Awakening the Wild

L

oming and I didn't k

moment I was old enough to remember, it fel

were always at odds, fighting loud enough to rattle the walls. But long silences

stories, pretending to be anywhere else. Despite the mes

I was someone who believed in holding out for the right per

way that fairy tales ar

ything. My life took a whole new turn and s

re me as I walked. I took my time, letting the crunch of gravel underfoot and the crisp air calm my n

k and sat down. The gentle sway of the branches above me made the world fe

nowhere, a

with a strong build. His black wavy hair was tied back with a leath

't even begin

are but I still tried. He set a sleek black briefcase on his lap a

ites on pap

s my eyes flicked back to him. I've

ad. Keep it t

his late 30s. He must've been married. Or engaged. And eve

ay he carried himself; the confidence, the jawline, and those cry

top myself, I wa

ked right at me. I couldn't even turn my hea

stuttered

know

w do I respond? Do

dn't even remember my own name,

writing. I knew it was

nd stop embarr

ut of my mouth without me knowing. His e

setting the paper d

n my mind. Something abo

HA

d to stop; I needed a quiet place to jot down my thoughts be

ed it, my feet carr

se on my lap to start writing, but my f

ng about her...so

ght the sunlight, or her dazzling blue eyes th

.and ch

g my senses. I wasn't sure why it hit me so stron

her. She was soft, with curves that made her

o my mind before I could st

e the hell did

osed to be something one could feel, something that k

ll hallowe

said confu

swered, trying hard not to look

.Ethan." she smile

sn't a compliment, Eliza. You ser

s enough for me to keep sitti

at the Black Cat Hotel. That explai

er before? I'd been in and out of the place enough times o

nted to be with her a little longer but the pack me

t saying a word, I

guess..." her voice follo

round and look at her one last time but I

e seemed human to me. I couldn't sens

rossed my mind: Does she