The Dark Rider

CHAPTER Nine



Nicola showered, washing away the salt of the sea and the chill of the rain. She washed automatically, her mind still in a state of dreamlike haziness after her meeting with Paul. She tried to guess his age. He had looked late teens and had an unkempt wildness that appealed to her. She could not help but feel an attraction to him, and she smiled to herself in mock shock for she was probably four years older than him and would never consider going out with someone that age back home. Then her smile faded. What was she thinking? She had only just lost her boyfriend, was stuck on her own in a hotel in Cornwall, and had to go home in a few days to sort out her life. But then she also felt a new freedom she had not felt before. A desire to take action and live for the moment, to throw away forever the paralyzing inaction that had so far inhibited her life, to grab the life force with both hands and never let go again.

She turned off the water and stepped out of the shower to dry herself. She dressed quickly in a short sleeved t-shirt and jeans, and went out of her room and back downstairs to the hotel lobby. She looked around half expecting, no, wanting, to see him standing there waiting for her, but he was not.

She walked through to the dining room where the staff was clearing away the breakfast service. They looked up as she walked in and then stopped. She looked around quickly before turning and going back down the hall to the bar which was empty of anyone. She walked back out and over to the reception desk. There was no one there so she rang a bell on the desk. A few moments later a young woman came out from a room off to the side.

“Good morning. Can I help you?” asked the woman.

“One of the guests. His name is Paul. Ermm, I have something for him. Can you tell me his room number?” stammered Nicola.

The receptionist looked at her for a moment and then said, “I am not familiar with this guest. Can you describe him, or give me his surname?”

Nicola blushed as she described him.

“I don’t know his surname but he is late teens, about six feet tall, with short black hair and blue eyes.”

The receptionist looked at her even more intently before speaking.

“One moment, I will go and check the guest register.” She disappeared back into the office for what seemed an eternity. Nicola waited impatiently, her resolve lessening with every passing minute. An older couple walked in and stood behind her. Just as they did the receptionist came back. Nicola began to fidget, just wanting now to get away.

“I’m sorry but I could not find the name and, to be honest, I do not recall seeing a guest with that description. What is it you have to give to him?”

“I’m sorry?” asked Nicola.

“You said you have something to give him, perhaps you can leave it here and I will look out for him,” the woman said, perhaps smiling a little too sweetly.

“Err, no, it’s ok,” mumbled Nicola, blushing furiously. She turned away and walked quickly outside into the greyness of the morning. She walked across the car park and followed the path to the beach, her mind turning over the events of the last few minutes. She thought of their meeting earlier that morning and tried to remember what he had said. Perhaps it was her assumption he was a guest, but if he wasn’t what had he been doing there?

Feeling suddenly stupid she carried on walking, and before she knew it she was on the beach. She stopped and looked around not knowing what she really expected to see. There was no one in sight. Nicola walked slowly to the tide line and sat down on the sand, hugging her knees. She watched the waves spreading across the sand before, spent, they retreated again to leave a layer of glistening moisture on the surface. A cool breeze stirred the air sending goose bumps along the bare flesh of her arms.

Nicola shivered, and as she did so a movement caught her eye and she turned her head to the right to where a path rose up the side of the headland. She saw him then, walking along the beach towards her, and her heart shuddered in her chest. She looked away and then back again, just in case it was a trick of her mind, but it was real. He was dressed in black jeans and t-shirt, and seemed to walk with an easy grace. There was something mysteriously primeval about the vision and she breathed deeply, adrenaline beginning to pulse through her body.

He slowed as he approached and stopped a couple of meters from her. She looked up at him.

“Hi,” he said, sounding nervous.

“Hi,” she said, feeling his gaze penetrating her consciousness and she found herself wanting more, a sudden addiction.

“Do you mind if I sit down?” he asked.

Nicola chided herself for losing all social abilities. Self consciously she let her arms drop to her sides, forcing her body language to be more open.

He stepped forward and sat next to her in one fluid motion, his legs crossed. They sat in an awkward silence. Now that she had what she had wished for she did not know what to do.

“I’m glad I’ve found you again,” he said, his eyes on the horizon.

“How did you know I was here?” she asked him.

“Why did you come looking for me?” he replied, turning to look at her, an almost arrogant smile twisting his lips.

She looked away, her mind in shock. Was it just a lucky guess? She composed herself and looked back at him.

“I hope you don’t mind me asking but who are you? And what do you want?”

It was his turn to look away, and she saw the teenager before her yet at other moments he seemed a lot older, an ageless quality that fascinated her.

“As I said, my name is Paul.” He paused before taking a deep breath. “I’m here because my aunt just died. I’m sitting with you because I have no one else.”

His words hit the very being of her soul and she wanted to cry out.

“I’m so sorry,” she said softly. “Sorry about your aunt, sorry I am being so hostile.” She reached out, her hand on his shoulder. He looked quickly to her, their eyes joining. She saw wants, desires, questions and dark secrets flashing at her from the depths of his consciousness, a mask dropping for an instant and then he looked away, breaking the contact.

Who are you? she whispered in her mind.

