“What Happened in Hoytan”

Author’s Note: This is a Take Ten to Write story and has not been proofread for errors. If I feel inspired or if there’s interest in the story, I’ll post a revised, edited, and extended version at a later date. Happy reading!

Prompt: “The heart of another is a dark forest, always, no matter how close it has been to one’s own.” — Willa Cather

“Ask her,” Nerell sneers before slinking back into the shadows.

I stand in silence for a few more moments, staring at the spot where the Celestial Being had just been. Is he seriously suggesting that my own girlfriend is hiding some big, dark secret from me? No, she wouldn’t… Would she?

My heart clenches as I turn around with a sigh. I guess there’s only one way to find out.

I head back to the clearing to see Teresa sitting by the pond. She’s dangling her feet in the water, swinging her legs to create little splashes.

No way she did something horrible. She’s much too innocent. I mean, just look at her!

Still, a small nagging feeling in the back of my mind pushes me to step forward into the clearing. Teresa immediately looks up with alarm before seeing that it’s just me.

“Hey,” she says with a smile.

“Hey,” I reply, walking down to join her. I sit down next to her and kiss the top of her head.

She frowns. “Everything okay?”

I suck in a deep breath.

“Simon?”

My breath comes out in a rush as I blurt out, “What happened in Hoytan?”

She freezes. Her eyes lock onto mine as she whispers, “What did you just say?”

I clear my throat before repeating, “What happened in Hoytan?”

Her eyes drop, as does my heart.

Final Comments: Another idea for one of my WIPs…

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