Between the Pages and Lines

Chapter 10: Hedge Maze Runners Pt. 1

The fresh air tasted clean and the light breeze felt great on Eveyln's face. Feeling excited to see how they would do in the famous lovers maze Evelyn took a deep breath. Peeking a glance up at Travis as he walked them along a rock path around the house. With the nice breeze lifting her spirits Evelyn found herself thrilled to be traveling through the maze with him. She couldn't think of anyone else she might want to go with. Even in her own time she hadn't found anybody who was better company than her books were.

It was surprising to her to find that in the company of Travis her thoughts weren't drawn to what books were on her to be read list. Rather they were focused on the way he walked and trying to determine what he might be thinking.

Turning to look at his face now she tried to determine just that. He had a calm smile on his face. His eyes were looking out over the gardens and he nodded his greeting to the workers they passed on their journey. Evelyn smiled, it was nice to be able to walk and not feel obligated to say anything. She had always felt awkward in silence before when it crept up on her in the company of others. This silence however seemed to surround them with a comforting embrace not unlike an old friend.

It was a silence that didn't beg to be filled immediately with awkward how's weather talk. Instead it seemed to welcome and encourage both of them to think on their own thoughts. Enjoying each other's company without actually needing to use conversation to make them comfortable.

Evelyn for one was grateful for the time to gather her thoughts. So far it had been hard to have a moment for her own thoughts since she had arrived here. Looking around she took in the immense gardens surrounding the large manor. A barn stood farther off down the road that was probably filled with horses. Everything was exactly as she had read it to be. The only difference seemed to be Travis himself.

When she read about the best friend of the Duke she had pictured him as simply handsome and full of good humor. Meeting him in person Evelyn was pleasantly surprised to find that he was so much more than the background character she had read him to be. Rather she felt like he was almost akin to the main character in her story. While the novel centered around the Duke and Miss Smith she felt like she was in her own mini side story.

The only problem with that was she had no idea how long her mini story would be. While she was enjoying her time here. She shuddered at the thought of staying much longer than the month that Travis intended to visit here. Evelyn didn't want to be an older woman's companion if she could avoid it. A lonely life that's what that would be like for her if she were to be stuck in this book of hers. However, if Travis were to visit often enough it might be more bearable.

No, Evelyn shook her head, she had to find a way out of this book before the month came to an end. She was giving herself a timeline, a goal,yeah that's what she needed. With that in mind she set her jaw looking ahead of her as the maze came into view. She would enjoy herself today but tonight she would go about in her search of...of what? What was she supposed to look for? How was she supposed to even start thinking of any way to start planning an escape plan?

"I fear to ask what thoughts are occupying your mind at this moment," Travis whispered looking down at her stern face. "If an unbecoming person were in front of you. I am sure this look on your face alone would encourage them to alter their actions for the better. That is if they survived."

"Sorry," Evelyn looked up at him giving him a reassuring smile. "I was swept away in my thoughts of my arrival here I must confess. I can't help but wonder how long I will be here? What will eventually be the cause to send me back? If I might be able to decide when I will return if I might in fact hurry it along, or perhaps delay its arrival in turn?"