Oak and Mistletoe (Ch. 1)

Chapter 1

Catherine was walking home from work when it started to pour. Reaching the door to her small place, she rushed in and shook off the drops over the hardwood floor. Having just cleaned it that morning, she frowned as she continued to dry herself and placed her jacket on one of the hooks by the door.

“Kathleen?” Catherine yelled.

“Yeah?” her sister called back.

“Will you please order something for dinner?” she yelled again. “I'm in no mood to cook tonight,” she said under her breath.

“Sure thing!”

It had been two years since their trip to Ireland. Accepting the job had proved to be a marvelous opportunity for Catherine. The museum found her to be an invaluable addition. Catherine enjoyed her work, even on a day like today when everything seemed to pile up. She was thankful that Kathleen was living with her now.

Her sister had moved in only a few short months ago. Sometimes it had been lonely without her, though Kathleen was still occasionally selfish and materialistic. Catherine never imagined Kathleen would come back to her rainy new home, but Kathleen was getting divorced from her rich, absent husband. Catherine never understood why Kathleen had taken that path, but she was thankful to see her sister living a healthier life again. The marriage had only lasted a year. Kathleen didn't appear to be in any hurry to move out but was back to dating again. Only casually this time.

Kathleen answered the door to pay when the Japanese food arrived. She turned the delivery guy down when he asked for her number. Kathleen laughed quietly to herself after the door was shut and she carried the food to the kitchen. Catherine came in the kitchen a few moments later already dressed in lounge clothes, dabbing her hair with a towel.

“What's with you?” Catherine asked, seeing her sister's amusement.

Kathleen shrugged.

Halfway through their quiet meal, Kathleen spoke, “Wanna go see a movie tonight?”

“Not really.”

“Oh, come on. We could go to the pub after to meet up with some friends?” Kathleen begged.

“My friends, or yours?” Catherine looked up.

“Mine, preferably.”

“In that case, especially no,” Catherine said, bringing the last bite of her Yaki Udon to her mouth. After savoring the noodles, she sighed with satisfaction.

“Okay, okay, yours and mine. I'll compromise.” Kathleen dropped her napkin and crouched down from her perch on a tall stool to pick it up, her red hair falling over her face. She had decided a while ago that her sister was right to keep their natural hair color, and grew it back to its full, natural color and length.

“You? Compromise? Amazing.”

“Please?”

“Please? I'm shocked at how much you've changed in the time you've been here, Kathleen. Fine, I'll go. Just no Abby this time. I can't stand her.”

“Deal.”

A few hours later the two young women were at the cinema, sitting as comfortably as possible in their seats.

“Those my glasses?” Catherine said, noticing her sister set a pair of glasses atop her nose.

“Yeah, I need them, I lost mine,” Kathleen replied. Seeing Catherine's glare, she quickly added, “Oh, don't look at me like that. You don't need them for movies, just for reading.”

“You're borrowing a lot of my things recently. First my jacket, now my glasses...”

“Shh, it's starting,” Kathleen whispered.

After the romantic comedy flick, they went to the pub to meet up with a few of their friends. Mostly they had separate acquaintances, but they were both happy to see Bella when she came in.

“So, Cathy, what are we drinking tonight?” Bella smiled brightly.

“I'm having water.”

“Only that?” Bella chided playfully.

“Hmm, lemon too.” Catherine chuckled as Bella stuck her tongue out at her.

Still wearing her sister's glasses, Kathleen cinched Catherine's blue jacket tighter with the belt while standing with a small group of friends on the other side of the pub. Catherine made a mental note to get her glasses back before Kathleen broke them and then turned to the bartender to get a few drinks.

“I'll take two Guinness, and a water with lemon please,” she said.

“That'll be all for ya?” asked the curly-haired bartender, flashing a winning smile.

Catherine couldn't help but laugh a little. “Yes, that will be all for me. Thanks.”

Just then, a man arrived and was making his way toward Kathleen. He was mysterious looking and appeared to be a few years older than the twins—Catherine guessed twenty-seven. He wore plain fitting gray pants and a black T-shirt under a long black trench coat that looked more like a cloak. Though mysteriously dressed, his face was chiseled, and the hair on his head was a curly, dark brown. He held a vague expression that leaned more toward sinister at that moment, and his green eyes held one in their gaze sharply like a wild animal.

