Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]

Contact the manager
Tabitha


Character Spotlight
Elizabeth Williams


Weather Forecast


Add Reply
Swimming
Topic Started: Apr 25 2010, 08:55 PM (270 Views)
amber may lucas
Member Avatar
Junior Member
Outfit

Dinner with Tabitha had given Amber an insight to the hotel, and the guests. It still felt strange even the following morning being around people who weren't... well... normal. At breakfast, she had been careful not to be caught staring whilst her fork missed the strawberries in her bowl, and the spoon missed her coffee cup.

Keen to see more of the hotel, and to relax outside of her room, Amber put a pair of denim shorts and a tee on over her bikini, slipped on some flip flops and made her way down to the pool. Swimming was one of her favorite pastimes. You could almost just switch off, glide through the water and just unwind.

Lowering herself into the cool water, Amber put her head under, making the plunge so it wouldn't feel cold for long. It was always the worst part, but once it was done, it was done. Pushing off the edge of the pool, her foot sliding slightly on the smooth edges, the brunette used her arms to propel her across the pool, tumbling at the end to turn back and complete a second length of the pool. Then a third, and a fourth.

Coming up from under the water, Amber smoothed her hair back and looked around the pool room, wondering if she was alone there that morning.
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Chris Wheelan
Member Avatar
New Member
Managing to drag himself out of bed had been a real effort.

Taking a shower had helped with the waking up a little, but not all that much.

Getting dressed in jogging pants and a plain white tee had happened somewhere still between waking and sleeping.

Somewhere around breakfast, Chris had started to really wake up - or at least he thought so until he had taken a good look around and began to wonder again where exactly he was and who all those people were.

There was only one way to clear his mind, and that was a good, solid workout.

He had jogged for about an hour, going faster for a short stretch here and there, working up a sweat that drove the alcohol from his pores.

He would need another drink or four to put him under tonight, to drive away the memories of her, but for the moment he felt good doing what he did best - running, and running fast. His speed was what made him a good winger and he was proud of that. It was the last thing left to him that was really his.

Stopping at a crossroad on the path skirting the forest he rested his hands on his tighs and drew a few deep breaths. Straightening again, Chris spotted the sign pointing towards a pool.

Amber had always loved swimming. That memory was enough for his feet to take control of him and steer him in that direction.
Edited by Chris Wheelan, Apr 26 2010, 06:21 AM.
Posted Image
Another shot of whiskey can’t stop looking at the door
Wishing you’d come sweeping in the way you did before
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
amber may lucas
Member Avatar
Junior Member
A few more lengths, and Amber stopped at the shallow end of the pool, maneuvering so she could just about sit down on the tiled floor. Tilting her head back, the brunette looked up to a perfect blue sky. The sun was out and beating down, the beams of light reflecting on the beads of water left on her skin.

Breathing in slowly, and then releasing, Amber looked across the pool, and froze. If she had been in the deep end, she would possibly have sunk a little in the water. Was that...? No. She was hallucinating. Just hallucinating. Maybe she was tireder than she thought. This break was most certainly needed. That hallucination was not.

It brought back a lot more than the brunette ever imagined it would. Someone walking towards the pool who was the spitting image of Chris. The next slow breath was shakier, the breath outwards even more so. No. It wasn't him. Shaking her head, Amber ducked back under the water and pushed off the wall towards the deep end once more. A few more lengths and she'd go back indoors. Dry off, and then maybe see what else the hotel had to offer.
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Chris Wheelan
Member Avatar
New Member
Chris paused for a moment when he reached the pool. If he had brought some swimwear he would have taken a dive, but everything he had - aside from the clothes he had arrived in - he had borrowed from the Hotel, and swimming trunks had been the last thing on his mind when he had asked for something to wear this morning.

Before his thoughts could drift too far towards wondering how someone had managed to find shoes and clothes that fit him like a glove, he spotted the lone occupant of the pool.

He couldn't get a good look at her face, as she had just started swimming down the length of the pool, but something about her was terribly, achingly familiar. Her shape, the tone of her skin, the way she swam. Her hair was shorter, a color Amber hadn't sported in a year, but everything, everything was so her.

Chris slowly walked to the edge of the pool and squatted down.

Amber. But she was dead. If she was here, if that was really her, and he was here too, then this really was what came after dead. No. He shook his head. It had to be an illusion, part of his hangover he hadn't gotten out of his system yet, a torment visited upon him by some cruel god for not taking better care of his girl that night.

Chris slumped down, cross-legged, at the edge of the pool and ran a hand across his face, to wipe away the tears he could feel welling up in his eyes. "I must be going mad."

