Ghosts we leave behind

chapter 3; strange events

"I'm shocked to see you," Elijah admitted.

Nora wouldn't have minded if the ground decided to suddenly open up and swallow her. If she had known he'd be here, she might've gone elsewhere. 

"I'm at my grandmother's for a while," Nora explained.

Elijah nodded, "I'm deeply sorry about your grandfather. I know that you two were close."

"Thank you."

"How is she doing?" he asked.

"She's doing okay," Nora lied but she had a feeling he knew her well enough to see through it.

"Hmm," he responded, looking at her intently while she couldn't help but look everywhere except directly at him.

"What's happened here then?" she asked, clearing her throat.

"The police found a woman in the canal," his eyes lingered on her before shifting his attention to the scene in front of them. "But I just arrived."

"Right. Must have slipped in or something," Nora guessed.

"Maybe," he replied. 

"You don't seem convinced," she glanced at him, briefly.

"I don't know," he was thoughtful for a moment. "The climate is a little tense and everyone here is on edge about it."

Nora looked at the barrier to prevent people from falling off the edge. She could see why he doubted it. It could have been intentional but there was no real way of knowing for certain. 

"You don't think it was intentional, do you?"

"I hope not but I'm not sure the alternative makes it any better."

Elijah watched her, remembering the last time he had seen her. He didn't dare dig up the past or ask her any questions that would seem intrusive. He'd dreamt of seeing her again for so long that now she was here, he didn't want to scare her away. Not again.

"So how long are you here for?" he couldn't help but ask.

Nora noticed a few people glance their way and then resume to whisper among themselves.

"I'm not sure," she answered. "A month, I suppose."

"This was nice," Elijah said, sincerely. 

Nora looked at him, questioningly.

"I meant seeing you again," he explained. "You look great."

"Yeah, same here," Nora smiled. "You do, too."

"I should head back," Elijah told her. "Take care of yourself, Nora. It tends to get cold around these parts."

"So I've heard," Nora waved and let her smile drop as she turned away.

A young woman from the group turned to look her way. Nora felt like she was under a microscope near them so she walked the opposite way to look over the water. Pressing her hair over her ears for a fraction of added warmth, she sniffled a little. Her ears throbbed with pain while her nose had lost all sensation.

It certainly wasn't peaceful near the canal. Considering a body had been found just hours ago, Nora tried to remember why she went there in the first place. Looking over her shoulder, she couldn't see Elijah anymore. 

She always assumed he had left Dorset. He had been so determined to leave and it surprised her that he, out of everyone she knew, was the one to stay behind. Nora didn't expect the emotions either and the more she tried to brush it off, the more they bothered her.