Catherine grabbed the drinks. She was unconcerned; guys always came up to Kathleen. It was amazing. Though the two women were twins, men didn't approach her as often. It was like the sleazy ones could tell that Kathleen was flighty. She sat down to wait the guy out and briefly looked around the pub. It was rather large, though quiet at the moment. She admired the old style buildings. It made her feel like even though times changed, some nice things remained the same.

Following Catherine's gaze, Bella looked the man over as well. "Ooh, he's cute," she said quietly.

Catherine nodded.

Bella's brows furrowed. "Though, I think I've spotted him before."

The friends with Kathleen saw the man coming and quieted. She turned around abruptly, startled by his presence.

“Oh!” she gasped. “You scared me.”

The man didn't say anything in response, he just looked right through her, focused on something else in his own mind. He took one of her hands roughly and tried to forcefully pull her to the door. “You need to go.”

Kathleen let out a muffled yelp. “Ouch! You're hurting me!”

Several of her friends stood up to stop him, but Catherine beat them to it. She shoved the taller man back, releasing Kathleen from his grasp. Catherine glared at him, flames in her eyes.

“What do you think you're doing?” she shouted angrily.

He ignored her and repeated to Kathleen, “You need to go... Catherine, you mu—”

“Catherine? I'm not Catherine.” Kathleen interrupted while rubbing her hand carefully.

The man grew puzzled.

“I'm Catherine,” she said, still livid.

“You...” He looked down at her.

“Need to go? You said that already. That's what you need to do, and apologize to my sister right now.”

“I thought... I'm sorry,” was all he said. Catherine thought his Irish accent sounded strange.

Kathleen simply nodded in return. Patting Catherine's shoulder, she sat with their friends who had calmed and followed suit.

Catherine raised an eyebrow, continuing to glare at the strange man. “What's this about?” she asked, her tone annoyed.

“Just get out of here, out of Ireland,” he said.

“What?” She jutted her chin out. “Why?”

He stood there with a serious expression for a few seconds. “Because if you don't, you'll unleash them.”

“What?”

He turned and strode out the door.

Catherine stood there, dumbfounded. Kathleen got up from her seat and gripped Catherine's shoulder. Catherine looked to see her glasses folded up in the palm of Kathleen's hand.

“Here. Take them back. I'll give you the jacket when we get home,” Kathleen said with a frown.

“Okay.”

“I never want to be mistaken for you again,” she said, then sat back down.

Catherine smiled to herself. At least one good thing had come out of this strange experience.

Bella carried over the drinks then. "That was simply crazy," she said.

The food that had been ordered by the group arrived after that, and Catherine was almost able to enjoy herself with their friends. But she had not forgotten what the strange and rude man had said. What did he mean? Was he simply nuts? She was mostly concerned that he might be loitering outside the pub, ready to pounce when she and her sister left.

Kathleen had certainly forgotten it after the first drink, now laughing with her friends. Catherine began to wonder if Kathleen's proclamation tonight would stick. She did worry for her sister sometimes.

If this man was stalking her, then Kathleen was, as tonight's events showed, also a target. Catherine decided she'd have Kathleen report the incident to the Gardaí in the morning. In the meantime, she tried to think of who the man could be. Was he connected with someone at work? Did she pass him regularly on the street? She couldn't be sure. Though something about him did seem familiar, and oddly alluring. She didn't think she'd spoken to him before. These thoughts continued to buzz the rest of the night, so much so that, by the end of it, she was quite ready to leave and hurry home.

Catherine awoke from her warm bed two days later to a busy day. Kathleen burst into her bedroom.

“Don't forget to pick up Danny,” she said, too loudly for Catherine's taste.

“Of course, Kathleen,” Catherine answered.

Danny had called the day before and asked if he could stay with them for a while. He had lost his job, and just wanted to “get away from it all.” Catherine agreed on the condition that he start thinking about getting his act together while he was there with her. She was tired of being the one they relied on for everything. She figured she could make some space in her small living room since Kathleen stayed in the extra room.

When Catherine first woke up she had a strange feeling that stuck with her, something she couldn't shake. She recognized it and knew it would last all day. It wasn't a bad feeling, or even a good one, just a strange feeling that something was waiting to happen. She tried to understand it, but couldn't quite figure it out. She kept thinking about this strange feeling on the way to pick up her brother from the airport.

“So, how are you?” Danny asked when they were in the car driving away.

“Busy. How are you?”

