Awoken By Passion

Chapter 4

  Dream

  “Kera.” Elizabeth’s voice caught me unaware.

  I turned in shock, watching as Elizabeth walked briskly along the hall. She’d seldom come to the school, and I was surprised she was here; last class was soon to start.

  “I’m so glad I caught you.” She beamed, and reached towards my hair, wanting to lock it behind my ear.

  I pulled away from her.

  What are you doing here? I wanted to ask.

  Elizabeth knew me well enough in the past three months; she picked up on my expressions. Eyeing the hall full of students, I detested she’d make a scene here.

  “I came by to get you early,” she said softer, several students in ear shot lingered closer. “You don’t need to finish school today; I’m taking you to see the new doctor.”

  Great. Just what I need. Another round of doctor poking.

  “Come on, he’s agreed to see you now, if we hurry we can meet him in ten minutes.”

  Er … sure, why not. I nodded and followed her from the hall. I noticed Ethan standing to the side, watching and probably listening to all that was said. It wasn’t possible to have secrets in a school full of gossiping people; I was surprised I didn’t get notification before she showed up. I draped my curls around my face to stay hidden as I followed Elizabeth to the front.

  Taking in the rusted wagon parked crookedly in school parks, I raised a brow—she was in a hurry. The 87 Toyota was once red now faded to a rusted pebble brown of reddish hue. Buckling in as she gunned the engine, I pushed the vent closed, avoiding the blast of hot air and fumes in my face.

  “I’ve been give an extra fifteen minutes to do this, so I hope it won’t be too long,” she said briskly as she turned the wagon along the main stretch of road, heading to the local shopping centre.

  She was silent for the five minute drive. As soon as she pulled up, she was out and locking the car before I unbuckled my seat belt.

  “I swear you’re trying to slow me down.” She was in a hurry and nervous more so than me.

  Heading along the path of the shopping plaza, we passed her work place, Hot Bakery. She called to Trudy inside and said she shouldn’t be much longer. Passing several shops, before stopping at the local doctors I was puffed from keeping pace with mum. This building resembled a cottage, cosy and welcoming; it reminded me of a grandmother’s house, if I had one that was.

  Elizabeth was right; we’d made it in less than ten minutes. She paused at the door eyeing me over with hidden groan. She was on the verge of saying something, but changed her mind and entered into the reception.

  “Oh, back so soon Ms. Watson,” said Kay, the part-time receptionist, I’d come to know this place well. “I’ll just check if he’s ready for you.”

  “Not a problem Kay.” Elizabeth was a bundle of nerves.

  Don’t know why you’re bothering … this isn’t going to change a thing, I grumbled to her, even though I knew she couldn’t hear me, I raised a brow.

  She understood some of my expressions.

  “It might be different this time. You never know. Your voice might not be lost.” She reached out and I shifted from her reach.

  I hated being in view of anyone. I liked that my burgundy curls covered most if not all of my face; an inch gap for my right eye was all I needed.

  “Ah, yes,” said a velvet voice. I was a little startled when I saw the new doctor—and new—oh, yeah. I was expecting a man in his forties or fifties; I was expecting old, grey and maybe even glasses. But what I wasn’t expecting was a handsome, young man in his mid twenties. I wasn’t expecting a dashing smile, short blond hair, gentle blue eyes and a kind face. Was that silver in his eyes also? Don’t be ridiculous.

  “You must be Kera,” he beamed.

  And you are?

  I frowned at my thoughts if I’d been able to speak this would have blurted from my lips, and so stupidly too.

  “This is Doctor Caleb Smithery,” said Elizabeth energetically. “I came as soon as I could.” She beamed as if she’d fetched the news paper.

  What was up with her, why was she so … erratic and eager. I puzzled her mood and noted Caleb wasn’t the least bit bothered.

  “If it’s not too much trouble Ms. Watson, I’d like to check Kera over alone.”

  “Oh, Er …” Elizabeth held a pained look.

  It’s fine mum. I gave her the. It’s-okay look. Besides, he’s handsome. It was my bad joke. Just because I like Ethan didn’t mean I should assume all good looking men with a hint of silver to their eye colour was anything to like.

