THE CALL OF HER

17

You and Kate sit on a bus bench in front of the entrance to the national park. You don't know the specific one, but you know that it's in Tennessee. The rain drips down from pine branches and onto the plastic roof above as Kate goes through the supplies in her bag. 

"It'll take about forty five minutes to reach the lookout where Jack works, he's a fire watcher. Like, a person that looks for fires in forests." You nod your head. "I've never met him before, but Tim says he's sketchy. So, stick close to me." Kate grunts as she sits up, pulling her back pack on. You stand up as well, and shove your hands into your jacket. 

"I can protect myself, y'know." You mutter, beginning to walk beside her and onto the path just around the bus stop. 

Kate is quiet for a moment. "I know, but what happens if just this once, I let you go, and something happens to you, and what if it wouldn't of happened if I was there?" You look over at Kate, her eyes focused on the woodland in front of her.

"You can't live forever being afraid, Kate." You say with a soft tone.

Her fingers find yours hidden in your pocket. "I'm not afraid, I'm just worried, specifically about you." 

"Why are you worried about me?" You furrow your eyebrows, rubbing her index finger with your thumb.

"Because I might loose you again." Heart beating with a pace of love for the woman beside you crosses from your joined hands and infects her chest, to make Kate walk closer to you. You don't say anything, because there's really nothing to say. 

                                                                                     ♡ ♡ ♡

Kate pulls out her phone, and you glance down at the time as well. "Fifteens minutes." She mutters, shoving her phone back into her hoodie. You bite the inside of your cheek, and search the canopy of the woods. 

"Where would you live, if you had the chance to pack your bags and leave?" Kate suddenly asks, most likely out of boredom.

You mentally pause for a moment, thinking. "(Your destination). I've always wanted to go to (your destination)." You nod to yourself, make Kate nod with you at your choice.

"Now, where would you move?" You question in return, watching Kate's face harden. Her eyes are stuck on something in the distance, something you cannot see. 

"I'd like to live in the forest, permanently." Kate's shoulder brushes against yours as the two of you walk into a clearing. At first you only sense the coming of a blue sky above, and the very few flowers that bloom from weeds. But then, you notice the arched back of a man digging at something in the grass. Not something, but someone. 

You instantly grab Kate's arm, eyes wide on the bloodied body outlined in the tall grass below the man. With a huff, the man stands up with a chuckle. "Wasn't expecting visitors today." And he turns, to lock his dark brown eyes on the two of you. Goosebumps rise on your arms, and a sickening feeling rubs against your stomach.