance from you over these past three months? Because he was ashamed of what he did.”
Lizzy shook her head, “No. He respected that I needed some space.”
Suddenly, Lizzy’s phone vibrated on the bedside table. Phillip snatched it before she reached it and shook his head as he read the message.
“He wants to see you, to talk,” he said darkly.
Good, she thought. Then she could ask him what happened in a less confronting circumstance. She went to grab her phone but Phillip pulled away.
“I’m not letting you see him.”
“You can’t tell me what to do.”
“I don’t trust him,” he replied coldly.
Confounded by Phillip’s control, Lizzy explained that right now she didn’t trust either of them. Phillip straightened up his shoulders, “Look, I know he’s keeping something from you—”
“And if I have the opportunity to talk to him, I can—”
“No, Elizabeth!” Phillip lashed out.
He rose from the bed and stood right over her. His hands fisted together and Lizzy backed away to the wall. “I won’t let you see him. End of story.”
Phillip headed for the door, leaving her speechless.
He paused at the doorway, “Professor Matthews wasn’t there yesterday so I’m going back to Knox this morning.” Phillip turned to look at her, his gaze foreboding. “You stay where you are. I mean it.”
The door slammed.
Lizzy’s heart raced. Phillip’s words left her shaken and she took a moment to collect her breath. Perhaps he was right. Maybe she couldn’t trust Joe, but nor could she trust him. There was only one way to find out what really happened … to go back to the night of the party.
She waited until she heard Phillip drive out of the gates to collect what she needed. There was no time to message them that she was coming. Grabbing her keys, phone and bag, Lizzy dashed out the door, ignited the Jag and drove to her parents’ house.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Her parents’ estate looked just the same. The white brick house stood tall, ominous and altogether lonely. She parked up the drive, even though that was discouraged because “heaven forbid the car leaked oil,” as her dad would say.
She raced up the steps and noticed the two stone lions that framed the entranceway. Once, Lizzy had tried to explain their historical significance to her parents.
“They’re derived from Chinese guardian lions or otherwise known as Fu Dogs and are an extremely powerful protection—”
“Elizabeth, please. I don’t really care.” She remembered her Dad shooting her down, “Your Mother thought they looked nice and matched the façade.”
Lizzy shook herself out of the memory and knocked on the door.
No answer. She knocked a little more forcefully and the door squeaked open.
“Mum, Dad? Are you guys in?” The place was cold and smelt musty. The kind of smell fit for a second hand bookshop.
“It’s me, Elizabeth!” Still no reply. She shut the door and dumped her bag by the entrance.
“Hello? Anyone home?” Lizzy ran to the kitchen. But it was lifeless. Usually her mum would be in the process of cooking or baking something, especially in the morning. Perhaps she was doing laundry, she thought.
“Mum! Where are you?” Someone had to be home or else they would have locked the door. A cold draft blew down the hallway and when Lizzy got to the laundry, she saw the door was wide open. Strange. Standing at the threshold, she yelled out but was met with the whistle of wind. Where were they? Lizzy didn’t have time to look for them. Phillip would be back soon—she had to focus on her emotional trigger and get back to the manor before he noticed her gone.
While this whole place stirred a sense of loneliness in her, it was Lizzy’s bedroom that made her feel the most desolate. A place where she associated hiding from her parents fighting, crying frustrated tears over lost arguments with her father—where she retreated to tears when she realized they were sending her to boarding school. They had had enough of her.
Lizzy thumped up the stairs and stood at the entrance to her room. Slowly she walked to the center. She closed her eyes—waiting for something to stir within her. Concentrating on her memories, her emotion, Lizzy allowed the feeling of emptiness to fill her. But she felt just the same.
“C’mon, c’mon!” Taking a deep breath, Lizzy focused on channeling her isolation. Surely she would feel something? She sighed in exasperation.
It was no use.
Lizzy flopped on her bed and pulled out whatever was underneath her. It was Teddy, looking worn and old. She traced her fingertips over his mattered fur.
There was a patch behind his head that was particularly rough. Lizzy remembered when she was younger, sitting in front of the fireplace playing with him and accidently titled his head to touch the glass. His fur melted and she felt so terrible for burning him.
“He’ll forgive you,” her mother said. “Anyway, bears can’t feel pain.”
Lizzy remembered cradling him in her arms, asking him that night to teach her this skill.
Sometimes she would think he was the only thing that really loved her in this house. Bringing him to her face and replicating how she used to tuck him under her nose, Lizzy smiled and noted that he still smelled the same, like well slept-in pyjamas.
“I’m taking you home,” Lizzy told him and tucked him under her arm. There was not enough time to work on her trigger right now but perhaps he could be helpful for practice at the Manor.
Lizzy got up from the bed but when she looked out the window, her blood ran cold.
Teddy fell to the floor.
She couldn’t move.
Her eyes just stared at the man in the white mask looking up at her. He stood frozen on the grass. For a second Lizzy thought he was just a figment of her imagination—but then he moved, cocking his head to the side.
She screamed and ducked under the window.
This couldn’t be happening. This couldn’t be happening.
With shaking hands, Lizzy peeked over the windowsill. He was gone. Where did he go?! Then she remembered the laundry door. It was left wide open. Fumbling over her feet, Lizzy raced to the stairs and waited under the banister. It was quiet. Perhaps he hadn’t found the access, she hoped. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears—she had to make a decision. Either lock the door or hide. Then she remembered her phone. It was in her bag by the front door—that was Lizzy’s priority. Retrieve her bag, call the police and hide. She bounded for the entrance but froze in horror when she got there … it was gone.
Her bag was gone. Lizzy felt the walls closing in around her.
He was in the house.
She tried the front door to escape but it wouldn’t open … the key was missing.
SHIT!
Slow footsteps echoed from the kitchen. Lizzy had to act fast before he saw her. Any second and he would turn the corner and find her in the hall. Before she had time to rationalize her choices, Lizzy darted into Brent’s office and hid under his desk, hugging her knees to her chest. Her body shook with panic as she heard the footsteps getting closer. Lizzy rocked backward and forward with her eyes squeezed shut in prayer, hoping he wouldn’t look in there. What could she use to defend herself? Brent’s envelop opener. He had always left it on his desk. While still under the table, Lizzy reached up and tried to feel the small dagger with her hand. Moving from object to object blindly, she touched whatever she could reach.
C’mon, c’mon! She gritted her teeth and moved her hand faster. She knew it was up there somewhere. Lizzy moved too quickly and a pen flew off the desk and hit the ground. The sound vibrated around the room.
Shit.
She froze and tried to hear the footsteps.
Nothing.
Her chest heaved to the rhythm of her heartbeat. Lizzy stared at the pen, the pen that may have just killed her. The door creaked open and she saw big black shoes in the entrance.
He’d found her.
As Lizzy saw him take a step toward the desk, he stopped. Something had caught his attention.
“Lizzy?”
Mum!
“Lizzy, is that you?”
The shoes hurried from the doorway as if frighted by the sound. Lizzy took the chance to bound for the stairs and raced to her parents’ bedroom. Claudia was up there. As Lizzy made it halfway up, a figure dashed behind her. He came out of nowhere, like a monster interrupting a dream. She screamed and pumped her legs faster then burst into the bathroom and locked the door. Slowly Lizzy backed away from the door and shrieked when she saw the flash of white behind the tinted glass.