  Whoa—back up. I like Ethan? Where did that come from?

  Caleb gave a tilt to his chin, one I’d seen Ethan do today.

  “Okay,” said Elizabeth, reluctantly. “Here. You jot anything down that Dr. Smithery needs.” She handed me the notebook I’d written words down for her when ever we’d been in public.

  I can’t believe you brought that, I hissed. I don’t need it. And he’s a doctor. I’m sure he’d have paper. I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

  It was her safety blanket—not mine.

  “Come this way Kera.” Caleb gestured along the newly refurbished doctor’s office.

  Oil paintings dotted the halls, detailed trees, and lakes with horses and boats. No, not boats—ships, with high sails, and an elegant mast. Was this a doctor’s office or an art exhibition? As I stepped into his office, I was surprised it was spacious. Different to most doctor offices since this one faced a wall of glass, though mirrored, I hoped, so no one could see in; and since it was glass it filled the room with daylight. And I thought I knew this doctor building.

  “Take a seat. Now, I know you can’t speak.” He nodded his head to a folder that lay open, it was full of documentation on my illness.

  “I’ll do a basic check first,” he said sitting opposite me.

  He was hesitant as he reached towards me, the lamp on the table flickered; he eyed it until the flickering stopped and turned to me, silently asking if he could push my hair from my face. I didn’t like being exposed, but nodded; allowing him to push my hair aside so he could start the examination. His fingers were cold; I shivered at the touch as they brushed along my skin, feeling my neck.

  “Head up and make voice as though you are humming.”

  Course, I knew this test. I already did these test. Humming away to well … nothing. My voice didn’t exist, no vibration or even possible location of a box that was there.

  His brow creased after several moments. “I noticed your file doesn’t mention your father. Do you know of your birth father?”

  I shook my head as he probed and touched some more. Pressing the full length of my throat,

  “Open,” he said to gesture for me to open my mouth wide, sticking my tongue out to shine a torch into my throat. “Before the accident, were you into singing?”

  I smiled at the question, seemed simple enough of a question. I nodded and shrugged. It was a long time ago that I sang any songs.

  His blue eyes widen, taking in my position, he sat taller.

  “I’d like for you to try something for me.” Caleb reached to his desk and held a rod of metal to my view. “Place this to your throat and hum, for as long as you can.”

  I frowned. I’ve done this test already. I raised a brow with annoyance.

  He dipped his head. “I only ask this the once, please.” His eyes held with a smile, the kind I’d expect a parent to give a child when it wanted them to behave.

  Fine. I grudgingly placed the metal rod to my throat and did as he asked.

  Humm … see. Nothing. It doesn’t work, it won’t work.

  The light on the desk flickered. His brow hitched in an inquisitive look as he pulled the rod to view; eyeing it with a wonder, his smile showed interest before he placed the rod on the table, and handed me another. This one was thicker. I repeated the test, handing him the rod, his face showed with concern.

  “Hmm … I see,” he said after a moment. “I wish not to frighten y
ou, but I do believe your voice is missing. I don’t think medicine is going to make it return.”

  I could have told you that, I grumbled inward. Hang on, you say … missing. Not … gone. Why would you say a voice was missing? Wasn’t like a voice could be stolen, could it?

  I frowned at his words long enough for him to read my unspoken question.

  “If your voice box was injured in some way, we’d be able to cure it. But to have it missing, it means we must find it first.”

  Huh. Find a voice that’s missing. That is just bull. You’re not making sense.

  I was sitting still, staring blankly at him, grumbling to myself since no one else could hear it. He shifted from the desk and moved to the shelf, he placed a hand on an old chest, elegant and crafted by stone. He flipped the latches and brought forth a jewel. I’d never seen a stone like this before. It was a fraction larger than his palm; it reminded me of a crystal a fortune reader would use. The shimmer of light danced across the opal hue, casting small light patches around the room; mirror like.

  “This here is a very old stone. It’s used to help people with memory loss. You can relax Kera.”

