Than
CHAPTER 1
When he first walked out of the door, he knew this was a rubicon of decisions. Turning back meant returning to the voice of his father voice- the malice. It was his way of showing rebellion; something he had not given much thought to until recently. Deep down, he told himself that it was all to prove to them that he could do it on his own but he knew better. He always got the feeling that his father would force him to join the army at some point or another, and with the conflict in South Asia; no better time than now. but for some reason he’d hope his father would want to shelter his youngest son from the violence. His worst fears did however come true when the old man started to bring it up. At first, it was talk of how every man in the family was destined to serve the country after every nightly news viewing; as if it wasn’t enough that the government was a constant reminder that he had no other choice should that damned raffle pick his birth year and month. It was approaching the end of 1969 and tensions seemed to be rising by the minute not only in his home but the world. His was a life less than perfect for his few years on earth. Ray was the last born of four brothers who all lived to fulfil their father’s wishes. Their eldest Jerry had been drafted a year earlier from his departure and hadn’t been heard from since. Ray might’ve not liked his brother Jerry, but as he approached 20 years of age his cruelty waned into regret and rebellion to their father’s dismay. This only fueled Ray’s determination to escape such a fate as his brother’s.
Still his father let his sons follow suit one after the other until it was just Ray left. No regret when the eldest died, no remorse for the second’s PTSD, none for Jerry’s injuries, and now it was Ray’s turn to become a broken man. Ray knew that it was only a matter of time before he was drafted or forced into the Vietnam War and there would be no way out. He was scared, admittedly. His parents who came from a long line of military service were adamant about their stance on the whole matter so there was no way they were going to help him. His father had gone on and on about his time in Korea and how it shaped him. All Ray heard in those declarative talks was about the wanton violence against young men who didn’t know any better.
Then one sweltering summer day, the letter came. The call to action. At first he hoped it was a mistake. He hid the letter from his father and watched the news with baited breath until the announcement was run in the evening. His father cheered boisterously and poured himself a whiskey. His mother just sat and knit, all while tears filled his eyes.
With only a few days to the day of the draft, he confronted his parents in the middle of their tiny living room in one last attempt to change their minds or just to show remorse. He couldn’t tail against it, his fate was set in stone. He’d taken his time to think of what he would be leaving behind and had come to a tough conclusion that nothing would get in his way of telling the truth.
From his distant and submissive mother to his cold, raucous father, he was convinced that he would much rather take his chances. He had some misplaced sense of love but they did nothing to support him his entire life. One wrong word from either of them and he was out the door in the days leading up to the draft. He was anxious the entire day when he finally sat them down and told them exactly how he felt.
“Don’t you think someone else in this family could be something different for once? That they aren’t obsessed with service and violence?” he’d asked after laying out his case for them. He had been so concerned about his mother’s reaction that he failed to see his father’s clenched fist as he vehemently opposed.
“No son of mine turns into a coward and a faggot! I’ve seen the people you spend time with at school or after work. You’re with the rejects. Those who’d do fucking nothing but hug and kiss men or hang out with no-” Ray cut his father off screaming, “ENOUGH!” His father was surprised at his outburst. Realizing he’d touched his son’s nerve he’d circle back to that point after beating him down more. He raged going on about how it was their duty to abide by the laws of the country. How everyone was turning soft and weak. How much of an honor it was to die for this country and stop the Commies. Ray knew that once he got drafted there was no turning back. He’s around scared young men and sadistic animals wearing the skin of soldiers. He wondered if those ‘glorious’ stories his father told hid the fact that he might’ve been a wolf- raping those poor women and killing Korean boys.
“Ray enough of the nonsense, you know better than to argue with your father. It’s your responsibility. We all have duties and roles.” His mother defended as if it was not bad enough. He wondered why he expected better from his own mother, she never stood up for him, not once. She was an extension of his father. Suffocatingly Christian and bigoted.
Ray’s life wasn’t a life up until this point. Like he couldn’t take the wheel for his life. He hopes he grew up with a metropolitan family- one that was loving and accepting. He wanted to be around peaceful unbigoted people. Instead Ray worked at the garage his father owned on the more rural part of town. That made it harder for Ray to spend time with his friends; that and packaging produce at the local church- it was the only job he could stomach lest he run around heckling black folks or his queer friends under the behest of his mother and father’s religious indoctrination. That was basically it for the Wensley boys; either service to their family or the country- whatever the fuck that meant? Just like other young people in the United States, he wanted a choice. He was lucky to have had high school as an escape from it all. Ray took pride in standing up for what he believed even if it meant defying his bigoted blood thirsty father. Ray had finished high school recently with a slightly above average grade which gave him hope for the next phase in his life. He did not dream big like some of his friends, but he knew he would find the right path soon enough. At first, students started speaking out in school forums about the draft, sharing their feelings and sparking debates until eventually, it became a nationwide discussion. He admired the parents who spoke publicly against the draft and often wished they were his own. While some did all they could to shield their children from a forced fate, his own did the complete opposite.
In one final show of retaliation, Ray picked his full bag off the floor gazing one last time at his parents. There was a deafening silence for him as his father screamed and berated him and his mother spoke quietly. Oh how he couldn’t wait to be as far away from them as possible! His father grabbed the armrest now as if waiting to pounce on him any minute. His father did all he could to hide the hurt that Ray would dare walk out on them. On the contrary, Ray hoped they could see the pain in his eyes but alas. His mother remained knitting a yellow sweater that had been going on for days while his father watched him like a hawk and spit violent rhetoric at him.
He hung his head in disappointment and walked out before Mr. Wenslsey decided to catch up with him. Amid his angry voice calling out to him hurling insults and threats his stomach knotted up. Ray looked back at his childhood home and his father’s strong but older physique and pot belly, a sight he’d keep but never revel in recalling.
He walked through the town as the sun dropped low in the July sky. He’d get to the town center and from there a bus to the city.
There had been so many riots leading up to the draft one could hardly tell who was who when he got to the city. He’d taken money from his savings enough to get him there. The streets of Chicago were flooded with disgruntled people holding up banners and chanting anti-war slogans. He found a lot of the writings to be quite creative. He had proudly participated in a lot of those in the week that had passed. As he carefully made his way through, he marveled at the courageous crowds. In another life, he would’ve already been an activist or something greater; however, he believed his destiny was elsewhere, somewhere quiet where he could do good to people he could see.
His upbringing was by all means less than perfect but in his youth he didn’t understand how bad it was, what living in that vacuum was like. It was harder as a teenager to fight the urge to compare his life to those of his peers. Ray always kept his head down in school and with only a handful of friends he was somewhat invisible. His father always wanted him to be into sports and hang with the children of other Vets, but he didn’t. He envied the liberal minded students and the artists and poets, for they were able to speak their truth, perhaps because they had a safe space in their homes or with friends. The open discussions amongst schoolmates and news updates on TV had kept him aware of the state of the nation. He had learnt just enough to have an opinion on most of the matters.