“I'm good.” He shrugged.

Catherine tilted her head. “Really? What are you doing here then?”

"Can't I come see my sister?"

"Danny, why'd you leave your job? I thought you had a good thing going at that company. You were with them since business school."

"I know." Danny shifted in his seat. "I felt... trapped. I don't like corporate life, it's just not me." He sighed.

"I'm sorry."

"It's all right. I thought that maybe I would figure out what I want here. I'm always happy here."

Catherine gave a small smile. "Well, you can stay with me until you figure it out."

They drove on, and Catherine was so distracted running errands that she almost forgot her keys. She'd set them down for a second to look through her purse to find her “lost” sunglasses that were atop her head the whole time.

“You seem frazzled,” Danny said, leaning on the side of the car parked in her driveway. He eyed Catherine as she bent to lift groceries from the back seat. He had been patient with the errands, but he was worn out after a long flight.

“Thanks,” she said sarcastically without looking up from the list she had stopped to check over.

“I'm not trying to be rude. Maybe I can help with something?” He shrugged.

Looking up at her brother with his lopsided smile and amber colored sunglasses, she smiled. “Thanks,” she said again, but without the sarcasm. “I'm just having an off day. It's not such a big list, really.”

“Are you sure? Seriously, I can figure out whatever you throw at me,” he said confidently. He shrugged his backpack higher on his shoulders, the only “luggage” he had brought.

“Well, okay, sure. Can you run and pick up some stamps for me at the post office?” She handed him some money. “That way I can just stay home and do some research for work before I start dinner.” She finished with a wave of her hand.

“On it.” He winked.

Catherine yelled back her thanks as she hurried away. She just couldn't shake this feeling. She was becoming more anxious with each passing hour.

When she turned the corner, she stopped dead in her tracks, nearly scuffing her leather boots. The man who had assaulted her sister was standing right in front of her door. He turned to her. Catherine didn't know what to do. She wasn't frightened, though perhaps she should have been. He could have been dangerous, but he didn't look it.

“Hello,” he called.

Catherine waved her hand in reflex. She walked closer. He seemed frustrated.

“I told you to leave,” he said, agitated.

“Who are you to tell me anything?” she pointed out with a harsh tone.

He seemed taken aback, and his voice grew softer. “I'm sorry, again. It's important that you leave. I told you that they will come and you will not be safe. No one in Ireland will be safe.” His concern grew with each word.

“Who are they?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

He seemed standoffish. “I can't say.”

“Well then, I can't help you.”

He was unmoving.

Catherine gave out a loud, exasperated sigh. “Well, who are you then?”

“My name is Bowen.” His voice grew deep when he said his name.

“Bowen, how do you know me? Have we met before?” she asked.

“It doesn't matter,” he said curtly.

“Right.” Catherine stood her ground and looked him dead in the face. “Look, you—Bowen, you've been stalking me. How do you know my name, and where I live for that matter?”

Catherine could tell he was conflicted. Her arms were getting tired from the heavy grocery bags, but she continued to stand there, patiently waiting.

As though he'd made a decision, his stance became rigid, and he said nothing.

“Fine,” she said. Bowen looked at her, surprised. “I don't have time for this.” She muttered to herself and stepped to pass him.

Bowen took a step in front of her. “You must leave. If you don't go on your own, I will have to force you. I can't risk it any longer,” he said angrily.

“Well then, what are you talking about? If you'll only tell me!” Her feet were planted, ready to swing at him if he made another move.

“I hate this,” he mumbled under his breath.

Catherine felt her cheeks flush with anger.

“My brother will be here shortly. You’re already on Garda records, Mr. Unknown, should something happen to me. They have your description. I won't just leave my life here because some nut tells me to, without a reason of any kind. So it's up to you how this plays out. You could always tell me, or shall we duke it out right here and now?” She dropped her bags on the ground emphatically.

“I'm not going to fight you, Catherine.”

“Oh? You certainly came off pushy enough before,” she said.

“You won't believe the truth,” he said solemnly.

“Try me,” she said, putting her hands on her hips, waiting.

“You haven't believed anything I’ve said so far,” he mumbled.

Catherine heard footsteps and turned to see Danny coming around the corner. He was holding the stamps in his hand with the receipt. She turned back to Bowen, but he was gone. She looked around frantically trying to glimpse him in the distance, but he had disappeared.

