Misty Falls (24 page)

I was still stuck on the ‘wasn’t alone’ part of what Victor was saying. ‘There’s more who think like him out there?’

‘From what I’ve gleaned from Davis’ rambling answers, there’s a small group of like-minded crusaders against savants.’

‘And one of them might have done this while I was sitting in the library and Davis was at the debate?’

My distress had reached the point where it was broadcasting on all channels citywide.

Hey, bokkie, what’s wrong?
Alex was supposed to be in a contest with my school team; he couldn’t afford to have his concentration broken.

I wanted to say ‘nothing’ but couldn’t.
Victor just filled me in about the anti-savant league and I got a bit upset. Sorry. Go back to what you’re doing.

Victor was eyeing me shrewdly. ‘Misty, I think you need a break from this. I’ll finish here. Why don’t you return to classes?’

‘Sounds good.’ I reached for my maths folder, one of the few things that had stayed on a shelf. Drifts of confetti paper fell out. ‘What?’

Victor took it from me and carefully opened it. Every page that had my handwriting on it had been destroyed. Photocopied sheets had been left untouched.

‘My biology and chemistry coursework!’

He reached the files before I could and took a look inside. ‘They’re the same.’

Distress went off the Richter scale.

That’s settled—I’m leaving this debate and coming to find you!

No! You can’t let the others down. I’ll … I’ll be OK. Victor’s looking after me. Stay, please. I’d feel worse if you came.

Alex agreed, but very reluctantly.

Victor piled the two files together. ‘I’m really sorry, Misty. This is just cruel.’

‘It must’ve taken ages to sort the things out into what was me and what wasn’t.’ I didn’t want to be in this room ever again. The destroyer took a wicked relish in his work. ‘That’s all my coursework for three subjects. He didn’t get geography but only because I had it with me.’

‘I’ll tell your teachers what’s happened.’

‘But the pages can’t be replaced—they were my work, my notes.’

‘I know—I’m sorry. Some things just don’t make sense. There are people who are plain evil.’

My friends were shocked when they heard what had happened. In the vacuum of no sensible reason for the attack, they made up plenty of explanations, none of which were as scary as being the target of unknown savant-haters. My mind whispered that it could even be one of my peer group, someone in my school who thought like the journalist. Horrible though it was, I was beginning to suspect everyone.

But you know when they tell the truth, I told myself, and everyone is really unhappy for you.

Tony, Hafsa, and Annalise, whose subjects overlapped with my choices, immediately promised to photocopy their work. Hafsa stood over the machine in the secretary’s office, feeding in her chemistry notes, while Annalise sorted out her maths and Tony his biology.

‘Weird things are always happening around you,’ Annalise mused, unclipping the ring binder.

‘Never like this, I promise.’ I sat curled up on the visitors’ armchair, knees hugged to my chest.

‘Maybe someone was upset by something you once said,’ suggested Hafsa. ‘You know you can be … um … very direct.’

‘Not that that excuses them,’ Tony added quickly. ‘You’re not to blame.’

‘Of course not. Just a thought.’ Hafsa blushed and busied herself sorting out the subjects into order for me.

It was a thoroughly miserable week. I should have been on cloud nine in the days after discovering my soulfinder but instead I was in the dumps. My parents were muttering about bringing me home and only let me stay when I pleaded I wanted to stick it out in Cambridge. Alex was there; where else would I go? The only bright spells were the times spent alone with him, but even these carried with them the reminder that I couldn’t be with him for the exciting final rounds of the contest. That small matter was assuming elephantine proportions for me because I was so upset about everything else.

On Tuesday night, his team had a free evening. Tarryn had the idea to take them to the leisure centre climbing wall as all the guys enjoyed the sport. Alex insisted I came too as there was no debate for me to derail and he could risk being seen with me in public. Even when not with me, he was making sure I wasn’t left alone.

‘I hate heights,’ I warned as we walked across the grassy expanse of Parker’s Piece to the modern sports complex. ‘I’m just going to watch.’

‘We’ll see.’ Alex gave me one of his heart-melting smiles. Oh lord, I could feel my resistance crumbling. I would do anything to impress him and I think he knew it.

Climbing harnesses are very unflattering, cradling those bits of you that no one usually straps in once you graduate out of a high chair. Alex seemed to appreciate the effect on me though, if the twinkle in his eye was anything to go by. He managed to kiss me several times during the process of strapping in.

