Adea
I couldn’t stop myself even if I tried. His back felt like concrete as I face-plated, my arms and legs flew forward as I slammed into him. I wrapped my arms around his front and gripped his chest to keep myself from falling flat on my ass.
“Oof,” I grunted.
The noise came out as pain exploded across my face. Despite how fast I had been going, Shane hadn’t budged an inch. He was still standing tall and was hard as a rock. I didn’t know if I was upset that he didn’t fall or if I was happy that he was able to stop me from crashing along with him.
As my chest squished against the hard lines of his lower back, I realized I could let go now. I released my grip on his shirt, took a step back, and peered around him to see what he was looking at.
How did he come to a complete stop so quickly at the speed that he was going? What was interesting enough to deter him from getting away. My feet were throbbing from running barefoot on hard cement but I couldn’t find it in me to regret it.
A sharp inhale of breath filled my ears as the view in front of us erased any hint of pain from my mind. It was breathtaking and had I been in his shoes I would have stopped in my tracks too.
I was too in awe of the sight in front of me to realize the sharp inhale of breath had come from me. A massive pool of water spilled calmly into a second larger body of water. The water was a clean clear blue.
Although it had been altered and made into two separate pools, this was the same little oasis I looked forward to visiting in the middle of the night. It had been so small back then, now, it was a large body of water. One you’d see in paradise magazines.
How had I not realized where we were going? Maybe it was because I didn’t know our exact location when we darted into the woods. I had been so focused on catching Shane that I hadn’t been paying attention to where the trail was leading to.
There hadn’t always been a trail and I never really kept track of where I was going. In the past, I would just run until I made it back home. The only time I really paid attention was when I was going to school.
The same little lanterns that ran along the trail also surrounded the two pools of water. Not only was the pool clearly visible but the lanterns lit the surrounding area. I drank up the little flowers that floated just above the surface.
Shades of light pink, purple, and yellow decorated the water. It was beautiful, my breath caught as I looked at it. This place had once been where I found solace. Seeing it now like this made me tear up.
So much had happened since I’d last run through these woods. It hadn’t been that long but it felt like an eternity ago. Even though I stood here with the asshole that had caused the headache, I felt a small sense of peace knowing I’d survived and made it out.
I tried to ignore the voice that screamed I’d come back and pointed out the fact that I wasn’t miserable here. Focusing on the pool in front of me, I wasn’t used to seeing it this lit up.
There hadn’t been much light here in the past but look how it had changed. Maybe it wasn’t the only thing that could change. Maybe it wasn’t the only thing that had changed. I definitely had.
When I used to come here, it would always be right before or after the full moon. At times when the light shining down was at its brightest and I could see where I was going. When I could see those who might be hiding in the shadows.
I couldn’t help the snort. Except Shane had hidden well in those shadows. The illusion of being alone and being safe had made me bold. These waters had once been the highlight of my month.
Tonight, there was only a crescent moon in the sky. Once upon a time, it wouldn’t have been enough for me to venture out at night. Yet, everything was lit up beautifully. Standing here now, looking at it, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the work that Shane had done.
My full attention was focused solely on the little paradise in front of me. I didn’t keep an eye on Shane. You know, the predator that I willingly followed into the dark woods? I didn’t notice when he shifted back until he was out of view.
I took a step forward, needing to be near the water. I wasn’t dressed for a swim but that was fine. It was cool out and I could sit by the edge and dip my toes in and my dress was short enough that I could wade in until the water reached my thighs.
I cried out as strong arms lifted me into the air. Shane had set a trap and I’d been caught. Turning my head, I looked from the water to the man behind me. He smiled at me mischievously and I didn’t like the glint in his eye as he took two steps closer to the water.
“You wouldn’t dare,” I breathed.
“Oh, Sweet Adea, I would,” he growled back. “Didn’t I tell you I wanted to take a dip in the pool with you?”
“Usually, a normal person would ask you if you wanted to swim,” I grunted. I was at least three feet off of the ground. I wriggled my body left and right as I struggled to get free.
“Don’t you know by now? Normal is not the word most would use to describe me.”