STARLIGHT
by
Jewel Adams
Copyright 2008
CHAPTER 1
“Hi honey, where’s Gill?” John Hammond walked up behind his wife sneaking a piece of carrot off the chopping block.
Smacking his work callused hand Evelyn hid her humor with her husband as he held the carrot out of her reach.
His voice and eyes danced over her exasperated pout. “Just one honey, you can give me one less at dinner.”
Giving up, she turned back to fixing dinner. They both knew she couldn’t deny him.
Nuzzling her neck, “So where is she?”
“Studying up in her room.”
“Daydreaming is more like it.”
Laying down her knife, she turned within the warm circle of his arms. How she loved the feel of him. Nineteen years and the magic still flourished between them. Indulging in little love kisses it would be so easy to forget dinner and go upstairs with him. Sighing, Evelyn almost gave in to his seductive gaze.
“I ought to take all those books away so she would only have school books to read.”
The seductive feelings slipped away under the unvoiced threat of another evening of more arguments. “Leave her be, John.”
When he looked down at her she saw the unbending stance beneath the warm caring man.
“College isn’t cheap.”
“And B’s and C’s aren’t that disastrous.”
“For Gillian they are. You know she is has always gotten A’s in everything. If she looses the scholarship I can’t come up with the funds necessary to keep it all going.”
Running her hand over his work hard arms, No, he already worked too much. He was right, Gillian wasn’t applying herself like she should. Burying her cheek against his chest Evelyn wished this were everything; his hold, only John’s touch. But she couldn’t help looking to the ceiling in concern.
Gill, her baby, and in all her eighteen years she never gave them a moment of distress. A beautiful child, her baby blue eyes and silky blonde hair always drew the ooh and ahs from friends and strangers alike. Evelyn still wondered if all that early attention over her daughter’s classic looks caused Gillian’s shy ways as a teen.
It started in high school, earning her few friends. Kids nowadays were too lazy to fret out loners and find the warm individual behind the well-constructed wall. Gill’s wall became books. An academic whiz, studies took the place of friends. Having a mother’s concern, Evelyn also knew Gill needed to find her own way. Beneath the quiet demeanor rested a vital, strong willed person that knew exactly where, who and what she was about.
Though there hadn’t been many boys brave enough to broach her daughter’s armor, she didn’t find it all worrisome. When Gill was ready, the right man would hold her daughter’s heart and like her mother all that wanting love would be given in an unending supply. The Hammond women were fierce and protective over their men. Once Gill found that man, Evelyn didn’t expect her shy reserved daughter to remain. Like a butterfly Gillian would emerge with all the color and life it takes to hold a man worthy of her.
“Starlight….”
John’s voice was like a sultry caress. Snuggling closer, “I was in the stars.”
“You always were dreamy eyed over her.”
“And I suppose your proud daddy act never shined. All those photo sessions….”
“Alright, guilty. But honey, I’m just worried. She isn’t herself.”
“Maybe she is just growing up.”
“With books? I don’t see any guy intruding. So why the closet act?”
“I don’t know. I will talk to her.”
“Alright, I will keep out of it for now.” Kissing her brow, “I’ll go shower.”
“Okay, dinner in about an hour.”
John was right. As much as Evelyn didn’t like intruding on Gill’s privacy she would have to. Something recently captured the girl’s fascination. All those calls from the local library over the books she ordered, they certainly didn’t have anything to do with her studies.
* * * *
The curtain of blonde hair moved impatiently away from the open pages. “Dad’s home…” Crinkling up her pert nose, Gillian hoped he wouldn’t start in on her again tonight. But once her thoughts went to her dad she couldn’t push them away.
Closing the book in her lap she stretched out her legs from the Indian style position and leaned back into the ruffled pillows propped up against the headboard. Gillian took a deep breath and stared up at the crocheted butterflies in the canopy. She couldn’t blame him for being upset with her. “A first for Gillian Hammond, the fallen star…not one A.” Her bright blue eyes grew tight over the remembered shock in his face. Even mom failed to hide her stunned reaction in her warm blue eyes.
