Perfect Match

It was autumn in the town of H…It was a little, coastal place in the country of A… with a few houses and some typical places to visit. Most of the town villagers lived thanks to the sea and to the few tourists who visited the town, looking for a bit of quietness in their stressful lives.

Samantha was looking at the sea; trying to fight the cold she was feeling, wrapped up into her cardigan. The wind blew stronger and tangled up Samantha’s dark hair; a tear run down her cheek when the memories crossed her mind once again. She’d decided to travel to H… trying to forget her relationship with her former boyfriend, James. After two years together, he’d decided to break off so sharply three weeks ago. He went out of the flat which they’d shared together, slamming the door. The sound of the door hitting the jamb was still resounded into her head.
A wave broke near the place Samantha was looking at and the coldness turned unbearable. She decided to return to the inn. The inn where Samantha was stayed was out of the town centre, a wood separated this inn from the rest of the town. There was a beautiful viewing point, and so many visitors decided to stay at it but at nightfall, the wood could be dangerous if you weren’t from the town.
The sun was setting a few minutes ago and the dark began to plunge the town into semi-darkness. When Samantha finally reached the wood, she wasn’t able to see very well beyond a span. The wind began to blow once again and a shiver ran through her back. Samantha quickened her pace, looking behind her sometimes when she heard a crack near her. Frightened, she began to run in the way to the inn with her heart bumping into her chest. Something was following her. She was running faster and faster trying to escape when she tripped with a root which stuck out of the ground. She screamed in horror while she was falling but…her body didn’t touch the ground.
Two arms were holding her strongly and lifted her carefully. When her feet finally touched the ground she turned round and looked at the arms owner.
-Are you okay?- said the stranger, with a smile on his face.
-Yes, I am- said Samantha, so baffled.
The stranger was a man. He was young, about thirty years old, his figure was stylized because he was very tall, six feet and 5 inches more or less, his pale face was similar to a roman sculpture, his hair was light brown and his eyes were strangely dark, in contrast to the colour of his hair and skin. He was wearing a smart black suit, white shirt and a black tie. He was very handsome and his smile made Samantha blush.
He stretched out a hand to Samantha and asked her for her name. Samantha, resting her hand into the stranger’s hand answered his question and asked him for his name:
-My name is John Grey; please, call me Jack- he said, smiling again.
-I’ll do it…Jack- said Samantha, smiling at him while she was winding a lock of her black hair around a finger with her blue eyes sparkling and with her heart dancing into her chest.
-You’re not from here, are you?- said Jack
-No- said Samantha- I’m a tourist. I’m stayed at “The Three Trefoils”, the inn that is on the other side of the wood.
Jack nodded his head.
-I know the place. I was born here and it’s known that when the night falls down you mustn’t go in this wood alone, without a light.
-Oh, I know- said Samantha, so embarrassed- but…let me explain…I…
Jack began to laugh and Samantha blushed again, she felt more embarrassed than ever.
-Okay, okay, that’s fine!; it was only a joke. Well, a scolding, but only a joking one -he said, laughing a bit.
Samantha looked at him reproach fully but she finally began to laugh too.  
Jack offered to escort Samantha to the inn. During the way, they didn’t stop talking and talking and when Samantha finally arrived to the inn, Jack asked her for a date the next day. She accepted delighted and arranged to meet him at the inn at ten o’clock in the evening. They said goodbye and wished each other a good night.

The next day Jack arrived to pick up Samantha very punctually and took her to see all the beautiful unknown places in the town. The hours flew by and they felt so good together. Samantha felt that she was in love with Jack; she wasn’t able to stop looking at him; he was so handsome and so charming; she thought that she could spend an entire week only listening to him.
At midnight, Jack took Samantha to a very hidden and wonderful place. There was a little garden, with a view to the sea and a little kiosk in the middle of it. They sat at the rocking chair that was inside of the kiosk and looked at the moon and the stars.
The wind began to blow and Jack hugged Samantha to warm her up. Then, they noticed the nearness of their bodies and looked at each other. Jack caressed Samantha’s cheek softly and looking at her eyes, he said:
-Samantha, these hours at your side have been the happiest hours in my whole life. You’re so marvellous! You’re funny, clever, sweet and…so beautiful. I adore your big blue eyes, bluer than sky, your black hair, so smooth and your whole body, so perfect, with your wonderful figure and your delicious face. I love you, Samantha. Please, say if you love me too.
Samantha felt that all was spinning and felt how Jack hugged her strongly. She murmured:
-Yes, I love you too, Jack
And felt how Jack rested his lips onto hers and kissed her with an intense kiss. They kissed once, twice…so many times and they fell together, hugging each other and whole world vanished around them.

Next morning, Samantha was alone in the kiosk; she was still naked and with the feeling of Jack’s body into hers. She looked around her but she couldn’t find Jack anywhere. She dressed up and returned to the town core, searching Jack in each corner. Desperately, she began to ask for him to the villagers and nobody was able to help her. Finally, Samantha went to the seafront and began to cry on one of the benches that were there.
-Why are you crying, little one?- said a harsh voice.
Samantha looked at the place where the voice came from and saw an old woman dressed with a traditional costume; she was smiling at her.
-I’m looking for a man. He was with me last night but now I can’t find him.
-How is he?- asked the old woman.
Samantha described Jack to her.
When Samantha finished the description, the old woman looked at her with fear and she crossed herself.
-What are you talking about, little girl! It can’t be possible!- the old woman said.
- But…- Samantha began to say.
-The man you talk about isn’t part of this world now any more.
-What does it mean?- said Samantha
-It means that he’s dead, my little one-said the old woman.
-But!...What are you talking about!- said Samantha, yelling furiously at the old woman,  standing up suddenly.
-His name was John Grey, my little one, isn’t it?- said the old woman looking at Samantha who’s face was pale as wax- Yes, that’s him very handsome, young, rich man who was born in this town. He died when he was thirty years old, due to some strange fevers. He was single and he had no children. His biggest dream was to fall in love with a good girl, to marry her and to have many children; but his dream never came true.
-It’s impossible!, It’s impossible!- cried Samantha with her heart broken- He can’t be dead!, He’s the love of my live!.
The old woman looked at her with a horror expression on her face.
-You!- scream the old woman, holding Samantha’s arm fiercely- you’ll never say this!, Listen to me! Never! Or it will be your ruin!. Go out of this town immediately! Immediately!
Samantha who was still crying released her arm of the squeeze of the old woman and run to the inn as fast as she could. When she arrived, she fell onto her bed and cried until she lost her consciousness.

When Samantha woke up the night had fallen to the town a few hours before. She stayed in bed, looking through the window. The night was especially dark, as dark as the eyes of the man she loved, Jack. She remembered him and immediately remembered the old woman’s words.
The wind blew out and Samantha felt cold though the window was closed.  She decided to switch on the lights but they didn’t work. In this moment, Samantha noticed something strange, the same feeling she’d noticed in the wood the first time she met Jack. Samantha opened a wardrobe and lit a candle; she was sweating, with her whole body stiffened. Slowly Samantha turned round and…
There was nothing.

The candle went out.

-Hello, Samantha, my love. I’m coming for you.

THE END