Danny smiled his lopsided grin. “What's wrong?” he asked, seeing the groceries on the ground.

“Ugh,” was all Catherine could get out.

“Okay.” He held up the stamps with the receipt to his sister. “Here. I didn't want to crunch them in my pockets or bag, so they've been in my dirty airport hands.”

“Thank you, Danny.” She sighed.

“Sorry, what was I supposed to do? Would you rather I'd bent them?”

“What?”

“The stamps.”

“Oh no, you did fine, it's not that,” she said, bending to pick up the bags.

“Ah. Then what's your problem?” Danny asked, grabbing some fruit that had rolled away from her.

“Someone was just here. That guy I told you about from the other night,” she said.

“That guy who bothered you and Kathleen at the pub?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh my God, Catherine, that was the guy? He was big, you can't take him!”

Catherine looked up at her brother with a surprised expression. “I can take him just fine, don't you worry.”

“Listen, just be careful.” He sounded concerned.

Catherine rolled her eyes as she patted her brother's arm before unlocking the door to go in. Though she was staunchly feminist, she was glad Danny was visiting during this drama. Catherine didn't need this right now. There was already too much going on in her life.

Kathleen was in the sitting room with her pink laptop in her lap. She was watching a favorite mystery drama on the Internet. She looked up at her siblings when they entered through the door. After she waved her hand in greeting, she went back to watching.

“Nice,” Danny said, relieved to drop his backpack on the floor. He had packed it to the fullest.

“What?” Kathleen looked up again.

“You haven't seen me in months, and that's how you greet me? With a wave of your hand?” The irritation in his tone was mostly aimed at Kathleen, but also at the pain in his shoulders while he tried to massage the kinks out. He winced.

“I'm just in the middle of this intense scene. Jenny is about to figure out who the spy is.”

Danny shook his head. “Oh, that.” Then he walked over to look down at the screen, and within a few minutes was locked into the drama just as deeply as Kathleen.

After Catherine put the groceries away, she was too preoccupied with everything to concentrate on her planned work research. She leaned on the counter in thought, wondering where Bowen had disappeared to, and just when he would reappear again to cause trouble. Walking into her room, she threw herself onto the bed. She stared at the ceiling in a daze. Relishing this moment of peace, she thought of nothing, absolutely nothing. After some time had passed her mind began to wander again, but aimlessly this time, and she fell into a deep sleep filled with strange shapes and occurrences. Her dreams led to their graduation trip to Ireland, and one of the days they ventured out of Dublin to some rural spots surrounded by trees, hills, and lakes. She remembered feeling watched, but in this dream, Bowen appeared in view to startle the scene.

Knock, knock.

Catherine couldn't tell where the knocking was coming from. She looked around the still figure of Bowen before her, and behind her as well. Bowen's hand reached out for her.

KNOCK, KNOCK.

Catherine fumbled awake.

“Catherine?” came Kathleen's voice.

“What is it?” Her voice was only slightly groggy.

Kathleen opened the door. “The Internet went out. Can you call the provider company?”

Catherine sighed for a moment while holding her head. Then she smiled. “I was thinking we'd just go out for the rest of the day like we did during our last trip here.”

“Why?”

“Just to get out of the house. Let's go revisit a few places.”

“Danny, did the reset button work?” Kathleen turned and yelled behind her, completely ignoring Catherine's suggestion.

When Kathleen was no longer overcome by the show's cliffhanger, she reluctantly consented to go somewhere, as long as it wasn't a tourist spot.

“That's not revisiting places though,” sighed Catherine.

They soon agreed on finding a spot outside the city. Both girls decided a walk, as long as it was nice weather, would be pleasant. Leaving Danny, who didn't want to go, the twins set off in Catherine's compact car. Once the drive went far enough away from the city, it was easy to find a quiet, hilly place in the country. As they cruised the rural road, Catherine kept an eye out for the best place to stop only to notice the eerie tingling sensation on her arms. Worried it was a warning about something on the road, she chose to stop right then and parked off to the side. The sensation remained for some time, as it usually did, so she ignored it.

They stretched their legs before beginning their walk to enjoy the scenery. At first, they stayed on the road for a while and took in the lengthy land off to one side, speckled with hills in the distance. The sun was high, and the grass was green. They could see layers of flowers that gave different hues of color, wavering above the green.

“It's been a long time since we've walked together, the two of us, just to talk,” Kathleen said, looking ahead.

