Her smile sent his heart racing faster. The same smile had his hands and body trembling the day they first laid down together seventy years prior upon a bed of lilies in the woods near his parent’s home. Their bodies became one under the setting sun—igniting every nerve in his eighteen-year-old skin. So intoxicating was the experience that the memory felt as though the event occurred just the day prior.
“We will, my love. Let’s go.”
“Carrie.” Nyrobie approached them. “Once we have quenched our thirst we will need to run swiftly.”
“The bird still guides us—”
“The bird will guide us as we run. The lingering darkness is once again rising. I’m certain an aerial assault of lowly grackles will not occur twice. Something larger may be headed our way.”
“Nyrobie…do you truly feel a member of our own Society would do us harm? An offense of that magnitude is punishable by execution.”
“I feel safe in assuming Jerrek, you and I would be left unscathed should we be encountered…but I do fear for Charlie’s well-being outside the walls of Evrastill.”
“That’s preposterous, Nyrobie. No Society member would harm a human.”
“You heard him yourself, Carrie. They took his eyesight. The man spent seventy years in the darkness. Is that not harm?”
A deep fear brewed as Charlie observed the conversation. Such talk was otherworldly and foreign to a man who’d lived a simple childhood, running barefoot in the mountainous backwoods.
“Girls…you don’t really think whatever is after us is out to get me do you? I mean hell, I been beatin’ at death’s door long enough. I at least want the chance to see this world before I have to exit it. I want the chance to live.”
“You will have that.” Nyrobie’s confident proclamation came with a reassuring hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “We must move quickly. To the water…drink.”
Maneuvering through the thicket, the four made their way to the crystal-clear river. Thousands of stones lined the bank leading into the water stream. Charlie’s fear and anxiety parched his mouth and exacerbated his thirst, prompting him quickly toward the water.
His breath danced in the moonlight as it left his lips in the icy air. The rushing waters were calmest near the bank; the midsection of the river raged violently.
Squatting and cupping his hands, Charlie looked upon water for the first time in ages—clean, clear water. Bringing the refreshing, chilled river water to his mouth, he quenched his thirst.
The river’s roar was nearly deafening—Charlie glanced down the waterway—tall evergreens lined either side of the river. The moon was bright and full and perfectly positioned within the sky above the trees and mountain tops in the distance. The beautifully crafted scene had him spellbound, and then she was screaming.
His head turned to see Carrie’s eyes engorged with horror—pain in his arm—a flash of something from his peripheral vision—and then his entire being was at the mercy of the frigid river as he was knocked in and dragged under.
Kicking and punching blindly at an unseen source of confinement, his head arose above the raging waters to look upon his disappearing party—swallowed up in the darkness as he was carried away—swallowed up in the river. The last glance captured was of what appeared to be his immortal friends ambushed by wolves.
With each attempt at breath he felt himself choking—struggling to stay afloat in the chilling waters, as if a million tiny daggers were piercing him. From the left, a mouth of off-white teeth emerged from the water within inches from his face. Charlie had never actually seen a live wolf, but this drenched creature certainly resembled what he remembered them to be.
It aggressively pursued him in the rapids, its paws working vigorously to reach Charlie. Not drowning being the top priority, Charlie paid little attention to the animal as it moved closer.
Just as the wolf was upon him and the water’s rage had reached a climax, Charlie realized the river was coming to an end…a drop. Unable to process exactly what was happening, Charlie found himself falling with the water—a monstrous waterfall. There was no time to be terrified—no time to react. His arms flailed and his legs kicked as he met the water below—
Warm and inviting, the summer sun kissed the distant tree tops—the evening hours were fast upon him. A soft breeze brought with it the smell of rain from the south.
Hopping the waist high stone wall, he ran briskly through the thick weeds and into the tall pines. Making his way to the soft-flowing river, he meandered near the water’s edge. Her face was heavy on his thoughts—he rocked backward on his heels—hands in his trouser pockets as he glanced skyward.
“Charlie…”
Gowned in white, her glowingly beautiful complexion and disarming eyes had his attention captured entirely.
“You…you came.”
“Of course. My word is my honor.”
“You said you might be being watched. I don’t want nothing bad to happen to you because of me.”
Her soft smile twisted his thoughts to a state of discombobulation. “What bad could stem from this, Charlie? I know only of love…you are the one. There is no way around it…what must be must be.”
“I do love…I love you, Carrie. There’s just so much that don’t make sense to me.”
Her finger traced gently along his jawline—her eyes lured him into her kiss—soft lips, laced with honey.
“You’re hurt, my love.”
The nostalgia was rapidly replaced with the nauseating memory of the previous night. “Yea. I’m fine.”
“Your father.”
Her hand slipped between his shirtless back and the suspender holding his trousers—softly circling the bruising with her index finger.
“He…I guess he was convinced I took to his whiskey. The last thing I want is that nasty shit.”
Her eyes displayed a certain sadness—a misunderstanding floated in them. “My father loves me, Charlie. He loves me dearly. Above all else, he and my mother wish for my eternal happiness. There must be a way.”