Ray had no idea where he was going but he had to get out of the country. His best bet was the republic of Canada; as far as he was concerned that was as peaceful a country as it could get. Everyone acted like they hated Canada but truth was, they envied the country for its relaxed government and people minded policies. He had gotten the idea from overhearing a conversation amongst his classmates. Some would suggest that fleeing to Canada would be a good idea and he couldn’t agree more.
He hopped from bus to bus until he made it 50 miles shy of the border. Carrying along some snacks for the road he started walking the rest of the way. He was more than halfway there and he wondered how much longer it would take. Either way, he was not giving up on his dream. He’d had Boy Scouts training per his father’s bequest but he was sure to use that knowledge now to escape this bullshit.
CHAPTER 2
Ray thought of all the good times he had with his close friends despite his rough upbringing and smiled kicking rocks on his way. Four days had passed already since he left Chicago and more than a week since he left home; a new record for him. He was convinced the police would try to find him, but given his faTher’s ego he wouldn’t call the police for a few days- giving Ray a head start. The longest he had been away from home was 24 hours, a rebellious fit that he later strongly regretted. His friends were going out of town for a day and he had no plans of missing out. Ray had his eyes on Missy, a kind natured blonde who was a senior in his school. They shared two classes together and exchanged greetings every now and then but he had every intention of getting closer to her. When he heard his friends’ plan, he knew it was his only chance at Missy. He left home undetected through the back door and ran as fast as he could, stopping at the highway where Jack, his best friend, was supposed to pick him up.
Jack was elated to see him considering he knew Mr. Wensely all too well.
“How did you manage to leave the house?” he’d asked with a smile plastered across his face.
Ray did not care whether someone had spotted him, as long as he was where he wanted to be in that moment. One of their friends had suggested a retreat to their family’s vacation cabin in the woods and a few of them had agreed to show up. That night was magical, the best Ray ever had. They’d spent the night smoking marijuana and telling jokes; for the first time he felt like he belonged. He and Missy hit it off better than he’d hoped. They sat around a bonfire and when she said she was cold he was there to offer his coat. It must have been an instant attraction for her to keep close all night. They talked under the stars and when he looked into her hazel eyes, it was as if she was begging him to get closer. He had shared his first kiss with her, completely unaware of how it was meant to be done but somehow, she liked it.
When Ray got home the following morning, his father was sitting on the porch waiting for him with an iron rod in hand. He could smell his mother’s delicious pancakes cooking from the kitchen as he humbly walked up the tiny steps. He could see the rage in his father’s eyes and he knew no apology would change that. It was the most violent beating he had received yet. First it was a fist to the face and he hit the ground hard but he remained as calm as the rest of his punishment was executed. He could remember that very feeling as the iron burnt his skin every time it landed on his bare behind. His father never hit hard enough to break things but surely enough to send a message. He’d switched off in the moment, lost in the thought of Missy’s rosy lips and the strawberry scent in her hair. Every stroke was worth it. When his father was finished scolding and beating him, his mother had casually walked out and served the old man his coffee as if nothing had happened, saying nothing to ease the moment.
“There’s some coffee inside for you as well.” She’d said to him as well, completely avoiding eye contact.
The memory made Ray cringe and laugh at the same time. For the first time in his entire life, he was free from them. He took out his map, stopping at a bus stop to catch a breath. His feet were killing him and from the looks of it, he still had a long way to go. He hated how misleading maps were just from the appearance. Luckily there was a bench at this particular bus stop; a lot of them did not have them. He reevaluated his plan trying to figure out if he could take a shorter route. He was getting closer to the border which he was aware would be impossible to cross without the proper documentation. According to the map, there was a bridge much closer to his destination which he needed to get to. Once he was there everything would be easier, he thought. He couldn’t have been the only one trying to flee the country so he figured the barricades would be impenetrable. He had run out of food, remaining with only a loaf of bread that had expired a day before. If he hurried and got to Canada he would still be able to eat it before it started to mold up.
He wondered if he would survive the terrain that he sought to venture into. The forest was his safest option rather than open road or farmland. Ray took out four slices and washed them down with some water as he strategized his next move. He took a deep breath taking in his environment as the cars drove past him. A bus came to a halt and the driver called out to him asking if he was heading in his direction. He could have asked for a lift but he did not want to draw too much attention to himself as he got closer. Once the bus drove away, he continued taking a detour into the heart of the forest.
The leaves on the ground grew wetter as he went deeper into the forest, signs that it had been raining at some point in the last week. It was getting colder and he adjusted the zipper on his jacket. He knew the further north he got the colder it got, but Christ was it colder than expected. There was a faint path he had chosen to follow, unsure of his own confidence in the old map he was using. He had picked it from his father’s table and laughed at the thought of him cursing when he realized it was no longer there. Ray began to hum to his favorite song in a bid to block out the fear that was creeping up inside him. The deeper he went into the forest, the more he feared to look back.
After what seemed like eternity of walking, the path seemed to disappear causing him to stop in his tracks. He had no clue where to go from there so he took out his compass. Surrounded by nothing but trees, he felt a wave of panic sweep through him when he spotted a green snake slithering from a nearby tree.
“Relax… Focus, you’ve done this before.” He reassured himself.
Truth was the closest he had gotten to a forest as thick as this was camping as a pre-teen. He had acquired his survival skills however involuntarily through his father who made sure he prepared his boys for war. The obsession the old man had for conflict and heroics was unmatched. He figured it was a bad case of undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder or blatant narcissism; the saddest way to live. He and his brothers had been made to fight each other a couple of times as a show of manhood but Ray always lost as the youngest. It was part of the reason he resented his mother so much- clearly his father was messed up, no doubt- but he could never truly forgive his mother for never standing up for them. Sometimes he even hated her. How horrible Ray thought; to hate your own mother.
Ray was fairly good with compasses but maps in a forest, he never could figure that one out. Either way, he followed his instinct taking a left turn. Never had he been so glad to have been wearing hiking boots than when he came across a large thorny thicket. The closest thing he had to a machete was a pocket knife- with a pair of gloves; he carefully began to clear his path ahead of him. This would take forever! Ignoring the pricks from the thorny bushes that left scratches on his arms, he desperately pulled his sleeves to cover up.
