Beyond the Veil

Chapter 7

The next morning, Sera woke up early, her mind racing with thoughts of what Tyler could possibly want to talk to her about in the clearing. She made sure she ate her breakfast early and went into the woods to wait for him. They didn't agree on a time, but she really didn't mind spending time in there alone, she partly wished she could spend her whole life in that forest.

She made her way to the clearing, her heart pounding in her chest. She has gotten pretty familiar with the way to the clearing, despite the rest of the forest being so expansive and unknown to her.

As she approached, she saw Tyler standing in the center of the clearing, his arms crossed over his chest and a small smile on his face.

"You came," he said, as she approached.

"Of course," she replied, her voice trembling slightly, she quickly corrected this and cleared her throat. "What is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

Tyler's smile faltered for a moment, and he looked away. "I know that you've been noticing something strange about me," he began. "I just wanted to show you that I'm not as different as you think I am. I think we could be friends."

Sera focused on him intently, when she began to breathe him in, that familiar far away coldness began to sensate through her. He was everything she thought that he was. Him and Saul are connected somehow.

"Why did you bring me here?" Sera said neutrally. There is no way he brought her out here just to 'be friends'.

Tyler pointed toward the lake within the clearing and pulled out a small fishing rod from his backpack. "I thought we could do some fishing," he said with a grin.

She agreed, thinking it would be a good chance to ask him some questions, and Sera found him to be easy to talk to.

The forest was alive with the sound of birds chirping and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. The sun was shining down through the trees, casting dappled light on the forest floor. Sera was excited, she had never been fishing before and she was eager to try something new. Tyler taught her how to cast her line, and soon they were both sitting by the lake, fishing rods in hand.

As they fished, they talked about everything and anything. Sera found herself telling Tyler things she hadn't really talked to anyone else about, and he listened attentively, never judging or interrupting.

Finally, Sera felt a tug on her line, and she looked over at Tyler, excitedly.Sera was reeling it in with intense focus, Tyler noticed Sera's face scrunch up in concentration and he couldn't help but laugh. "You look like you're about to give birth."

Sera laughed too and shook her head, not losing sight of this fish. "Hey! I'm trying to catch this thing."

"I know, I know," Tyler said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "I'm just teasing."

She was ecstatic when she saw a small trout on the end of her line. Tyler laughed and clapped her on the back, "Looks like you're a natural!" She smiled proudly.

As the day went on, Sera found herself opening up to Tyler more and more. She told him about her childhood, growing up as an only child and how she always felt like she didn't fit in with other people. Tyler listened intently and shared his own stories with her. It seemed they both had a shared sense of not quite belonging.

As the sun began to set, they sat by the lake, watching the fish jump and the colors of the sky change. They sat in comfortable silence, both lost in their own thoughts.

"Thank you for bringing me here," Sera said, breaking the silence. "I had a really great time."

Tyler turned to her and smiled. "I'm glad you did. I had a great time too."