What made everything worse was Gillian’s own inability to give any explanation. A word of reassurance… “I’ll do better, or I was just getting used to a new routine and curriculum.” Anything would have helped, but she failed to find any, for them…or herself. If approached, she wouldn’t be able to explain any of her actions of late.
Pushing off the bed, the slim, jean clad legs skirted the volumes of books stacked about the feminine room. Their dark bindings were in sharp contrast to the mauve and antique white bedroom. Ruffles and lace abound, mixed with small dainty nick knacks from her grandmother’s collection; to the old world elegance of corded portraits and silk flowers of pink and rose. A room that reflected a blending of beauty and grace, too bad the loveliness couldn’t soothe the turmoil now etched in cross worry on her brow.
What could she possibly have told the two people she loved so dearly. “Your daughter is eccentric. Maybe the label should be…obsessed!”
Was she? Hugging her petite frame, Gillian stifled her groan. The word obsession refused to leave her thoughts. As much as she detested that label, it did fit the picture she made. “Chasing a dream…” She gave up trying to make sense of all this, because the truth laid about her. The evidence of how captured she became showed strikingly clear in her grades.
“Nothing else matters.” And hadn’t since that night.
Haunting, the memory and the image filled her mind, replacing havoc with warm yearning. The bold desire to hold on to the storm of feelings drove her relentless search. But the vision is what captured her soul, defying reason and making it impossible for her to let go. Standing there, closing her eyes, she let him come to her. Deep and intoxicating the pull of his sensual calls felt like a cloak surrounding her in ermine warmth; each time the calls grew stronger, leaving her less and less in control.
At first they came only in her dreams. Waking, she would feel a presence so powerful and vital she would become frightened. But the fear came more from the loss she felt. Almost like a part of her suddenly disappeared, wandering in confusion, trying to go back…to him! She wanted what he promised, the silent caress that felt like a summer wind against her skin. Soft, almost undetectable he remained out there—waiting. She believed that he also searched for her.
Gillian always prided herself on being level headed and at first she dismissed the unsettling feelings. She always experienced vivid dreams as a child, so she thought they were just starting again. Entering college must have caused them to return. Collier University was quite different from Birchwood High and the dreams reappeared when the term began. Justifying it, she tried to forget the dream.
It happened that next week, during Professor Lang’s lecture on the westward movement across America. Heavy into the period after the civil war, Gillian became fascinated over the professor’s dissertation on the migration of displaced souls that sought refuge or a new life away from the ravages of the south.
“Gillian…” The low whispered call made her sit up in surprise. Looking around the auditorium, all the other student’s attention remained on the lecture. Shrugging, she turned back, a little ticked that someone made her miss something in her notes.
Only a feeling at first, a tingling across her skin began an uneasy feeling in her stomach. The pressure increased, making her shift uncomfortably in her seat. Her hand began to massage the back of her neck to dispel the eerie prickling beginning at the nape. Nothing seemed to work, in fact, if the lecture didn’t finish she would never have sat there any longer.
She wanted to escape under the urgency she sensed. When she turned, she saw him…standing at the top of the auditorium. Sucking in her breath, she seemed incapable of looking away. She immediately thought the professor must be trying theatrics to compliment his lecture. The man stood there in full uniform, the tailored gray and gold of a southern officer. Looking about she wanted to see the others reaction to him. Only she realized they didn’t see him. They were walking right past him without a blink of acknowledgement.
The chilling discovery seeped up her spine and nothing she did would make him go away. If anything his image grew clearer, more vital, as if he were drawing strength from her gaze. Awakening clarity brought detail. The uniform was indeed that of an officer, but where the spit and shine of gold braids and sparkling button should have glowed, smeared dirt, torn bits and pieces of his fine coat hung across the man’s ragged frame. Darken evidence of a fierce battle glared out in cold reality.
