Found (The Last Watcher Series) Book One Read online

  Found

  Yana Guleva

  Copyright © 2012 Yana Guleva

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher.

  Smashwords Edition

  Chapter One – Breathtaking

  As I look up at the glaciers from the back porch of my house, I keep having a vision as a little girl. I can picture myself running with a man. He doesn’t look familiar, and truly, I can barely see his face with the blizzard that was happening. He keeps calling to me.

  “Amabel, I will never leave you, keep going my Amabel. I will be right behind you my love, but don’t turn back.” I can never place my finger on why I keep having the vision. I feel so much love from this stranger, it almost makes me ache thinking about it. Yet I don’t have a single memory of it being real. Are we running from something? Why did I have to keep going? It is just something that comes to my mind once in a while. I never talk about this to anyone, not even my mother Ama. Which speaking of, her and my father have been acting so strangely around each other, it almost makes me feel as if they’re not really married. The three of us have moved here, Northway, Alaska, a few years back. I never asked why we had to move into such a cold and un-populated town. The sun comes up around nine and already sets by three in the afternoon. Although, it is definitely quiet here, and I’m starting to like it.

  My mother is usually home every day. She likes to stay around the house and get dolled up. Her smooth black hair is almost always up in a bun, and her outfits consist of a blouse and a skirt below the knees. I guess you can say she’s kind of old fashioned. While waiting for me to get back from school, she often plays her piano. Which I greatly enjoy listening to. Classic music has always been one of my favorites. On the other hand, while my mother is always home, my father works at the local hospital. I don’t see him most days since he works double shifts. I myself attend the Northway High School, and there’s really not much to it.

  My best friends Vessa and Zayley Gant are the only ones I really talk to. They’re twins, yet don’t look or act anything alike. Vessa has short red hair that’s always filled with different length layers and Zayley has long brown hair with banana curls almost like mine. Of course there’s also Arcell Goss, him and Vessa are practically married by the way they act as a couple. It’s almost amusing yet completely annoying. I don’t talk to him much, but the four of us have been friends ever since I have moved to this small town. So I know they’ll always be by my side if I need anything.

  “Amabel!” My mother is calling me, of course. I can never enjoy sitting outside for even a few minutes.

  “Amabel, what did I tell you about staying outside by yourself, it’s dangerous. We don’t live in the city anymore. The chance of wild animals attacking is much more highly now.” She says. Yes, of course I know, she says this practically every day. I might as well drop out of school and sit in my room all day, walking to school can kill me too!

  “Yes Ama, I know, you have told plenty of times before, but I feel like the city can be a lot more dangerous considering of how many crimes happen a day.” Shoot, I mouthed off to her.

  “Amabel Fowler! If you knew, you’d listen, and stop calling me by my first name, it’s impolite calling your mother that way.” I don’t understand why, I mean, it’s her first name, which is similar to mine in so many ways. I never got the idea of why she had to put her name in mine. Why couldn’t I have been named Lindsey or some common name? Amabel is just so, old. I feel like I’m a ninety year old grandmother for god’s sake.

  “Honey, I’m sorry. You just know how I feel about you staying outside by yourself. At least if you decide to go out there, let me know and I’ll leave the back door open. Now, are you ready for school tomorrow?” My mother never really yells at me, and when she does, she apologizes right after. In other words, my mother is the kindest person I’ve known so far.

  “Yes, I’m heading up to bed now.” I walked up the stairs without a fight, I’m too tired to even breathe right now, as dramatic as that sounds. The stairs kind of bother me though. They squeak way too much, which is odd for the house we live in. It’s a wooden type of house, but it’s newer than any other home in this town. It’s tan on outside with a regular brown roof top. It has two floors, which consists of three bedrooms upstairs, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room. My favorite is the kitchen though. It has that old flowery wallpaper that my mother refuses to take off. I love the smell in here as well. It’s almost like cinnamon apple pie, followed by warmth and coziness.

