Page 81 of Change

Right now, though, I’d have to rely on body language, because I wasn’t selfish enough to touch her again without reason.

“Okay,” I replied instead. It was impossible to think of anything else that worked in this situation.

Thankfully, we reached the parking lot soon thereafter. I pulled into an open spot near the chain-link fence that supported the entry gate. Bianca didn’t move when I jumped out of the car and only inched back as I opened her door.

“Here.” I held out my hand. My breath was tight in anticipation for two reasons now. “We’re almost there.”

Her eyes were cloudy as they flickered up to meet mine, and I thought she’d refuse. Which would be silly considering that she’d followed me thus far.

But then she let out a small breath and, tentatively, laid her hand in mine.

Fear. Doubt. Disappointment. Her body was thick with it. The effects seemed to sink into my skin like a slowly spreading poison.

However, the only thing I could do was breathe and move on—and to show her how. This was no way to live.

We didn’t say a word as she followed me past the gate and over one of the many cobblestoned pathways. Nor did she complain when the terrain became rougher and we had to pass over skull-sized boulders covered in moss.

My heart was beating faster now, but for a different reason—nerves.

I’d never brought anyone here before.

“We’re here,” I told her, clearing a passageway and gesturing for her to pass.

Bianca glanced at me, then back to the small opening, before, once more, obeying without question, ducking under the leaves and walking through.

“What do you think?” I asked, my anxiety rising as her expression remained eerily unmoved.

This feeling of dread grew with every second she gave no reaction, but I forced myself to press forward. I entered into the grove behind her, letting the brush spring back and cover the pathway again.

I knew this area by memory. The circular clearing was only around two hundred and fifty square feet, and across the outer edge was a small, clear stream that eventually fed directly into the nearest lake. The ground was soft, from both the thick moss grasses and the water itself. But if you knew where to step and where the almost-hidden stones lay along the ground, it was easy to not muddy your shoes at all.

Still, sometimes it was best to have that connection with the earth.

I leaned forward, holding out my hand, palm up, near her knee. “Give me your shoes.”

Thatgot a reaction, though nothing other than a quick flicker of surprise—but she looked at me, at least.

“See.” I kicked off my shoes and rolled up my pant legs.

Bianca chewed on her lip before she finally slipped off her flats and nudged them with her bare foot until they rested alongside mine.

Well, she was responding, but her silence was incredibly frustrating.

But getting annoyed would solve nothing.

I took her by the hand and helped her navigate over the stones until we reached the water. “Sit down.”

Bianca settled onto the large, flat rock, tucking her feet and ankles under her as she rested most of her weight on her left hip. She didn’t speak still, but sat in silence, and without looking at me further, watched the clear water.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Bianca.” I pretended to not notice the way she slightly leaned away as I wrapped the stolen blanket around her shoulders. “Can you please talk to me?”

“I didn’t know you were from Texas.”

My heart stopped beating and I almost fell, but managed to catch myself just in time. I swallowed, trying to hold back my sudden influx of bile, as I slowly lowered myself to the stone beside her.

She was watching me curiously, huddled under the blanket with her arms wrapped around her knees. “Are you?” she asked.