x

A gust of wind brushed past the two of us hurriedly as I finally came to acknowledge Ruth's presence behind me. It was thus that resulted in a shiver slightly overcoming the warmth of my once rigid shoulders as our eyes met briefly and the whisks of wind tickled the nape of my neck teasingly. I tried to observe under hooded lids as Ruth, who remained unfazed, opted to peer on behind me at Velori and Enzo, which I'm sure she had done moments before I spun around to face her. It was then I noticed her gaze seem to linger; the intensity of said stare appearing to harden as her eyes glossed over.

I waited a few seconds before meekly stepping backward almost twice to look from one side to another; failing to assess any possible familiarity either parties may have with another.

You would think if they did know each other they would at least I don't know, say something?

Though I've yet to understand why, but for some odd reason the way the people of the Cove tended to stare at another, without exchanging any words or form of greeting, seemed to strike me as quite awkward and rather off-putting. I could vaguely tell something was unsaid between the two.

I'm more than aware of the fact I lacked basic knowledge of their typical social interactions, but then again I truly never expected nor wished to wind up here in the first place. It's a constant reminder that I don't belong here and that I truly know nothing about anyone I've met at all. I had so much more to learn yet I'm not even sure I want to.

Did I ever have a choice? How else could I escape.

Where would I go?

Where could I go?

What could I call home?

Can I even go back? Who knows what could happen?

In the meantime, I really do hope their way of greeting one another isn't just staring at each other. There's no way that's anything but uncomfortable. Seriously.

"Your hair looks longer than it was the last time I seen you,'' Ruth verbally noted, hesitant to follow up the short moments of silence that had befallen upon the group of us. It nearly seemed the swirls of life spun back into her eyes when she eased her icy glare off of Velori and back to me once more to search my eyes. There I had seen the woman who had rescued me from the perils of the night to cook me a warm plate of breakfast in the morning. Introduce me to her way of life and what she called home. Where people like her could call home.

Strings of pure regret were sewn into her eyes, yet I knew she wasn't here to make things right.

Crochet bundles of empty answers and heavy consequence. I assume it's likely she'd do anything for me to forgive her. Even if it meant telling a lie to protect a truth tightly threaded within the seams. Fibers of deception illuminating the work of her art to be more; a bundle of possibility. She wouldn't rather tell me what I need to know, instead what she wants me to hear. She believes would satisfy me just for now.

Uncanny.

It reminds me of someone I used to know.

"It is isn't it mama?"

I could almost hear the smile that Enzo was beaming at his mother before I had seen it. Pure innocence and appreciation of the little things in life. A reason to be happy. Enzo peered up at his mother lovingly; indented cheeks surrounded a small, but proud smile.

She didn't spare him a glance, yet almost as if she had just remembered to respond to Ruth's subtle assertion, chose to offer an indifferent, "I must be doing a better job of taking care of myself I guess. It's getting easier and easier, day by day."

I nearly gawked at her as I watched her hug herself, staring on ahead at Ruth.

I returned my attention behind me to witness her reaction, and was surprised to find resentment rooted far behind the irises in her eyes as she leered at the woman over my shoulder. They hardened briefly before I suddenly realized the two actually do know each other.

Maybe their world isn't so big after all.

"How do you two know each other anyways?" I found myself asking out of genuine curiosity.

"We-" could barely escape the opening of her lips before she closed them once more.

"I've never had the chance to know her," Ruth grounded out slight harsher than expected. The way she cut her off might of been careless, but could also come across as calculated. She just shrugged her shoulders, moving to cross them before instead choosing to rub the length of her arms; obviously on edge about something. She shook her head twice before sheepishly glancing at Enzo, who was staring up at his mother.

"Anyways you two should get going. You know the rules, it's almost curfew." She made sure to emphasize the fact that it was the two of them; cocking her head to the side as the words flew out of her mouth.

"Curfew? Mama?" he questioned, apparently beyond confused.

"I'll explain later Zo, Ruth's right we need to get going," she stated as she nestled her hand in the crook of his neck to caress his neck, "but it was nice to meet you, Blythe."

