A laugh, a short, sweet, loving laugh rose from her rosy lips. Her brown hair falling gently over her face as she leaned forward, quickly covering her mouth as she let out a little snort of laughter. Turning quickly to brace as she swung a playful punch aimed for my arm, for a girl she sure had a mean swing.
“Blake don't DO that!” she scolded me while I let out a soft chuckle.“You know I HATE snorting like them.” she motioned to the animals out in the grass. I reached over, brushing her cheek with my hand as I tucked her hair behind her ear. Looking out at the animals over her shoulder I could see a small group of black and white horses huddling in the tall grass, some took notice of our traveling group and watched for a moment before joining the others to graze.
“My apologies Amy, but I don't think horses snort.” I pulled her close to me, she rested her head on my shoulder as the truck bounced effortlessly along the rough roads. She smelled of lilacs, and if I could count on anything, it was the smell of lilac when she came around, oh how I loved the smell. We sat with a content silence as we listened to the man standing up in front of the group we sat behind, he was explaining about the species of animals we might see as we neared a watering hole. “ but what do I know, I haven't been paying attention to him at all.”
“This whole time? Blake we've been on this safari for almost 4 hours!” she gave my arm a light squeeze, “Pay attention, we don't get to come to the Earth Animal Sanctuary every day you Bumkis.”
“I know I know.” with a slight turn I left a small kiss atop her forehead. She was right, but I couldn't help myself, my attention was all focused on Amy today. I'd been saving to take her on this once in a lifetime trip for years now, and the little metal ring in my pocket kept reminding me that today was all about her. Amy VonGyst, my first love, the one who made my heart pitter-patter when she laughed. The sweet girl had me wrapped around her finger, and I didn't mind one bit. Living just a few houses from one another made it easy for us to become close, same school, same path home, and the same wooded park to explore in our free time. Woodfrow Park, a large woodland that became the heart of our small town, and the place where I first met Amy. Where I found her fixated on the landscape, from the trees to the smallest flowers, she found the greatest of joys being surrounded by nature. That's why this safari to Earth was perfect for her eighteenth birthday, and there is no better place to ask for her to marry me.
The truck convoy began to slow, eventually came to a stop near a large watering hole shrouded by a handful of towering trees. “And we'll be taking our own little rest stop break. Feel free to explore a little, but stay within sight of the trucks everyone.” the tour guide was pointing out towards the watering hole as he spoke in his booming voice, “ We're in the clearing where no predators are found, but please try not to bother the animals anyhow. Loud noises will bring unwanted attention to us, and even though I look super strong,” he flexed his biceps, mostly for the ladies who had gathered in front of him, making Amy shake her head and let out a small giggle, “I cannot fight off a lion pride, hyena clan, cheetah coalitions, or other group of predators that call this area home.”
“Come on Blake!” With her fingers interlocking mine she pulled me out of the truck and towards a nearby tree looming over the water's edge. Her excitement grew as we approached the shaded grass. As she let go of my hand, leaving me in the tree's shade, I held the little ring tightly in my pocket, watching as she stepped closer to the water. This could be my moment to ask.
“Amy,” I could hear my heartbeat in my ears, hands felt like lead, and my mouth like sandpaper. She turned, her soft pale purple eyes shimmering in the sun, hair blowing softly in the breeze as she gave me a smile that made me feel at ease every time I saw it. Her eyes darted around me, growing ever wider as she took in the sights of the nature around us. I stepped closer to her, letting out a deep breathe as I took her hand in mine.
“Are you alright Blake?” I could only smile back at her and give her a nod. My brain was in scrambles as I watched her, not sending words to my mouth like I needed. “What's that? Look!” She pushed past me, pointing to the tree's roots. I squinted, trying to see something, but all I saw were roots, grass, and some footprints we made earlier.
YOU ARE READING
Dusk Chronicles: Among the Stars
Fantasy**These reads may be difficult and change now and then, they are still being edited** A fiction novel involving, good, bad, a reaper named Grimm, a fugitive named Papillon, vigilantes taking after the Zodiac signs, and a man seeking revenge. This wa...