“Look,” he said, “I’m depressing you, I should go.” He began to rise, but she held him on his shoulder, stopping him from getting up.

“No, stay, talk to me,” she said. “It might help.”

The tension in his body released and he sat back down. She waited for him to speak.

“She was not my real aunt,” he said. “She was a friend of my mum, from before mum met my dad. Her name was Gwen.” Paul looked up as a seagull drifted across the bay. “My mum died giving birth to me. My dad says Aunt Gwen disappeared for a year after that, and then out of the blue wrote to him from here. She said she would take us during the holidays. That’s how I fell in love with this place.” He paused, watching his finger as he drew lines in the sand. “Then last year my dad was very ill and I stayed here all summer with Gwen.”

He looked at Nicola, a desperation in his eyes. “She told me things, showed me things. About my future, who I am, what I am to do. It was like all the summers before she was preparing me. So subtle yet so perfectly right.” He looked away again. “And now she’s gone.”

Nicola sat transfixed.

“The doctors couldn’t explain it. She told me it was time.” A tear rolled down his cheek. Nicola watched, seeing every detail of the ball of moisture as it tumbled across his skin. “She told me it was time for her to go, and for me to awaken.” More tears began to fall, dripping freely onto the sand leaving small dark spots. Nicola felt his shoulders begin to shudder. She put her arms around him and pulled him to her. He sobbed freely then, great racking sobs that jarred his body, and in between she heard his muffled cry. “And now nothing is happening.”

Nicola sat there holding him, unknowing of what to do or say. She had been so suddenly thrust outside of her emotional experience that she had no action to fall back on. In the end instinct took over, and she found herself stroking his hair and whispering soothing words. Eventually he became still in her arms.

After a time he lifted his head, slowly pulling away from her.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his head bowed, eyes staring at the sand.

“No, don’t be sorry,” said Nicola earnestly, emotion catching her voice. “Just tell me if I can do anything, if I can help.”

“There is one thing,” he said. He looked up at her. “Look, do you mind if I hang out with you today?” He had said it then. “I mean if you don’t have anything else planned, or are with someone or something. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be a sudden burden. I just…” he paused. “I would really value your company.”

Nicola didn’t know what to say. She felt this young man was casting a spell over her, and she felt wary and excited at the same time. She felt the part of her that wanted to let go of her inhibitions, forget her worries and embrace these moments of life. She also felt the other part pulling at her, the cautious, rational and fearful part of her that had ruled her life for so long. It was her turn to look away to the horizon.

“I’m kind of on my own too,” she said. “I was with my boyfriend until two nights ago.” She paused.

“What happened?” asked Paul, his voice tense.

“We had an argument. I realized I did not love him. He left to go home and I have not spoken to him since.” It felt suddenly real and final now that she had said it. “I don’t love him so why stay with him? It’s just a lie then.” She shivered and hugged her knees to keep warm. “That’s the worst part,” she said. “The part that scares me and makes me hate myself. I just decided I didn’t love him and that was that. I was so cold, so selfish. It makes me realize that I am not a nice person.”

She fell silent. He shifted his position on the sand. After a while he spoke.

“I know this might be wrong to say, but I’m glad,” he said.

“Glad?!” exclaimed Nicola.

“No, listen, glad you did the right thing,” he said quickly. “There’s no point being with someone you don’t love.”

“But I was so mean to him, and now it’s as if I never felt anything for him. How can I be so cruel, so unfeeling?”

“You think that now because it’s only just happened,” he said. “But if you didn’t feel anything you wouldn’t be sitting here now talking about how bad you feel.”

She looked at him.

“I guess you’re right,” she said gratefully.

“It’s only just happened,” he said. “You’ll feel differently with time. Just let it pass. Besides, you should think about what you want, not about what you think someone else wanted.”

Nicola sighed. He was right. Again she felt as if he was a lot older than he seemed.

“Do you mind if I ask how old you are?” she asked.

“I’m nineteen,” he said.

“You are very mature for your age,” she said. “And you give good advice.”

He smiled. “I spent a lot of time with my aunt. She taught me a lot. How old are you?” he asked.

“What do you think?” she said.

He looked at her intently for a moment. She felt naked under his gaze and crossed her arms self consciously.

“Twenty-three,” he said.

She raised her eyebrows. “You’re very good.”

“I guess I’m right,” he grinned. “Look, do you want to get some lunch? It’s a short walk along the cliffs to the village, and there’s a cafe there. The sun will be out soon so we can sit by the harbor and it will be warmer for you,” he said, stroking awkwardly the goose bumps on her forearm.

“Now that sounds like a good idea,” said Nicola electrified by his touch. “Lead the way.”

He stood up and put out his hand. She took it and pulled herself up from the sand thanking him as she did so.

They set off, walking side by side, across the sands towards the path over the headland. The cloud was moving quickly eastwards and soon the sun was clear from its grey embrace and the land came alive once more.


*****


The children did not stop running until they reached the gap in the hedge by the cottage. Squeezing through they spilled out onto the lawn. Neil threw himself down onto the wet grass panting heavily.

“I’ve never been that scared before.”

He looked up at his sister.