He closed his eyes, but it didn't help. He could still hear that woman splashing around in the pool, and with every splash a memory stung him like an angry bee.
Posted Image
Another shot of whiskey can’t stop looking at the door
Wishing you’d come sweeping in the way you did before
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
amber may lucas
Member Avatar
Junior Member
Amber could feel herself straining, but pushed herself that little further, far enough for her hand to reach the side, before coming up for air. Her shoulders went up and down as her body regained the oxygen it had been denied whilst she was underwater. That wasn't the only reason, though. Those breaths were also panicky. That voice. She knew it. It made shivers go down her spine.

No. He was dead. She'd crashed the car, and he'd died.

Swallowing a lump in her throat, Amber didn't dare turns around in fear of who, or what, was sat at the side of the pool telling himself he must be mad. Part of her wanted to get out of the pool, put her clothes back on, run inside and hide for the rest of her vacation. Tabitha had said something about how different worlds came together in this hotel. She'd mentioned nothing about bringing the dead back.

Rubbing her face, Amber thought about it. No, it would just be someone who looked like him, talked like him, but it wasn't him. Turning around a little to face the man sat at the side of the pool for a moment, the brunette found herself flinching to face away once more, before pushing herself up and out of the pool. It was all a hallucination. A longing for him to be back. No more.
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Chris Wheelan
Member Avatar
New Member
He could hear her get out of the pool, but he didn't dare look. How long had it been? A week perhaps? Having to identify her had been the most painful moment in his life. Her pale skin, her lifeless eyes... he had died that moment. Being reminded of her alive was too painful a thought to contemplate.

And yet he opened his eyes. He couldn't help himself.

It was her. There was no doubt about it. She wore her hair differently, but Amber always liked trying out new styles. Everything else about her was unmistakable.

he was on his feet before he realized it and stretched out his hand, but didn't dare touch her, approach her, fearful she would disappear like a mirage if he stepped any closer.

"Amber."

He ran his hand over his face again, trying to wipe away the tears and wishing he had taken better care of himself lately. Amber had always placed such great stock in appearances. If any photographer found them like this...

His mind was a mess, and he knew it, felt the confusion and the conflicting thoughts, but one thought did cut through it all and sneaked its way towards his tongue, the thought he had harbored for days now and never felt possible to articulate, as there had been no one there to really listen, to really understand.

"I am so sorry I let you down. I should..." He had to swallow hard and shake his head. "I should have been there for you."
Posted Image
Another shot of whiskey can’t stop looking at the door
Wishing you’d come sweeping in the way you did before
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
amber may lucas
Member Avatar
Junior Member
Amber.

The brunette turned on instinct and then froze at the voice behind her. Chris. It was actually Chris. But how had he let her down? What on earth was he on about? She was the one that got behind the wheel. She was the one that had crashed the car. She was the one that had survived, whilst he had been buried a short while previously.

None of this made sense.

"I... I... I don't und-understand," Amber stuttered, wrapping the towel around her shoulders. The day was warm enough, but getting out of the pool and into this sort of situation required something comforting. Without a blanket, the towel would have to do.
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Chris Wheelan
Member Avatar
New Member
"I don't understand it either," Chris said. "I am not sure if I want to."

He took a step forward, then another, shortening the distance between them from perhaps 10 meters to 8. Everything was so unreal, so... perfect. He was here, Amber was here - everything was all right. If only he wouldn't wake up, for this had to be a dream.

His thoughts were a rollercoaster, but he knew one thing with absolute clarity. He didn't want her to leave him again. No. Two things. The second was that he never wanted to let her down again.

"I am so sorry. I should have been there that evening, driven you home, taken better care of you."

Another step forward and he looked away. He feared she would have disappeared, like a ghost, when he turned his head back but he couldn't help himself. It was all his fault. He should have taken better care of her. He hadn't, and it had killed her. She would never forgive him, of that Chris was certain.

But if she was a ghost, so was he. How else could he be with her? Somehow he had managed to kill himself and just couldn't remember it. But she was here. That was all that mattered. Seeing Amber's face again, hearing her voice.

And yet he could not look at her. It was all too unreal. And it was all his fault.
Posted Image
Another shot of whiskey can’t stop looking at the door
Wishing you’d come sweeping in the way you did before
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
amber may lucas
Member Avatar
Junior Member
"But I was driving the car..." Amber explained. "You... the car... it... I..." she couldn't even form a coherant sentence. "I shouldn't have drunk those spritzers. The Police said so. I don't know why they let me off with a fine when... when I... I killed you." The brunette's voice choked and her welling eyes spilt over. Suddenly, she felt dizzy, flashbacks appearing from that night. The car that hit the side of hers, the sirens, waking up, the funeral... her skin paled, and Amber reached her hand out to hold the cool metal ladder for the pool.

