Page 38 of Into The Darkness

“The saying your mom used to say to comfort you?” His voice was laced with a mixture of curiosity and compassion.

“Into the darkness I go, and into the light I’ll be,”I recited.

He chuckled just as we peeked out from the trees and were standing on a massive boulder deep in the ground.

“Kind of like you, Ember. You are a symphony, blending both darkness and light.” It was an astute observation of the ongoing metamorphosis I was experiencing, a harmonious interplay of conflicting elements. Perhaps this was the essence of what my mother had always hinted at—the fusion of both light and darkness.

Lifting my gaze, I realized we had ascended to a rugged rocky perch, overlooking the sprawling expanse of the forest below. Veils of mist wafted above, shrouding the forest clearing in an otherworldly atmosphere. From this vantage point, it felt as though we stood at the apex of the world, a secluded haven cocooned by the embrace of the natural world.

With a casual flick of his hand, Ash discarded his backpack and laid out a blanket on the uneven surface. Swiftly, he produced an assortment of containers, unveiling an array of delectable treats—an assortment of cheeses, savory cured meats, delicate chocolates, and more.

“Ash Ortiz!” My astonishment palpable in my tone as my jaw dropped to the forest floor. The realization dawned that he had orchestrated this outing from the beginning.

“You planned this all along?” I queried, a mixture of incredulity and amusement in my voice.

He responded with a shrug and a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Yeah, I was hoping you’d come willingly.”

Laughter reverberated through the forest, a shared moment of levity that seemed to echo amid the rustling leaves and distant bird calls. Above us, a flock of birds took flight, their presence a fleeting contrast against the backdrop of the towering trees.

“Is this a . . . date?” I asked, walking over to him as he opened the other containers, including a flask.

His response was swift and casual. “Nah.”

Perplexed yet intrigued, I pressed further. “Then what exactly is it?”

With a playful glint dancing in his eyes, he answered, “Just a couple of classmates who have a knack for crossing paths taking a moment to delve a bit deeper into each other’s worlds.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at his nonchalant reply, though his underlying sentiment didn’t escape me. Casting a sidelong glance at his chosen spot, I found myself drawn to the inviting setup he had meticulously arranged, trying to figure out where exactly I should sit.

As if he could read my thoughts, he opened his legs and patted to the space between his thighs.

“Sit, mi sol.” Hesitantly, I sat between his legs, leaning my knees to the side because I realized wearing a dress wasn’t the best outfit for this.

“Why do you call me that?” I asked as he plucked a few things from the containers. Following, I grabbed a few olives, thankful that he was eating. Walsh always told me that when he went on dates, the girls he went out with never ate a full meal, and that girls should wait to eat to appear delicate.

I practically threw up in my mouth when he said that to me and vowed that when and if I were ever to go on a date, I wouldn’t be the type of person not to eat. We had burgers and milkshakes last week, but that didn’t count.

“A question I cannot answer yet,” he replied, a playful glint in his eyes and a subtle, teasing smile playing on his lips.

“Oh, we are back to being ambiguous?” I mocked.

“I told you, Ember, in due time you will have the answers to your questions, but there are a lot of them that I cannot answer for you right now.” I looked back and could tell he didn’t love where this conversation was headed. “I promise I am doing it for you.”

I had no option but to buy into his words. Strangely, it seemed like a crossroad lay ahead. I could either challenge his assertion and potentially tarnish what might be my first authentic experience of a proper date, or I could choose the simpler course and place my trust in him. His actions until now had been a testament to his intentions, a clear indication I held significance in his world.

So I eased back against him, allowing myself to be enveloped in the cocoon of his embrace. It was a sensation that defied explanation, almost cosmic in its resonance, a deep-seated belief he was safe.

“So, when you graduate, you plan on going into your dad’s business?” I asked after we sat there silently watching the forest.

His arm gripped my waist. I looked up at him, and his eyes darted away and into the distance.

“I have to, Ember. I really don’t have a choice.” His shoulders slumped as he let out a small, sad sigh.

“Is that what you want, though?”

He shrugged. A quiet moment passed between us, but it wasn’t awkward. “No.”

I wanted to caress his cheek, tell him everything would be okay, but I didn’t because he’d pull away emotionally if I did. Instead, I pressed the conversation.

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