“I don’t…that’s what I mean, it don’t make sense when you say that. What can I do? What do you need me to do?”
“Your kind…the ones among us…were rescued from the tunnels…come away with me, my love. Let us say I pulled you from your doom.”
The idea of escaping his parent’s decrepit shack with her was more than tempting. Excitement mounted as he smiled—nodding his head. “But we can’t…we can’t be together there…can we? I can’t be with you like I am now?”
“Perhaps with time, Charlie, and time is of an abundance in Evrastill. Until then I will come to you when eyes are turned. Come with me, Charlie. Find sanctuary from this world of cruel things.”
There was no need to attempt to convince him, he was convinced. “When?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“Yes…yes I will. I swear to god I will.” Taking her in his arms, he lifted her to him. “You smell like…like vanilla and roses or some other type of flowers.”
She chuckled slightly as he sat her down. “And you smell like a boy who’s been working about the mountainside all day.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Come with me.”
Taking her hand, he was led to the calm water. He watched intently as her foot skimmed the flowing river. He nearly lost his breath as her gown fell from her silky shoulders and to the river stones on the bank—revealing her completely. He’d never seen a naked woman before—and what she possessed was much more luxurious than anything he had imagined. Nights alone he envisioned her without clothing, but his imagination could not compare to the beauty before him.
His heartbeat pounded in his eardrums as she stepped closer, gently sliding each suspender from either shoulder. Charlie instantly grabbed the waist of his trousers to secure them from falling to the ground below—his gaze remained affixed to her chest.
Taking a hand from his waistline, she placed it on her right breast. His head pounded from within his skull as she e
ncouraged his exploration. His shaking fingers gently traced the outer edged of her areola.
She reached for his remaining hand, his grasp remained firm on the waistline of his pants. His uncontrollable excitement, which was apparent under the thin material of his trousers, had him hesitant to remove his clothing.
“Please…Charlie…wash the day away with me.”
Every hair on his arms stood to attention as her hands reached around him, tracing the small of his back—dancing along his spine.
“O…okay.” Slowly, he released his grasp on his pants; his free hand moved for her other breast.
Her fingers outlined the V of his torso prior to disappearing under his waistline—gently pulling his trousers downward. They slid to the ground without additional effort. He looked down to his own body—his reaction to her and the situation blatantly on display—and then he looked to her. Her gaze curiously danced over him as she smiled intently.
“S…sorry.”
“Whatever for?” She stepped closer.
“Um…I um…”
“To the water, Charlie.”
Charlie remained silent as they entered the river, stopping as the water came to her knees.
She turned to him. Soft as silk, he felt her hand between his legs. He nervously glanced downward to see her taking his excitement within her grasp.
The warmth extended from her grasp—an overwhelming euphoria reached into his core—leaving him nearly incapable of inhaling completely.
The sensation was like nothing he’d ever experienced before—the dizzying intoxication made it difficult to keep his eyes pried and focused.
He felt her lips on his just as every nerve within him came alive with pleasure. So powerful was the climax that he shook—reaching for her shoulder to remain standing upright as his knees nearly buckled.
Seconds later, after regaining his composure, he opened his eyes to find her smiling. To his surprise—the warmth remained within his core—there was no feeling of guilt or embarrassment which typically arose in the moments after pleasuring himself within his tiny bedroom of his parent’s home.
No words were spoken initially. She kneeled into the water, standing on her knees, she washed the water over her arms. Charlie watched her methodical movement, and then he sat down in the river beside her, washing under his armpits and splashing water in his face.
“Charlie…I will sleep soundly once you are safe behind the walls of my home, and away from the horrors of this land. I do fear, however that I will sleep in solitude until the strength of our love can shift the ideas of those leading my people.”
“Huh?”
“It will take time, but with patience and endurance, our love will be eternal.”
“But…if you really won’t get no older…and I will…isn’t that something you been thinking about? I have been.”
She laughed. “Charlie…there is much I cannot tell you now. Please know that when you come with me…age, death, and the illnesses of your people will no longer be of concern to you.”
Processing her comment—as well as what happened moments prior—he shook his head in confusion. “I don’t understand. I’ll go anywhere with you; I just don’t understand—”
“You will. With time you will come to know everything. Let us be happy in knowing your safety and preservation will be secured…all else will occur with time.”
“Okay…I guess.”
“Charlie…let our bodies become one. I’m unsure of when the opportunity to be as we are now will come again…let us become one.”
“You mean like…barneymugging?”
“What?”
“Like…sex?”
Giggling as she continued washing. She took his hand. “Why must such things have names? Are they not present within feeling?”
“You…you don’t wanna wait until we’re married? Don’t your people think that’s sinful?”
“Unification solidifies a bond…a bond two lovers hold…a bond that cannot be broken. It is our way of telling the Society that the bond is capable of withstanding eternity. Sharing bodies prior to unification is not undesirable in the eyes of my people…as long the bond exists.”
“Yes, of course I want to share with you.”