  My feet are moving faster than my body can tell them too. I feel fear, strong, uncontrollable fear. As I look to my left, there he is. Tall and tan. His slick brown hair waving in the air. Strangely, he’s not wearing a shirt, yet it looks like the biggest blizzard of the year. “Amabel, run my love, don’t turn back, run!” My legs moved faster than before, listening to the man screaming. I’m running out of air. It’s ice cold yet I can’t stop sweating. I feel tears coming out of my eyes. I start to turn back to look for the unknown man, and see nothing, but growls past the hills.

  I wake up that morning hysterically, not understanding what just happened. What was that dream about? It’s so similar to the vision I have looking at the glaciers. It’s almost like it’s the same time or even the same place, yet I’m older, I’m not a kid in this one. I still can’t clearly see this man’s face. Thinking about him just makes me want to curl up into a ball. I feel such attraction towards him and such love. Yet he’s just a part of my imagination.

  As I’m getting ready for school, I hear my mother downstairs making breakfast and dad isn’t home, like always. I don’t get how he’s working so much yet there are only about a few hundred people in our town. They can’t all be sick at once. I put on my striped sweater, jeans, and some boots. The only things you can wear in this weather. Winter is always the worst.

  “Amabel honey, breakfast is ready, are you up?” My mother yells from the kitchen.

  “Yes ma, I’ll be down in a second.” I sometimes want to get dolled up, but then think to myself, there’s not many people I want to impress. In this town, I’ll be lucky if I meet someone handsome enough by the time I turn fifty. I grabbed my stuff and walked downstairs for breakfast.

  “How did you sleep darling? I heard you talking in your sleep.” My mother says.

  “Talking? I don’t quite remember what I dreamed about.” Of course I remember, how can I not. The amount of feelings I had in one second felt like someone couldn’t even have in months. I really wish to ask my mother if she knows anything about the man I keep seeing, but I don’t want her thinking I’m dreaming of a half-naked man all the time. Hopefully soon I’ll have more understandable dreams, or a vision for that matter.

  I ate the pancakes my mother made for breakfast, and left for school. It’s not a far of a walk to the school, just about a mile down the street. Today felt different, maybe we’ll do something fun in Physics. I enjoyed it more than most of the other subjects. On my way to school I usually meet up Vessa and Zayley. We talk about pointless crap and wishing one day something fun will come along and take us away. Speaking of them.

  “Hey Ama!” Vessa called out to me.

  “Vessa, how many times do I say this? Ama is my mother’s name. Do I look like I want to be called by my mother’s name?” I said joking around.

  “Sorry Amabel! So, are you excited for school today?” She asks.

  “Why exactly should I be excited?” I answered laughing slightly.

  “Didn’t you hear? We have a new student coming in.” Zayley answered my question. I forgot all about that. Maybe that’s why I felt a little di
fferent today. I knew there was going to be at least a tiny bit of excitement. I was the only new student they have had in about five years, and that was two years ago.

  “Oh yeah, you think he’ll be a cutie?” I said, giggling with Vessa and Zayley as we walked towards the school, which looking at it, isn’t even all that big. I’m thinking it holds about 300 students, if that. The whole building is a gray type of color. It has one entrance in the front, and one in the back, which are both pretty small.

  English has already passed, and it was time for my favorite class, Physics. Hopefully we’ll finally move on with the lesson. I was tired of learning about the same thing, but everyone in my class also hated learning anything, period. The classroom looked the same as any of my other ones. Gray walls, and tan lab desks. It’s nothing special besides that there are different types of species all of the walls that have nothing to do with our yearly schedule for the class.

  “Class, I have an announcement to make, settle down.” Professor Jane said. She was often on the weird side, and insisted we called her Professor, even though we all knew she was no professor. She is just a junior high school physics teacher. As I look up to see what Professor Jane has planned for us, there is a student standing in the doorway. He is completely breathtaking. Taller than me, a bit on the pale side, but that smile, almost makes me want to kiss him right here on the spot. His hair is blondish-brown, and has extremely high cheek bones. It definitely looks good on him though.

