I Love to Write
Capricorn In Aquarius - Part Two
Kathleen half-dragged me behind her as we stepped back to the kitchen table. She sat down at the place she had just vacated and leaned down, pressing my wrist to do the same. I was puzzled, my heart pounding a mile a minute, but obeyed. Behind and above us, searchlights of white and yellow crossed and crisscrossed the slushy windowpanes.
"I have to talk fast," Kathleen whispered. I had to lean forward to hear. "I didn't see any citizenry, so I assume those cars are here about you."
I swallowed.
"I don't want you to go out there in that weather. The slush is turning to ice out there, and you still look pale as death. It won't hurt you to sleep in a clean bed with fresh sheets. You go home in the morning."
"But -"
I didn't realize how loudly I'd spoken until Kathleen placed a firm hand over my lips, "Don't talk. I've got the extra bed in my room. I'm going to have to let them in now. Don't speak unless you are addressed by the officers - "
A loud rap on the door made both of us jump. From out in the darkness, the searchlights had stopped moving. There was crunching on the doorstep, then a voice.
"Mrs. Nolan? Police. Open up!"
Kathleen released my wrist I watched her walk to the door and open it This is all a dream, I thought distractedly, all a dream...
Or was it? The cold wind eddying around the bottom of the robe was real enough. So was the wail of the wind, rising to a coughing scream. I was in Purgatory, and I wanted to get out. Desperately.
(To Be Continued.)
Kathleen half-dragged me behind her as we stepped back to the kitchen table. She sat down at the place she had just vacated and leaned down, pressing my wrist to do the same. I was puzzled, my heart pounding a mile a minute, but obeyed. Behind and above us, searchlights of white and yellow crossed and crisscrossed the slushy windowpanes.
"I have to talk fast," Kathleen whispered. I had to lean forward to hear. "I didn't see any citizenry, so I assume those cars are here about you."
I swallowed.
"I don't want you to go out there in that weather. The slush is turning to ice out there, and you still look pale as death. It won't hurt you to sleep in a clean bed with fresh sheets. You go home in the morning."
"But -"
I didn't realize how loudly I'd spoken until Kathleen placed a firm hand over my lips, "Don't talk. I've got the extra bed in my room. I'm going to have to let them in now. Don't speak unless you are addressed by the officers - "
A loud rap on the door made both of us jump. From out in the darkness, the searchlights had stopped moving. There was crunching on the doorstep, then a voice.
"Mrs. Nolan? Police. Open up!"
Kathleen released my wrist I watched her walk to the door and open it This is all a dream, I thought distractedly, all a dream...
Or was it? The cold wind eddying around the bottom of the robe was real enough. So was the wail of the wind, rising to a coughing scream. I was in Purgatory, and I wanted to get out. Desperately.
(To Be Continued.)
61-69, F
