The Shadow Stalker Around Her

Chapter 12

Skyla

(Past)

I came back to my school and went directly to my granny's bakery.  Parking my bike, I entered the bakery. 

Looking at granny, I smiled and asked, "Granny, I am back. Did you call Mrs. Turner?"

Smiling back, she came back from the counter with a wrapped sandwich in her hand. Giving that to me, she said, "Yes, I did. She will be here- well, they are here." I shifted my gaze toward the door. I saw a woman in her late thirties entered with three children. I gave that sandwich back as I had no time to eat. I intended to fix my life and try to forget my past. My fear. I can't live like that, else I have to book a permanent bed in a mental asylum. 

I heard granny saying to that woman with a big smile on her face, "Hello, Lucy, meet my granddaughter, Skyla."

I also greeted her, "Hello, Mrs. Turner."

Smiling back, she insisted, "You can call me Lucy. Well, these three having trouble with their studies. I need your help, dear."

I said with confidence, "No issues. I will do my best in helping them with their studies. What's your name kids?" I asked the three toddlers. 

The boy said with a shy smile, "I am Jayden." Adorable.

One of the girls said with a sassy look, "I am Daryl." Her brother poked her. 

Aye! she is going to give me a hard time. 

The other girl said with wide eyes, "And It's Gina." So cute.

Smiling warmly, I said, "Skyla. I am your new teacher. I hope you three will have fun learning with me."

Looking at the woman, I said, "Mrs. Turner, I would like to fix the days according to our time if you don't mind. Please have a sit first." 

We five took our seats, and I decided the days I am going to tutor them in our- granny's home. I didn't feel comfortable going to their home. My granny came with cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, croissants, milkshakes, and lots of donuts. Children's faces lit up. We all dug in and started a small chit-chat. 

I think I can do this. They might look like troublemakers, but two of them looked like nerds. They seemed serious about their studies. Granny's sweets would help me for sure. I have to do some experiments on them. I mentally started to plot my plans. 

Truth to tell, everything was running smoothly. They are good kids, and they started performing well in their class. I started to get more students eventually. In the end, I got twelve fifth standard students and some sixth and seventh standard as well. I have been having a great time. Surprisingly, I didn't get any death threats. But I did feel the same watched by someone in a distance. I didn't let my fear win over my resolution. No matter what I refused to give in. I also refused to talk about this with my granny.

The relation between Carl and me remained the same. But I bear with him somehow. If you ask me something about him, you would be disappointed to know my answer. He is my senior and violin teacher, that's it. He loved his privacy. I love my life and dare not to ask anything about him. I have no interest to poke a lion when he is in a calm state. I fear him so damn much, more than my shadow stalker. Days passed, and a new week comes. Weeks turn to month. This way my competition approached, and we both were in full swing with the violin. He started giving me extra classes. 

One day, Carl put a stack of paper in front of me and said, "Skyla. Fill this form up carefully. It's a free entry. From today onward, we are going to have special classes. You have to win this competition no matter what. I never lose, and I hope you won't let me down, Skyla." He gave an intense gaze. I tried my best not to break eye contact with him. I vowed not to let myself down anymore. 

I said with determination, "I won't let you down, Carl. I need to give my best in this event." I filled out the form. 

Taking those, he said, "I will submit this for you. Now let's start with the lesson."

I again resuming our session. I was playing with great concentration when I felt him putting his arms over my arms from the back. My back touches his chest. I took a sharp breath no to tremble in his hold. I was about to stop playing when I heard him saying, "Don't stop. Keep playing, Skyla." I began playing like that. 

Bringing his mouth near my ear, he whispered, "You are doing well. Did you ever try to play with closed eyes? You know when we play with our hearts, the true emotions come out through our notes. You are playing in front of me. When you see a lot of people sitting in front of you, you might get nervous. Do you want the solution?" I nodded while my hands were busy playing the violin. 

Coming in front of me, he made me stop playing. He said with a serious face, "Close your eyes and play through your heart. The tune will sound more beautiful than usual. Give your everything in your play, Skyla. Don't act like you are on a mission to accomplish. Show how much you love to play the violin and how passionate you are with music." I was lost in his eyes and mouth. His eyes were glinting when he was talking about music with so much emotion. It was inspiring to hear those things from him. He loves music a lot. Sometimes I ask him to play something which he has never denied. He lives for music.

Gripping my shoulders, squeezing lightly, he said, "Do it, Skyla."

And I started. Closing my eyes, I began to play through my heart. It sounds amazing. It feels mind-blowing. I was surprised by myself when I didn't make any mistakes while playing. I smiled a little. I could feel his eyes were on me. But I didn't quiver for a bit. It felt like I was floating in the air of music. I felt alive.

When I stopped, I heard him asked, "Did you feel your music, Skyla?"

Opening my eyes, I saw his face was too close to mine. Smiling, I said truthfully, "Yes, It's magical, Carl. I can feel myself while playing each note."

"I know. I am sure you will do great in the competition." He surprised me when he told me that. I observed his face tried to find if he was confident about me or not. But seeing him serious, I knew he believes in me.

I asked, "You will be there, right?" The first person I wanted to see at that moment was him beside my granny. He needed to be there as he was my confidence booster. 

He said in a low tone, which I might clearly miss if I wasn't cautious all the time. "Yes. I won't miss it." 

He took his violin from my hand and put that on the table. 

Pulling me toward him by holding my waist, which became his way of handling me. If I struggle, he might do worse to me. Bringing his face near to me, he said with a dark look, "Don't show your fear and nervousness to the world, Skyla. You can show this to me, but not the others. People love to see the weakness of others and- " He stopped and was staring at my eyes. I nodded unconsciously.  He continued, " -and they use it for their own benefits." 

Running his forefinger on my face, he said, "I hope you get my point."

"Yes, I understand." That's what I said to him before leaving that room.