  “This is Kierce Pence. He is now a junior here at Northway High School like the rest of you. Please be kind to him. We don’t want anyone getting in trouble, now do we. Kierce, please sit wherever you’d like.” Wherever he’d like? Of course he is going to sit next to me, I’m the only one sitting by myself, since Vessa and Zayley are both in my class and both are inseparable. I spoke too soon. There he is, walking right towards me, with that gorgeous smile, that even Vessa gave out a little squeal with her boyfriend Arcell sitting right behind her.

  “May I sit here?” Kierce is now standing in front of me, smiling more than before. I can see white pearl teeth shining at me.

  “Yes of course, go right ahead” Yes of course? What is it, drama class? I can’t even think straight. He’s absolutely stunning. He almost doesn’t look real in my eyes. The blondish-brown hair and the skin soft and white makes it hard for me not to just get up and walk away.. Yet the smell of him makes me want to drown in my seat. Everything about him is beautiful, especially his eyes. They have a tint of orange in them, almost like the green in the back doesn’t even exist.

  “My name is Kierce, may ask for your name?” For my name? He doesn’t only look beautiful but he speaks it too!

  “Uhh, yah, I’m Amabel.” The words almost didn’t leave my mouth.

  “It is an honor to meet you Amabel.” He said, taking my hand and kissing the top of it. I think I would have passed out right there if Professor Jane didn’t interrupt.

  “Class, you can all meet Mr. Pence after class, for right now, please take out your books and turn to page 240.” How can I pay attention to a book when there’s a handsome and polite man sitting right next to me? Thinking about it, he does look older than the other guys in my class. No junior that’s for sure. I mean, yes, I’m older for my class too. Instead of being 17 like everyone else, I’m already 18, but that’s because I started late as a child. Him on the other hand, what’s his excuse?

  Physics class passed fast, and before I knew it, the bell rang. I looked over at Kierce, and couldn’t resist staring at his smile, it was as if it was all for me. He hesitated to get up and leave, but he did. He didn’t say a word, and just walked out continuing smiling.

  “That was strange.” Zayley said over my shoulder. She noticed.

  “Yeah, what was that about?” Vessa added. I didn’t really know what that was about. I mean he seems kind of normal. I’m almost flattered by the thought that may not even be true. He can’t be possibly be smiling for me. We spoke two words. But maybe it was?

  “I don’t know what that was about, he’s breathtaking though.” Oops, that kind of slipped. Vessa and Zayley both looked at me with a huge smile. They knew I couldn’t keep a secret from being attracted to him. It’s almost written on my face.

  “Wipe that drool of your mouth, you punk!” Arcell screamed, almost meaning for everyone to hear. Leave it to him to make fun of you.

  “Ha ha, very funny!” I smirked, walking out of the class with them.

  The day went by quick and lunch is now around the corner. All I’ve been thinking about is Kierce, and why he just left me breathless in class. Almost like he was testing me, weather I was interested or not. Wait, no, we just met, it can’t be. As I stood in line for lunch, Zayley was babbling about the school dance that is coming up. I’m paying much attention, but still answering.

  “When are we going to go shopping? We need some girl time. I can’t stand another day of Vessa and Arcell together another second. You guys need a break from each other.” Zayley spoke looking towards them holding hands. I didn’t mind it. I was kind of jealous of how much they had together. It must be pretty nice to depend on each other and always have someone close. I stepped to get my food, and saw Kierce by the doors. H’s looking at me with such a fierce look. I can’t help but look back. It’s as if he is trying to say something without any words. I took in a deep breath to get some air in my lungs, and before I even took a chance to blink, he disappeared.