By the time he got to a clearing, he raised his head to see the dark clouds begin to gather. Amid the putrid smell of rotting forest floor flora and the congested trees in beams of strained sunlight, he felt the embrace of cool air and he could breathe much easily again. Ray was aware of his pulse growing to its regular pace as he continued even deeper. Something moved around him and he stepped back, conscious suddenly of the sound of his shoes on the fallen leaves. An uncanny stillness permeated the clearing through the faint sound of the wind against the branches. For a moment, his mind raced with paranoia. He listened keenly not making a step as a tiny rabbit emerged from a bush straight ahead. Ray got the perfect plan for his next meal- now if only he could catch it. He watched as the adorable brown rabbit hopped towards him unaware of his presence. Ray held his breath, his entire body shaking from the uncomfortable way he was standing. He lay in wait as the animal got closer… closer… then he pounced on it, his foot landing right on its head. He stepped on it so hard he felt the poor creature’s head explode. The rabbit shook rapidly beneath his shoe and he lifted his leg to deliver the final blow. Quickly, he put his foot down harder the second time afraid that the rabbit would somehow escape and suffer and die slowly. So hard was the kill that he fell to the ground with a thud, sliding from the blood that spewed from the animal. And just like that it stopped moving.
Ray had taken quite a fall wincing in pain from a bruised arm; that he could handle at least. He took out the last of his bread and wrapped it in a piece of cloth and threw the animal inside the bread bag to avoid any spillage then tossed it in his bag. He needed to get to some type of shelter before dusk.
One thing he was certain about though, there would be no moon tonight, at least not for him. He had been walking for hours and the sky seemed to be forming a thick massive blanket of grey clouds. It was going to rain! And from where he was standing, he spotted a jutting out rock up ahead. Finally, a place to set up shelter! He hurried his steps checking his water resistant watch- a gift from his more privileged best friend. God bless his kind heart- he thought. By the time he got to the area, just as he hoped, there was enough of an alcove where he chose to stay for the night. But just to be sure he took out his torch to scan the place for any creepy crawlies. Of all the scary creatures he could conjure, he was most scared of frogs. A colorful lizard crawled into hiding when the beam of light rested upon it. This spot was good enough to rest his head for the night.
He’d carried a small radio, another of his father’s items but he was not sure whether the batteries were still working. It was an old thing Mr. Wensley carried in his pocket when he moved about his daily routines. His father listened only to ‘Caucasian’ musicians because according to him, they had way better music. He often raged on about how ‘good’ white folk were losing all their originality to African American folk. Mr. Wensley had no room to accommodate any other race. It was part of why he supported the war so vehemently.
“To hell with all of them; we ought to show them just how great America is.” His father liked to say.
Ray cut off some branches hanging from a tree and laid them on the floor to cover the dust. First order of business, make a meal. He took out the bag with the dead rabbit- the animal was soaked in its own blood. First he placed the light bag under some rocks and gathered some dry firewood he had picked up along the way and placed them next to the rocks. Ray cringed at the smell of drying blood that emanated from the polythene bag and cleared his throat. He put his best survival skills at work and began to skin the animal.
“Shit, that stinks!” he exclaimed carefully, severing the what was left of head from the rest of the body. The process was easy all thanks to his sharp knife.
Once he was done gutting it and skinning it, he forced the knife splitting the animal’s rib cage right in the middle and tied it to two thick sticks on both ends making it easier to create a slow roast. The fire was easy to create with the lighter he brought with him. As he watched the meat cook slowly, he stared out into the forest as thoughts filled his troubled mind. Now that he was free, he could not help but wonder whether he would make it. He was sitting on the slightly cold floor leaned back against the bumpy rock behind him. He had envisaged a life much simpler than this when he thought about leaving home.
Ray had no way of telling how far he was from Canada so he decided to save his radio for later. Tonight, he just wanted to sit in silence. The forest was still a dangerous place and he needed to listen to his surroundings. He ate his well roasted meat and saved some for the morning. The rain came as he fell asleep and he snuggled deeper into the cave in a bid to warm up. It was easier then, falling asleep to the sound of rain hitting the ground.
CHAPTER 3
The world was not quite what it used to be especially for someone who’d lived as long as Thesipha had. Human behaviour was a concept she was still trying to understand despite all the negativity she had seen already. Quite frankly, she had kept her distance for as long as she could and she had no intentions of changing that. She had seen wars as they began to unfold and many more over the years. War was definitely not unfamiliar to a creature such as she; in fact, she understood the necessity of it all too well. Thesipha had watched from a distance aware of the consequences of fraternizing with the humans from all the warnings she had received from her superior. The last of her kind, she had no problem being by herself; at least not at first. She knew only what she needed to- human beings were dangerous.
Thesipha knew of a world however much different than this. In her bubble far away from it all, the world had seen changes beyond her wildest dreams. Had she not kept tabs of the decades past, she would have already lost count of her time on earth.
Her first years in segregation were the worst; it was like taking a drug away from an addict. Her entire purpose for existence relied upon the earth and its evolution. She was a nymph, but nowadays she was not sure what that meant exactly. Nymphs were created by the gods during the early days of humanity in order to guide man. Legend had it that they were forged when the gods mixed their own blood with clay and magnificently worked metals of the earth. They were the most magnificent of creatures, second only to the gods- natural beings born from the deepest of the planets resources. As long as she could recall, she had lived amongst her own kind in the presence of greatness.
As she walked in her perfect utopia, she thought about the days when men thrived among the gods; when human beings knew what was required of them. Thesipha enjoyed her calling; all nymphs did, as far as she was concerned. It felt good to see how the earth came to life as the years went by. She’d seen the civilization of man as she sat atop Mt. Olympus amongst the wisest of gods and she relished in every moment of it. Nymphs were the purest of creatures, youthful in all ways both human and godly.
“Half-god, half- human, half-animal- intricately belonging to the earth itself,” she liked to say. Thesipha remained the very being she was meant to be for as long as it had been required of her.
These days, she had no intention of mingling let alone caring for anyone but herself. It had become easier that way. She waited for years for a sign that would lead her back to her destiny but nothing came. At time she sat in her solitude recollecting on the times when gods lived amongst men. Such were times when everything was magical. She knew of the weaknesses of man for they too were just like gods. The gods were able to walk amongst men undetected for ages and blended well- unproblematic. Men on the other hand were taught to praise and fear the gods, convinced that they stood no chance amongst them but Thesipha knew better. The gods in their entirety were powerful beyond human perception but the similarities they bore were endless. But there were no gods without human beings; they complemented each other.
Men were created in the image and likeness of God who in turn made it so the gods would be too. They were quite distinguished from other animals not only in appearance but mostly in their ability to use their resources to survive as well as create. Thesipha had seen the gods in all their glory and in their worst. Perhaps it all explained why they loathed human vices so much; because it reminded them of their own weaknesses. Before they were called the seven deadly sins by the Roman Catholic Church; pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth were all just part of nature. The humans were the weak versions of gods and that’s how it always was. Never in a thousand years had she thought she would have to say goodbye to the only life she’d known.
