The girl with no name, chapter 3

At first things seemed like a blur to the young woman.

She was aware of warmth and the sound of a crackling hearth fire.

The snout of the dog, in her face. Ugh, dog breath.

Laughing she pushed him away.

"Don't, Jasper."

She tried to sit up but her body felt so heavy. It really took a big effort to lift her head.

When she did she saw the big man standing next to the couch she's lying on. Robson, her grandfather's man. His face strained.

"Fedja, what..."

She saw the other man on the ground. Looking at her intently with amazingly beautiful eyes. She felt something inside her belly contracting.

"Eddie." She smiled, holding out her hand.

Edward jumped up and sat beside her on his knees, clutching her hand against his chest, softly pressing his lips on her fingers.

"Raindis." The man she called Fedja bended over her, a worried look on his face, and stroked the hair from her forehead.

"You should rest. I'll let the gentleman out and bring you something to drink."
She didn't seem to hear him.

She stared at Edward's face.

That intense look in his eyes.
"I know you." She whispered.

He just nodded his head.

"Rain." Robson pleaded.

Rain tore her gaze away from Edward's soulful eyes to look at the broad shouldered man.

Distracted she asked: "Why am I here, Fedja? Where is..."

"My child." An old voice said. "Robson is right, you should rest."

The old man, she knew was her grandfather, had woken up and was now patting the dog.

"Robson will bring you to your room so you can sleep. It's late. In a few ours the sun will come up."
"Yes, you're right, grandpa. I am feeling rather tired. Weirdly dizzy." She sighed and looked back to Edward, feeling her mind go blank again.
She tried to hold on to her memories of him, but they were fading out. There was an almost passive panic in her eyes, the struggle visible. And while a tear welled up in her eyes, she smiled and said to Edward she hoped she could see him tomorrow.

"I would very much like to see your art. If I may."

She shook her head almost invisible as if to withhold him from asking questions when she saw the pained frown appear between his brows.
There seemed to be this silent communication going on in their subconscious. Eyes locked - like magnets they were drawn to each other.

But then the man called Robson lifted her up as if she weighted nothing and carried her through the door, leaving Edward behind. Perplexed.

She was dreaming again. Always that same dream.
A dark corridor with doors. Locked doors. It was a corridor in some attic. A plastered sculpture of a torso in shadowy corner. And one door, slightly ajar. Inviting. Warm light, soft sounds, whispers. And each time she reached her hand to open that door it slammed into her face.
She woke up. Sweating. A choking feeling in her throat like the tears she held back were straining to get out.

When Rain got dressed and went downstairs everything was still quiet in the big house.
Her dog Jasper was wagging its tail and so happy to be let out of the kitchen door.
Looking behind him if the woman was following him outside.

It was a bit misty. But Rain could already see it was going to be a lovely day. Yesterday's downpour had cleaned the sky.

Her feet brought her to the boathouse.
Quietly she walked around it.
But finding no sign of life she decided to walk to the jetty and sit and stare over the lake for a while.
In the fog she noticed some movement. A large shape glided over the water. Getting bigger as it drew nearer to the shore.

It was her grandfather's classical Wayfarer.
And sailing it was the man who somehow made her heart skip a beat each time she saw him. A happy feeling, but it also scared her.

"Hey you." He called when he approached. "Want to join me?"

She took off her shoes and when she stepped into the boat he elegantly took her hand to help her get in.

"It's okay, Jasper." She said when the dog started whining. "Go home!"

"Beautiful dog." Edward said. His deep soft voice giving her a pleasant shiver along her spine.

He smiled and it made something inside her belly tumble.

The mist cleared and it was very pleasant in the boat, and even though there was hardly any wind they were now in the middle of the lake.

Rain was leaning against the board, one arm dangling in the cool clear water, staring at her hand making eddies in the stream - she seemed miles away while Edward was observing her.

But she wasn't. She was conscience of him...his beautiful face with the dimples when he laughed, his half long curly hair, his frown above those intense eyes bordered by amazing lashes, pink heart shaped mouth resembling those of the god of mischief; Loki.
She was so aware of his presence, it almost made it impossible to control her breathing.

"It's so warm." She suddenly said and to his surprise she took of her sweater and jeans and jumped into the water, almost tripping over the boat.