  The four of us are now going to take a seat, and suddenly, I feel that breath taking feeling once more. I want to cough out anything that was holding me back from breathing, but it’s almost unbearable. Kierce is now walking towards me, and looking at me with another look I have never seen before. He’s now standing in front of me, but all I can pay attention is the look on his face. It almost seems as if he wants to take me away. I finally can make out the words that Vessa is saying.

  “So Amabel, do you mind if he sits with us? You’ve just been kind of out of it and haven’t answered him.” Kierce asked to sit here? I didn’t hear him, but I also didn’t hear the rest of loud lunch room.

  “Uhh, yah, I don’t care.” I said with breakage in my voice.

  “Thank you for the honor of letting me sit here.” Honor? Oh man, my mother would love him. He sits down with us and instead of eating his food, he’s kind of playing with it and smirking at the same time. I’m trying not to pay attention but it’s too hard. My heart feels like it’s about to rip out of my chest. I don’t know if that’s good or just plainly horrible.

  As the lunch bell rings, he looks at me and starts saying something. It sounds like music if I didn’t know any better.

  “I would be very intrigued if I could walk you home after school this fine afternoon.” He said to me.

  “Yes, uhm, I’d like that. Do you want to meet up somewhere?” I feel like trembling from the coldness, but there is nothing cold about the lunch room.

  “That would be very lovely, how about right at the front doors?” He asked.

  “That sounds good, uhh, I’ll see you then.” Again, my words trembled.

  “Indeed you will.” He said, smiling, as he takes my hand, and again, kisses the top of it. I don’t understand this guy. He either disappears, or seems like he doesn’t want to leave. Whatever it is about him, it’s strange, but not enough for me to ignore him. I want to get close to him, yet it feels so wrong. At the pit of my stomach, something is telling me not to have anything to do with him.

  The rest of the day isn’t all that great. I had a test in one class and a boring movie in the other. My mind doesn’t want to focus on anything right now but Kierce. I replayed the feelings I felt around him and the images of his face. I can’t find any answers to my questions but I don’t care. I can’t stop from talking to him just because it feels wrong. Where has this feeling come from anyways?

  I hear the bell ring. It’s time for me to meet him outside the school. Inpatient, as fast as I can I walk to the doors, and of course, ther
e he is. Standing so beautifully. Again, taking my breath away.

  “Hello my darling, I have been waiting for your presence.” As he smiled taking my hand and kissing it.

  “Shall we take a walk?” He said calmly.

  “Yes, uh, let’s go.” I’m speechless. He is something I have never seen nor touched before. His sweet smell makes me want to melt. I don’t understand how a human being can make someone feel so strongly about anything. I knew now, that there is no turning back. Wherever he wants me, I am there. I don’t want to leave his side. I am clung, breathless, waiting for someone to rescue me. It feels wrong, yet so right at the same time.

  “Are you alright my darling?” He asked. I don’t understand why he’s asking me. I feel fine enough to walk. But then I realized what he meant. I can feel it running down my lip. It’s blood. I have gotten a bloody nose, which is even stranger. I’ve never had one before, not that I can remember that is.

  “Oh, uh, I’m sorry, I’ve never had one before.” As I’m trying to clean up the bloody mess, I see him looking at me from the side. He almost looks satisfied that I’m bleeding.

  “Let me help you.” He said generously. He takes out a napkin from his bag and starts helping me smudge the blood from underneath my nose.

  “Thanks, a lot actually. I’ve never had to deal with one of these before.” I said slightly smiling at him. He doesn’t seem worried nor surprised. He’s just standing here now, smiling at me with such an intense look, I have to look away.

  “Well, we’re here now, uhh, thanks for walking with me.” I said walking towards my house.

  “That is not a problem, will I see you tomorrow?” He asked. So charmingly.

  “Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow, goodbye now.” I waved awkwardly, and now walking towards my house. As I‘m starting to close door, I stand still for a slight second, catching my breath. The door is now closed all the way, and I quickly look in the eye whole to see if he has left yet. He has. More like disappeared then walked away.