She moved behind him through the water. Her hands brought cool water to his aching back, she kissed the areas his father had pummeled the night before.
Her supple breast pressed to his shoulder blade worked to resurrect the exhilaration within him.
“Follow me.”
She stood from the water and he watched her walk toward the bank. He remained seated momentarily, viewing her slender figure and toned buttocks from behind.
She made her way to a bed of lilies just past the first large trees. He followed her, watching intently as she laid down among the flowers—motioning him to join her.
Laying gently atop her, unsure exactly of what to do next, he worked to place himself within her and finally managed with her assistance.
“I’ve never…”
“Neither have I, Charlie…let us be one.” Her gaze fell heavy on his as a collision of euphoria and enlightenment overtook him. It was more than simply seeing the world through her eyes—it was as if they were one being. The lilies around them were no longer simply flowers—the rich scent they exuded washed over him. The instinct to swat the insects dancing about the atmosphere was replaced with a longing to protect them—to reach for them.
Every smell carried on the air was easily identifiable. Every sound the neighboring river made was present. The sun’s warmth on his nude back and rear was the perfect temperature. The light of the world had never been more beautiful. Hyper-sensation to all his surroundings had his eyes widening—pooling with tears. “Carr…Carrie…it’s beautiful.”
“As are you, Charlie…as are we.”
Turning his attention from the distractions of the world around him, he focused once more on her face—beautifully framed within the flowers. Gently pressing himself into her, he embraced the overbearing pleasure the action produced. She was entirely correct—there were no names for this—no words could accurately describe the experience.
Pressing his lips to hers from above—the taste of warm honey filled his mouth. Every detail of the encounter was completely comforting.
The idea of withdrawing and separating had him slowing his pace…he wanted the experience to last as long as possible.
Minutes later there was no point in fighting it. Their mutual climax was blatantly imminent—still within her, her sensations were his as well. Biting her bottom lip as she inhaled through her nostrils, the couple succumbed to the breathtaking result of their actions.
He didn’t move—breathing heavily he remained flat atop her, her hands resting on his back as they recovered.
“I must leave you now, my love.”
“No…I want to come with you tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“Please…” He rose to gaze down upon her. “Don’t leave me here. I can’t be here after you just took me there. I’ll wait as long as I have to, to be with you, but I got to know I can see you every day.”
“Charlie…there is worry in your eyes. Let it leave you. We may leave now.”
“Right now?”
“Yes. If we are to travel at your pace it will take us much longer to reach Evrastill.”
“O…okay. I gotta…I’ll be right back. You wait right here…okay?”
“Of course.”
Jumping from the lilies, he ran from the trees and to the direction of his parent’s home and the toolshed behind it. Only when he felt the sun’s light on areas it rarely lit did he remember his nudity. “Shit!” Running back to retrieve his trousers, he saw her in the lilies.
Once dressed, he sprinted toward the toolshed, leaping over the stonewall as dusk settled on the scene. Flinging the door open, he reached for his worn leather shoes on the floor near the shelving—he preferred to be barefoot but envisioned rugged terrain on their journey. He
then opened a small wooden box on the second shelf. His grandmother’s wedding ring—she’d given it to him when he was eight so that he might give it to his bride. Sliding the ring in his pocket, he turned to leave.
“An unexpected journey?” In the doorway, stepping into the shadows, was an oddly dressed man—he donned a dark robe.
“Oh! Hello…you scared me.”
“You’re frightened, Charlie?”
“Startled…who…who are you?”
He appeared Charlie’s age, around eighteen, but his mannerisms and body language were atypical.
“Charlie…you have seen much today, have you not?”
“I don’t know who you are.”
“Indeed. I need you to close your eyes…tightly…and step to me.”
“Huh? I need to leave. It’s about to get dark—”
“It certainly is.”
Nothing worked. His arms wouldn’t lift, his feet remained affixed in place. He stared helplessly—completely paralyzed as the man stepped closer.
“Charlie…you are scared…I feel your fear.” His eyes—wide and piercing—examined Charlie’s face. “Fear not, Charlie, even in darkness there is beauty.” Raising his hands to Charlie’s face, the man placed his thumbs over Charlie’s eyes…the world faded to black.
Chapter 6
“They’re relentless!”
Carrie’s back pressed to Nyrobie’s as they worked tirelessly to fend themselves from the wolves. “They’re unreachable, Carrie…the darkness guides them. We have no choice.”
“Nyrobie no!”
“Carrie…they will kill us…it is their desire.”
Carrie’s foot met the mouth of one of the attacking wolves, sending the animal soaring to the rushing waters of the river.
“This is unconscionable, Nyrobie.”
“We must!” Nyrobie leapt through the air and over several of their attackers. Reaching for several river stones, she began hurling them in the direction of the wolves. The stones left her hand and flew through the air at speeds that left them invisible. They accurately met their mark with brutal force—mortally wounding each animal they struck—tearing through them and sending blood and fur across the rocks and grass. The yelps of Nyrobie’s victims filled the night.
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