He called her name...the name he shouldn't use, and jumped after her.

The cold of the water came as a shock to him and when he surfaced the water he didn't see her. In panic he swirled around, searching for her - when right in front of him she emerged; a mermaid, with laughing eyes.

"Eddie."

One hand lifted from the water, touching his cheek and his bottom lip, followed by curious fingertips on the stubble of the attractive cleft of his manly chin. Exploring his jaw, towards his ear. Her eyes gazing at his half opened mouth.

"My love." He moaned.

Grabbing the back of her head and drawing her in.

One hand in the nape of her neck, the other in the small of her back - his mouth covering hers with a sigh.

Drowning, whether from his kiss or sinking under water. The sensation of his mouth on hers, his tongue touching hers; like drowning in the most pleasant way.

Nothing. Just him.

They both started kicking their legs at the same time and when they looked around, breathless, they saw the boat had already floated far away.

Screaming they raced after it. And by the time they had it they both hung at the stern of the boat, giggling, panting.
Happy, like children. For the first time in years.

While Edward hung at the starboard side of the boat, Rain climbed in on the other side.

Effortless he got in too, making the boat almost keel over. She tried to bring it into balance again, took the helm and pulled the line to make the sail catch some wind  and sail towards the other end of the lake.

Eddie was leaning against the mast, watching her. Her wet t-shirt clung to her body, showing her every curve.

He could not help getting hard.

Memories of her naked body. On that bed, her lust so visible but being restrained unable to find release. Oh how he wanted her at that time and how he wanted her now.

She looked up to him, but shyly averted her eyes when she saw the look in his eyes.

The dagger board carved through the sand and quickly Rain pulled it up, letting the boat glide up to a small sandy beach.
Edward reefed the sail and got out of the boat. He held out his hand to help Raindis out of the boat too. A slight grin appeared on one side of her face, making her look naughty, when she saw his arousal clearly visible in his pants.

"What?" he asked with a smirk.

"Nothing." She giggled.

"Nothing?" He jested. "I'm in pain!"

"Well." she said. Putting her fingers between the rim of his pants and pulling him closer.

"Let's do something about that then..."

The Girl with no name, chapter 2

At first the man did not know what to do. He held the young woman, clasped her, as if to never let her go...again. She seemed weightless in his arms. The years hadn't changed her much as he was scanning her face. Her features were sharper though. And she was pale. But her lips.

He wanted to kiss her so much.

But this wasn't the moment.
He needed to get her inside.

With his hand under her chin he gently shook her head.

"My love." He whispered while a tear wandered over his cheek to mingle with the raindrops.

"That's okay, sir." A sharp voice suddenly came from behind him. "I'll take her now."

"Why? Who are you? She...she fainted."

"Yes. It's all right. I'll take her to her room. Thank you, sir."
"What, no...my place is just over there." Edward objected.

"Thank you. But I'll take her now. I'm an employee of the old man, her grandfather. I know how to handle this." The big man said more urgent.
"But it's raining! She need to be inside quickly!"

"Let her go, Edward." Another voice joined in.

Desperate Edward turned in the direction where the voice came from.
He saw the faint outline of the old man and another man holding an umbrella and a blanket.
"The strain was too much for her. We'll help her. She'll be fine."

"Please." Edward begged, unwilling to let her go.
"Sir. Let her go. Now." The first man said while he grabbed Edward's shoulder, forceful.
"Robson!" The old man spoke.

"We shouldn't argue. You carry her to the big house, if you wish, Edward. But let's make haste. We're all getting soaked."

While the old man had draped a blanket over the young woman's body, Edward - carrying his precious bundle - and the other men ran over the lawn back to the big house. The doors to the courtyard were wide open and the light and the warmth inside welcoming.

A fire in the hearth was burning.
Edward followed the old man's instructions and laid her down on the couch in front of the fire. The man with the umbrella pushed back her sleeve and gave her an injection, in a professional manner.

"No! What are you giving her?" Edward cried out.

"Calm down, sir. Just to make her more comfortable." The man said.

With a worried look Edward saw the man leave the room after the old man had given him a reassuring nod.
The old man sat down in a chair next to the hearth and seemed to doze away.

All was quiet in the room. Just the ticking of a pendulum was heard and the slight snoring of the grandfather.