‘OK, guys, as you’re experienced, take the red route,’ said Hamish, our instructor. He had the beanpole stature of the serious mountaineer and had already won the boys’ respect by his description of climbing in Yosemite.

‘You got it.’ Michael was off up the wall, using his long reach to grasp the next red block on the plastic rock face. Ropes hung down from the top like some bizarre maypole. I could not imagine myself going up there. What was the point?

Oh yeah, I wanted to show Alex I’d try to fit in with his life and climbing was one of his favourite hobbies.

‘Misty hasn’t done this before,’ Alex told Hamish before I bolted.

Hamish’s eyes swept my black Lycra-clad form, gauging my abilities. ‘You’re looking a bit pale, lass. You sure you want to do this?’

‘Um … ’

‘What’s the easiest route?’ asked Alex. His attention wasn’t really with me now as he was watching Hugo make a great move to reach the next ledge. My stomach turned over.

‘Yellow. You’ll find it child’s play. Nothing too challenging.’

‘Hmm.’ Words were no longer possible.

Alex put my hand on the first position. ‘There you go. Take it slowly.’

‘Hey, Alex, what are you doing? We’re getting old up here,’ called Phil. He’d already reached the top and was looking to abseil down when the rock face was clear.

‘Coming.’ Alex boosted my butt in a ‘get going’ gesture and began climbing next to my spot. He was soon several metres over me. I listened as if my life depended on it to Hamish’s patient instruction.

‘The next one’s to your left. No, not the green. You’re doing yellow, remember.’ He didn’t know that half the time I had my eyes shut.

About a third of the way up I made the mistake of looking down.

‘Misty, are you stuck?’ asked Hamish. ‘No need to panic, love, the next handhold is only a little stretch away to your right.’

But my hands would not release their grip. Why was I even doing this? I thought I’d be with Alex but he had zipped up the wall like a gecko and there was absolutely no reason for me to carry on as I certainly wasn’t enjoying myself. I’d go back down—when I remembered how to make my arms and legs obey me.

‘Hey, Alex, your girl’s frozen,’ Hugo called helpfully, monitoring me from the top. ‘C’mon, Misty, you can do it.
After all, you’re my wonderwall
.’

The guys picked up the song. ‘
Today is gonna be the day …
’

The other people in the leisure centre paused to listen as the quartet serenaded me, stuck on my not-so-wonderwall. Now everyone knew I was stranded.

‘Cute—but not helpful!’ I called up, my muscles beginning to shake with fatigue.

‘You’d better go back for her,’ Phil told Alex.

Did Alex huff with impatience? ‘OK, Misty, I’m coming.’

Sorry for stopping you reaching the summit, Edmund Hillary, I thought sourly. I was getting very tired just holding on. Humans aren’t made to stick to rocks; that was the province of insects and reptiles. And lichen. I tried to distract myself by thinking of all the various natural world creatures that would be happy clinging on here. Nowhere on the list was Misty Devon.

A familiar hand appeared beside mine—strong, capable.

‘Problem?’ Alex was grinning at me—that was until he saw my expression. ‘You really are stuck, aren’t you? I kinda thought you were pretending because you just wanted my company.’

‘That would’ve been nice.’ I looked up. No way. I glanced down. Oh crap. I was going to be caught on this climbing wall for the rest of my life and all because I thought I’d impress him and he didn’t even hang around to see.

‘It’s really very simple.’

‘Says the guy with double my reach.’

‘The yellow route is for children.’

‘You’re not making me feel better here.’ If I’d had a free hand I would have hit him.

‘OK, sorry. Look, I’ll help you find the next handhold.’ He scanned the wall around me, then swung round so he was blanketing me, his arms either side of mine. He put his lips near my ear and began to sing just for me alone. ‘
I don’t believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now
.’

Somehow he had found the one thing that would make me laugh.

He prised my fingers off the yellow lump and rubbed them to release the stiffness. ‘Now put it there.
By now you should’ve somehow realized what you gotta do
.’ He guided it to the next step up. His knee nudged the back of mine. ‘Bend your leg and lift it—yes that’s it. Find the grip with your toes.’

‘
Maybe, you’re gonna be the one that saves me
,’ I sang back.

‘
And after all, you’re my wonderwall
. That’s it: you’re doing it.’