Her matron was the goddess Artemis whom Thesipha owed her life. If not for Artemis, she and the rest of her kind might have never made it out of Europe and the Mediterranean. The feuds between humans were not unusual in their glory days, if anything, the gods relished in conflict resolution. They enjoyed watching the humans go at it even if for a little while just for sport before intervening. Everything always seemed to work out. They often had a laugh and discussed human insolence before intervening. The gods were proud of their ability to see everything as well as control it. As for the nymphs, they had their place in Olympus. Thesipha took it upon herself to interact with the people by assuming human form every now and then. As the gods watched from a distance, she was on the ground spreading messages of peace and relief during troubled times. The gods were enforcers while nymphs took on a more nurturing role. Not only did they tend to the needs of humans they did so for the gods as well.
Nothing could ever compare to the Greek empire; a period when men were second to Gods. She’d kept the stories of great men alive through journaling that had been her way of passing the time. These days it had become her way of dealing with the loneliness. She wrote about ancient Greece; the love, money, war all through to its downfall until she could not write any longer. An immortal being, she sometimes wished her life would come to an end. Being locked up in a prison of her own choosing was not any better. Her once youthful state had changed gradually over the years and it was all thanks to human wickedness; at least that was what she was made to believe.
Once upon a time, it was unusual for gods to interact with human beings. The gods often did as they pleased; sometimes even disguising themselves as animals that walked amongst men but never were they allowed to interact with them. But just like humans, they too liked to bend the rules every now and then. Thesipha heard stories of gods cohabiting with nymphs but scandalously so with humans as well. Nymphs knew everything for they had the best of both worlds. Their most beloved of traits was their ability to remain discreet always and she did so with utmost grace even when the fate of her existence depended on it. How she missed that world; that was before the gods mingled with man so much that it destroyed everything.
The fall of gods was gradual even though it seemed so instant to those who had not seen it coming. Had it been in her power, she would have made sure every being abided by the rules but alas. She was just but a foot soldier in a war she had no control over. If only she could turn back time, she would have warned the gods about getting too close to the humans, maybe then she would still be at home-free to roam as she pleased. When gods began to lust for human flesh, they began to lose their strength. They began to be envious and vengeful, eventually turning on each other. That was what humans did to mighty beings. Thesipha knew better than to ever leave her bubble. She would stay there waiting for Artemis to return and hopefully restore her to glory once again. She looked out into the open fields as she marveled at the poppy flowers that extended all through the horizon. Whatever existed beyond there, she would never know.
CHAPTER 4
Ray did not think he could take another day of his unpredictable journey. He’d been in the forest for two days trying to get to some sort of clear path. His feet were killing him from the blisters that were now beginning to form. He had no idea why but his shoes were starting to feel a little too tight on his feet. From his pocket, he pulled out a tiny mirror and checked on his bloodshot eyes. He had not slept very well since the rain made every night windy cold and miserable. Unfortunately, the water had washed into his alcove getting the contents in his bag wet as well as his own outfit. Since then, he has not taken any chances. If he had not let his guard down, he would have known that the water from the rain would have ruined everything. Already out of food, he desperately longed for something to eat.
He trod on lazily feeling the weight of his backpack pulling him back; another reason to feel like giving up. Ray stopped to take a breath holding on to his knees and panting hard. The fire in his lungs strained his breath. So engrossed was he in his own fatigue that he failed to realize he had finally come to an open field. A smile formed across his face when he spotted a waterfall in the distance. Quickly reaching into his bag for a pair of binoculars, he leapt up joyfully. He was out of fresh drinking water causing his lips to start chapping painfully.
“I found it! I fucking found it!” he screamed frantically when he spotted the bridge around the mountains much clearer.
From the foggy view it seemed only a stone throw away but he knew better. A surge of newly found energy swept through him as he adjusted his bag letting the binoculars hang over his chest. If he hurried he could make it to the bridge before dusk; he had about four hours at least. Between his cotton dry mouth and the rumbling of his stomach, the only thing that kept was keeping him afloat now was that new found hope. The cold breeze hit his face and he shivered; from his mouth a cloud of smoke emanated. His hands were freezing despite the gloves he was wearing. Rubbing his hands together for heat he put his best foot forward.
The journey grew tougher and colder hours on while the pain in his feet grew ever more excruciating. Every step warranted a painful wince. He had been checking on his watch so much he felt like time was going still by the minute. Hours had probably passed but he was too tired to think about it; too tired to do anything, yet his feet were somehow still moving. Each swallow was painful, his eyes heavy as his strides grew longer.
‘Just a few more steps’ he kept convincing himself until by some type of miracle the old passage bridge emerged ahead of him.
He smiled faintly afraid that even the little facial movements were a waste of energy. Ray was happy although he was worried about his state. The sores in his feet must have gotten bigger because they were now too unbearable for him. The bridge was now visible and it looked nothing like what he expected. There was a swollen river raging so loudly it made him dizzy when he looked below. The path he was on grew narrower as he approached the dilapidated bridge. It was a wooden bridge probably a lot bigger than it looked today. The bridge was covered in twined plants hardly exposing what it once was, a work of art and missing some steps; hopefully nothing he could not handle.
He took his first step keeping his eyes on the steps. One step- the bridge shook and he held on to the weak sides afraid he would fall off. So far so good! Each step was meticulous as he tried his best not to focus on the vicious roars that came from below. His heart was pounding vigorously as if threatening to break through his rib cage. Slowly, he set his foot on another plank- the wood was broken into half making it thinner and he licked his lower lip nervously and crossed his fingers letting his entire weight fall onto the board. That was a relief!
The next board looked better, stronger so he stepped on it hastily with profound confidence. No sooner had he finished taking that step than he realized what a big mistake it was. His left foot went right through the plank while he quite unexpectedly struggled to hang on to whatever he could but it was too late. He felt it when he reached out to grab the rope to the left and missed it by a whisker, falling off. He called out for help as he lost his balance knowing that no one could possibly hear him; not in the wilderness.
Down he went hearing the river grow much louder as he plunged into a state of oblivion. His life flashed before his eyes as his mind wandered deep into his biggest fears. He closed his eyes and hoped for the best. At least he could swim, he consoled himself. Still he had a feeling he stood no chance at surviving the fall. He landed hard on the rocks covered by the ferocious waves hitting his head and he winced in pain choking on the water immediately passing out.
