Running by S. Bryce

Author:S. Bryce
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781514347959
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 2015-06-13T05:00:00+00:00

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Chapter 39

Saul’s Place

It looks as if the heavy downpour of rain has eased to a light splattering. I won’t be deceived. The rolling clouds and the distant clap of thunder tells me the storm is not yet over.

I withdraw from Saul completely and hover at the door. Saul keeps walking.

I don’t want to go out there.

The tree branches sway and creak like an old man’s bones. I picture the next bolt of lightning seeking me out and frying me until I’m nothing but a pile of ash and smoke.

‘Shouldn’t we get the torch?’ I hiss at Saul’s shadowy figure.

Saul stops, spins around and cocks his head to one side motioning: follow me.

He strolls along the mud path leading towards the road.

Where does he think he’s going? My curiosity peaks. I clutch my hands under my armpits, suck in my breath and scurry after him. I finally catch up with him.

‘We won’t go far,’ he tells me.

He entwines his fingers in mine.

I don’t know if it’s the breeze or being in Saul’s company, but I feel calmer. I’m aware of the grass and the squelch of mud beneath my feet, of wet rustling leaves, and Saul’s hand in mine.

We cut through a tight gap in the hedge, which seems to disappear once we’re on the other side of it. I find myself standing in front of a vast oak tree. Its branches fan out from the wide trunk acting as an umbrella against the rain. So this is where Saul goes when he wants to be alone. I almost envy him for finding this place, and now he’s invited me in. I should feel privileged. I say should, I don’t know why I’m here yet.

Saul smacks his foot against the root of the tree, trying to wipe a clump of mud from his boot. He stops abruptly, turning to me. ‘What’s going on?’

‘Nothing,’ I say, licking the rainwater from my lips. I tug my fingers out from under his.

‘You were shouting at Tosh. You never shout at Tosh.’

‘Yeah I do,’ I retort, frantically struggling to recall the exact instances over the last few days that I had to raise my voice to my little brother.

‘No you don’t. You never used to.’ He pauses, pressing his hand to his forehead. ‘Not before -’

‘Is that why you brought me out here? To have a go at me for shouting at Tosh. If I shout at Tosh, it’s with good reason. The way he’s been behaving lately, you’d think, you’d think-’ I break off, wrapping my arms around myself protectively.

‘You’d think what?’

‘You’d think he was the only one who’d lost someone - they love.’

Saul puts his arm around me and I rest my head in the crook of his neck. My eyes well up with tears, clouding my vision. Tears I mustn’t let fall.

‘I - I should have taken better care of her,’ I say, pushing Saul’s wet hair out of my face.

‘It’s not your fault. You did your best for her.’

My neck muscles stiffen.

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