Episode 7

Siena

As soon as we finished putting everything away, the others left, leaving behind an almost palpable silence. Derek, however, remained. His eyes lingered for a moment on Jasmine, who was playing cheerfully with the little fabric wolf, before turning to me with a deep and serious look.

"Can we talk outside for a bit?" he asks, his voice laden with a seriousness that unsettles me.

"Sure," I reply, feeling a slight anxiety grow inside me.

I followed him outside, where the morning air was still fresh, and the sounds of the forest were beginning to fill the surroundings. Out here, the sunlight filtered gently through the trees, creating an almost magical scene. Derek stopped a few steps from the cabin and turned to face me.

"Siena, I need to understand your situation better," he began, his voice firm but with a hint of concern. "Why were you running away? And why did you come to this forest specifically?"

I took a deep breath, knowing I needed to trust him if I wanted any chance of safety for myself and Jasmine.

"We... we were in danger," I began, feeling a lump form in my throat. "At the orphanage where we lived, I overheard a conversation... They wanted to get rid of us. They talked about a fire that would make it look like an accident, with no survivors. We had no choice but to run, and the forest seemed like our only refuge. The legends I'd heard about this place made me believe it would be difficult for them to find us here."

He remained silent for a moment, absorbing my words. His eyes never left mine, as if he were trying to read the truth in the depths of my gaze.

"And now, what do you intend to do?" he asked, his voice soft but laden with a gravity I couldn't ignore.

"I don't know," I admitted, the vulnerability evident in my voice. "My main goal was to find a safe place for Jasmine. I don't have a plan beyond that."

Derek nodded slowly, as if understanding the magnitude of my situation. He took a step closer, and for a moment, I thought he was going to touch me, but he just stopped, maintaining a respectful distance.

"I'll make sure you're both safe," he finally said, with a determination that surprised me. "But I need you to trust me and follow my guidance. This forest is dangerous for humans, but I can ensure that no harm comes to you."

His eyes, now softer, reflected a silent promise. I knew he was offering more than just physical protection; there was a deeper commitment, a responsibility he was assuming.

"Thank you, Derek," I say, my voice full of gratitude and relief. "I don't know what I would have done without your help."

He just nodded, a small smile touching his lips before turning to look at the forest around us. We stood there in silence for a few moments, absorbing the calm and serenity of the environment.

However, Derek broke the silence with a cough, his eyes fixed on me, the intensity of his gaze making my heart race.

"How old are you?" he asked, his voice penetrating my ears with a firmness that made my knees weak.

There was something in his tone, the way his words resonated, that sent a burning heat spreading through my body. I took a deep breath, trying to control the frantic beating of my heart.

"I'm seventeen," I replied, my voice a little shakier than I would have liked.

He kept his gaze fixed on me for a few more seconds, as if processing this information. Finally, he nodded, an unreadable expression on his face.

"You're young to have so much responsibility," he remarked, his tone a mixture of sympathy and admiration. "Taking care of that little girl, running away to save your lives... You're very brave, Siena."

I felt my cheeks flush with the compliment, and I looked away for a moment, trying to hide the mix of emotions his words stirred within me. When I looked back at him, I saw a softness in his eyes that I hadn't noticed before.

"Thank you, Derek. But I don't feel that brave. I'm just doing what I have to do to protect Jasmine. She's all I have."

He took another step closer, the proximity making my heart race even faster. His next words came out in a whisper, almost as if they were a secret shared only between us.

"That's what defines true courage, Siena. Doing what's necessary, even when you're afraid."

His gaze pierced mine, and for a moment, the world around us seemed to disappear. I felt a deep connection, a silent understanding between us. Before I could respond, he pulled away slightly, breaking the intensity of the moment.

"I... I need to get back... but I'll be back... I'll be back," he said, the urgency in his voice contrasting with the uncertainty in his eyes.

Before I could answer, he turned and disappeared into the forest, his movements swift and fluid, vanishing among the dense trees. I stood there, frozen, watching him vanish into the forest, feeling a mixture of confusion and worry.

"What was that about?" I muttered to myself, frowning.

Derek's sudden change in behavior intrigued me. He had seemed so firm, so sure of himself, but something had shaken him deeply. Perhaps it was the intensity of our moment, or maybe he had remembered something urgent that needed to be done.

I went back inside the cabin, finding Jasmine still playing with the wolf doll. She looked up at me, her eyes shining with joy.

"Sie, look! He's so cute!" she said, holding the doll carefully.

I smiled, trying to push away the worry about Derek and focus on Jasmine.

"He is, little one. He's very cute," I replied, sitting down next to her.

As I watched her play, my thoughts kept returning to Derek. Something about him intrigued me deeply, a mixture of danger and protection that I couldn't ignore. And now, with him leaving so abruptly, I felt even more curious about what was going on.

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