Through the Glass

Chapter 11

Connor sat in the quiet lounge, his gaze fixed on the dying embers of the fire as the warmth from the flames faded into the cool night air. Eliza had already gone to bed, leaving him alone with his thoughts. He hadn't expected the day to unfold the way it had, especially the intensity of the connection he felt with her. He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair as the weight of it all settled over him.

He had come to the retreat seeking clarity, hoping to confront his own demons. The isolation he felt in his life, despite all his achievements, had become suffocating. He'd thought this place might help him find some peace, to make sense of the restlessness that had plagued him for so long. But now, Eliza's presence had shifted something in him. It was like the puzzle he had been trying to piece together had gained a new dimension, and he wasn't sure what to make of it.

He felt protective of her, yes, but it went beyond that. There was something about the way she opened up today, the vulnerability she allowed herself to show, that struck him deeply. It wasn't just that he wanted to protect her; he felt a strange, unspoken understanding between them—like their lives, though different, had somehow been traveling along parallel paths that were always meant to cross.

Connor's eyes lingered on the empty space where Eliza had sat, her tearful face still vivid in his mind. He'd seen her break down today, seen the pain she carried, and in that moment, he'd wanted nothing more than to take some of it from her, to lighten the burden. But it wasn't just empathy driving him; it was something more complicated, more profound.

There was a belonging he hadn't felt in a long time—if ever. Like they were two people adrift in the world, each searching for something they hadn't even realized they needed, and now they had found it in each other's presence. It wasn't romantic, not yet, but there was a depth to it, a possibility that intrigued him.

The fire crackled softly as he stretched his legs out in front of him, feeling the heaviness of the day settle into his bones. It was strange, this new feeling—a mix of protectiveness, curiosity, and something he couldn't quite name. He wasn't used to letting people in, to feeling this connected to anyone, and it unsettled him.

As the last embers of the fire flickered out, Connor stood up and made his way to his room, the silence of the retreat amplifying the thoughts swirling in his head. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new revelations, but as he lay down in bed, one thought lingered:

Eliza was no longer just another person at this retreat. She was becoming someone important in his life. And that realization, as surprising as it was, didn't frighten him. It felt... right.

With that thought, Connor closed his eyes, the quiet of the night seeping into his mind as he drifted into a restless sleep, already anticipating what the next day would bring.

***

Connor sat at the long dining table, the morning light spilling in through the large windows and casting soft shadows across the room. The air smelled faintly of freshly brewed coffee and eggs, and he found himself absentmindedly stirring his cup, waiting for Eliza to join him. His mind wandered back to the previous night—how she had opened up to him, her tears heavy with years of bottled emotions.

It felt significant, like a shift had occurred between them, and now, sitting alone at the table, he was ready to explore it further. His thoughts spun, not just about her, but about himself too—his reason for being here, his fractured sense of belonging. But with Eliza, there was something new. Something hopeful.

The door creaked open, and Connor looked up to see Eliza walking into the dining hall. She glanced around before spotting him, her face softening when their eyes met. He offered a small smile, one she returned as she approached. There was a comfortable silence between them as she sat down beside him, the easy connection of the previous night carrying over into the morning.