“I’m fine. Just didn’t prepare myself for him.” I unlocked my door, and swapped bags. Tyler staired down the hallway both directions, as if he would see him. “It’s fine, he can’t get through when I have my curtains closed.”
Tyler snapped his head towards me, “Excuse me?”
“It’s just a term we use. Like a big heavy light blocking curtain.”
He just nodded and took my hand as we walked back out. “So that’s normal?”
I shrugged, “Like I said, I usually am better prepared than you just witnessed.”
“But they are still coming at you all the time?”
“Oh, that. Well, yeah. I’ve just gotten better at putting up curtains and keeping myself grounded.”
“Look at you. My little master medium. No longer passing out, giving yourself concussions.”
I rolled my eyes, “Yeah I guess you could say I’m handling things better.” He kissed my head again.
We sat and worked for an hour, but Tyler was done so he headed home. “Are you sure you are good to walk home?”
I rolled my eyes, “Yes, I think I can walk next door.” He gave me a hug and a kiss, and he headed out.
The library was almost deserted. Most people didn’t have major tests until next week. I had most of my work early.
I typed away, ear buds in my ears. I looked up when I felt the temperature shift. Laundry girl was hovering over my table. I looked around the room, and no one was within earshot. I removed my earbud. “Can I help you? I’m sorry, I don’t have your laundry.” I didn’t ever feel the need to drop the curtain on her. She was harmless, and no evil lurked in her scrambled mind.
She tilted her head. “But I have to have it. I have to wear it to pass my class. If I don’t pass, I will flunk out. I will be forever lost.” Her gaze looked over me, past the racks of books.
“I am really sorry, I haven’t seen it, do you remember where you left it?”
She turned to me, fire in her eyes, “It was in the laundry room!”
I inhaled again, “I am really sorry. I’m trying to study so I don’t fail, can you look for it someplace else?”
She snapped her head back like I had slapped her, but she turned and frantically started walking in the opposite direction.
I shook my head; I didn’t think I would sort that one out anytime soon.
Finally finished with my paper, I headed out. I was at the sidewalk T, where I would usually head back to my dorm. I looked the opposite direction and headed towards Blachley Hall instead.
I started up the stairs, focusing on staying grounded. “Hello?” I asked, waiting for her to appear. “Elizabeth? Are you here?” What a strange question, like where was she going to go? “Hello?”
Nothing.
I sat down on the sofa admiring the beauty of the interior. The ancient woodwork and details that houses of today just don’t have. I relaxed, leaning back. It truly was a striking home.
Finally, I stood, “Ok, I guess I will go.” I waited, fully expecting her to appear as I threatened to leave.
Still nothing.
I heard a door and footsteps and smiled.
“Can I help you?” It was another student, covered in paint, holding a brush.
I stood straight, “I’m sorry. I was supposed to meet someone here.”
He looked around, annoyance filtering across his expression, “Well, it’s just me.” His eyes looked down the hall.
“I’m so sorry, we must have gotten our wires crossed.” I grinned politely.
“It’s ok, I needed to take a break anyway. The paint wasn’t sitting the way I wanted it to.” He wiped his hands on his paint splattered pants. “I’m Ryan. I’ve got a senior art show here in two weeks. I’m finishing up the last piece.”
“Hi Ryan, I’m Savanah. I was supposed to meet a friend here, but I guess I got my places wrong. I’m sorry, I better figure out where I’m supposed to be.” I started towards the door.
“Hey, if you want, you should check out my show. It’s pretty good, I think you’d like it.” Ryan smiled a bit too wide.
“I will see, maybe my boyfriend will want to go, he is more into art than I am.” I had no idea if that was true, but it sounded cool.
Ryan’s face fell, “Ok, yeah. Ask him.” His smile returned but not nearly as bright as before.
I waved as I walked out the front door.
On my walk back, I contemplated Elizabeth’s story again. She was alive when her mother died. She must know her mother is dead, so why doesn’t she know where she is?
The air felt cold tonight, but not as crisp as it had been. I looked around to find no little patches of snow remaining from the winter. Maybe March was going to be warmer. A slight wind gust swirled a left-over leave on the side of the walkway. I felt the chill go through my spine. Then again, maybe not.
Sleep felt erratic. Twisting from Elizabeth, to Karson, to Brock. Every question revealed another challenge. Every challenge posed another question. I wanted to help them, I wanted to watch them disappear like I did with his grandpa, but I didn’t know how. Dr. Eyebright had said I didn’t need to fix everything, but if it wasn’t to fix it, what was the point?
I woke before my alarm, resigning to the fact tired was my new normal. Welcome to the life of a college student. I readied for the day, heading out before my first class to see if I could contact Elizabeth.
Blachley felt colder today. I walked towards the adjoining art gallery, just to make sure I was alone this time.
“Why are you back here?”