Thesipha liked to take a dip in the river every day to clean herself. She enjoyed the solitude because she did not have to worry about anyone coming upon her nakedness there. The cool water did her justice for her body had a temperature of her own. She had walked to the river naked like she always did. Her home was not far from it though. She had used a number of natural materials to create a large tent-like house that suited her perfectly. Thesipha liked the sound of the waves as the river flowed downstream. She could feel the life in the river; she could hear it speak to her — the wind, the trees, earth- they all said something but only she could hear it.
The river was heavier than usual today and she wondered if all was well. As she put her first foot inside, she knew immediately that something was amiss. Something or someone was messing with the alignment of her sanctuary but she could not figure it out. Thesipha submerged her body into the river allowing herself to focus on its energy as she closed her eyes. Her elves’ like ears were perched listening to the day and she found herself swimming with light strokes lost in the deep soothing sounds. When she finally opened her eyes, she found herself deeper down the course of the river and ahead, she spotted something.
At first Thesipha was petrified for she knew that was no wild animal. Panic stricken, she swam closer to the edge where her worst fears were confirmed. Swept up on the river bed was a human! A young man lay half- dead drenched in water. She wondered what to do careful not to get too close. With a tiny stick, she poked him on the shoulder but he remained immobile.
“Excuse me! Who are you?” She tried to sound polite despite her fear of the unknown. No answer came so she decided to get closer.
It was clear that the man was unconscious but she could not figure out how he had made it into her sanctuary. Her life in isolation was determined by her magic bubble that warded off the prying eye of man and was well protected from the outside world. The land around which she inhabited was 30 square miles and she was certain that no human or human derived creature could enter. She felt for his pulse and found him breathing- barely so she revived him by pressing hard on his chest with her palms. He had swallowed a lot of water; frankly, it was a miracle that he was still breathing.
The young man coughed up the water opening his eyes for a second to say, “I made it to Canada,” faintly before he fell back into his swoon.
Thesipha had no idea what he was talking about and her efforts to wake him were futile. She took a deep breath and reluctantly carried him to her shelter. His sudden appearance needed some sort of explanation and she would wait however long to get it.
CHAPTER 5
Usually, the night came and went faster than lightning but this time, Thesipha had been counting every second. Her hands had been shaking all night for the first time in a long time, not because she could finally feel the temperature drop but because she was scared. Such feelings could relate to a dark era for Nymphs and she worried that this could be it for her. Her and the goddess’s magic should have been strong enough to keep everyone away yet somehow this strange looking man had managed to transverse her barrier. She worried that perhaps he was not the only one. So afraid was she that she barely touched his bag when looking for clues- she had used a stick to go through its contents and nothing made sense in there. A spear next to her seat was the closest thing she had as a weapon and she would not hesitate to use it.
She had been biting her lips nervously watching the man all night unable to sleep from his snoring on top of her fear. He had broken his leg from what seemed like an accident and had a bruise at the back of his head. Thesipha wondered what could have happened to him, how he got into her bubble and how many others like him there were. As she watched the sun rise, she heard him move, turning immediately to catch him opening his eyes.
Thesipha was not taking any chances with the human. She watched him keenly barely breathing as he started to look around the room until he spotted her. The look on his face said it all; confused, scared- she could not differentiate between the two.
“Who are you?” she asked curtly, picking the spear up and pointing it to his face. Fear that was the emotion she was going for. She was happy it was working.
Ray tried to get up in defense, almost falling off the bed. He had no idea where he was and what he was looking at.
“Who am I? Who are you…? And where the hell am I?” he screeched, holding on to the edge of the bed.
Thesipha was not intimidated neither by his raspy voice nor his physique. Ray on the other hand was scared to death. His heart was pumping faster and his head hurt like crazy. He remembered what had happened to him. He should have been dead. Was he dreaming?
“Wha-what are you?” Ray called out. She was standing in the light; her eyes, a bright luxurious blue.
‘What am I? You ask that like I am a thing! You ask it as if I owe you some type of explanation. No sir! I ought to be the one asking what you are doing here!!” Thesipha was offended by those remarks.
The bridge of her nose and her cheeks were adorned in freckles that seemed to turn to a deeper reddish brown pigmentation the angrier she got.
“Give me one good reason why I should not end you right here!” she demanded. One wrong move and Ray was finished.
He raised both his hands in the air in surrender carefully not to anger her some more. From her physique, there was no doubt she was female but indeed not a creature like he. The closer she got, the more he realized that it was in fact not a dream. He was in pain from his broken leg so he needed to be smart about his every move.
“My name is Ray and I was on my way to Canada. The last thing I remember was crossing a very old bridge then I took a wrong step and fell. And that’s all I remember. Next thing I know I’m waking up here.” He confessed.
“I have no idea where ‘here’ is but if I have made it to Canada I have no intention of causing you any trouble. I’ll be on my way and you’ll never see me again.” It was the best he could come up with given his circumstances.
Thesipha could read his mind now that he was conscious; nothing about him put her on edge any more. She could feel his fear get stronger and a wave of guilt came over her.
“This is not Canada. I don’t even know what a Canada is,” admitted Thesipha, laying her weapon down. She would have to sit down for this.
She was wearing an ancient white dress that resembled a long robe. She was aware of its sheer characteristics so she crossed her legs in reservation as she sat back on her armchair. Ray could see her light brown nipples through the fabric and immediately averted his eyes. She could see the confusion written all over Ray’s face and she shook her head.
“You are in my domain- a barrier world and I am a Nymph.” The words did not come out as planned so she tried it again.
“I know this is going to sound insane, man has forgotten about us after all, but I am not like you, as you can tell. You are in my sanctuary… somehow. I am still trying to figure out how.” They were both still trying to wrap their heads around what was unfolding.
Ray stayed quiet, still shaking from the thought of impending danger. So far nothing was making any sense.
“My name is Thesipha- and I created this sanctuary in the form of a magic-hmm let me think- a bubble- a magic bubble. The bubble was meant to keep everyone and everything out that was unwanted by my or my patron. That was the plan so now it’s your turn to tell me just how you got in here.” She sounded agitated but polite.
Frankly she couldn’t care less about explaining herself to him. After all, he was the one trespassing. Though having someone to talk to regardless of the circumstance was nice.
Ray sat upright aware that he was still in his dirty clothes which had finally dried up.
“I’m sorry but I have no idea what that means. I just wanted to get to Canada.” He went on.
Thesipha kept eye contact listening in on the myriad of thoughts that ran through the poor boy’s head. He must have been a teen at most.
“I’m not going to kill you. You’re a boy- 18 years of age?” She answered one of his mind’s concerns blatantly.
“Can you read my mind?!” he shot up, realizing what she had just done.
Thesipha somehow felt a new found strength since the boy had arrived nodding her head in affirmation. He was also funny, regardless of how weird it got he didn’t run or tear away from the unknown:
“I can do a lot of other things too, you’d be surprised. Get some rest. I need to figure out what I am going to do with you.” She got up and left the large tent like domicile.