Compassion and pain swelled in her heart, driving her gaze up and over him. Their encounter with him would remain with her forever. Those steeled, grey eyes captured hers in instant recognition, nothing could have broken their hold on her at that moment. She knew! Oh heavens, but she understood the shock and hurt taking place in those stormy depths. The devastation spread throughout the proud, undefeated features, marring the strength and contorting the smooth fine lines in rage. “Gillian!”
So mournful, the sound of her name passing those firmed lips made her step forward, all fear lost in the need to take away his anger and hurt. She wanted to hold and protect the man, whose broad solid build vibrated in denial over the acceptance of such an act.
Again he called, but his voice sounded strange, further away. Hastening her steps, she fought her way up the aisle to reach him, but each footfall seemed to make him pull back. Stopping, she could only watch as he faded, tearing a strangled cry from her quivering lips.
“Clint!”
He vanished then, leaving her to gasp for air as she tried to control herself. Dealing with the impact of what just happened proved nearly impossible. Avoiding the stares her unusual behavior wrought only made it more real or maybe more crazy!
Shivering over the passing memory, Gill released her hold about herself. He never came to her like that again. Since that day, only his calling hounded her waking and sleeping hours. Try as she did he refused to be silenced and fought her efforts.
Yes, he fought, Gillian felt positive about the battle he waged against her now. A battle so fierce and unrelenting, Gillian’s reality started crumbling away. Bit by bit, he began destroying the barriers she erected. The war wasn’t one fought on even terms or solid ground. It grew into one waged in strengthening illusions, waking dreams, ones too familiar to rationalize and Gillian feared he created by sheer willpower. Gillian knew exactly why he battled her and what he wanted.
When the realization came to her, she couldn’t say exactly. Neither did her logical arguments against the possibility make it any less real. The man…Clint, yes she knew his name, wanted her to come to him!
Resisting her own calls to him, he retaliated with his more powerful ones, eroding all her resistance. Each day his power grew stronger, weakening her further. Fearing what it meant, what might happen, she resisted. But at the same time Gillian felt her desire to give in and let it happen, whatever the consequences might be.
The conflict became almost unbearable. She wanted to go to him. The yearning he created to be with him demanded her attention. Whatever was happening, everyday became a struggle to survive. Each day something else would happen.
Yesterday proved the worse. Walking across campus to reach her next class, she forced herself to put him out of mind, concentrating entirely on school. Deep in thought over a coming exam, she never noticed the change taking place all around her until the sudden stillness finally penetrated her thoughts, giving her an out of place feeling.
Her steps slowed as she forced herself to bring her eyes up. Gill came to a complete stand still, her hands reached up to stifle the scream she wanted to issue. Her books fell at her feet. The vast green yard of the campus had disappeared, not a building existed, before her stood an open meadow lined with tall silvery leafed trees. Bushes flourished around the wood’s edge barring anyone’s entrance. Bird-calls and insects clicking in flight filled the air. She barely kept her feet under her. She turned only to find the open rolling expanse of countryside unblemished by anything manmade. The deepest blue sky touched the green and gold landscape making her eyes water against the brilliance.
The hairs prickled on her neck and something sent her fired senses into a tailspin. Instinctively, she went down on her knees, trying to hide in the tall grass. Frightened by what she couldn’t explain, she felt her panic mounting over the flight she wanted to give into.
Then, just as suddenly as it appeared, she was back on campus, kneeling over her books strewn across the ground. Shaken and frightened, she hurriedly gathered everything up. She prayed no one noticed anything she might have done, she walked on as casually as she could until finally unable to stop she started running…running away from everything and nothing!
She took a deep breath, Gillian instinctively knew she was running out of time. Something was going to happen. Unless she found some answers in these books…she couldn’t let herself imagine what might take place.
All her research failed to uncover the answers. Oh, there were similarities, even hauntings could give her a reason. She discarded them all; nothing this real could be just imagination or aberrations. Sadly, she felt convinced there wasn’t any logical reasons to be found.
* * * *
Evelynn watched her daughter’s absent movements around the kitchen table. Buttered toast and coffee, not exactly a nourishing breakfast, no wonder she maintained such a gorgeous figure.
