Beyond The Lie

Chapter 28: Exposed

Eryx.

As I stood there, silence enveloped us. She didn't mean what she said earlier. I knew that. Like she said, she was tired and exhausted, and that thought possibly arose from that. I could sense her frustration, her emotions raw and exposed.

I wanted to comfort her, to ease her pain. "I'll order something for us. What do you-" I started, hoping to distract her from her thoughts.

But she cut me off, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not hungry. Just need some sleep."

My concern for her grew. I wanted her to eat something, to take care of herself, but I didn't want to force her. I knew she needed space, needed time to process her emotions.

"Okay... There's a bedroom there. If you want, you can change into something... My few clothes are there," I suggested, trying to sound casual despite my growing worry.

She nodded, getting up from the couch with her cup. I gently took the cup from her hand, my fingers brushing against hers. She looked at me, her eyes searching for something, and then walked towards the bedroom. I watched her disappear into the room, feeling a pang of helplessness.

The cabin fell silent once more, and I was left with my thoughts. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was in over my head. I cared for Adeline, more than I wanted to admit, and it scared me.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Ryker's number, trying to focus on something else.

"Hey!" I said, trying to sound casual.

Ryker answered quickly. "Hey, man! Tough day, huh?"

I hummed in response, not wanting to get into details. "Mm-hmm. Ethan Thompson. I need every detail about him," I requested, trying to shift my focus to the task at hand.

Ryker's tone turned serious. "Oh, yeah, the villain. On it! But't deserve a summary of the story," he said.

"Later," I replied, ending the call. I couldn't deal with Ryker's questions right now. I needed time to process my own thoughts and emotions.

***
Adeline.

I slowly opened my eyes, my head feeling heavy. The sunlight streaming through the window made it difficult to open my eyes fully. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and was met with a breathtaking view.

A large window dominated one wall, offering a stunning panorama of a river winding through an autumnal forest. The trees displayed a vibrant spectrum of warm fall colors, creating a picturesque landscape that took my breath away.

Did I wake up in heaven? The serene view, the soothing sounds of birds and gently flowing water, it all felt too perfect to be real. I felt a deep longing to stay in this tranquil paradise forever.

But reality eventually set in, and I sighed, throwing off the covers. I stood up from the bed and made my way to the couch, where my phone lay untouched from the night before. I scanned the open-plan room, searching for any sign of someone else. The airy, single-room space made it easy to see that I was alone. The kitchen stood in one corner, and the couch sat invitingly in the center of the room.

I stepped out of the cabin, calling out for Eryx. But there was no response. I took in my surroundings, mesmerized by the misty forest. The dirt road leading to the cabin was lined with puddles, evidence of recent rain. The wooden fence along the road added to the rustic charm.

The serene atmosphere enveloped me, and for a moment, I forgot about Eryx. But then reality set in, and I called out again, this time a bit louder. "Eryx!"

His SUV was still parked outside, so I knew he couldn't be far. But the thought of venturing into the woods to search for him made me hesitant. I didn't want to get lost.