Trails of Secrets

32. The Return

The four had been walking for hours. Annalise forgot how long it took to walk to Persephone's last time. None of them had a car (Liam didn't have the money for one and he just rode a bike, Noah forgot if he had one, Sara was basically broke and to be honest, Annalise didn't know how or where Sara got money, and Annalise's car... was another story.) and they had started walking late in the day.

"We really shouldn't be walking during the night," advised Sara. "I know these woods, and it can be dangerous to travel in the dark." Liam groaned and stretched his back.

"Well, what do you suppose?" he asked.

"I guess we should set up camp soon."

"Of course you would say that," Liam cringed.

Sara gave him an evil smile.

Noah ignored them.

Annalise had no idea what was going on.

"Would here be a good place to stop, or should we keep looking?" asked Noah.

Sara just shrugged. "It's fine."

                                                                  ~~~

As the four of them worked together to set up camp, Sara sent Annalise and Noah off to get sticks. Liam was thankful to Sara for that.

Once Annalise and Noah left, Sara began to dig a hole for a fire while Liam tried his best to make a comfortable place for them each to sleep.

"Why did you stay?"

Liam blinked. The question caught him off guard.

"What do you mean?"

Sara turned toward him and shuffled her feet. "Why did you decide to stay with me? Once Annalise came back, you could have just gone back home and forgotten all about me. I would have moved on and you wouldn't have had to think about me again. So why did you stay?"

Liam took a deep breath and walked towards her. Then he motioned for her to sit down.

"I couldn't lose you," he answered.

Sara's eyes opened wide with confusion. Liam cringed. Why this? Why now?

But when would be a better time?

There was never a better time.

He closed his eyes so he didn't have to look at her.

"I used to paint."

He could have sworn he heard her swallow a laugh. Liam cracked a smile and opened his eyes. "Don't laugh. I was actually pretty good. Painting was my passion."

Sara regained her solemn expression. "Was? What changed?"

"Everything."

                                                             ~~~

"I'm so glad that we get to pick out the sticks for the fire. I've always wanted to do this."

Noah shrugged at Annalise. "I wouldn't know if I like this or not." The two looked at each other for a moment and laughed. She then bent down to gather a few branches.

"Is it scary?" she asked. "You know- to not remember anything?"

Noah shrugged. "Sometimes. But it's also... nice. I feel like I can start over. Not have to worry about my past; I can just live in the present. Whoever I am now and today, is who I really am. I guess I find comfort in that."