Or it could be anybody.
I shake off my thoughts and focus on the trails, the path familiar to me now. It’s a nice day, the temperature in the mid-sixties, the trees around me letting in dappled light and the area quiet, save the occasional small animal I hear but don’t see. Finally, after nearly forty minutes, I reach the incline that leads to the top of the cliff.
It took me an entire day to find it the first time, not having a concrete idea of where to look. All I had were clues. An image of tan rock underfoot. A view of a river and trees along both sides. Scattered branches on the ground and leaves that helped me identify the tree species in the area.
And the man. Of course, the man.
I had the general location narrowed down over a year ago, but it was the trail marker I finally saw that led me here to this town. To these trails specifically. And to this cliff.
I look out over the river now, the foliage green and lush below. The sun cuts through the area where I’m standing, bathing half of the rock shelf in light. It’s nearly time. I set down my backpack and take in a breath before turning.
He hasn’t shown yet. It’s only been two weeks, but each day, I’ve stood here and waited. And nothing. The sun moves on, and no man.
It has to be soon. Before the leaves change color. It has to be…
A crack has me stilling, my heart feathering so quickly I can feel it in my chest. Another soft crack, like a twig breaking. Footsteps, maybe.
I hold my breath, every hair on my arms standing on end. There’s a flash of muted color that appears from around a bend of trees. Dark hair and a broad body. Eyes rising to mine and surprise flashing before his footsteps falter.
I stare at him, not sure if this is even real. Is it real this time? Is it happening?
“Hi,” I breathe.
He blinks once, a good couple dozen feet away from me. “Um, hi.” His voice is deep. It rolls over me, so much different in person. So much more alive. “I didn’t expect to find anyone here.”
He offers a small smile, his eyes flicking to my backpack on the ground. It must reassure him to see me with hiking gear because he continues walking up the path toward the clifftop.
I can’t stop staring.
“Nice day.” He tugs his water free, gulping down a few mouthfuls before looking over at me.
I haven’t said another word.
“What’s your name?” I ask hoarsely, dying to know the answer. I’ve been wondering for so very long.
He caps his water. “Lee. Nice to meet you…?”
The end of his sentence hangs as he holds out his hand, a clear question there. I accept his palm, so warm and solid and real.
His answer catches up to me, and I huff a disbelieving laugh. “Your name is Lee?”
“Um. Yes?”
Our hands part, and he watches me curiously before prompting me again.
“And you are?”
I pull in a shaky breath, smiling as genuinely as I can. “It’s nice to meet you, Lee. I’m Caspian.”
He nods once, looking out over the valley below us. The sun glitters off the surface of the river, the scene idyllic.
I can’t believe he’s here.
The silence stretches, and he glances at me again, his eyes skipping from me to my bag to my wrist before making a return trip to my face. “You all right?”
I nod, although I can’t blame him for asking. I probably look like I’m in shock.
“It’s just… I’ve been waiting such a long time,” I tell him.
