Bewithed
(PART ONE)
Judy was feeling strange after her encounter with a man who was sitting on a bench next to a park. The man said nothing to her but when she met his eyes, it was if part of her had been left behind. His gaze touched her inner being and she felt warm and soft inside.
His penetrating knowing eyes knew every secret and desire she held in her heart. She turned around to get another look at the man but he was no longer there. Instead, she saw a large blue-black raven perched on the bench. An odor of peppermint mingled with wet earth made her feel strange and sensual. She continued walking along a narrow worn out path in the park.
The birthday party her friends had given her had been fun with the exception of some rude boys who wanted to drive her home. They said suggestive things making her feel embarrassed and angry. She was not ready to get serious with anyone so she decided to walk home instead. She heard soft sounds behind her as if someone didn't want her to know she was being followed.
She stopped and listen, but the only sounds were those of night birds and the hooting of an owl. She continued walking and stopped again when she felt a warm presence.
She stood next to someone who was the same as she in every detail. She closed her eyes and when she opened them again, she only saw the inky night overpowering the filtered light from the tree's canopies. The deserted park beckoned and she continued walking. Her inner being calm and soothing even though she knew someone was following her.
The year was 2023 and she had just turned fourteen but felt grown up and ready to consider whatever life had to offer. She wondered if she would ever fall in love and what a real kiss would feel like.
She wanted so much to meet someone special but at the same time, she felt scared. She crossed her arms over her chest when the cold damp breeze finally found her. The New England area was due for some snow and she wanted to get home.
Somehow she didn't feel whole it was as if part of her had been removed. The sensation was similar to how she felt the first time she drank wine. Somehow she knew something had happened after the encounter with the old man. His eyes were soothing yet strange and penetrating into her deepest secrets and desires.
She had blushed when she looked into his eyes. The strange feeling within her was something like feathers tickling places she never knew she had.
The scent of peppermint and wet earth were in her nostrils and she knew she was no longer alone. She stopped suddenly and the person following her also stopped. Judy turned saying,
"Who are you and why are you following me?"
A young boy walked shyly toward her than stopped but said nothing. The boy stood looking at her face and couldn't believe he was seeing himself. Judy wore jeans, sweater, sneakers and a purple scarf. Her eyes were gray and she had short brown hair and stood five foot two inches tall. The freckles on her forehead and around her chin were identical to his.
Hearing her voice, was if he was listening to himself but somewhat more feminine. It was as if he was looking in a mirror. He had been transported to this place and his mind struggled to make sense of what was happening to him. He blinked a couple of times and said,
"My name is Jake and I really don't know what I'm doing here. Who are you?"
"I'm Judy and why do you look like me? Today was my birthday and my friends had a party for me"
They looked at each other as Jake responded,
"I really don't know how I got here. One moment I was moving some boxes than I found myself in this park."
Judy inched closer to Jake attempting to see if he was wearing some sort of make-up or mask but could not detect any trickery. His lips were not as pink as hers but his eyes were identical to hers. He also wore a purple scarf and his hair was a bit curlier than hers but the color was the same.
Judy noticed that he had pierce ears with a small pearl earring on his right ear. She also wore small pearl earrings and his was identical to hers. She extended her hand to touch his shoulder wanting to assure herself that he was real. He stepped back saying,
"I don't know what you want Judy. I believe you are some sort of apparition or a joke my friends are playing on me. Who put you up to this?"
Judy heart's was beating fast and her troubled mind had not yet grasp what was happening. This boy seemed to be sixteen years old but she was sure he meant her no harm. On the contrary, she felt he was more scared than she was by seeing their resemblance.
Her mind reverted back to the old man and wondered who he was. The park was now very dark and she could barely see him as he walked up to her. She couldn't believe the resemblance nor the fact that this boy made her feel funny. Smiling she said,
"Did you see the old man sitting on the bench as you entered the park?"
"Yes I did and he sure was weird because he stared at me and smiled nodding as if he knew me. I felt strange as if something had crept inside of me. I feel different but not bad different just peculiar as if I am part of someone else. Oh, today is also my birthday and I turned sixteen."