Catherine thought about it for a moment. “Yes, it has,” she agreed.

Kathleen paused to breathe in deeply. "Ah. It really is so beautiful here—it even smells beautiful," she remarked.

"Mhm," Catherine agreed, chuckling quietly.

As they continued, their steps fell in sync after a while. Catherine kept watching her sister and thought she seemed peaceful for the first time in many years.

"You know, I'm very proud of you," Kathleen said, breaking the momentary silence.

"What for?" She raised her eyebrows.

"For accomplishing your dream with work and moving here." She smiled.

Catherine smiled back. "Thank you, that means a lot."

They continued to talk about anything and everything, just like they had as children. Kathleen's infectious laugh reminded Catherine of how much she enjoyed spending time with her sister, how she once was. When the laughter died down to a calm chuckle, they slowed their pace and decided to sit for a moment on the gravel. The dirt felt hot under their hands as they lowered themselves down.

“Kathleen, why aren't you like this more often?” Catherine asked as she fiddled with some grass.

“Like how?”

“Like you—the real you. Why do you hide it away? I mean, it's almost like you want nice people to dislike you,” Catherine said, then realized she might have gone too far. “I'm sorry. I just mean—”

“I know what you mean.” Kathleen sighed and fidgeted over a split nail on her index finger. “Catherine, you've always known what drives you, what you wanted. I never found anything like that for myself. I felt lost,” she said.

“I see.” Catherine was stunned by her honesty.

“So, I changed,” Kathleen continued, “because I had nothing meaningful in my life. Nothing to strive for. I became shallow and consumed with unimportant things. I became mentally and emotionally lazy. Unfortunately, my standards for myself, as well as in men, became lazy too. I thought he cared about me.” She cleared her throat. “I'm still me, the me you know, I just buried it. It's all an act. I'm a fake, Catherine.”

Catherine could see she was holding back tears.

Softly, Kathleen continued, “It's just easier to act the way I do, rather than admit I'm going nowhere. I—I feel like I have no purpose. I should have found it by now, right?” she asked. “I know how you and Danny must have thought of me all this time, of how I act. Selfish and rude. I know I'm a pain. But being meaningful? I can't. Especially now with the divorce. I know I did this to myself. It's just too much to handle. What do I do, Catherine? I don't know anymore.” Kathleen's tears flowed freely now.

Catherine was feeling teary herself at this sudden confession from her sister, and she reached over to hug her. “I don't know, Kathleen, but I'll help you in any way I can. We'll figure it out together now that you're here with me. Keep letting your real self out, and maybe the act will fade away,” she said, holding her tightly. She pulled back to look at her. “No one figures everything out right away. You'll find your purpose.”

Kathleen sniffled and leaned back on Catherine's shoulder, giving her a sweet smile. After a time, they both felt better and continued on their walk.

About an hour later, Catherine walked alone down a small hill as she mused about the scenery. She usually felt calm surrounded by nature, but not today. Not right now. Catherine's senses were off. She felt uneasy, and she didn't know why. The not knowing was probably the worst of it. So as she passed bushes with her feet kicking up dust, and as the heels of those feet felt the harsh, rocky ground beneath them, swinging her arms trying to appear cheerful—Catherine began to whistle. She soon felt silly and instead resigned to stop for a break to take in the sky and the outstretched land on her left.

Stepping over to take in the view, she sighed and looked back the way she came. Kathleen had said she wanted to sit alone for a while because her feet hurt from walking. I'll go back soon, she thought to herself, but not too soon. She didn’t want Kathleen to feel like she was being over-protective.

Catherine looked up at the sky and saw an empty blue mass. Not a cloud. The sun was bright, which made her squint, but she loved every minute of it. She closed her eyes to feel the sun warm her face. Just a few moments, she thought.

While soaking in the sun, Catherine stood amazed at how opposite she was from her sister. Thinking of their childhood made her smile. Where had all of those good times gone? Kathleen was the same person somewhere in there after all. This outdoor venture had been the first showing in many years. Catherine missed that side of her sister and wanted to see it more often. A deep breath of the fresh air mingled with dust from the road filled Catherine's lungs, and as she exhaled she decided to have another talk with her twin sister about her feelings on the matter. She opened her eyes and turned away, trying to blink the spots from her eyes. Perhaps that was longer than just a few moments.

