I feel the excitement of a little kid escaping the house, running away to meet up with some friends.
Except I am not a child and there is only me and one other person.
As Emmett and I make it through the quiet lantern-spotted village while crickets and other insects chirp in the background noise of our shoes on the pavement.
Luckily, I changed and brought a jumper with me, because the further up we walked, the more frequent the chills that run through my body now and again. Excitement nibbles away at my stomach. For once since I found out about our situation, I am not worried.
Although I do continue to check on how my side is doing every once in a while, still attempt to forget about it. I persuaded Emmett that I am completely okay, but he did make me promise to let him know if not, and as soon as possible.
Not that I think anyone is not stalking us both at this present moment, but right now I do not care.
If there were any doubts that there was anything even happening, it changes once we start spotting a few people coming from different directions, carrying their lanterns, and following each other down towards the lake.
And so, we follow them. Down the hill and across the wide oval grass space to where the edge of the forest begins.
"Everything looks so much eerier once dark," Emmett says to me as we make a start down the forest trail.
"It does. This is the way you went down that first day?"
"Yes, and I honestly had no idea you were down there too."
I laugh. "Sure, sure. Oh well. That happened ages ago. Can you believe that it has been a week already since arriving?"
With Emmett carrying our lantern, there is just enough light to see our path down the dirt trail through the forest. I point out all the lanterns moving around in the dark through the trees, like a line of gigantic fireflies, everyone following the trail down to the lake.
"Are you doing, okay? It is hurting again?" Emmett asks the whole way.
"Thanks, Emmett, I am doing perfectly well. I promise I will tell you if not." And it is the truth, seeing Emmett glancing at me now and again. Thankfully my ribs are perfectly fine. But it astonishes me how well I do feel considering how much it did impact me earlier. Perhaps that now the pressure is taken away, it has relaxed.
But this is for sure, I will never wear another corset again.
"Oh wow. What is this called again?" I have barely had a good look around at the forest floor because once I do, I feel so stupid for not realising earlier. There along the bottoms of the trees and ground are glowing blue, green and pink mosses, leaves and other fungi.
"Bioluminescence. It is so beautiful."
"I love that word," I reply. The light it all produces is not bright, but noticeable once you look for it.
The strumming of string instruments and light drums gets louder and louder the further we go. It is so exciting. I try to hide it, but I am smiling so hard in the dark.
A bright amber light then starts poking rays through the trees, and the murmuring sounds of people talking becomes louder, as well as the music. And the smell of smoke enters my nose.
The crunching of sticks, leaves, and rocks beneath our feet slowly fade into fine soft sandstones as we reach the clearing.
Wow.
"Oh wow," Emmett says next to me, repeating my thoughts, "now this is amazing."
It is.
Very few people, but a good amount, are spread out across the bank, some in groups, some by themselves. Not many, which is perfect. A few are swimming in the enormous lake, I forgot how large it was. A couple are playing relaxed music on drums and mandolins. But the best of all, a big fireplace stuck right in the middle of the sand, with bright orange to yellow flames crackling and towering up high. Goosebumps spread throughout my body.
YOU ARE READING
Violet
Romance~ I wish I could capture this moment forever. The yellow glow of the fire behind me penetrates and shines through the water and onto Emmett's face. I can see all his features, as every curve and line of his face, and every eyelash is highlighted...