“We’re lucky you found the way out.”

Vicky was still standing, her head turned back the way they had come. She could just see, through the tangle of undergrowth, the fox’s back as it loped away across the field.

“Yes, very lucky,” she murmured.

“That was dodgy,” Neil continued. “I thought our time was up. What was his problem?”

Vicky remained silent as her brain tried to rationalize what had just happened. However she looked at it, she could not escape the conclusion that something magical was going on. Magic that had everything to do with the key. A tremble ran through her body. The key was sitting cold against her skin. Suddenly she was not sure she liked it.

“He must have been up to no good,” continued Neil. “I wonder what he was looking for. And that wood, it was definitely bigger on the inside, how does that happen? And then we were lost but you found a way out.” He suddenly looked at his sister with new admiration.

“You must have magic powers,” he said grinning.

“Just lucky,” said Vicky through gritted teeth.

“Hmm. No, there’s more to it than that. It’s pretty exciting don’t you think?”

“No, it’s actually pretty scary and I just want to forget about it now. Look, can we go and do something different that doesn’t involve magic or voices or being chased?”

“Sure,” said Neil disappointed.

Above them the clouds were beginning to break. On the horizon the first rays of sunlight were beginning to light the land like torch beams being shone through the clouds. It was also getting warmer.

“Ice cream,” suggested Neil. Vicky smiled gingerly and nodded. They went and retrieved their bicycles from around the corner of the cottage and pedalled out onto the lane. They cycled up to the road and turned left, following it until they came to a narrow track on the left. While the main road continued on, making a wide circle around the headland before going into the village from the other side, the lane took a more direct route spiralling steeply through a wooded hillside to come out along the harbor.

The sun was out completely now, having burned away the morning dampness, and they sped down the lane rushing through alternating patches of bright light and deep shadow as they skirted the wood’s edge. Soon they were on the inner harbor wall pedalling fast past fishing boats and tourists emerging from coffee shops and gift shops into the warm sunshine.

They reached the end of the harbor front where a small shop sold ice cream from a large freezer container. Taking their time to choose one they paid inside and then went out, pushing their bikes with one hand towards the harbor wall where they sat down, backs leaning against the cool stone. They sat in silence for a while enjoying the warmth of the sun on their faces, the salty smell of the sea mixed with fish and the cries of seagulls overhead.

“Are you happy we came here?” asked Neil watching her from the corner of his eye. As he spoke it was as if a shadow fell across her face.

“I don’t know whether I’ve forgiven mum and dad yet,” she said. “It’s nice now because it’s basically one big holiday but I miss my friends already and now we have to start all over again…” her voice trailed off and she looked away into the distance.

Neil grimaced, looking away too. He was trying not to think about it himself and didn’t really know what else to say. As he lazily scanned the waterfront his eyes rested for a moment on a face on the edge of a crowd of tourists. As he focused their eyes met and a flash of recognition passed between them before the face hastily turned away. Neil sat bolt upright. Vicky turned to him in surprise.

“What is it?” she asked. Neil jumped up, watching as the boy turned down a side road and disappeared from view.

“I just saw the kid from the wood over the other side of the harbor.” Tossing the remains of his ice cream in a nearby bin Neil picked up his bike and jumped on.

“I’m gonna catch him and find out what’s going on.”

With that he was off pedalling quickly along the harbor wall. Vicky jumped up, shoving the last of her Cornetto in her mouth before grabbing her bike and following.

“Hey, wait,” she called after him through a mouthful of cone.

Neil sped along, flashing past the group of people the boy had been standing next to. He turned sharply down the side street where the boy had gone and then skidded to a stop. The street was empty. Looking back along the harbor Neil could see no sign of him. Looking back up the street all he could see were lines of terraced houses that ended in a hundred meters or so as the road climbed steeply upwards before disappearing around a corner.

Pushing off Neil raced on, pedalling furiously as the road climbed up and curved above the town. Terraces were replaced by cottages spread out between hedgerows and fields. Soon he was way above the town with just fields and the sea for company. Slowing to a stop Neil looked around, forcing himself to admit that he didn’t have a chance of finding the boy now. Feeling a bit foolish he turned round to go back down to the town when he saw his sister coming towards him puffing hard with the effort of the steep climb.

“What kept you?” he asked grinning.

“Perhaps it was you zooming off without warning,” she panted. “So, did you find him?”

“Nope,” said Neil feeling a little frustrated. “He could have gone anywhere.”

“Sure it was him?” Vicky asked.

“Yes, I’m sure,” said Neil offended.

“I don’t like it if we’re being followed,” said Vicky, a cold shiver running down her spine.

“There’s definitely something fishy going on,” said Neil.

“So, what now?” Vicky asked.

“Guess we go back to the cottage,” said Neil releasing his brakes and beginning to move off down the hill. “Last one back does the washing up,” he called over his shoulder to his sister whose bike was still pointing up the hill.

“That’s not fair,” she cried indignantly yanking her bike round and pushing off to follow his fast-retreating figure as quickly as she could. Neither noticed the boy who had been hiding behind a nearby hedgerow. He stood up, watching them intently until they disappeared from view.