I stepped forward, gently pushing aside a tangle of shrubbery to reveal the trail’s entrance. Turning back to him, I gave him a reassuring smile. “Relax. The beginning might look alittleshady, but it gets better, I promise.”
His cautious gaze lingered on the path, but with a resigned sigh, he ducked beneath the branch I held up. The leaves brushed against the fabric of his pack as he moved, and the muted sunlight filtering through the canopy above cast a soft, intricate web of shadows across the forest floor. The air was thick with the earthy scent of moss and damp soil.
Once he was through, I followed, slipping under and into the cool, emerald stillness of the woods. The towering trees enveloped us, their branches twisting together overhead like a cathedral’s vaulted ceiling. The quiet was profound, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves, as if the forest itself was alive,waiting.
His face was neutral, though his features betrayed a subtle hint of playfulness. He shot me a sideways glance, adjusting the strap of his backpack with casual ease, like it was nothing more than a passing thought. “Honestly,” he said, rolling his neck in a slow, exaggerated motion, “I’m still not convinced you didn’t bring me out here to off me.”
I stared at him in shock as I carefully stepped over a large rock. “You’rethe one who askedmeto come out here,” I replied, widening my eyes for emphasis. “And you’re, like…a giant compared to me!” I gestured to his towering frame, clearly unbothered while I was stumbling on the uneven path.
He leaned in slightly, his posture relaxed but his focus sharp, as if savoring the moment. “Trust me,” he said, and somehow it felt like more than just words. “I’m not foolish enough to underestimate you just because you’re small.”
I bumped him lightly with my shoulder, the nudge throwing him off balance for a moment. “Brainsandcharm. Who knew?” I teased, the banter making me feel unexpectedly at ease.
We pressed on through the dense woods. The atmosphere had an eerie, almost cinematic quality, like we were walking through the set of a slasher film. I had no doubt Zeke felt the creeping tension, even if he didn’t admit it.
“I’m impressed you know where you’re going,” he said, his voice a mix of respect and uncertainty. His eyes flicked around the area, then checked behind him, like he was making sure the trail hadn’t vanished. “You mentioned the path was minimal, but…I don’t see any trace of one.” He paused, brow furrowed. “I can’t imagine where I’d be if I came alone.”
I shrugged, my arms swinging casually at my sides. “Probably walking off a cliff,” I quipped, the dry humor slipping easily off my tongue. “Nature’s way of keeping things interesting.”
He laughed, a deep, genuine sound that seemed to fill the space, as if the idea of plummeting to his doom was somehow amusing. “Guess it’s a good thing I can defy gravity.”
His laughter lingered in the woods, lightening the air like a sudden breeze. It was the kind of sound that enveloped you, made everything feel…safer. Without realizing it, I felt my walls start to crack.
I shook my head, still processing what he’d said.Defy gravity.He’d said it like he meant it—like it wasn’t a joke at all. I was still trying to make sense of his quirks. “You’re seriously weird, you know that?”
He glanced ahead, the slight tilt of his head acknowledging my words. No reply necessary. His casual shrug said more than words could, and for some reason, it made me smile.
After a while, the thick undergrowth thinned, and the silence of the woods lifted as our footsteps echoed louder, bouncing off the trees. We emerged from the dense thicket, and ahead, the cliff waited, stretching toward the sky in quiet, majestic glory. The rhythmic lapping of water against the rocks below filled the air, a soothing melody complemented by the occasional trill of a bird nearby.
Zeke came to a halt, his gaze fixed on the view in front of him. He rested his hands on his hips, completely absorbed by the raw beauty of the scene. He appeared momentarily lost in it, his expression one of pure awe. His voice was a hushed whisper, as if the sight had stolen the words right out of his mouth. “Wow…it’s…wow,” he breathed.
Warmth spread through me at his reaction. “Yeah, pretty impressive,” I said, nodding toward the horizon. For a moment, I remembered the first time I saw this view—alone, with the same expansive landscape stretched out before me. But it felt different now, standing beside Zeke. Something lingered in the air, a quiet shift I couldn’t quite name.
Energy welled up in my chest, sudden and electrifying. I smiled, tipping my head toward the trail. “But trust me, the best part’s still ahead.”
I started making my way down the steep, rocky path leading to the base of the cliff, each step carrying a light bounce as I motioned for him to follow.Zeke hesitated just long enough for me to notice a flicker in his eyes, something deeper than curiosity, more than the wonder of a first-time visitor. But it disappeared before I could understand it.
As we descended, the waterfall’s call grew louder, long before we caught sight of it. The ground beneath our boots sloped gently, and the trees parted, offering tantalizing glimpses of turquoise water glimmering through the branches.
Rounding the final curve, the full magnificence of the falls burst into view. It cascaded down the rock face in a silken veil of liquid silver, its mist catching the light and creating a thousand tiny rainbows in the air. The sight was so breathtaking that it almost felt surreal.
Zeke stopped in his tracks, his mouth forming a low, impressed whistle. “Whoa, Bryn, you were right!” he exclaimed, his eyes taking in the surroundings. But there was something in his gaze, something fleeting, that told me he recognized this place in a way he wasn’t willing to admit. A shadow of recognition, quickly masked by his usual relaxed demeanor.
I gave him a light clap on the back, the gesture easy and familiar. “You’ll learn that’s usually the case,” I teased, giving him a playful wink as I looked up at him. His guarded expression made me pause, wondering what secrets he was keeping hidden. But I brushed the thought aside.
For now, I was content basking in the moment, the thrill of showing someone this secret place, the rush of the waterfall’s power, and the easy camaraderie between us. Maybe I was starting to trust Zeke more than I had intended…but for once, it didn’t feel like such a bad thing.
I wandered over to a nearby rock, dropping my backpack beside me before collapsing onto its rough surface, the texture biting into my skin. Following my usual ritual, I kicked off my hiking boots and peeled off my socks, letting my feet dip into the cool, refreshing water.
Zeke strode over to join me, tossing his pack to the ground. Without hesitation, he followed suit, shedding his boots and socks before rolling up his pant legs and dunking his feet into the crystal-clear liquid beside mine.
I reclined against the rock, shutting my eyes as the waterfall's roar filled the air. The steady rush was like a lullaby, its rhythm slowly washing away the burden of everything—the worries, the noise, the chaos of daily life. In that instant, it felt like none of it mattered anymore.
He leaned back slightly, his gaze fixed on me, like he was trying to unravel the mystery in front of him. “So...how often do you come here? Got a big group of friends you usually hike with, or am I crashing your secret spot?”
I cracked one eye open, squinting in the sunlight before snapping it shut again. “As pathetic as it sounds, I don’t have any friends,” I confessed, exhaling softly. “I’ve been coming here for years…always alone.”
Zeke’s features relaxed into a warm, sincere look. “That’s not true,” he said, his tone genuine. “I’m your friend now.”
