Split Love

CHAPTER 6

WEDNESDAY, September 12, 2018

Jamie could feel sweat trickling down the side of her face, her heart was racing and her breathing was labored. The forest was as empty as ever, and the only noises that could be heard were the birds and the pebbles that were crunching with her every step.

The watch on her wrist read 6:35 am, 40 minutes into Jamie's morning jog through one of the State Forest trails.

She stopped at a fork, braced her hands on her knees, and tried to catch her breath. To the left there was a trail to the top view of the waterfall, to the right - Jamie's favorite path, despite most people preferring the top view and because it has a remarkably open forest - there was a path marked by descents and some steps that led at the foot of the waterfall.

It was Jamie's custom to always stop to catch her breath before entering the narrow path through the pines and rocks, full of moss-covered boulders.

She straightened her body, but before she could take a step into the chosen path, a black figure ran past her and bumped into her body.

- Hey! - She shouted instantly but no one answered. She entered the trail cautiously and for a second thought it was just her imagination. The trail was full of curves, and as far as she could see there was no one.

Jasmine hesitated for a moment, the possibility of being a crazy person existed. Don't be silly, can be just a tourist.

Ignoring what happened, she started running again. She always did that part of the trail in 15-20 minutes, and that day was no different.

When the sound of water hitting rocks grew louder, Jamie slowed down and started walking. She knew that soon the trees would run out, large rocks would appear, and the ground would be full of wet pebbles.

As soon as the waterfall came into view, she saw it wasn't her imagination. A person was sitting on one of the big rocks.

- Hey! You bumped into me! - She shouted as she approached the stone.

- It's not my fault you need glasses, Jamie.

She froze upon hearing her name. Who is it?

It was a man, but his head was covered by the hood of his black jacket. Her mind raced after some memory. Her voice wasn't unfamiliar, but...

It's him. The mystery man.

He's back.

- You are back.

Jamie approached slowly, with small steps. It wasn't fear, but she approached him like an unknown wild animal. He pulled the hood off his head and turned his face to the side, watching her.

- I don't bite.

- Well, don't blame me, last time you said you regretted saving me.

- Last time my car had broken down in a tiny, unfamiliar city, I was irritated.

- And this time?

- This time, - Jamie stopped in front of the large rock he was sitting on. He didn't seem to have any reason to go to Willow Creek this time. She tilted her head back to watch him, deep down Jamie hoped she was the reason, despite not understanding what she was feeling at that moment. - my car didn't break down.

- And what does that mean?

The man who until that moment had been watching the waterfall, looked down at the girl, and seeing her standing below him, he stretched out his hand to help her climb onto the rock. Jasmine didn't hesitate.