Thesipha had mixed feelings about having the stranger in her home. If she could help it, he would be gone immediately. The best thing she could do was help him heal faster so she went to pick up some more healing herbs. The thought of leaving this boy in the cold forest to die bothered her, especially with how wet and cold the recent nights had been.
Ray had not moved an inch since the nymph left the room; he was not sure what was going on. He sat there for about half an hour looking around the strange room. There were writings all around the wall that seemed from an ancient language while every single décor showed no signs of modernity. The room was separated by a piece of cloth at the far end prompting him to wonder what was behind it. He searched around him and spotted the spear next to the chair Thesipha had been sitting on. Slowly, he crawled out of bed to the floor, hitting his leg harder than he had calculated. He closed his eyes groaning in pain but continued on till he got to the seat and struggled to get up. Ray’s upper body strength was still lacking and he felt a little bit dizzy. Still he had to get out before she came back.
Grabbing on the iron spear, he lifted himself up into a standing position then continued to limp towards the other room. He pulled back the cloth to find a well-lit room with a shrine of sorts in the center. From where he was standing, it looked like an obelisk of sorts. It was a statue shaped like a female but not quite human that terrified him out of his wits causing him to jump back. He wondered what kind of witchcraft he had just walked into. He probably should not have gone in there. Ray limped faster out of the tent struggling to catch a breath. Suddenly he was not feeling too well. One hand on his hip and the other on the spear that was now his walking stick, he took a deep inhale and when he finally opened his eyes.
He was taken aback by the view outside; the air was cleaner than he was used to it was hard not to compare. Never before had he seen anything so breath-taking in his entire life. The grass beneath his bare feet was wet from the morning dew, something he very much enjoyed. Up above the sky was bluer than usual while all he could see beyond was a beautiful meadow filled with flowers. It was exactly what Ray had envisioned when the word paradise came up. The smell of wet soil made his heart leap with joy and in that moment he felt content.
“What do you think you are doing with that?” he heard a familiar voice come from behind him.
Thesipha emerged from nowhere carrying two baskets over her shoulders. She looked concerned then her face turned pale when she saw him holding the spear.
“You really shouldn’t take people’s items without their permission, if you plan on doing something with that, now’s your chance.” She was frozen in her tracks watching for his next move. She could take him if he lashed out but she defeated the thought of even having to use violence.
Ray dropped the weapon to the ground quickly realizing what that looked like. He wasted no time apologizing and explaining himself. Thesipha sighed with a laugh at the release of tension and his apologies.
“You need to rest your leg if you want to ever walk again.” Thesipha picked the spear up and proceeded to walk inside.
Ray half-hopped hot on her heels curiously observing the freckles similar to those on her face that faded into her back and he wondered how far below they went. She had a thin athletic physique much like a supermodels he’d seen on TV while her wildly styled, chin length, auburn wavy hair did little to hide her somewhat pointy ears. He had never seen anything quite as exquisite as she. Like something out of a fairy tale he thought to himself
“How long have you been here?” Ray asked foolishly.
Thesipha turned her head a little to watch him hop behind her, “Bit more than 1,000 years. The part of the world I lived in got very unstable when the last of the ancients passed away.”
Ray just looked at her even more confused. All the vernacular was so bizarre. She could feel simple thoughts and intention but his confusion was only a flavor or a color in her read.
“Actually, I was wondering if I could stay a little bit here with you- until I’m better. I’ll help around seeing as you are the only one here.” He didn’t want to impose but he was hesitant to brave the wilderness and get lost again.
Thesipha was already inside when she put the baskets down and turned around bearing her weapon. He had now crossed a line to her and she couldn’t stand he’d even ask such a question.
“You will do no such thing!” she’d assumed the position of attack. “What is it that you want from me exactly? I saved your life! I’ve offered to heal you as much as I’m comfortable with. Do not think yourself entitled to my place in exchange for labor.”
She was not happy about him hinting at the possibility of staying longer than she intended. Thesipha did not need the company nor the trouble of a human, let alone a man.
“Oh fuck, I’m sorry. I just- I’ve been through a bit. The forest is scary and I’m on the run.” he confessed.
The word was odd ‘fuck’ what did it mean, “So you’re running from something and you thought it best to come here?”
“It’s not exactly like that. It’s my government, there’s a war. I didn’t want to participate and that put me in conflict with my family. If I cross this border- I won’t have to fight.” He beared his heart to her in hopes she’d understand.
Thesipha sighed, he was as good as she could tell ,” you may stay until you’re healed. But I cannot provide safety for you. You’ll have to cross that border as soon as your fit.” She pointed at him subtly with the spear, “Your arrival here was not fate. You were half dead so my magic could not detect you when you came flowing down the river… that’s the only explanation within reason.” She dropped her spear once again realizing that her worst qualities were showing.
She calmed her stern tone, “Do you mind having a seat so I can treat that?” She pointed at his lame leg.
Ray did as she asked, still marveling at her delicate figure. Thesipha went into one of the baskets and took out a bunch of herbs. She had makeshift cabinets that she had made by suspending wooden planks with rope from where she took out two jars, a pestle and mortar.
“What are you making?” inquired Ray in concern. He wanted to know everything that was going on henceforward.
Thesipha put the contents from the jar into the pestle along with the leaves and began to pound.
“It’s a mixture of medicinal herbs that have healing properties. They will help your leg heal faster. But you have to stay off your feet for a while.” She huffed as she pulverized the concoction.
Thesipha had seen human beings in similar situations before. They never listened when they were told. Ray watched as she tore off the leg of gis trousers with a razor sharp rock then began to apply the paste onto his skin where his leg was swollen. It had turned purplish black; a nasty reminder of why it hurt so much. The paste was cold as ice serving a intensely herbaceous smell that made it almost hard to breathe but was all the more soothing. Thesipha could tell it was working.
“Do you mind if I ask how you got here?” Ray was trying not to be insensitive. It was clear that he had to re-evaluate everything he had ever believed in.
Her lips were voluminous but not plump; her upper lip a slightly darker reddish brown similar to the pigmentation on the bridge of her nose. Ray was aware that staring was rude but he just couldn’t help it. She was gentle, making him feel like she was not such a stranger.
“I can hear your every thought Ray.” She startled him but she knew it was a lie. Thoughts where too complex it was more like broad colorful strokes of emotion and sensation. Thesipha was quite enjoying his unfamiliarity. She would not admit it but it felt different in a good way. Ray adjusted his pose feeling a sting from what he assumed was the strong herbs seeping through his broken bone.