"She looks so calm and ethereal lying like that, but away, far away. Like the snow queen has frozen her heart." Edward thought.
He was siting on his knees beside her. His eyes caressing her.

The slow breathing of the young woman, the crackling fire and the warmth in the room made Edward a bit drowsy too. The only thing keeping him from laying his head in her lap and falling asleep too was the man called Robson standing at the door with a severe frown on his face. Staring at Edward, a grimace of disapproval around his hard mouth.

Edward lifted his brows in a questioning manner.

"What's your problem?" He said.
"I have no idea why you're here.  You have no fucking right to mess her up like that."

Edward averted his eyes.

"I would never hurt her." He whispered.

Carefully he stroked a damp strand of hair from the young woman's forehead.

"Who the fuck are you anyway?" The hostile man was now standing next to Edward.

With a frown Edward looked up.
"Don't be an asshole."

The man suddenly grabbed Edward by the throat.

"If you fuck with her, you'll fuck with me. Do you hear?"

The man gave Edward a shove that made him slam backward against the thick carpet.

"Now get your pretty face out of here." The man sneered.

A bark sounded.
Some scratching at the door and then it opened. Letting in a dog with a mixed fur of grey and brown spots. It walked straight to the young woman and started licking her face.

The man called Robson wanted to grab him by the collar, but it growled so he withdrew his hand.

A soft grunt was heard.

Both men looked eagerly at the young woman who appeared to wake up.

The girl with no name

The girl with no name turned into the woman with no name, and years, wasted on staring out of the window, passed until one day it was enough and she said to her caretakers that she was going away.

She'd been staring out of the window for some weeks now, but not with the nothingness that was inside her but there was a spark. Curiosity.
Something was different.

At night she could see bright lights burning on the lakeside, where she knew the boathouse was. When she opened her window she could hear unfamiliar sounds, noises, like a construction site in the distance. And some nights it was quiet and she could see a fire and heard faint music playing.

"William?" She asked the old man one day. He was reading as usual, sitting behind his antique desk with his glasses at the edge of his nose.
"William, is there someone living in the boathouse?"

"Yes, Rain, we have a tenant."

"Who is it?"
"It is a man. An artist. Seems quiet and a bit sombre, but decent enough. He lives in the city, but I guess he seeks solitude."

"Solitude?" The woman with no name asked, staring back in the direction of the lake.

She leaned with her head against the cold window. Breathing hay against the glass.

With her fingernail she started to draw some lines, but then she shook her head irritated and wiped the window clean with her sleeve.

"I'm going to the greenhouse." She said.

"H...Raindis, dear girl, pick some rosemary for my tea while you're there."
She walked to the old man and kissed him on the cheek.

"Sure."

When she walked away, her head low as always, he followed her with his eyes - a deep sigh escaped him, while he massaged the worried frown on his wrinkled forehead - and then he went back to his readings.
"Memoria damnum causa per trauma." He mumbled.

The young woman walked across the lawn in the direction of the greenhouse, but then changed her course and headed to the lake.

It was a mild spring day and with her feet dangling in the cool water she sat on the old wooden jetty. She stared at the boathouse. She knew that it's purpose was not only for boats but the cabin attached to it also had a large window in it, to catch the light, so it could be used as a workplace for a painter. William told her that his wife used to work there and later their granddaughter.
She had been in the atelier once, but she started to get breathing trouble and anxiety overwhelmed her.

"Solitude." She whispered.
She got up and took of her clothes.

The water was still very cold, but she always liked the numb feeling it gave her.

Under the water she listened to the sounds that weren't there. Just faint rumbling and the murmur of the air bubbles around her body, the swishing of the blood through her veins.

Gasping for air she came to the surface.

At the edge of the lake stood a man. He looked at her.

She swam to the jetty and climbed out of the water. Without any sense of demureness she combed her wet hair out of her face, picked up her clothes and walked to the man.
The man seemed to drink in the sight of her nakedness.
For a short moment she felt shy.
But then the numbness blocked it out.

"Hi, you must be the tenant of the boathouse." She said as she held out her hand.

"Aren't you cold?" The man asked without taking her hand.

"Never."

When she tried to cover herself, suddenly conscious of the man's stare at her naked chest with the huge scar, he touched the back of her hand.

"Don't." He said with a deep but soft voice.
"It's ugly."