With him beside me, I was able to continue with my snail’s-pace ascent. I had ropes and a harness but it was really his steady encouragement that kept me going.

‘That’s good. See, you’re getting there,
bokkie
.’

We were almost at the top.

‘OK now?’

‘Yes, thanks.’

He leaned closer, on the point of kissing me.

‘Hello? Alex, is that you up there?’ called a voice from below.

Kiss postponed, Alex looked down. ‘Johan! You’re back! Excuse me, Misty.’ Without further ado, he abseiled down, leaving me to my own devices again.

Hugo, Michael and Phil talked me up the last few holds so I reached the platform next to them. I couldn’t stand, only sit with my head on my knees murmuring ‘never again’.

‘Do you want me to show you how to abseil?’ asked Phil, the best of the four at climbing.

I shook my head.

‘I don’t think it’s worth waiting for Alex. He’s talking to that guy, his uncle. Great, isn’t it? I’m so pleased he’s got family now.’ Phil crouched beside me.

I nodded. I shouldn’t feel sore that I’d been abandoned for Johan. I had had plenty of people to help me and Alex probably had no idea how scary I found heights.

‘So you’ll let me demonstrate?’ asked Phil. I think he got how upset I was, unlike my soulfinder. We’d had that sweet moment on the wall and then he’d just abandoned me. ‘There’s no other way down, you know.’

‘And I’d been hoping for wings,’ I said, a little shakily.

‘It’s much easier than climbing up.’

‘Yeah, it’s simple.’ Hugo helped adjust my ropes. ‘Just keep straight or you get off alignment and end up swinging like a pendulum.’

Michael rubbed my neck consolingly. ‘And think: you never have to climb this damn wall again once you get down.’

Now that was a good thought. I stood up, kept my eyes fixed on Phil, who was letting out my rope, and walked slowly down the wall. No showy slide for me.

I got to the ground without mishap. Phil gave me a thumbs-up as Hamish unclipped my gear.

‘Want to try that again?’ he asked.

‘Not in this lifetime,’ I replied earnestly. I looked round, expecting Alex to at least congratulate me for overcoming my fear of heights but he was at the drinks dispenser with Johan, feeding in coins. ‘Thanks, Hamish, but I’m done here.’

The guys zipped down the ropes like Special Forces ending a hostage crisis.

‘Got anything more challenging?’ asked Phil.

I left the other three to their climb as they tried the black route.

‘Hey, Alex,’ I said softly, approaching him and Johan. ‘Hi again, Mr du Plessis.’

‘Misty.’ Johan nodded.

‘So, Misty, you got down OK?’ asked Alex.

He hadn’t even watched.

‘Yes.’

‘Easy, isn’t it?’

I swallowed and looked away. ‘I think I should be getting back to school.’

‘Already?’

‘Homework.’ I hadn’t been intending to do it tonight but it was true that I did have some.

‘Uncle, do you mind if I just walk Misty back?’

Johan smiled apologetically at me. ‘That’s fine but I can’t stay long. My car’s only got an hour left on the meter.’

‘Oh, I see. Misty, maybe Hugo could go with you? Hey, Hugo, come here a moment!’

Holding on to the wall with one hand, Hugo waved that he was on his way.

I didn’t want to be passed round like a parcel. ‘No need. Tony’s got a jujitsu class here this evening. I’ll text him and ask if I can walk back with him. He finishes about now.’ I got out my phone and sent the message.

Alex smiled distractedly. ‘Great. Problem solved. Hugo, request cancelled.’ He brushed a kiss on my cheek, lacking its usual spark.

‘I hope you don’t mind me monopolizing Alex like this,’ said Johan, ‘but I’m only in the country a few more days.’

So was Alex.

‘It’s not every day you discover a nephew.’

Or a soulfinder.

‘Of course, it’s fine. I’ll see Misty later.’ Alex stepped in before I could say something blunt. He had to sense I wasn’t happy but I could tell he thought I was being selfish. Was I? I didn’t know if it was that or even more ugly resentment that I was being edged out. I’d told him I’d put him first in family things but he wasn’t reciprocating, was he?

‘Actually, Alex, I’m busy tonight.’ Washing my hair.

He didn’t sound too bothered. ‘OK. Tomorrow then.’

‘If you can fit me into your busy schedule.’

‘Very funny. See you.’