Chapter Three

The Trees are Moving, yet there is No Breeze.

     A week has gone by since I had first arrived in Cairnholm, and I must say that I am starting to make a little routine for myself. Every morning, I wake up at 9am— early, but not unreasonably early— I grab my clothes from the radiator and head to the bathroom, changing while my clothes are still warm. The weather has been horrible ever since the storm on the day I almost ventured off, and whilst it does wash my clothes for free, it leaves me feeling frigid and unable to go on the adventure I so desperately desired.

     I go down and eat some breakfast, and the innkeeper engages in fond small talk about the island, eating his own serving of breakfast. I've learned his name is Kev, and even though he's rather reserved, he's a kind middle aged man that seems quite tired but enjoys the calm life of Cairnholm. 

     After eating, I go out onto the cold streets, and glance at the road to the left. Most of the time, the teens my age will lean on the wall, some mornings they will keep to themselves, two boys rapping at each other whilst the others huddle together and stiffly bob their heads to the beaten up rhythm, and on the odd morning they will stare back at me as I gaze fondly at the trees that sway in the wind, before awkwardly meeting their eyes and turning away away quickly, my rosy cheeks deepening in embarrassment.

     Walking down the road, I will stop into the candy shop and talk with the old man, giving him a few pennies for a peppermint, but after the third visit he refused to talk my money and would simply stand at the door and wait for me to pass by, giving me the minty treat with an equally sweet smile and nod before heading back into the the warmth of the store. I would continue on my way, heading down to the port to see if my parents had come back. Every morning, they wouldn't be there, in their place would be a small postcard from my father talking about mundane things, as if I had never left, but usually the bad weather at this point would force me back inside, either to the museum or the pub.

     If I'd go to the museum, Mr Pagett would share his lunch with me and we would talk about theories about the tar man and other wonders of the island, which would often leave me feeling nostalgic for a place I never even knew. And if I'd go to the pub, I would eat lunch alone as Kev tended to the bar, and I'd retreat back upstairs, reading and drawing and drying my clothes.

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     Unfortunately, this morning was most peculiar.

     It would start off the same, getting up at 9am— early, but not unreasonably early— and change into the clothes that had been drying on the radiator. This particular morning, the room seemed brighter than usual even without the light on, so I looked out the window to see the weather drastically different than the storm that had been going on for the past week. The sun was out early and shining brightly, beaming down on the happy civilians. This made me quickly change into my shirt, trousers and worn boots, but I didn't take my coat with my this time, simply bringing my scarf just in case.

     Kev was nowhere to be seen, a different, older man serving me the bacon and eggs I ate every morning. He gruffly mentioned that if I was going to stay longer, I would need to start paying— this wasn't a free hotel after all. I ate my breakfast in a sour mood. I knew Kev wasn't the owner of the inn, but he had been kind enough to give me a roof over my head, for the time being at least. It made me question what my parents were thinking, bringing me here when they had barely paid for me to stay a week in this inn.

     I finished up and left a small tip to show the other man that I was at least trying, and I stepped outside, the warm sun feeling good on my cheeks. It had been so long since I felt it's rays, so it seemed to wash all sorrowful thoughts I had from the previous encounter. It wasn't long until my head turned to the left, looking out to the trees. There they stood, tall and proud, and the leaves barely swayed, as if missing the feeling of the breeze flowing through it. I smiled in content. Perhaps today would finally be the day I would go on my adventure on the old gravel road. My smile only widened at the thought. Yeah, that would be nice.

     My eyes briefly glanced to the brick wall, and the teens my age were nowhere to be seen. I let out a sigh I wasn't even aware I was holding in, I never really was comfortable with people my age. Or people in general. I took one lastlook at the trees before turning right and heading into the village. My first stop was the sweet shop, but the old man was nowhere to be seen. I placed my feet on the small stone step that led to the see-through door, and I looked in. It was dark inside. He must have taken the day off due to the nice weather. Looking around along the street, most of the inhabitants were outside, wandering about and chatting amongst themselves. Amidst their happy smiles I noticed Mr Pagett, and when he spotted me I sent a warm grin and a wave. He hobbled over with an equally charming grin and spoke.

     "Gosh it is such a lovely day! You can finally go on that hike you've been gushing over!"

     He chuckled, his statement making my cheeks turn a rosy hue. I knew I had fondly spoken about going on a walk around the island but I hadn't noticed I had made it so obvious that I was rearing to go.

     "I can't wait to head down to the beach-- would you like to come with me Mr Pagett?"

     "Oh no no, my old legs wouldn't be able to keep up with your enthusiasm." He chuckled again, waving me off. "Now go while the sky is still clear!"

     After a light pat on the shoulder, I headed to the small supermarket to grab some foods to bring down to the beach. I planned to go to the beach first, it was going to be windy even with the sun out but I wanted to have a small picnic there before going through the forest to find the old orphanage. After buying a small sandwich, a pack of crisps and a bottle of water-- such a mighty feast for a mere picnic-- I stuffed them into my bag and set off towards the Priest Hole. Passing the pub, I stopped at the stone wall.

     This was it. I was about to go left. 