She then dropped her arm to dip and catch his hand.

"It was nice to meet you too," I was barely able to manage as I snapped out what felt like a trance. Attempting to unentangle myself from the web of secrets that lie before me but still seeking to observe it's structure. Finding myself more than drawn to it's nature.

As I was speaking I noticed Ruth come to stand beside me, her arm raising before her hand could wave a goodbye. I found that to be kind of weird for her to wave at the pair, but didn't find more time to put any thought to it as Enzo let go of his mother's hand and sprinted in our direction.

He collided into Ruth's body with a small thud as the two wrapped their arms around each other; she was more than prepared and kneeled down, opening her arms to level their bodies.

I must've missed an episode.

Scratch that a whole season.

If they "didn't" know each other then how did she know Enzo? I didn't know if I should be shocked if I should've already suspected something was up by now.

Once they broke away he then closed the distance between us, barely giving me time to bend down as he gave me a big hug. I gave him a tight squeeze before letting him go to return to his mother. I didn't expect him to give me a hug but was more than happy to return it. I could tell he was a good kid, and that definitely warmed my heart.

"Goodbye Enzo." My smile couldn't contain itself.

"Goodbye Blythe!" He waved, a broad smile on his face that I'm sure didn't go unnoticed or unappreciated by us both.

I watched as they turned around, their hands coming to join as they retreated in the direction of their destination. I was now left standing beside Ruth, who had yet to face me. The two of us just observing as the pair ventured farther and farther down the empty street ahead of us. It was then I remembered it was a street that we were standing in the middle of. The direction of which they were headed seemed to have many more businesses established behind the sidewalk, but the street opened up the further you went. There must be more to see the further you went, probably leading to a hub of some sort. Hopefully neighborhoods with how dark it already was outside. The night hung over the sky akin to a comforter reaching for the floor, a violet prelude to the black that threatened to deepen the sky.

I then found myself wishing to be alone on the balcony once more, the shades in the sky reminding me of the feeling of solitude that accompanied it's peace. I couldn't help but feel as if this was the unfinished canvas of one who belonged to the grasp of deep despair; each stroke of their brush a harsh cry for an escape from reality. Only unfinished as yet to be signed. Several spots also a pentimento, hardly seeming blend with the rest of the sky, adjacent to the placement of the new moon. I thought to the flash mob that broke into fits of passionate dance before they announced it's appearance. It must of held much significance to the troubled artist since it seemed to be redone several times. I believed I shared something in common with this portrait, but couldn't quite point a finger of certainty to what it was. Maybe it wasn't something in common and rather had to do with the state of mind the artist was in themself.

My eyes shut before I could even realize and I took this as a sign to release the a heavy sigh that had built itself inside of me as quietly as possible, yet it was then I felt the gaze of another knowing that unfortunately that Ruth still stood beside me, also overcome with silence. I had yet to figure out just what to say to her. All the questions I could ask and everything there is for me to know. I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to get anything out of her and inwardly knew she wasn't the one who could give me the answers I really was looking for. If not her, who could? Looking back it seems even Jadelle had been selective with what she said since everything aside from the legend could be left to interpretation. Even the legend itself had much that went unsaid that I've yet to put a meaning to.

How could I put my trust in anyone?

"Who is she to you, really? How do you know them?" I asked lowly, taking the time to collect my thoughts before finally acknowledging her attempt at gaining my attention. Instead of returning her gaze I chose to continue staring up at the heavens, not wanting to meet her eyes. Out of the corner of my eyes I could see her shift to one side to another anxiously before facing forward once more. I was hardly able to hear the sound of her intake a heavy breath before it was released.

"She isn't anyone to me but a stranger, someone who comes and goes when they please, insensitive to who or what she leaves behind in her absence," she spoke as she seemed to be recalling something of the past rather somberly, "and the only reason I know Enzo happens to be at the same place you met him."

Once again I was reminded of Dion.

