Short Story Collection

Little did he know

Words: 1491

Her eyes shone with the light of the moon as she gazed among the stars. Her smile shone even brighter when she smiled at them. White teeth showing when her lips parted in an upwards turn, foggy breath visible in the cool winter air. They didn't know why they had decided to come to the top of the highest hill in the area, but here they were anyways, staring at the golden dots littering the night sky. He was in his coat and boots, with hands in his pockets. She wore her coat as well, but with a silver coloured hat with white fur trimmings nestled on her head. Matching mittens hugged her delicate hands. He watched as she spun around, searching for each constellation she could find in the dark sky. Having nearly memorized the whole northern hemisphere, her search went by smoothly. The children didn't tell anyone where they went; She insisted it be their little secret.

"Alex!" she called. "Take a picture of me!" She began to pose for the camera in the snowfall. She stood with her head up high and arms in the air, an ever-present smile plastered on her face. With a flash and a snap of her parents' old camera, the one that she adored so much, he captured the moment, and it was beautiful. She was beautiful.

It hardly needed to be spoken, but he was in love. In love with the way that her smile was always so genuine. In love with the way she looked at the stars. In love with the way her eyes glimmered when she was happy. In love with the way that she liked him, too. She looked back at him and smiled even wider than before, her grin stretching across her face. She seemed so happy.

He walked over to where she stood and handed her back her camera. Then grasped her free hand in his.

"This place is magical," he stated as they began to ascend to the very top of the tree-covered hill, their fingers interlocking.

"Isn't it?" her voice sang. "My mother and father used to take me here before they—you know."

"Do you miss them, Maria?" he asked after a moment's silence.

"Sometimes," Maria replied happily.

He frowned, but her smiling expression didn't waver at all. He knew what had happened to her mother and father; everyone did. They went missing about three or four years ago, and are presumed dead. The bodies were never found. The case stumped police precincts all over the city. No one could figure it out no matter how hard the tried. Maria's curious optimism never ceases to surprise him. She seemed carefree about the subject of her parents' death.

Alex sensed some movement to his right and turned to look at the disturbance. When he did so, he caught a quick glimpse of what looked to be a retreating deer.

"Let's go this way," he said, turning to follow where the woodland creature went. He took a few steps before he was met with a resistant tug on his arm. He turned to find Maria standing still in the snow.

"I think this way would be better," she said, turning on her heel and starting off in the opposite direction. As much as he wanted to follow after the deer, Alex went along with Maria.

They walked for a few minutes in comfortable silence before Maria spoke up.

"Come with me." she said suddenly, rushing off quickly down the snow-covered trail. He stumbled a bit as he was pulled along by her strong grip on his hand but managed to catch up to her pace. He had no idea where they were going, but he trusted that she did. He didn't think to question it.

They sped along for what felt like forever to Alex but was, in fact, only three minutes at most. They reached a wall of trees and stopped, though their hands continued holding on to each other. Alex looked at Maria with questioning eyes, but she only smirked and walked forward. He watched as she drew back one of the branches of the nearest tree and revealed to him a small, narrow pathway leading further into the woods.