"No."

She smiled.
"What is your name?" She asked looking up at him. Inquisitive.
His face seemed pained in a way.

"I'm...I'm Edward." He cleared his throat staring in her eyes.
"And you?" A sudden frown between his brows made his gaze intense.

She turned away her head and seemed to ask for help from the lake.

"They...they call me Raindis."

He was quiet for a while.
"That is an unusual name."

"Yes, my...William....he says it means erratic, wondering bride." She laughs.

"In the old language. But you can call me Rain."

"That is...beautiful, but sad....in the young language." He laughed too. It made his soulful face light up suddenly.
She notices his teeth. She likes them.
"What do you call yourself?" He suddenly asked.

"Marbh."

"Marbh?"

"It means dead."

Back in her room she remembered the way the man looked when she told him how she called herself.
Marbh.
She didn't feel dead when she talked to him.
His smile.

He.

White.

Always that damned white that came over her when she tried to feel.
She put on some dry clothes and went to the greenhouse to pick the rosemary she promised her grandfather.
William.
She wondered how she suddenly knew he was her grandfather.

When her grandfather came into the kitchen he heard her whistling.

Surprized but with a warm heart he said to her: "Rain, dear, it makes me happy you seem to feel so much better today. Your hair is wet. Did you swim again?"

"Yes, grandpa, and I met the tenant."

The old man clutched the counter in order to find balance.
"What?" A broad smile on his face.
"I met the tenant. Is that funny?"

"Oh girl...you don't know...."

"I do...grandpa." She walked to the old man and hugged him.
The old man sobbed.
"Is it coming back, grandpa?"

"I think it is, child. I think it is."

That night she couldn't sleep. Her head hurt as it often did and somehow the scar in her chest seemed to feel more tight than usual.
It was time for her to move on.
She needed to tell her grandpa tomorrow that it was time for her to get back to life again.
Get a job. Get a life.
When she climbed out of bed and pushed the curtain aside she saw there was still light burning at the boathouse.

"Edward." She mouthed the name of the man she had met this afternoon.
The man with the nice teeth.
The nice teeth and the endless sadness in his eyes.

Silently she closed the bedroom door behind her and tiptoed down the stairs.

The lawn was damp from the night air and a path seemed to be lit over the lake.
When she came to the boathouse all was quiet except for a man's soft humming. No. Not really humming, more like moaning.

She sneaked through the door that was unlocked.

There was music softly playing. Electronic, hypnotic. A whiff of sweet smoke whirled into her nose. That moaning again, no, it was sobbing.

In the middle of the room was the man. He was sitting in a deep chair.

Dressed in a shirt over a tee and a pair of old ragged jeans with paint stains. The man had paint or chalk in his half long curly hair too.

The woman who called herself Marbh noticed that the man was well build. Lean, but strong. Broad shoulders. Smoking a joint. His head in his hand, a bottle of wine at his feet.
And he was crying.

"Edward."

With a start he jumped up. Kicking the almost empty wine bottle.

He looked at her as if he saw a ghost.

She heard him cry out her name.
Well. She didn't really hear it. But she knew he said it.
When he took one step towards her she fled, she fled before the white took over.
White.

White.
And then it cleared away again and she was sitting on the jetty at the lake site.
Her feet dangling in the water. Her eyes fixed at the moon till it disappeared behind thick clouds, to leave the sky in total darkness.
A clap of thunder and it began to rain.

"Hey fl...girl!" The man shouted.
He was standing at the beginning of the jetty.

The rain came gushing down now.

"Come here....it's pouring." He said while holding the tails of his shirt above his head as an umbrella.

Hesitant at first she approached. But he made an inviting gesture with his head to join him under his makeshift canopy, and she was becoming soaking wet already.

Awkwardly she was standing there. Impossible not to feel his body heat, smell him.

So familiar somehow.
When she touched his body to find more shelter he grunted involuntary.
She lifted her head and stared into his eyes. His eyes stirred something inside her.

Images came to live. Images exploding against the back of her mind. Like half frames, images of...hair, long and wavy, falling over a face...a young man sitting on a huge marble stairway, drawing...a crooked smile...a lean body against a lamppost, looking up at her window...a damp bathroom, candles...a mass of people....blood....his face....fear...

And then she fainted.