The silence by the lake was heavy, but not oppressive. It was different – like a blanket that enveloped us both, soft and still. I sensed that words were no longer the right thing, and yet I had the feeling that something remained unspoken between us. The moon hung like a piece of cold glass above the water, the surface motionless, as if holding its breath.
I twisted the camera in my hands until the plastic squeaked under my fingers. The small sound seemed almost too loud in this night. "Sometimes I think," I whispered, "if I simply disappeared... no one would miss me."
Alaric's head whipped around. His gaze met mine, sharp, almost cutting. The silver light cast edges on his face, shadows on his cheekbones.
"Never say that again."
My breath caught. "It's just—"
"No." His voice was quiet but firm, each syllable an anchor. "You are here. And that means something."
