Beyond the Veil

Chapter 30

The afternoon sun cast a warm golden glow over the college campus as students rushed through the open sidewalks to their classes. Amidst the bustling crowd, Sera spotted Saul in the parking lot, leaning against his emerald green vintage convertible. His tall lean figure stood out amongst the crowd.

As she approached, Saul's eyes locked onto hers, "Ready to get out of here?"

Sera nodded, her heart fluttering slightly at the sight of him. Saul opened the passenger door and waited patiently for her to climb inside. As she settled into the car, he closed the door with a soft click and made his way to the driver's side.

The wind played with her hair as they cruised along. She liked their rides home, because when he was focused on the road she could steal glances at him, admiring the way his hair caught the sunlight.

"How was your day?" Saul asked, breaking the silence between them.

"Good, actually," Sera replied, feeling a genuine smile spread across her face. "I got to talk to my professor about my project, he said he could help me if I gave him a rough draft." He nodded in response.

After a few minutes passed, Sera started to recognize the long winding empty streets, and the lush embrace of the forest canopies.

"You're taking me to the forest?" Sera had no complaints about this, but she had thought he was just going to drop her off.

"Do you have somewhere you need to be?" Saul asked genuinely.

"No, not at all, I just thought you were taking me home." Sera clarified.

"I am." Saul said, as he continued to drive straight into the heart of the forest.

He made a turn into an entryway that Sera could have sworn was not there all the times she drove by here. The vision of him creating his own effective garage space in the forest was enough to make her laugh.

"Is something funny?" He asked her with the smallest hint of a smile.

"No, I'm just happy." Sera said contently.

A happy silence ensued as they both got out of the car. Saul sauntered in between the trees with ease and confidence, while Sera trailed behind him, watching her step for rebel branches.

Sera followed him deeper into the forest. The air was cool and carried the scent of pine, and the soft crunch of leaves under their feet created a soothing rhythm as they walked. Gradually, the sounds of the outside world faded away, leaving them in a world of tranquility.

After a short walk, light peaked out between the trees, bathing the ground in the gentle glow of the setting sun. As they reached an opening, Sera saw that in the center of the open space stood a beautiful stone archway. Vines and moss adorned its edges, giving it an ethereal and mystical appearance.

There were rocks outlining a small sparkling turquoise pond, Sera watched as leaves fell around her, cascading gently to the ground, some suspended in the pond.

Sera gasped in awe at the sight before her. "It's breathtaking," she whispered, her eyes tracing the patterns etched into the stone.

"It's for you." His voice appeared behind her, making her realize how close he was standing to her. Feeling him so close to her made her crave his hands around her, but she did not dare admit that.

Sera stood breathlessly, taking it all in, for moments that felt like eternity.

"Sit." Saul commanded gently. Sera sat down on the forest floor and stared blissfully up at the sky. Here in this clearing the sky could be seen clearly. The clouds overhead had a majestic golden glow as the sky shone its light upon her.