Thesipha knew there would be grave consequences if he stayed. On top of that, she did not feel comfortable sharing her life’s history with a complete stranger. Despite her intuitive ability to tell he meant no harm she still could not trust him “With magic, like most other things.” She hoped it would dissuade his curiously but Ray just laughed.
“I know sarcasm is an English thing and more than that an American thing, but damn.” He was jovial despite her coldness.
Thesioha responded, annoyed, “I’m not lying.”
“I know you’re not. But no magic boat? Just poof- you’re here.”
“In a way it was just poof. Teleportation is one of the hardest magics ever. It’s also not instant for the Traveller. You cross a bridge through space and time to reappear.”
Ray was enraptured by the description, “Like- a metaphorical bridge or?”
Thesipha looked at him with piqued by his curiosity, “To me it resembled a bridge, but that’s how my mind made sense of it. Magic and the more intense aspects of it are affected by the observer.”
Once she finished applying the ointment, she got off her knees and placed it on the table. At the corner was what looked like the cooking area where she began to prepare her vegetables. Everything was fresh and colorful and he waited quietly watching her move around to prepare them a meal. He decided to hold off any questions he had. Perhaps if he gave her a little bit more time, he could get her to let her in. He really did not want to go to Canada any more.
CHAPTER 6
Days had turned into weeks and they barely said anything to each other. Ray would try to spark up a conversation with Thesipha every chance he could but his efforts were often in vain. She hardly spoke to him unless it was completely necessary. He had not seen her smile much; he could only get a smirk or puff of air from her nose when he made only the best of jokes. Thesipha instead seemed anxious and agitated most of the time. True to her word, she had been doing everything in her power to help him heal. She had made it her sole mission. But his broken bone was a lot worse than she could’ve imagined or he reacted. He seemed at oeace with pain, had he not disliked violence he would’ve made a good hound or war. With minimal movement on his part, he had taken his time to observe her demeanor. Ray felt so ignorant for thinking that human beings were the only ones that existed in the entire universe at this level of consciousness or with a choke hold on understanding the universe. In fact, if he actually gave it a lot of thought, he never did understand where the line between fiction and reality was drawn. Christianity in its entirety was fictional; without evidence that is-and all believers hang on to the writings of a world that supposedly once existed. So who’s to say that other such great worlds did not exist? Ray was never interested in the supernatural but he was a history enthusiast. He knew a little about mythological tales and was aware of nymphs. They existed somewhere in Greek Mythology as mentions in other stories but not much was said about them. He’d read of their enchanting beauty but never had he imagined them as captivating as Thesipha nor as inhuman.
They had gotten a bit more familiar although they said little to each other. She would let him help out with chores after begging from him and his incessant complaints of boredom. She got frustrated he couldn’t read her scrolls until it became clear Ancient Greek was not taught in schools. Finally Ray’s leg turned a corned as if magic… The keyword was ‘magic’ and he would never forget hearing it. How she had managed to stay undetected all this time was proof enough that the supernatural did in fact exist. Pehaps God had to do with it? That there was still this unfathomable beauty and it was really his fault if his followers ignorance and bigotry that let them go rogue? But if he was such a powerful being as everyone else claimed, why couldn’t he just stop all the killing? What kind of God stood by and watched his people slaughter each other? Maybe it was gods and a consensus? Maybe Thesipha had the answers; if only she could say something other than, ‘How are you feeling?’ and ‘Thank you.’
Thesipha had made him a walking stick from the wood of a tree that worked as well as modern crutches would. He was impressed by her innovativeness, however ancient her methods were. He could tell she had not embraced the modern way of life. Whether intentionally or not, it was refreshing to know that she was keeping sacred what she probably valued the most. Ray had run out of clean clothes and decided to do some cleaning when he found a marijuana joint in one of his pockets. He must have left in there for a while because he had no clue it was there. He had a brilliant idea! If he convinced Thesipha to share it with him, maybe she would let loose. He carried on cleaning his belongings while Thesipha was out gathering fruits and vegetables. To avoid sharing the same bed, she had been sleeping on the floor even when Ray asked to switch places. He did not mean to intrude like he already was but those few weeks there had been more peaceful than anything he had experienced in his entire life.
Ray waited for his opportune moment when the fire was hot and the food was boiling to try his luck with Thesipha again.
“I have some weed if you’d like to smoke.” He broke the silence. She had been sitting awkwardly facing the flames and had not said a word since she dressed his wound.
Ray knew that the closer he came to getting better, the less time he had there. He was going to try every trick in the book to get her to agree for him to stay.
“You smoke weeds? What kind of weeds and why?” she inquired cluelessly prompting him to burst into laughter. This was his chance.
“It’s a drug…ummm… It makes you feel high, forget your woes. Many say it’s not good for you- well only people who’ve never actually really tried it but I think that’s only because it’s illegal where I come from. We call it marijuana.” He held it out to her.
Thesipha took the joint and put it under her nose to smell it.
“Is this Cannabis?” her eyes lit up. Ray nodded his head, impressed that she was aware of the herb.
“To be honest, I am not surprised that you people made this drug illegal. It was bound to happen at some point.” She bent over into the fire and lit the joint. “This is not so bad either.” Taking a huge puff she released it slowly and giggled when she noticed he was gazing at her in awe. To Ray she looked like the most beautiful woman ever. A Fallow Deer made into a woman with splash of a Tolkien Elf.
Just like that she would not stop talking. She was sure to let him know how much she enjoyed the plant’s endless medicinal and recreational properties. However, she only knew it as cannabis, the best thing that ever happened to existence. Not just that but she knew of others with psychedelic properties. She told him how she had been growing cannabis and psychedelic mushrooms for a really long time, pulling out a jar from one of the shelves.
“You want to try them out?” she dared, passing the joint to him. Ray had never tried one of those before and he thought he was rebellious. Still, what did he have to lose?
Thesipha took out a calculated dose of the mushrooms for each of them. Handing Ray his portion, they swallowed them in unison and waited for what they both hoped would be the trip of a lifetime. They continued to talk over some weed until their vision began to take on the effects of the psychoactive mushrooms. It was the most they had ever said to each other and he was enjoying every minute of it. Ray felt as if he could feel her soul and emotions the way she hard described how she could feel. They jumped from topic to topic. She learned of Ray’s abuse but his joy at being free of it gave her hope and warmed her heart. Ray learned of Thesipha’s romps through ancient forests of Greece. How different nature used to be.
Then Ray asked no longer able to hide his curiosity, “So how old are you really? If you don’t mind me asking.” Ray loved watching her eyebrows contort snd reshape to his questions and answers.
She smiled look up at the stars then back to him playfully, “I am about 3,000 years old if I’ve been keeping count right.”, a shocking revelation to Ray who thought she couldn’t have been more than 25 years old. He should have known that appearances were quite deceiving especially from the stories she told. But he wasn’t in the business of making assumptions about people, only knowing them for them and from their mouth.
