Snipet #16

It took Percy a few minutes for his eyes to adjust to the light in the cave. He could tell he was in a cave because of the way the wind sounded from where he stood, monstrous and moaning. He wasn't at all sure how they arrived at this place, it seemed only seconds ago when she told him to follow her and he just did. He knew that she was taking him somewhere safe so he didn't hesitate. He took her hand and followed. It made sense, yet it was madness all the same. It felt safe, yet the air smelled of sulfur and fury and he was more than a little frightened.

She had led him to an open space that had furs spread about the floor. At first he had jumped because he thought he was touching something living, but she gently shushed him and held a rabbit fur up to his face and rubbed it against his skin. She stared at him with those green eyes that seemed so luminous in this odd light. It was then he noticed that there was a pit in the center of the room and she had started a small fire using dried twigs and vines.

What is this place, he asked her. He knew that someone, if not Evelyn, lived in this cave.

My secret, she replied. You won't tell, will you, she asked.

She looked so beautiful, so glorious in that moment, he would have promised her anything. Her presence, the smell of her wet hair and that look in her eye all combined to intoxicate Percy and he would have died for her right then and there. There was no doubt in his mind that if Evelyn asked that of him, he would not deny her.

Why did you follow me, she asked.

Percy felt foolish and didn't know what to say. He stammered over the words.
Well, I really don't know. Are you mad, he asked.

She sat down next to the fire and rubbed her hands together briskly. It's cold in here. Come sit by the fire, she replied.

He sat down next to Evelyn and being so close to her seemed to warm him from the inside out.

You didn't answer my question. Are you mad, he asked.

Anger is a waste of time, Percy. I don't waste time, she said.

As they sat by the fire warming themselves, they said little for the first few minutes. It was as if being so close to her tied his tongue up in knots. He wasn't usually at a loss for words, but today, each sentence was a struggle. He weighed everything he said before he said it for fear it would come out wrong, so therefore, he didn't say much. It was Evelyn who broke the silence.

I come here sometimes, she said, so I can think. Sometimes my mother doesn't give me time to be with myself, alone. I don't know why, but I think she's afraid to be alone, she needs me around all the time. I love her, she said, and then she sighed, but I love this too.

Percy looked up at her. He had never heard her put more than 5 words together at any one time and had certainly never sat so close to her, or any girl for that matter, so he was a bit disconcerted at the moment.

He managed to say, People are scared of you, you know.

I know, she said, I know. She asked softly, as she put her head down and her hair obscured her face, are you?