Chapter 6: A Silent Promise
The lawn outside the hospital was bathed in a gentle silver light as the moon hung low in the sky. The cold wind brushed my skin as I perched on the edge of a wooden seat and gazed into the darkness. Now everything was crisper, brighter, and nearly overpowering. The environment was vibrant, alive, and far more complex than I had anticipated; it was no longer a jumble of noises and smells.
Behind me, Jacob was a constant presence, his warmth glistening in the crisp night air. Since Veronica's sudden entrance earlier, he hadn't spoken much, but he hadn't abandoned me either.
His voice was a deep rumbling that made me shudder. "How are you really feeling?" he whispered softly.
I didn't give him a glance. "Like I'm learning how to breathe all over again."
He approached and eventually sat next to me, his footsteps gentle. I liked that he remained silent for a minute. The quiet wasn't awkward; rather, it was unexpectedly peaceful and grounded.
At last, he replied, "You're handling it better than most would."
I shook my head and laughed dryly. "I have no idea about it. I can't stop thinking about all I've missed and everything I'll need to learn; it's making my head spin. It's a lot.
Jacob's emerald eyes were staring at me as he leaned back and rested his arm along the back of the seat. "Isidora, you underestimate your strength. You're still standing after having endured more than most people could ever fathom."
"Am I?" I asked quietly. "Because some days, it doesn't feel like it."
He took a while to reply, but when he did, his tone was forceful. "Yes, you are. And regardless of what happens next, you will remain upright."
At that moment, I looked at him, examining the acute angles on his face. He seemed almost ethereal in the moonlight, yet his countenance had a genuine, unvarnished quality that gave me a chestache.
"Why do you care so much, Jacob?" My question was hardly audible above a whisper.
His jaw tensed, and I briefly believed he would not respond. Then he let out a breath and combed his black hair. "Because Isidora, I see you. Not only your current self, but your past self as well. Even if you don't, I can see what you're capable of."
I averted my eyes to concentrate on the moonlight reflecting off the flowers in the yard because the intensity in his eyes was almost unbearable.
"That's a lot of faith to put in someone you barely know," I said.
"Maybe," he began. "But I trust my instincts."
I was unsure of how to react to it. His remarks were profound, full with a significance I wasn't sure I was prepared to accept.
A rustling sound arose from the shadows at the garden's edge before I could respond. Immediately, Jacob's body tensed as he stood up, changing his stance.
"Stay here," he commanded in a firm but hushed voice.
Before he could get up, I took hold of his arm. "What is it?"
He said, "Someone's watching us,"
Even though I felt cold, I nodded and let go of his arm. Like a cat stalking its prey, his motions were precise and fluid as he glided stealthily toward the source of the disturbance.
My pulse thumping in my chest, I watched him go into the darkness. The tension in the air made the garden seem too quiet all of a sudden.
Then I heard it—an odd, low voice.
"You shouldn't be here, Jacob."
The conversation's tone was clearly aggressive, but I was unable to discern the answer. Despite my instincts telling me to remain where I was, I couldn't resist the impulse to go closer and see what was happening.
I got up from the seat, moving slowly in the direction of the darkness. With every stride, the voices became more distinct.
The strange voice continued, "She's none of your concern," with a tone of contempt.
"She's my mate," Jacob said in a chilly, acerbic tone.
My throat tightened each breath.
The stranger hissed, "Is that what you're telling yourself?" "You believe she will be protected by the bond? that it will protect her from the impending danger?"
"Try me," Jacob said in a menacingly low voice.
The sound of the stranger's laughter chilled me to the bone. "You're not even aware of the whole extent of it, are you? Jacob, you underestimate her importance. Additionally, you're in over your head."
Jacob responded, "Then maybe you should enlighten me," in a calm voice that belied the strain that radiated from him.
After a break, the stranger resumed his speech, this time with a tone of grim humor. Jacob, she's the key. The secret to everything. Additionally, you won't be able to halt what has already begun when the time comes."
The words were weighty and ominous as they lingered in the air.
Unable to stop myself, I took a step closer. I noticed the stranger for the first time when the moonlight changed; he was a tall guy with piercing eyes and a menacing smile.
As soon as I came into sight, Jacob's head swung toward me, his face displaying a mixture of worry and rage.
Sharply, "I told you to stay back," he said.
"I couldn't just sit there," I said, my voice shaking from nervousness.
The man looked at me, and his smile grew. "The woman of the hour, huh? Isidora, it's a pleasure to see you at last."
"Who are you?" With a voice louder than I felt, I demanded.
A mysterious "someone who knows more about you than you do," he claimed. "And someone who will be seeing you again very soon."
He vanished into the darkness before any of us could respond, leaving only the sound of his eerie chuckle.
Jacob's jaw tightened as he turned to face me. "Are you okay?"
Despite my heart pounding, I nodded. "Who was that?"
"I don't know," he said, his face gloomy. "But whatever he wants, it's not good."
His words weighed me down like a thick blanket, and I couldn't get rid of the sensation that everything was about to change.
"Jacob," I whispered in a low voice that was almost audible.
"Yeah?"
"What did he mean when he said I'm the key?"
His eyes met mine as he paused. And then I saw something I hadn't anticipated: terror.
"I don't know," he eventually responded. "But I promise you, we'll find out."
I had the uneasy feeling that this was only the beginning as the wind rustled through the garden, bringing with it a sense of dread.