To Wake The Dead

Chapter Seven

Somehow, the world has shifted.

Maybe it's the silence over the house. Maybe it's the dreamless sleep from last night. Maybe it's something completely metaphorical that my brain has fathomed up. Whereas some may be happy or angry, fast or slow; I simply feel awake.
And it feels amazing. The feeling of a buzz at every follicle and pore, a rush of energy in my heart. To think of yesterday is exhausting, but lying in bed now, I am at peace. Part of me wishing to never leave and another, clawing at my insides, begging me to get up. It's exquisite and electric.
It's Sunday and it's nine in the morning.
It's time to run, and I need to see her again.

The silence of the house compared to the cacophony of the woods is startling.
I left Mom and Dad in bed, and after a quick change and freshen up, the front door clicked behind me. The street, as usual was quiet this morning, and the smell of damp earth hangs in the air. It clings to every fiber, both the essence of the rain and the morning cold.
Its morning, and I need to see her again.
This is the place she'll meet me. I run and I think and run and look. The same opening from two days ago, two identical mornings ago. But this morning is different. Energy has been exhumed and the bizarre thing is, more so than usual when I run, I feel alive.
I feel alive, and I need to see her again.
Last night was spent pondering, prepping the questions I would or could ask when the time came. And something about talking to Aaron made me think of a good place to start.
I've reached the clearing, and I need to speak to her again.
The opening is the same as every day. The same rocky formations, the same narrow stream, same tall spines of trees, whose bones twist and twirl around one another. "How do I bring her here?" I'm whispering to myself, and like most people would, decide to shut my eyes tightly. But the effort isn't great enough.
I stay if you need me to stay.
I think harder, about my desperation for answers, and my hunger to know more and my relief to know she has stayed. I open my eyes.
The spirit girl stands in front of me, and I need to ask my questions.
A few feet away, she is as beautiful as ever, and her face almost more relaxed as to its usual concern. She still looks tired, still looks exhausted and sleepless. But she's here. So familiar yet such a mystery.
"Look, I need some answers," I look at her, her grey eyes piercing into my own gold ones. Her gaze tackles into me.
"Alyssa," Same melodic voice. "I wish I could tell you everything. But there's only so far I can go right now."
"But why? What could be so dangerous to me now, rather than any other time? Nothing has changed, not that I know of. Not drastic enough to cause a shift," I blink at my words. A shift.
"Listen to me. Things are changing, things that you won't even see coming until the last second. And I know you can feel it," Her brows knit together, "And if I say the wrong thing at the wrong time, everything could collapse, and I wouldn't be able to help you anymore," I'm about to speak, but she stops me. "Alyssa, you just have to trust me. Can you put your faith in me?"
"I don't even know your name," I think of Aaron.
"I understand. I understand you've only ever just seen me. Only once have we actually spoken," She's close enough now that I can see some more prominent sticking in her dress. "But all of this is much bigger than you or I. Much bigger than the minor spirits you see. Alyssa, I promise I'll answer whatever questions I can. I just need you to trust me."
I take a deep breath.
"I trust you," My face holds sincerity, a sincerity that pulses from my heart.
"Leah," I look up.
"What?"
"My name is Leah. And your name is Alyssa," She smiles slightly, fond of her own sarcasm, "So now we're even on that?" I can't help but let my lips curve upwards too.
"I guess we are," I check my watch. If I'm out on my run for too long, Mom or Dad will get worried. And I can't have them become curious. "I need to go, but I still have so much more that I need to know. Some time in a few days?" I'm thinking of school and Scarlet.
"I'll be waiting your summons," The word is teased on her lips, almost like something Scarlet would say sarcastically. But the likelihood is, that Leah is used to using this kind of language. My questions about how and when she died dissipate.
I smile at her, and without looking back, I pick up my pace and run again.
Leah.