Walking along, Catherine felt strange all of a sudden. It was an unsettling feeling that made her skin crawl and caused her body to shiver. Then came a hot sensation in her core that calmed her. There was an invisible and deeply rooted pull inside her to change direction. As she followed the eerie feeling, it lessened the farther she went. When she turned the corner to her right, Catherine stubbed her toe. Around the bend there was a pile of giant rocks in a wooded area. Gritting her teeth to avoid cursing, she leaned against the offending rock that jutted out in a spot above her shoulder. Moving a step further, she could see it was connected to the rocky hill. She saw a bubbling creek and hobbled over to it to inspect the water. It seemed clear enough, so she took off her shoe and stuck her foot into the numbing stream to bring relief to her inflamed toes.

Catherine watched as blood mingled with the bubbles and then spread. The impact had apparently cut part of her ankle as well. It wasn't a bad cut, though she would have to clean it better when she returned home. She was taking one of her socks to soak in the cold water to dab with when the sock flew out of her hand. Catherine struggled to hobble over to retrieve it from behind an old standing stone that came to her elbow in height. She became excited when she noticed the stone had worn, illegible markings carved into it, methodically arranged. After briefly studying it to no avail, she used it to help her lean over to pick up her sock and then returned to the creek to complete her task. She had just plopped herself down full force on the ground to leave her aching foot in the water to soak comfortably when she thought she heard a noise. Someone appeared to her left some feet away, towering over her. She started.

“No need to be alarmed,” Bowen said, his long arms crossing in front of him.

Catherine let out a yelp and looked away, irritated, as she hit the top of her thigh in frustration. “Geez! You didn't have to sneak up on me.” She took a breath. "You can't just say 'No need to be alarmed' and expect me not to be, just so you know.”

“I see.” He looked past Catherine, lingering for a moment, then returned his gaze to her judging hazel eyes.

“What are you doing here? You shouldn't be following me.”

“I'm not trying to threaten you. I'm warning you. What you're doing is incredibly dangerous—”

“Incredibly dangerous? Hiking with my sister, and stubbing my toe?”

“Why are you being this way? I'm trying to save you, to save everyone,” Bowen said as he slapped his hands down against his sides in frustration.

Silence set in momentarily as Catherine lifted her foot to look it over.

“Is your foot all right?”

Catherine side-glanced up at Bowen but didn't answer.

Bowen sighed and walked closer before sitting down. “What can I do to make you see that what I'm saying is true?”

“That what I'm doing is dangerous?” Catherine said.

“I'm not talking about your stubbed toe. I mean you being in Ireland, and walking here. It's uncanny,” Bowen said, gesturing around him.

“Why, what's wrong with here specifically?”

“If I tell you, will you promise to go?”

“Of course not.”

“Why on earth not?” Bowen shouted.

“Because I can't make a blind promise to someone I don't trust. Sorry,” Catherine said flatly.

Catherine noticed Bowen's hair was curling down his neck from the heat of the day. His green eyes blazed at her. She felt oddly aware that she was attracted to him, and wondered if he felt it too. Catherine scoffed at the idea, knowing every time she'd seen the man he was telling her to leave. Yet the stalking was sending mixed signals, along with that look he gave her. She laughed under her breath. I know how to pick 'em.

“It's insulting you think this is funny,” Bowen huffed.

“I don't. Honestly.” Catherine held up her hands in surrender.

Bowen stared at the ground.

“Look, I'm sorry that you hate me, but it's really not my problem. Maybe you should see somebody about that, and just stay away from me if I'm making you so angry that you want me to leave Ireland.”

Bowen's eyes widened and then narrowed. “It's to save everyone,” he mumbled.

“What?”

“It's the only way to save everyone from them.” He looked at her and added, “I don't hate you.”

Catherine's eyes locked with his. In that look, in that moment, she could see he believed what he was saying. For some reason so did she. “Save everyone from who?”

Bowen was about to speak when a new thought crossed his face. He looked troubled.

“What's wrong?” Catherine asked.

“You said you were walking with your sister. Where is she?”

“She stopped to rest, back a ways. Why?”

“We must go to her. Now,” he said.

“We?” Catherine mumbled as she was pulled up by Bowen's strong arms. She pulled her shoe on carefully.

Just as the two of them walked around the rock in the bend, Kathleen appeared and almost ran right into Catherine. “Oh, there you are,” Kathleen said. “I didn't know how far you'd gone. I'm terrified of getting lost, you know!”