They started walking between the giant maple trees feeling as if they were dreaming or perhaps hallucinating. They slowed their pace each feeling refreshed and happy as if they had known each other for years.
The wind picked up and the tree boughs made soothing sounds telling them to stop and listen. The two youths sat on a large smooth stone by the side of the path and they felt as one. Jake reached out and found Judy's soft warm hand. She wanted to pull away but his hand felt right and gave his hand a squeeze.
A rustling in the bushes made them jump up and the feelings they were experiencing sought shelter in their hearts. A large crow began to walk toward them and looking up at the two said,
"Do not linger, for this night has many secrets and you are not yet prepared to understand them. Evil is all around, for the wicked is attracted to those pure of heart. Go, hurry and do not look back."
They began to run still holding hands and they felt a living breathing coldness on their backs attempting to hold them. They reached the end of the park and felt safe until they noticed the old man. He sat on a green wooden bench under a park light. Smiling he said in a very soft and deliberate way,
"It will start snowing soon so you two better hurry home before your parents began to worry. Oh, happy birthday to both of you."
Looking at each other under the light, they knew they were bewitched. The old man stood and pointed a walking cane at both of them.
His watery brown eyes were similar to puppies and his beard was white. He wore a long brown overcoat. He had white thinning hair that came down below his collar. He wore a felt hat with some sort of small feather on it. The two stood looking at the strange man as he uttered,
" You were wise to listen to that crow for it knew an evil thing wanted to poses you. You have something special and that is why I am here. I have watched both of you and sense you are the chosen ones.
I used my powers of duplication but the changes you are feeling will not harm you. Both of you have been looking for someone to love and now you have found each other. You must listen to those who care about you. Your future will be filled with tribulations and obstacles. You must trust each other for you will be tested over and over again."
A cold wind made both youngsters gasp and huddled together while the strange old man fated away. They walked to the bench and sat down as the snow flakes began to fall.
He's hands went to Judy's soft and warm cheeks and looking into her eyes, he kissed her gently on the lips. Judy accepted his kiss and placed her arms around his waist. They hugged each other and Judy could feel his hot breath on her neck and the pleasure she felt was new to her.
She opened her eyes and saw the sun's rays fondling her face. She struggled to remember her dream but only the feeling remained. She dressed and went down stairs to have some breakfast.
Mrs. Trevino, their next door neighbor, sat with her mom drinking coffee. She saw me but continued her conversation,
"Anyway, I went across the street to welcome our new neighbors early this morning. and do you know her son looked very much like your daughter? His father was killed in an oil rig explosion in Texas."
"Oh how awful, they came to live here from Texas? I saw an old man who is he?"
Judy had to sat down because her knees became weak. This is just so spooky. It must be a coincidence this is just too unreal. Mrs. Trevino continued,
"Well the elderly man is Jake's grandfather, you know the young boy that looks like Judy. Anyway, he didn't say much but his eyes were very strange and he kept smiling as if he knew I was a busy-body and wanted to find all I could about them."
Judy stood up and went to the front porch and sat on the swing. She looked over to the new neighbors and saw the old man waving and smiling at her. She waived back and he could hear Jake's grandfather chuckling as he picked up a box and carried it into the house.
She felt mesmerized and thought that perhaps meeting Jake in the park, was not a dream after all. Her cheeks turned reddish pink thinking about their kiss. Part of her dream became clear to her but wondered whether it had been a dream. Her mom didn't say anything to her when she got home late. Jake had walked her home, said goodbye and went across the street.
She walked back into the kitchen and said,
"Mom, sorry I got home late last night. I didn't want to wake you up, so I went straight to bed."
"Judy, you know full well that I drove you home from your birthday party. You were very tired and went straight to bed. Are you feeling all right?"
Mrs. Trevino stood up saying,
"Well I better go back home and see what type of an excuse I can come up with to visit our neighbors again. Oh, I almost forgot to give you this Judy."
Mrs. Trevino handed her one of her pearl earrings saying,
"The old man gave me this for you. He said he found it near the park. I don't know why he felt so sure it belonged to you."
Judy went to her bedroom and on her night table, there was only one pearl earring. She sat on the bed and felt as if something was gently massaging her heart.
End of part one
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