  My eyes widened as I took in the stone. You’re not a doctor are you? Was my first thought followed quickly by a scan of his room, clean, tidy; the usual doctor certificates on the walls with photo frames. You’re a wizard or a warlock right? But that isn’t possible. I eyed the stone with worry. The desk lamp flickered again, a beating heart and fluttering higher.

  “Okay Kera. I’m going to place this near your throat and I need you to sing. Sing a song you know.”

  Huh—

  “It’s simple. To find your voice you must tune your throat with it.”

  With another scan of his arms and pockets for a hidden wand, I risked a side glance at his table for options on who he was. How and why was he trying this? Tune my throat? That was bizarre along with other words that I couldn’t think of right now. Caleb lowered his eyes; a twitch lingered on his lips. Not a smile, but a twitch of one who was going to say something but decided not to; waiting for me to answer was possibly what it was close to.

  Fine. But if this is just a joke. You will be sorry.

  Caleb placed the stone to my neck. I smirked at the cool touch of the opal stone.

  “Sing Kera,” Caleb ordered.

  Okay. I paused in thought. Sing. I’d not sung songs for so long. I’d spoken in my head, but sung. That wasn’t possible. With deep concentration, I remembered a song Melody sang to me, one I’d missed.

  Hush by baby don’t be long, I worry about you why you’re gone. La dah dah dah da daha dah …

  It was a simple hum, nothing too powerful and as I did sing, I watched as Caleb’s eyes light up with interest. A tiny sensation lingered on my skin. I smiled as warmth flooded from my throat; the stone wasn’t simple looking anymore, brighter, dazzling, and glowing. The next thing I knew, I was dreaming; or in a sense, I was day dreaming. Murky water surrounded me, swamping my ankles and as I screamed. I was staring into yellow eyes with a crimson rim. Darkness twisted and my scream became a gurgled swallow as I coughed and heaved for breath. Nothing made sense, nothing had direction or visibility.

  Noooo! I screamed to the darkness. Noooo! Melody! My voice echoed into a thousand shards of ice, as I screamed endlessly to the empty void. Far off a hum was heard.

  “Dah … dah … da-da … dah da dum … dah-dah … dah … dum … da-dah-dum …”

  The tune was distant and distorted, but it held a focus I needed to find. Turning in all direction, I couldn’t shift from the darkness. Yellow eyes flickered, a hiss remained, and all that held was the tune. I focused on it and breathed. Bright light lingered on the edge of the darkness, and it was where the sound was coming from.

  Melody, I gasped.

  The smash of the desk light jolted me from the torment of the dream. Caleb was staring at the broken desk lamp and turned his eyes to me. His brow creased and it showed a look no other doctor had.

  Curiosity mingled with understanding.

  “How do you feel?” His question had me frown.

  How am I …? I was, in a dream. I was … and well, his lamp was nothing but blown glass. Why wasn’t he fixing it or … attempting to be interested in it. Had he expect it to do that? And seriously. How was I feeling? Of all the things to ask after I fell asleep in his office. Er … fine. Little shocked, I said. Great. Guess I didn’t find my voice then.

  “Did you dream of your song?” His question had me tilt my head.

  I nodded. It wasn’t just my voice though. It was Melody and yellow eyes. I cringed from the memory and shook my head as I jotted the words on the notebook.

  Caleb barely glanced at the note when he spoke.

  “If your voice is within reach, you might dream of it, and with luck, you will find it.”

  Huh. That makes no sense, and besides, who would steal a voice?

  If you can’t cure it. Can I go please? I scribbled on the notebook and hand it to him.

  “Hmm …” was his answer. “I was hoping to ask you another question?”

  What now.

  “Before the accident, did you or Melody meet any new people in town?”

  That’s interesting. But no. If we’d met anyone that was new, I’d remember, though, since I can’t remember that night or day. No. I didn’t meet anyone new in town. I shook my head in the end of my ramblings.

  His jaw clenched, debating on discussing more with me. It was as if he expected me to say something, or … acted as if I had. I stood and walked towards the door.

  “Kera,” he called. “Your voice can still return to you.”

  Like that would happen. I grumbled. But I guess, you think I want it back. I’d rather be silent than have a voice and not Mel. Least this way I can suffer in silence.

