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Wren
AfterIhadmy breakdown at the grill, I didn’t go home right away. I spent time down at the nature preserve, walking some of the shorter, easier trails. It brought me peace, being surrounded by the trees and plants and dirt. The world felt quiet, as if nothing outside the trails existed. But as the sun started to set, I was forced to leave my forest of solitude and go back home.
As I pulled into the driveway, a pang of disappointment hit when Atlas’s police cruiser wasn’t in the driveway. Perhaps that was for the best, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to see him. I wanted his comfort so badly. I felt incredibly exhausted and as I hopped out of the truck and shuffled to the backyard, I had a hard time keeping my eyes open.
As I approached the guest house, I paused, noticing something taped to the door. It was a small white envelope with my name written on the front in a handwriting I didn’t recognize. Hesitating, I eventually reached for the envelope. I lifted the top flap, which wasn’t even sealed, and pulled out a blank, white card. Inside was one sentence typed out:
I found you, little bird.
The world spun, almost dropping out from under my feet. My blood turned to ice in my veins. I read the words over and over, trying to process them, but I couldn’t. The words could not mean what I thought they meant. It wasn’t possible. It made no sense.
But even as I stood there, frozen to the spot, trying to rationalize it in my mind, I knew. I knew it in my bones, who this note had come from. There was no one, especially here in Cypress Falls, who knew what Cain had called me. No one called me by that nickname but him. And no one could know. I hadn’t even told Atlas.
I glanced around, terrified that Cain would appear from the shadows. I gripped the card in my hands, denting it as I rushed inside the guest house. I clicked on the lights, scanning every inch, every corner. No one was there. Panic threatened to overtake me, bubbling up from my chest, but I couldn’t let that happen. I closed my eyes, trying to think. I had to act. I had to do something quickly.
I got out my old backpack and started to pack. As I flopped the bag onto my bed, it somehow seemed so small. I turned and opened my dresser drawers. How had I collected so many things in such a short amount of time? I couldn’t remember ever having so many things before. I’d never had a real home before. It seemed that when you had a home, you wanted to fill it with things that brought you joy. As these thoughts raced through my mind, coupled with a crippling fear, tears welled. I pulled things at random and stuffed them in the backpack.
If it really was Cain who had left that note, and he somehow survived and was here for me, I couldn’t put Atlas in the middle of it. I couldn’t risk his safety.
I was stuffing a pair of socks into my bag when I heard the door creak open. I froze, every muscle in my body locking up as my head snapped toward the door.
Atlas stepped inside the small space, looking weary. Purple circles shadowed sullen eyes. When his gaze met mine, his lips fell farther into a stark frown. He took in my tears, my frantic expression. And lastly, the bag laying open and half-packed on the bed.
He tensed. I wasn’t sure he was even breathing. “What happened? Is everything okay?”
I sucked in my bottom lip, staring at him as tears fell from my lashes and cascaded down my cheeks. I wanted to run into his arms. I ached for him to hold me and tell me that everything would be okay.
But I couldn’t. I had to force my feet to remain distant. I couldn’t risk it. I couldn’t risk him.
I drew in a hitched breath and shook my head. “No, everything is not okay.”
I turned away from him, back to my dresser, rummaging through it. I tried to think strategically about what I needed, but my mind was a blur and I grabbed things at random and shoved them in my bag. Atlas took a step forward, his arms reaching for me, but I stepped back, shaking my head.
“No, don’t.” I forced the words out through clenched teeth.
He stilled, his eyes widening in shock and concern. “Starlight.”
The sound of that sweet nickname falling from his lips almost undid me. I turned back to the dresser, opening drawers and taking out a handful of clothes.
“Atlas, please, just stop. I—I need some space, okay? I need to get out of here for a few days to clear my head.”
“Tell me what happened,” he pleaded, and I hated myself for the pain in his voice.
I stilled, my fingers gripping the rough canvas of my backpack. “I lost my job today.”
“What?” he said, genuinely shocked. “I’m so sorry, babe. What happened?”
God. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him. I didn’t want to say the things I had to say. They got stuck in my throat, their thorns digging into my flesh until I bled. But they had to come out. My stomach clenched, and I wiped a hand over my face as tears fell of their own volition.
There was also anger simmering in my belly. Anger that this happened. Anger that I had to leave this place I was beginning to love, with the people I cared so much about. I clung to that anger; I let it rise and made it fuel the words I was about to throw at Atlas.
“Your girlfriend—sorry, I mean, ex-girlfriend—got me fired,” I snapped.
I couldn’t meet his gaze, but his mouth dropped open. “Liv? Liv got you fired?” He sounded so confused.
I nodded stiffly. “Yeah. Turns out she doesn’t like me very much, so she’s taken it upon herself to ruin my life.”
He shook his head. “Why would she do that?”