     Even with my curiosity and the bright sun to will me forward, a small pit settled in the bottom of my stomach. A seed of worry, as if my instinct was trying to tell me something was wrong.

     I ignored it.

     I turned left.

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     I walked along the pebble road with a content smile, all worry had left me about a mile ago and I had completely forgotten what had caused my worry in the first place.

     I had passed a small section of forestry before being opened up to fields upon fields of sheep. It wasn't surprising, most of the inhabitants were farmers, and I actually quite enjoyed the serene view of watching the fluffy animals graze their fields. I was starting to warm up quite quick, the sun paired with my brisk walking had made me taken off my scarf and pull my ginger curls up into a ponytail. I was passing yet another field, but I could see the land slope down and lead to a cliff.

     I smiled.

     The beach wasn't too far now.

     I continued past the field and took a right down a small path that led to the cliff. The road grew rocky and I looked down at my feet to make sure I didn't trip. I wobbled slightly in some spots of the path and didn't even realise it was leading downward, until my worn out boots sank into the soft sand. I looked up, the cliff to my right, but my eyes yet again being drawn to the left. 

     The breeze picked up and I squinted my eyes, the salty air stinging them. The waves rolled in and out of the shore, onto the sand and the large rocks. The water sparkled a brilliant blue thanks to the suns rays, and I felt myself move closer to the water edge. No one else was on this part of the beach, but further out I could see a mother with her two children, enjoying the sun. They were far enough that I could barely here the young boys screams of joy.

     I took my scarf back out of my bag and set it on the sand-- I didn't mind if it got dirty, I would wash it tonight-- and I laid down on the cloth, staring up at the sky. I raised a hand to cover my eyes, but opted to closing them after a few seconds and letting my hand fall onto my chest, taking in the calm atmosphere and the sounds of the waves. I spent a good few minutes laying there before sitting up and taking out my sandwich and a book, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

     I spent the next half hour eating and reading, and another half hour after that taking in the scenery and dipping my toes into the frigid sea-- it might have been sunny out but it wasn't enough to warm up Wales' cold waters. I wouldn't let it go up further than my ankle. I took a few steps back and sat back on my scarf that was barely staying on the ground, the only thing keeping it from blowing away was my bag, and now myself. I let my feet dry in the warm sand, and after a while I brushed the remaining sand off my feet and slipped them back into my boots. I stood up, taking my scarf with me, and I let it blow and shake in the wind to clean it off. I stuffed it back in my bag, and after gathering all my things, I made my way back to the small path that led up along the cliff face.

     Back on the road I was once walking on, the scenery changed yet again, the winding path now leading through a forest. The gravel road was still big enough for a car, but the trees on either side of the road reached out, as if trying to grab the other one on the side. It was quiet, and it was peaceful, no more coos of the sheep, no more crashing of the waves, just the sound of leaves rustling as the cool air passed through it.

     I continued on the path until I came to a stop at a small area where the trees moved, almost like a small field leading into the forest. I was told that if I stumbled across this small bog, to cross it, it would bring me right to the children's home. I stepped onto the patch of grass, my boots sinking in slightly due to the mud, but I pushed on, walking through the sticky earth before wandering into the trees.

     It didn't take many steps before I was met by another field- no, this was a garden.

     I stood in marvel at the overgrown hedges and grandiose oak tree that grew freely, the rusted see-saw stopped of it's momentum in a see, or perhaps a saw, grass that had covered up the pebbles and stones that lead up to the home. It was decrepit, a large hole in the roof and vines snaking up the walls, as if trying to reach the culprit of why it was in such a state. The stone bricks were either covered in dirt or in the dirt, a door no longer found itself in it's place, as were the windows completely shattered.

     You would think that with all the damage done, it was no longer a home, and yet... there was still something so warm and so inviting about it. It was a home. It is a home. And something was luring me in to see the inside of the home.

     Before I could step any closer, a rustling came from behind, and I immediately brushed it off as the wind. Only, when I did step closer, I noticed that there was no wind, and I suddenly spun around to stare at the forest.

     The trees were moving, and yet there was no breeze. The breeze had gone once I stepped into the trees and out through the garden, and yet there they were, each tree taking it's turn to sway and move, as if something unseen was getting closer...

     I didn't have to finish my thought as the trees stopped moving, and suddenly I was lifted into the air by an invisible beast. I screeched in horror as I could feel it breathe on my face, something slimy slithering up the side of my face and stopping under my left eye. I closed them shut tightly, taking in deep breaths, trying to rationalise the situation, this couldn't possibly be happening, could it?

     I could hear a yell, and suddenly the beast staggered, letting me slip from it's grip.

     I didn't dare open my eyes as I fell to the ground, my head smacking the ground, and everything went dark.

     AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Bit of a longer chapter today! I found the start slow and difficult to write since I know it's just the beginning of the story and I didn't want to jump into the past right away, but in the next chapter Tallulah will finally be welcomed into the world of Peculiars!
I'd love some feedback on these past few chapters, what you thought, if it was too long of a wait or too short, etc.

But thank you very much for reading and being patient with my uploads, I'm very busy as a student and sometimes lack inspiration.

~ my greatest thanks, Khaos