  Caleb tilted his head. A flicker of unreadable emotions crossed his features, one I couldn’t place; and with his nod, I left.

  Elizabeth was all questions of incoherent words when I emerged. Caleb advised her that I shouldn’t give up on hope, but it wasn’t just about my voice returning, but my well being. I rolled my eyes. Now Elizabeth was going to be on my case about my habits. I shouldered the idea and walked towards school.

  “Er … Honey,” said Elizabeth. “You don’t have to go to school.”

  I left my books in my locker. I grumbled in thought and handed her a note.

  “Oh, okay. Well I’ll drop you off.”

  I shook my head. No, I wished to be alone. But she was persistent.

  “There’s no way out of it honey.” She started toward the car. “It’ll take you twice as long to walk there. You’ll get into trouble if you’re on the school grounds after school hours.”

  I was reluctant to get in the wagon.

  As she dropped me off at the front gate, I noticed it was five minutes before the bell rang “Oh, darn. Eugene is going to have my head. You’ll be alright to walk home—okay then, I’ll see you at home tonight.” She air kissed me as I exited the car.

  I want to drop off at the woods, and see if the wolf will kill me first. I joked to myself, pleased she couldn’t hear me. Deep down I knew death wasn’t the answer, it wasn’t something I’d run from, but it wasn’t something I’d do for attention either.

  Walking the hall towards my locker, everyone was still in last class. Having Elizabeth dropping me off did have a positive. Fumbling with my locker door, I stuffed my books into my bag in haste and turned into a chest.

  Sorry …

  “That’s okay,” said Ethan. His amused smile had my lips wanting to mimic his. “My bad for sneaking up on you.”

  I frowned as to why he was here, and answering my words?

  “I was hoping to catch you.” He dipped his head.

  What for? I kept my face neutral.

  “I wanted to give you your book.” His smooth voice held my eyes on him, dazed and mesmerised as his lips moved.

  Stop it!

  I didn’t change my e
xpression, even if he was flawless and good-looking now that he’d successfully dried off, I couldn’t shake the image of his toned body from my mind regardless if his shirt covered his form; it might as well have been discarded completely. I waited for my book; his brow creased for a tenth of a second. My book, I injected with a raised brow—not that he’d hear me.

  “Oh right. Here. I really enjoyed it.”

  He slipped her book to view. I reached toward it, and his eyes locked with mine. Another frown showed as he handed it to me. My fingers brushed across his for seconds. Chilly came to mind, along with tingles, and wow. For spring, I was surprised he was. Maybe he was chilled from the down pour—two hours ago.

  “Yeah, that’s what it is,” Mel’s scoff and I puzzled if it was what I was thinking.

  I took a step around him; his hand caught me by my elbow, holding me in place.

  “I wanted to ask if you’ve chosen an area of mythology for history?”

  Huh? My expression had him tilt his head.

  “History today … we were partnered.”

  Oh, we are? When did that happen?

  “So, did you?” He asked, dipping his head calmly. I was eye level with his throat, making him a foot taller than me.

  Oh … Er … no. I grumbled and glanced to my bag. Maybe the assignment was written down. Why was I so distracted? It wasn’t the first time I’d been assigned an assignment and forgot about it or better still given a partner, and since I didn’t talk, they didn’t bother with finding out what was needed. I figured I could do it myself. Saves a lot of awkward moments like this.

  “We can work on the Salem Witch’s if you like,” he said smoothly.

  Huh … figures you’d pick something, since you got her seat, her book. I assumed it be a little on the unexpected side since that’s what he showed today at lunch. I had an assignment similar to this last year. Sure, why not. I nodded, and stepped around him. He was about to stop me again, and I rolled my eyes. I really want to go now. There is a wolf I am expecting to hunt me this very afternoon for a weekend snack, please don’t delay it.

  “I’ll see you Monday,” said Ethan.

  As if I can escape you. I grumbled.

  Why did he have to be where I was, and why did I have to find his attraction overpowering. I had her book and as I stuffed it into my bag, I was surprised he had finished it so fast. Melody had always marvelled at my ability to read fast, and as I added up the hours it took Ethan; I realised he was faster. I had never met anyone faster than me in reading.