"The coffee shop?" I posed a rhetorical question as I casted a glance to the left of me as a means of distracting myself, now noticing a sign with the words 'closed' hanging on the other side of the entrance. The lights were turned off, the only brightness coming from the back where I assumed the barista was finishing the rest of the tasks she needed to do before completing her shift. I returned my gaze to the sky as Ruth began to speak once more.

"One night I stopped by for a cup before heading home for the night. It was several minutes before they were supposed to close, and as I was leaving I spotted him sitting in a booth in the far corner by the window. Just sitting there; gazing out at the darkness longingly. Waiting. Nothing besides a cup of water in front of him. I came to sit beside him and asked where his mother was. He said he didn't know with unshed tears in his eyes.

I waited with him until the store closed, then we stood outside for several moments. Still no sight of her. I allowed him to come home with me and prepared him dinner as he said he hadn't eaten yet. I told him we were having a sleepover as it was already late and we spent the night in the living room watching movies. The next morning I reported it to the authorities, who would then tell me his mother had been sighted leaving the Cove around the same time I arrived at the shop. She left him behind."

My mouth ran dry as the story came to an end. I was at a loss for words. I didn't expect for her to say that at all, so I was able to understand why she didn't like her. If she didn't already know her, at that point there would be no reason for her to want to. She had already ruined any other impression there was to make of her besides unreliable. She had abandoned her son for the human world, which I'm sure wasn't taken lightly by their kind. Leaving him in general was already enough to be frowned upon itself, therefore I can only imagine what she was thinking when she realized he had no where to go. I

I then felt sorry for Enzo, realizing that even after that day he returned to the cafe and sat in the same exact booth; most likely eating as if it never happened. He still allowed her to leave him there and seemed to believe that she would return.

Faith in something unsure of if it'll even happen. If what someone says is even true.

I found myself looking at Ruth, silently urging for her to continue and wanting her to know that I was listening. That I cared. That I believed her.

"So for the next week and a half I took care of him until she returned. This was to happen over and over several times again, Jadelle and I taking turns watching him whenever she ran off. The last time was over a couple months ago. That's the longest she's gone without disappearing that I'm aware of. I'm not sure even those she loves knows who she is anymore, if they do I'm sure that version of her died a long time ago with her mate. That's what love can do to you. Hurt people, hurt people. Even the ones they love the most can fall victim to their pain. Enzo just so happens to be unlucky enough to be caught in the middle of it all."

As the last sentence escaped her lips she finally met my gaze; fighting the unshed tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. I watched as an inner battle between herself and whatever saddened her neared it's end, her strength reigning victorious as the wetness that formed in her lids returned to nothingness once more.

"You're an amazing person Ruth. Not everyone cares for a stranger the way you do. You didn't have to help Enzo but you did, and still do whenever he needs you. You also helped me in the forest when you didn't have to. Who knows what more you've done for others. We need more people like you. You're nothing but selfless," I said as I spoke straight from the heart, hoping my words could offer her comfort although I'm sure it wouldn't be much.

I wasn't entirely sure if I could trust her, but at least I knew that deep down inside she was a good person. It seems she had a lot more love to give to the world than she allowed others to believe, or maybe you just needed to be close enough to her for you to have the chance to experience it.

"Do you truly believe that?" she asked with a hint of distaste as her eyebrows pinched together. I felt my mouth open in an effort to reassure her but she continued before I could even begin.

"I know I haven't been completely honest with you and for that I'm sorry. There's things I want to tell you, things you deserve to know, but it's not my place to give you that information. If you can't forgive me I understand, but I need you to come back to the house with me. I can't promise to tell you everything right now, and I can't promise you'll find out anything out as soon as you'd like.

What I can promise though, is that I'll tell you what I can as as much of it as I can. It may not be a lot but I want to earn as much of your trust as possible, even if that means not having any at all until you find everything out."

The entire time she spoke we held eye contact, and I found her words to be as genuine as the sincerity in her eyes. She may not have begged for forgiveness, but her eyes told a different story, pleading with me to give her a chance. I couldn't help but to stare back into them with a newfound hope of my own; a restored confidence in myself to face whatever lie in the path ahead of me.

This was my chance.

This time I make the choice.