Page 34 of Cloudless

JUST THE WIND

LILA

A chill runs down my spine as the bushes on my side of the truck rustle. We’ve been up here long enough for me to know it’s not from the gentle breeze that’s blowing through my hair.

My spine turns ramrod straight as my eyes swivel around in the darkness. “Did you hear that?”

The darkness cloaks the trees in a moonlit silhouette as I inch toward the safety Kam provides. I was thankful for the dim lamp Kam brought when my only thought was stargazing. Now I wish for a police grade spotlight to illuminate the trees.

I shiver as Kam chuckles next to me. “It’s just the wind. Nothing to worry about.”

I clench my teeth as the sound happens again. “You are so full of shit, Kamden Stryker. That is not the wind.” I whimper as the sound moves farther to my right. An involuntary squeak escapes my lips as I plaster my side to Kam’s.

His answering chuckle vibrates through me as he slips his arms around my waist. His soft voice against my ear sends another round of chills down my spine for an entirely different reason. “Yeah, you’re right. I don’t think that’s the wind.”

My mind briefly flashes to our empty Tupperware containers sitting abandoned by our feet as my voice falls to a strained whisper. “Do you think our food attracted some bears or something?”

The secure pressure of his arms at my waist offers only momentary relief from my anxiety before a shuffling sound coming from the tree line threatens my sanity.

The reflection of two eyes staring right at me from the trees sends a bolt of panic through me. I squirm backwards until my butt is nestled firmly on Kam’s lap. His hand slips over my mouth to contain the scream that’s begging to be set free as the eyes disappear into the dense trees.

His breath tickles my ear as he makes shushing sounds as the eyes multiply around us. “It’s okay.” Faint silhouettes of tall creatures move through the trees as our single lamp illuminates the edge of the dark void.

His hand muffles my words as I tuck my legs to my chest. “Nothing about this is okay.”

A smile lifts his voice that I find wholly inappropriate for our current situation. “Just trust me.”

Even with his hand over my mouth and arms around my waist, I turn on his lap to get a good look at his eyes. The humor I find in them relieves some of the anxiety in mine.

His chuckle vibrates through me as he whispers, “Don’t look at me like that. You’re going to like our visitors. I promise.” I want to ask how he can promise such a thing when he inclines his head toward the tree line. “Just wait.”

I roll my eyes as I reluctantly focus my attention back on the tree line. My ears ring as I fight my body's natural instinct to tuck tail and run the hell away from the scary creatures in the woods.

I nearly jump out of my skin as the click of Kam turning the lamp off reverberates through me. The accusatory glare I shoot over my shoulder is lost to the darkness that envelopes us like ink.

The shuffling sounds grow more numerous now that the blanket of darkness stretches through the small clearing.

My breath catches in my chest as I all but stop breathing as a massive creature steps through the curtain of trees.

Moonlight reflects off the wide back of the creature as it lets out a chirping sound that doesn't fit with the size of the beast before me.

Answering chirps sound throughout the trees as footfalls grow closer. The giant creature's head swivels until it’s looking straight into my soul. My eyes adjust to the darkness to reveal intelligent eyes reflecting back at me.

Its head tilts to the side as it inspects us with an ear twitch that is surprisingly cute on such a large animal.

Kam’s hand falls away from my mouth as the beautiful creature blinks at me. My whispered voice holds a sense of awe I feel all the way to my toes. “What is it?”

I can hear the satisfaction in Kam’s voice as he whispers, “She is an elk.”

She shuffles on her feet as she lets out a sad sounding whine. Her head moves so she can look over her shoulder back to the tree line. My heart melts as a calf with faded white spots scurries from the trees to join her.

Their noses touch in greeting as more silhouettes emerge from the trees until we’re surrounded. Chirps and mews fill the air as they carry on a conversation we’re not meant to understand.

I relax back into Kam’s arms as we watch them in silence. His rhythmic breathing would lull me to sleep if I wasn’t so fascinated by our visitors.

They move around in the darkness on sure feet as they munch on the long grasses that seem short against their long legs.

They’re unbothered by the chill in the air or the way the crickets halt their song when they approach.

A sense of loss fills me as they slowly disappear back into the trees to carry on with their nightly routine without us.

The last mom sends her calf into the woods before looking over her shoulder. When my eyes connect with the gentle creature, all I feel is gratitude for her, allowing me a small glimpse into her life.

The darkness of the woods embraces her like a long-lost friend as she disappears from view.

I turn in Kam’s lap until we’re face to face. The memory of the moonlight reflecting in his eyes will stay with me for a lifetime. “Thank you.”

He pulls my legs until I’m straddling him. Our chests brush with every breath we take. “We just got lucky. Mace’s dad said there wasn’t a guarantee we would see them.”

I shake my head as I weave my fingers through his hair. “Not just for that, but for never giving up on me.” A gentle laugh escapes my lips to float in the scarce inches between us. “I didn’t exactly make things easy on you.”

The beauty of his smile rivals that of the stars. “You were worth the wait.”

The moon is our only witness as his lips connect with mine. The warmth of his lips chases away the chill of the night as he deepens the kiss. My gasp fuels his desire as his tongue runs over my lips in request of entry I gladly give.

He groans into my mouth, and his barely there scruff bites at my cheeks as my front molds to his.

Hands roam up my back to find purchase in my hair as a howl starts in the distance and glides over the hills. A shiver travels down my spine as an answering call sounds from the surrounding trees.

Our mouths break apart as our labored breaths fill the air between us. Concern clouds my voice as my arms fall from his hair to his shoulders. “What was that?”

His brows draw down in concern as he tries to catch his breath. “Probably a coyote.” My arms tighten around his neck as the howls pick up in the distance. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”

There’s no doubt in my mind he means it.