Kathleen glanced at Bowen, surprised by his looming presence. Catherine thought it odd that she was not more alarmed but the thought passed as Bowen helped her up the hill. As they walked, Catherine couldn't help but notice Bowen's strong hands and arms wrapped around her elbow and occasionally her waist. Her cheeks flushed.

Yet Bowen seemed to never be looking at Catherine. Whenever she glanced through her hair or took a quick side-glance, he was looking ahead or surveying their surroundings. She felt a stab at her ego, realizing it was all in her own head.

Bowen helped Catherine into her seat in the car as Kathleen swiped the keys from her outstretched hand. She leaned slightly on his shoulder to bend more easily to sit down, and Bowen stiffened as he felt Catherine's head against his chin. He had noticed her the first moment he saw her, and every moment since.

When he first found her, it was a strange sense that led him. He had to follow it. She was captivating, and he was breathless. He kept watch from then on. He noticed the different ways her eyes flashed with each mood. The flame when she was furious, or the way they lit up when she was happy or had an idea. He had come to notice a lot about Catherine over the time he had been watching her. When he touched her, he could think of nothing else. She consumed him. He’d come to realize what this could do before he went to her at the pub. It was the reason he had to act quickly now to protect her, and everyone else in Ireland, if not the entire planet. He didn’t want to tell her everything, knowing it would disrupt her whole life, but it was no longer safe to keep her in the dark. Once Catherine was seated, he simply nodded to the two young women before turning to go.

Catherine hesitated. “Uh—wait.” She held open the car door. “Do you need a ride somewhere?”

Bowen looked over his shoulder and said, “No, thank you.” He wondered why she was courteous all of a sudden.

The twins shared a quick glance before Catherine gripped the inside door handle. “Will we see you again soon then?”

“Definitely,” he said, warmed. He shook his head. No, she must go, he thought forcefully.

Catherine nodded and shut the car door. Kathleen started the engine, and they took off with a slow start up the road. Bowen felt uneasy. He didn't understand Catherine even after all of his observing. Her moods changed so unexpectedly. It unsettled him. He shrugged as the car drove away. He had something more worrisome to check on now.

Bowen walked for some time through the trees to the other side of the high-reaching rocky hill. He walked up to a hollow, overgrown with great varieties of plant life. In the rock, there was a deep slit that was wide enough to fit an arm through. Bowen stood next to it for a while, still as the rock itself. He had a blank expression on his face.

“Must you keep standing there like a statue?” a deep voice rumbled from inside the opening.

Bowen didn't say anything, seemingly immovable.

After a while, the deep voice growled loudly, “How dare you!” with a crackling sound of tiny rocks falling from his end, deep inside the stone.

The corner of Bowen's mouth twitched downward, startled somewhat by the sudden falling rock. He looked at the rock in front of him with disdain. He laid his hand near the small opening and leaned forward slightly.

“I don't deserve a response from you?” The deep voice was now menacing. “You've come to stand by my door only twice before, pleading, always pleading for me to stop.”

A sound of something hard clashing with stone came from within. When Bowen heard it, he looked forlornly at the ground as he struggled to listen further.

The voice laughed then, chilling Bowen’s spine. In a mocking tone, the voice said, “'You're ill, please stop this.'” It gave a low, guttural growl. “Well, I'll not stop Bowen. I'll never ever stop, not until my dying breath, and you can't do anything about it.” He chuckled.

Bowen waited; he knew there was more. There was always more.

“When I'm free there won't be anywhere for you to run from me, I—” He wavered. “Wait, something must have changed. It's been too long since I last saw you. There must be a reason you're here now.”

Silence deafened Bowen's ears, and he imagined the worst.

“Oh,” breathed the deep voice.

Bowen froze.

“You've found her? It's finally happened. Soon I'll be free!” Maniacal laughter ensued.

Bowen's heart sank. He shouldn't have come, even if only to check that nothing had changed.

“What is it, dear Bowen? You don't laugh as well as speak? How dare you not speak to me. I'll make you suffer for this on top of everything else, and after that, I'll kill you and spit on your body in front of everyone. Speak to me. Bowen, now!”

Bowen's hand slid off the rock as he turned to walk away. He hesitated at first but kept going. Even at a distance, he could still hear the mad screams echoing behind him.

Original 2016 book teaser trailer!