Her voice a mere whisper, Amber asked: "What's going on? How are you here?"
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Chris Wheelan
Member Avatar
New Member
"You killed me?" Chris sounded as confused as he felt. Looking at Amber again he noticed how she paled. "You didn't kill me. I... I think I killed myself after you died. If only I had been there, stopped you from driving...."

He took another step forward as he spoke, then another as he tried his best to consider everything she had said. Did she think he had been with her in the car that night? It was the only thing that made sense, if anything about this situation and her words made sense. Maybe she had lost some of her memory. It was about as possible as everything else about this moment, so if any of this was real it could be the case, Chris reasoned, with what little reasoning he had left.

A few more steps and he was within touching distance. "I don't care. I don't care if we are both dead or alive. As long as we are together everything will be fine."
Posted Image
Another shot of whiskey can’t stop looking at the door
Wishing you’d come sweeping in the way you did before
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
amber may lucas
Member Avatar
Junior Member
"I care!" Amber almost shrieked, taking a few steps back. Had she died overnight? Gone to heaven? But then he thought she'd died first, but she wasn't dead... she was there. So was he. "Look... this is all a mirage..." it was all getting to her. Far too much. Amber took a few steps away from the pool.

Sitting on the edge of one of the striped deck chairs around the pool, Amber put her head in her hands. "I... I miss you so much," she whispered, biting her lip hard. "If we hadn't gone to Melanie's... if we hadn't gone, this wouldn't have happened. None of this would have happened."

Shaking her head, Amber picked up her towel. "I should go... yes. That's best... I'll go... go home... and..." It would all be okay. The words didn't leave her mouth. They couldn't leave her mouth.
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Chris Wheelan
Member Avatar
New Member
Chris shirked away at the tone of her voice, but found his balance again the moment he saw her sit down so unsteadily on the deck chair. This was so not her. Amber was always in command, always knew exactly what to do, how to act. Could even dying change her like that? No.

And yet it was her. The woman he now faced was Amber. That was the girl he loved. She had to be?

Chris had no idea what 'Melanie's' was, but he couldn't blame Amber for mixing up a few names. It was altogether too confusing.

"Don't go." His hands dropped down on his side and he looked down. He so wanted to look at her. But if she was scared, confused, how on earth could he add to that confusion by staring at her?

"What is happening to us, Amber? You always knew what to do. Help me figure this out? Please?"

It was what she had always done. Ghost or not, she would be able to do it again. He had to trust her and everything would be fine. Maybe she was just confused, but maybe if he kept her on her feet, put her in charge, she would find herself again.

"I miss you too."
Posted Image
Another shot of whiskey can’t stop looking at the door
Wishing you’d come sweeping in the way you did before
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
amber may lucas
Member Avatar
Junior Member
For three years, she had tried so hard to put on a strong front in public. Amber felt like she had to. Three years worth of hurt was coming out in confusion. Looking at her knees, the brunette let a small smile appear on her face. "I should probably go get some more clothes on," she half laughed, wiping her face with her towel. It was panicky, confused laughter. The kind when anyone would know the laugher wanted to get out of a situation. In this instance, get out of the hotel and go home again. She'd have to get in touch with Arthur.

"I don't know what's happening.. I don't even know who you are... or how you know me... but..." standing up, Amber drew in a deep breath and took a few steps closer. "But I know this can't be real."

Sighing, she reached a hand up and cupped his cheek with her palm. "If you're real... meet me in the bar for lunch at one?"
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Chris Wheelan
Member Avatar
New Member
Chris's brows furrowed, and his fingers clenched his tee, turning it into a sea of wrinkles. He could understand the words he heard, but couldn't quite relate the tone of voice to Amber. Maybe she was right, maybe even if they were some ghosts caught in a strange afterlife it still wasn't real. It was all too confusing.

But when her hand touched his cheek everything stopped being confusing. Everything became real. Her warmth, the smell of her skin, the gentleness of her touch he had always thought she reserved only for him... it was all there. Those sensations ruled out any awareness of how she had said that she didn't know him when she obviously did.

Chris reached for her hand and gently placed his fingers on hers. Any other day he would have asked her if the dress code was formal, informal, casual, or something else. She cared about these things, and she had been the best fashion advisor he ever had.

But not now. Now all that mattered was seeing her again.

"I'll be there."

His hand dropped down again. If she would be there, would not have disappeared after this moment he had missed so much, what could go wrong?
Posted Image
Another shot of whiskey can’t stop looking at the door
Wishing you’d come sweeping in the way you did before
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · The Courtyard · Next Topic »
Add Reply