RYLIE
"Or should we take a walk?" I suggested, already moving to stand up.
"I like the idea of a walk." Silas agreed, standing up before I could. "Come," he stretched a hand to me, which I grabbed immediately and he helped me to my feet.
Casually, he linked his fingers with mine, pulling me in one direction. His large palm swallowed my small hand and it felt natural, my hand sitting in his as we walked along.
Firefly lanterns lit the way, casting a warm flickering glow. The moon peeked from behind fluffy clouds, playing hide and seek. It was late, and only a few people were about at this time; the trees looked magical at night, like a scene from a fairytale. The several bridges looked crisscrossed from my vantage point, and with firefly lanterns, the constant tilling of insects, the taste of freshness in the air, and my hand cradled in his, I felt safe and protected, at peace also, maybe happy even.
The thought of happiness startled me; was it even possible to feel that way again? Another thought crossed my mind: a happy distraction from the thoughts of happiness.
"Do wild animals ever get up here? Has that ever been a problem?" I asked, distracting myself from my other thoughts. The more I thought of my question, the more I thought it should be a problem; we were in a forest, after all, it only made sense that there were wild animals.
Silas turned to me with a disbelieving look, before he laughed, a deep, resonant sound.
"Mother nature is the goddess of nature," He said, squeezing my hand gently and his lips still curved from his previous laughter. "It only makes sense that she can keep us safe from nature itself."
"Well, I didn't know that," I admitted glumly.
"I got my powers on the first solstice after my arrival," He began, changing the topic and swinging my hand as we walked. "I had arrived weeks after their last one, you're lucky to witness and be involved in one not too long after your arrival. It is a really big deal around here, and after you experience one, you will understand why. There's a lot of celebration and dancing, the rituals are beautiful, and people get blessed with abilities, and it's really really nice. Watch yourself!" He exclaimed, quickly pulling me to himself as I startled some birds on a branch and they flew in a frenzy all around me.
I landed with an oof against his solid shirt-clad chest. With my head against him, I inhaled his pleasant smell deeply, lingering for a moment longer than necessary before I steadied myself and moved away from him.
"I'm sorry about that." I chuckled nervously, tucking tendrils of my hair behind my ear.
On the bridge beside that tree, a bird lay on one of the wooden seams, unable to fly up for some reason. It jumped up and up repeatedly, its wings refusing to support the weight of that little body. Kneeling, I tried to help the little animal.
"Hey there, little fella," I murmured as I captured the protesting bird, "shall I help you up?"
Silas watched quietly as I stood from the floor.
"Aww it is an owl," I said to him, looking closer at the bird. It was an owl, and the animal, now much calmer, rotated its neck back and forth as it continued to peer at me with little eyes.
"There are only a few of them around here." Silas offered quietly, unwilling to scare the bird. "They're elusive creatures, these ones."
"I'll just put him back." I sighed, gently placing it on the branch, it hopped around for a minute, then disappeared into a hole I realized was on the trunk of the tree. "Bye-bye." I waved, though I doubted that the bird could either hear or understand me.
"You're weird." Silas declared, once again linking his fingers with mine.
"Says the man living up in the trees." I giggled, unable to help it. He sent me an unamused look. "How does the goddess appear?"
"About midway through the night, she arrives, taking the form of an animal and just….." His voice leaked excitement, and he gestured with both our hands, trying to explain the magic only he could see right now. "It is everything, Ry, and it is best if you witness it yourself."
My insides warmed up at the endearing term he had used, and I felt myself become slightly more invested in this man and my feelings regarding him.
"I can not wait to witness it myself," I said, and I genuinely could not.
A slight cold breeze sang through the trees, and I shivered in my inappropriate outfit of shorts, a shirt, and furry black boots. Regardless of their ridiculous kidnapping habits and their obsession with the color green, these people made badass shoes.
It was summer but it did get a little chilly at night. Silas immediately cued in on my slight discomfort. "You should have worn something a little thinner," he teased, eyeing my sparse outfit. "Let's head back then, I shouldn't keep you out for too long."
Suddenly, I felt tired. "Yeah, let's do that," I said with a yawn. "I am starting to feel sleepy."
"Whatever you say." He chuckled, leading us back to my cottage, and we got to my door minutes later.
"Goodnight Silas," I uttered, though he made no move to let go of my hand that was held in his.
"Goodnight Rylie." He replied, still not letting of my hand.
"You know I have to go in with this right?" I said softly, raising both our intertwined hands.
His face beamed in a beautiful smile, lights dancing around in his green gaze. "Goodnight Ry." He said again dropping a featherlight kiss on my hand before letting go. "I'll see you tomorrow." And with that, he turned and walked away.
I watched his retreating form for a while before I unlocked my door, and went in. 'goodnight, Silas.' I mumbled to myself, resting on my closed door.
I wondered where this would lead, if only I could forward time to when they finally discovered they were wrong, and I could take Mom, Gab, and Nina away from Dad already. I missed my family and I could not wait until we were all reunited again.
Finally, I took a deep breath, going into my former prison. Another day down.