“Are you sure you want me to take the books back today?”
“Uh? Oh, yes please. I’m done with them.” Gillian dropped into the chair avoiding her mother’s all knowing, all seeing gaze. She may have evaded the issue last night, but a girl knew when her mother wasn’t satisfied.
“Gill, are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine, just tired. I have an exam today.” Maybe she should have told her what was happening. Mom would have listened. Gillian realized her mother might even have some folksy explanation for all that happened. She often thought her mother held strange ideas for a grown woman. Unusual notions about things like fairies and unicorns, leprechauns and elves, even magic.
“It’s nearly eight you will have to run to make class.”
She rose with a start. Tonight she would tell her. The decision seemed to lighten her steps.
“What no kiss?”
“Sorry…” With more strength then she intended to display in the affectionate hug. “I love you.”
“Gillian?”
Smiling, “Can we talk when I get home?”
“Sure honey, I’d like to.”
Darker blue eyes smiled in silent understanding at the girl’s unusual turquoise blues. Evelyn resisted the sudden impulse to call her back. It must be the concern she felt over Gillian. She shook herself, at least she’d know what was bothering her daughter by this afternoon. Everything could be dealt with then.
She turned back to the dishes and wished the sun would come out. The coldness she woke with this morning seemed to seep into her bones. Even John commented on the usual chill for May. Her thoughts went ahead to June. Gillian would be twenty. It didn’t seem possible…another year. Sighing, time could be such an intangible thing.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have let her go until we settled this.”
* * * *
The dark clouds didn’t match the gay feeling in her steps. If she knew how relieved she would feel, Gillian would have told her mother sooner.
A sudden gust of wind tugged at her spring skirt, wrapping it about her legs. The light pull over sweater, with its tiny pearl appliqués, did little to protect her against the cold blast. Adjusting the book bag, she opted for since yesterday’s incident, Gillian struggled to keep the full folds down below her knees. Looking angrily up at the threatening sky, she gave up the futile attempt for modesty in favor of hastening her steps. Getting soaked wouldn’t help her much for the test first thing this morning.
That eerie sensation came again, sending her senses into full alert. Always on guard now, the instant calming of the wind slowed her racing steps in wary caution. Barely moving under the fear taking hold, Gillian shook her head in denial. “No, you must stop this right now!” Yet, if anything, the air crackled in a threatening burst of refusal over her adamant plea.
The flash of violent light forced her eyes closed. Fear made her hold eyes shut tight against the rush of unexplained motion surrounding her. Riding the Himalayan at the fair felt like this. The inertia pulled and pressed against her until she didn’t seem capable of breathing.
In panic she sucked in the air, shaking as her lungs filled to capacity. An awkward calm penetrated her being making it impossible to move or flee. Dreading what she felt happened, she knew opening her eyes would be the only way to discover the truth. She fought to remain calm, her overly large eyes took in their startling view.
“The meadow.” Whispered terror held her fast. Not moving Gillian waited for the return, but nothing happened. “Take me back!”
Anger driven by fear made her fist tighten on the shoulder strap of her purse. The other clutched the heavy book bag in a desperate need for some kind of reality. That eerie sharpness of remembered warning penetrated her shattered nerves.
Drop Gill, duck fast! Giving up the struggle to deny where she found herself, she fell to her knees. The urgency inside didn’t leave any room for questions or arguments over the living dream.
The earth felt cool and damp against her bare legs. Surprised, she looked down; reaching out she touched the thick green blades. Open palmed she explored the small shelter. She pulled her hand back as if burned when the thick growth tickled her skin. The truth came pass trembling lips. “It’s real…”
Her lips moved in silent denial, pleading seemed the only way to end this. Though nothing changed. Unable to stop herself Gillian spoke out her fear. “It’s been too long. I should have snapped out of it by now.”
She didn’t want to hear the truth of it! This couldn’t be happening, but nothing she told herself ended the illusion. Gillian grew terrified over where that conclusion took her. “Where am I? Mom? Dad? I need you, please wake me up, tell me it’s only a bad dream.”