The Necronomicon

Chapter Forty Four

"Are you sure you don't need a rest?" Alfred questioned, staring into her eyes.

"No. Let's keep going. Every step takes me closer to Eleanor, to answers," Meredith replied, and Alfred shook his head slightly.

"We need to sleep at some point, Meredith. Why not now?"

Meredith looked askance, her shoulders slumping. "Later, Alfred, later."

"Meredith." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Come on. You look exhausted."

He sounded so tired, his face breaking into a half smile. Meredith met his eyes and smiled at him. "Alright, let's take a break."

They'd been walking for a few days now. They'd decided to take Meredith's plan on, and Pippa was resting in a hut back at the camp. Olivia spent most of the day with Dmitri — when she could spare time she'd dash over and care for Pippa, even in the middle of the night if necessary. Every day Alfred spent a few minutes talking to Meredith about Pippa — memories he had how much he missed her, things like that, and then they'd set off. It seemed like he needed to get it out of his system before they went on further away from her.

It was very different to what it had been like with Frederick. They did not hunt — Alfred had pre-packed supplies. They walked at a brisk pace, and often Alfred went on ahead while Meredith dawdled behind. Additionally, Alfred didn't know the woods even half as well as Frederick did, and he had to consult a map he'd packed every time he was unsure about a path he was taking. She had less banter with Alfred as they walked; instead they discussed what they would do when they got to Eleanor.

Meredith looked at Alfred, at his kind, warm face, his soft, smooth hands. A surge of confidence ran through her, and she spoke without thinking. "I lied to you, before. I told you about one of my dreams — and I said in it Dmitri kissed me."

"I remember."

Doubts flew into her mind, yet she continued. "Well, it wasn't Dmitri who appeared in that dream. It was you."

Alfred stiffened, tilting his head to the left ever so slightly. "Me?" His brow creased, and he brought his fingers to the wrinkles. Meredith turned away. It had been a mistake, hadn't it, telling him. He didn't understand — he never would. She wanted, for some reason, to lean over and run her finger over his lower lip — but of course she did not.

She wondered if he was a better kisser than Frederick. If his hand clasping hers would feel more natural. Meredith watched his eyelids flutter — he swivelled towards her. "Meredith, do you feel attracted to me right now?"

Yes. "No."

"Then you don't love me." Alfred smiled. "If you'd said yes, you might do, and then where would we be —"

"At the beginning." Meredith wished she could go back there. Say yes to Alfred's hand in marriage, and never even look in Frederick's direction. Instead of dreaming about marrying Frederick, she turned her mind to Alfred.

No. He was engaged to Pippa. He was off limits to her. She'd had her chance.

She turned her attention elsewhere, to escape the conversation, praying he would be silent.

"I think I might turn in for the night, Meredith." The nights were getting warmer — they didn't need blankets. She turned her attention to the trees. Each one was different — but at one glance, they all looked to be the same.

She was lucky. Lucky to be alive, to be able to breathe. She'd managed to escape Frederick now, more than once.

Meredith lay down, looking at Alfred's sleeping figure. Goodnight, she thought, but she wouldn't say it aloud in case she woke him up. She didn't want to see his eyes on her again, at least not with the expression they had just had — disapproval and disbelief mixed into one.

———

Audrey walked into the base camp amongst chaos. Rebels were all chattering together — and up ahead in front of them stood Frederick himself. He sported a black eye, but as usual his tone was clear and steady, and his words cohesive. What had happened while she was gone? Or rather — who had happened? Who had given Frederick that ugly mark?

"As you may know, recently we have had a multitude of events occur. Meredith seemingly coming back from the dead — I have hope in my heart that this rumour is true. To lay my eyes on her again would be the greatest gift to me. Whoever saw her, in the flesh, please come to my hut and leave your names with me: I would love to talk to you about what you saw. This is only the first event in a chorus of many — but to me personally, it is the most significant one. My true love, breathing once again: but to me it makes no sense. I don't understand how she can be alive. The — the hope that she is... it's almost too much for me. If I am let down again: if she is still dead, and not somehow alive, will I be able to breathe? Will I be able to speak through the heartbreak?"

He wiped a tear from his eye. "Another event..." He went on and on: but Audrey had heard all she needed. She hadn't even needed to talk to him — and now she could get back to Eleanor more quickly. With haste in her step and goal in mind, Audrey turned back, towards the sun, and headed back to her love.

Eleanor woke up, feeling far more refreshed than she had in years. Her mind was crystal clear, and she had adrenaline pumping through her. She stood, and stretched. Audrey should be back soon — she hoped. Making her way over to the window, she looked out, and observed the street before her. At any moment Audrey could walk past. She needed to keep looking out at it — if only to see her for a split second longer. This was what she had been doing daily since Audrey had left her behind.

Soon.

———

Alfred was simply pretending to be asleep; his mind was alive with questions as he heard rather than saw Meredith lie down.

She had dreamt about him. But dreams were nothing, they meant nothing (this went against all his beliefs, but she could not, she would not, love him. No. He rejected even the suggestion of it. It was impossible).

But if she had feelings for him...

He thought of Pippa, trying to clear his mind of Meredith.

Soon Meredith's soft snores met his ears, but sleep did not take him like it had her; in fact, he lay there for many hours before it crept up upon him, slowly at first, then all at once, like a wave crashing over him, and he dreamt.