SWNOVELS Chapter 12
Chapter 12
“Karla…”
“I’m waiting for you.”
When Karla groggily opened her eyes, she’d see Rowan sitting by her bed, gazing at her with those tender eyes. Every time, it jolted her awake. And then she’d realize it was just a dream. Unable to sleep, Karla would head downstairs to the living room to watch his movies. She didn’t really watch them. She’d just pause when the camera panned to his face.
Days went by, and Karla felt like she was going mad without seeing him. That guy had her all out of sorts. She wanted to confront him, and demand what was going on. However, the more desperate she became, the further he seemed.
That night, after work, Karla picked up a corn dog from a street vendor and sat on a little. stool at the doorway, munching away. A little girl was squatting beside her, licking an ice pop, looking adorable. Karla couldn’t resist patting her soft hair. The girl flashed a toothy grin, which melted Karla’s heart.
With nothing else to do, Karla pulled out the old photo she always carried with her. Seeing herself in that photo, Karla always had a sense of unreality, as if the person in the photo was not her. Perhaps it was because the passage of time was too strong. After all, the photo was taken decades ago.
Resting her chin on her hand, Karla murmured, “Come to think of it, I wonder who I was worried about in this picture? Why such an anxious look?”
Creak!
Just then, a strange, muffled sound came from above. Karla looked up to see the billboard light flicker twice, then with a thunderous crash, the massive sign plummeted down.
“Watch out!”
Realizing she couldn’t dodge it, Karla’s first instinct was to tackle the little girl to the ground, shielding her with her body, her hands clutching the girl’s head. Just before the billboard engulfed her, Karla saw the photo in her hands turn to ash and vanish.
The last things Karla heard were a loud bang and a distant piano melody, haunting and ancient, trickling into her ears like a spring – Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata.”
When Karla’s eyes snapped open from the darkness, all she saw was darkness. Realizing she was in a confined space, she instinctively felt along the walls for an exit. Her hands found what seemed like a door, and she pushed hard.
The door turned out to be looser than Karla had anticipated, and it wasn’t locked either. With a gentle push, it swung open, catching Karla off guard. The force of the push knocked her off balance, sending her tumbling out.
*Ah!” Karla cried out, and the piano music that had been echoing in her ears abruptly stopped.
Rubbing her sore knee, she sat up, grimacing. Looking back, she realized she’d fallen out of a wardrobe. The elegant, vintage European wardrobe was large, filled with clothes. Before Karla could take a closer look, a clear, youthful voice came from behind.
“Who are you?”
Karla turned her head and saw a young boy seated at the piano by the window. His hands were placed flat on the keys, and his clear, bright eyes gazed at her without a hint of fear or panic. His calm demeanor was unusual for a child encountering a stranger.
Dressed in a little suit with suspenders and shiny shoes, he looked like a tiny gentleman. His attire was vintage, and impeccable, not the trendy fashion of today’s kids.
Karla looked at his face, which was finely featured with perfect skin like snow. But the more she looked, the more familiar he seemed. She must have seen him somewhere. Those refined, elegant features were strikingly similar to the Rowan who had been occupying her thoughts these past days.
And as she pondered, Karla froze. Wait a second. Could this child actually be Rowan?
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