Feeding From The Night

Chapter 10: Childish Behaviour

The air felt a little humid tonight, flowers were in brighter shades than previously. They rested over the edge of the man-made stone walls, teasing others which rose only a few inches from the lushious grass. The blades of grass were still tonight, guarding the sand as it lay vulnerable in the deadly night. I could feel my foot begin to sink, the first few layers of sand giving away under my weight. I advanced towards the blue again, repeating my actions from last night. I checked my silver watch, the hour, minute and second time ticking away slowly, informing me of the time. 

9:58pm

"You're early." I felt a delicate touch on my shoulder as my girl stepped in front of me smiling. 

"Would you prefer me to be late?" I asked, a smirk tugging at my lips playfully, "I can go home and come back again if  you like."

"Hold out your hand." She took hold of each of my hands dangling by my side and placed them in front of my body, "Close your eyes." I began to giggle like a child watching a classic Punch&Judy show near the coast, while the strawberry ice cream in hand began to slide off the cone, dribbling down the new dinosaur printed t-shirt. I took control, straightened my face and did as she asked, even though she was also now in fits of hysteria. 

I felt a cold object being placed onto my hands, it had little weight. My hands slowly made their way around the object, it  was quite smooth with a few odd sharp edges that had been blunted down. A puzzled look fell upon my face as I felt a carving in the object.

"You can open your eyes." She urged. 

I examined the object using sight now, it was the perfect skimming stone, I flipped it over to find the carving which said:

"The game of two unsociable children."

A warm feeling surrounded me almost like I was receiving a hug from the legendary invisible man. I picked up her hand and placed it on my chest, my heart beating incredibly fast.

"That's how you make me feel." I smiled, her face glowing as it dawned on her that this was real and not a fairytale she had read where she once wished she was the princess. This was her own fairytale. And for the first time in her life, she was the princess. She stepped forwards snaking her arms around my neck, entwining her fingers with my short brown hair. 

I stroked my index and middle finger across her cheek, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. I then wrapped my hands around her waist and gently pulled her into me. Our lips locked onto one another, finding a rhythm as we began to kiss, her hands still pulling at my hair. I felt her smile into the kiss. I parted my lips from hers, placing my forehead against her own.

"I barely know you, yet it's beginning to feel like I could fall in love with you, it defys logic." She removed her hands from her waist and held them in her own, she began to walk off pulling me with her. 

She stopped walking once we reached an enormous oak tree, the branches bare of most leaves, however it still had a humbling welcoming feel. She sat under the tree, crossing her legs, I did the same sitting opposite her. Still holding each others hands. 

"My name..don't laugh." She warned as I sat waiting to find out who she is, "My name is Gatubela." I smiled slightly, trying to not show any emotion, but she had seen through the act, 

"You have to admit it is a little amusing." Her hand playfully hit me on the arm, but she joined me in the childish laughter. "I'm Patrick."

Her eyes quickly scanned my body, a moment of pure silence filled the air.

"Patty, I like it." I thought about correcting her, but it wasn't worth it, if abbreviating my name made her happy than who was I to stop her.