Desperate Lies

Chapter 2

While he may not look like it from the outside, Chris loved nature and being outdoors.

In the mornings while he was home, he loved to go for hikes outside before going to the gym. He now lived extremely close to a hiking trail, and he'd started going there every morning that he was home, especially now that it was getting warm outside. Contrary to what others may think, Chris thoroughly enjoyed the sunshine and warm weather, and it made him eager to be outdoors when he had the time to be.

Chris exits his house and locks the door, then takes a deep breath, taking in the fresh, spring air. The band would be touring all summer, so Chris supposed he'd better enjoy moments like these while they lasted, especially now that he had a new hiking trail to explore. Chris walks down the steps of his house and toward the gate a few houses behind his that enclosed his entire neighborhood. There was a back entrance that led out to the nearby hiking trails. Chris walks through the gate and makes his way into the forest.

It was his first time getting to really explore this area, but he was so far enjoying it. The trees were covered in bright green leaves and moss, there were birds chirping, and the sound of the nearby river current could be heard. Chris never really got many chances to relax, but had learned how important it was for him to do so when taking his mental health into account. By going out and doing things like hiking, he was able to manage his need to stay constantly busy without being so hyper-focused on work, so he decided that it was a good happy medium.

There were a handful of other people that were also on the trails, but not too many. Some were walking their dogs, some were by themselves, and some were with their spouses or children. Everyone that Chris saw was wearing what one would expect to see people wearing on hiking trails, so you can imagine his surprise when he encountered the woman in the yellow sundress.

"Fancy seeing you here."

Chris whips around and sees Eve.

She was in a bright yellow dress with three-quarter length sleeves that went just past her knees. Her curly hair was down, and it went all the way down to the small of her back. She wasn't wearing glasses today, and her blue eyes were fixed in the canvas in front of her. She wore a painting apron over her dress and had a paint brush in hand.

"Oh," Chris states upon seeing her, "Hi."

"Hi," Eve says, looking to him and giving him a small smile.

"You're here."

"Yeah, you recommended it to me, remember? And now you're here."

"I'm not a serial killer, I promise."

Eve gives a small laugh, "I'm surprised my dad hasn't added that one to his repertoire of things to accuse you of."

Chris gives a small smile and takes a couple steps toward her, "So...you really don't believe anything your dad says about us?"

"No, of course not."

"Why not? Everyone else in his group seems to agree with him."

"I think a lot of them are just too scared to stand up to him," Eve says, "Not that they'd necessarily be alone in feeling that way."

Chris was about to ask Eve if she was afraid of her own father, but decided this may be too personal of a question to ask someone he barely knew, even though he felt like he'd known her for as long as she'd been writing his band letters. Instead, he steps to the side to look at the canvas Eve was painting on. The painting was only partially done, but it was clear that she was taking inspiration from the forest around them.

"Wow. It looks great so far."

Eve smiles again, "Thank you."

She sets her paint brush down and turns to face Chris, gathering her hair in her fingers and piling it into a bun on top of her head.