“Well you don’t look a day over 20, trust me,” he goofed, and Thesipha finally chortled in response.
“It’s good. I’d hate to feel as old as I am. But with nature slowly weakening, especially in the last 200 years, I’ve started to slowly age again.”
Ray was shocked, “At normal speed?”
“No-no, still incredibly slowly, but I can tell it’s starting to happen. Maybe in another 100 years I might look as if I’m 40 or 50 if this rate keeps up. Maybe in 200 years I’ll die.”
“Does it bother you? To get old? Maybe even die?”
Thesipha smiled to him warmly, “Death is natural. I’ve been around for so long and done and seen so much. There’s not much left to do. It is man’s world now, we’d need a miracle of magic and life to stop me from dying.”
“You’re so at peace. I’m almost envious.” His voice wasn’t as warm instead shedding that for a somber infection.
“You’ll be at peace. It’s finding a balance in yourself. I doubt you need to be immortal.”, She smiled to him.
A colorful hallucination crossed behind her. Like a black and green wave of silk shroud behind her causing him to gaze deeper into what was the most powerful trip of his life. For no reason they both burst out laughing. They where really close now when they stopped laughing. He found his hand on her shoulder.
“You have to be the most jaw dropping person I have ever laid eyes upon,” Ray confessed, running his hands through her silky soft hair. He was such a goner.
Thesipha moved suddenly and Ray flinched, for some reason his mind conjured the image of one of his father’s punches. Thesipha felt the panic but couldn’t tell from what. It was quiet for a moment.
“I want to show you something.” Thesipha held out her hand and led him out of the domicile, no longer afraid of him. When their hands touched, she felt the same unfamiliar rush of excitement flow through her, almost tipping her off her balance.
Ray wasted no time as she led the way into the thick forest that he often stared into too afraid to venture. Asking no questions, he followed like a good disciple unaware of what lay ahead yet trusting her with his life. Everything in his eyes was way more colourful than usual and his mind seemed to open up in ways it hadn’t before. It was as if he was seeing the world for the first time. His senses were heightened and the ground beneath him felt pillowy. When he looked below, he felt like he was walking on air. They stopped when they came close to the river and he spotted the most beautiful wild creatures he had ever seen before. They were unusual yet he felt like he had known them all his life. Thesipha explained what each one was allowing him to get closer and boy was he mesmerized! Ray loved the idea of taking care of the environment for as long as he could remember so he had taken a liking to animals early on in his childhood. As they watched the animals move around in their natural habitat, they spotted a smaller horse-like creature with pointed ears and a long tail ending in a tuft of white fur, it stood out from the rest as it’s white coat of fur shimmered under the natural light like a fishes scales.
“Is that what I think it is?” Ray asked excitedly, noticing the distinct horn on its forehead. Thesipha nodded urging him to get closer to it. Ray looked back to Thesipha, he couldn’t believe it.
Everyone knew unicorns were just a figment of someone’s rich imagination; or did they? Everything Ray had once believed in was being tried and tested every moment he continued to stay there and he liked it. He loved to not know the world as it was dictated to him but from how he experienced it.
“You can touch it if you want, I promise, she doesn’t bite.” Thesipha urged slowly petting the animal’s snout. Ray came up carefully touching the animal’s soft fur. He could feel her heartbeat amid her slow steady breathing. He moved closer still laying his head on the unicorn’s side as he continued to pet her.
“She’s so beautiful.” Ray was not sure whether it was just the drugs but he was having the time of his life.
Thesipha watched the young man keenly as he relished in the world she had created for herself. It felt good seeing someone appreciate what she was doing, especially a human being. She had not been in contact with the outside world for so long she forgot what that felt like. For a moment they both forgot all their worries getting lost in each other’s eyes. Ray had not been able to stop staring at her beautiful face the entire time. He was warmed by her kind heart and even more so, the way she nurtured the environment around her. They were standing only feet apart but he began to bridge the distance slowly getting closer. Thesipha was aware of his slow movement towards her yet she did nothing to stop him at first. She felt high and confused so when he finally got too close, she panicked pulling away in an instant.
She acted like nothing had happened as she continued to caress the unicorn. They stayed out a bit longer then proceeded back to the house. Thesipha had been listening to his questions for so long it was her turn to do the asking. Initially, he had refused to tell her anything about his personal life only sharing the information about his journey but they had just eaten dinner and the drugs were slowly beginning to wear off much to her knowledge. She was concerned about being sober once again because it reminded of her reality. As much as she was enjoying his company so far, the boy had to go.
“How did you get the scar on your lower lip?” she had been staring at it since the first time they met.
“I ran away from home” Ray found himself spilling the beans out of the blue. “I had a habit of running away. I did it a few times. The first was as a boy.”
As he started to explain to her how hard his upbringing was but with actual detail this time, he felt a hot tear sting his eyes but he cleared his throat and shook his head in a bid to stop it. The drug enhancing the memories and making them feel real again.
“Can I stop talking?” he said cautiously.
Thesipha touched his arm, “Dont stop for anyone, not even me.”
Ray wiped his eyes, “Back at home, we used to do odd jobs from time to time because my father said so. So one time we were delivering some vegetables to a local supermarket and he would make us sit in the back of the lorry with the boxes. My older brother said something mean to me and shoved me so I called out to my father to intervene. The old man hated when we ‘slowed him down’ but I needed my father in that moment you know? So he stops the truck and angrily drags the both of us out of the trunk onto the side of the road. Then he tells us to fight it out like grown men should; which was completely unfair considering my brother was six years older than me. I remember being so terrified that day when I told him that I wanted to go home but he insisted that it had to be done, throwing me at the mercy of my taller, older brother.”
The memory was too vivid for him; so fresh, it felt like it was happening all over again. He had been only 10 years old; too young to even be impressionable. He just wanted to be a normal kid but instead, he had to walk around school with a busted lip that he’d gotten from his own flesh and blood. Some of his classmates thought he was some kind of tough guy while others spread rumors about his tough situation at home but no one ever lent a hand. Jack had been the only one brave enough to ask him about it and they had been inseparable since.
Thesipha could feel Ray’s pain as he narrated the ordeal and she couldn’t begin to understand but she’d try. She was beginning to realize that she had been a little too hard on him. In a bid to break the ice, she asks what the world outside is like. Truth was, she was quite curious but lacked the guts to go and find out for herself. Ray was more than glad to show her everything he knew so he started by taking out his survival kit. He would enjoy every moment of teaching her what he knew.
He did his best to avoid all the traumatic things of the world when teaching her and telling her about things. But her mind always returned to the thought of that bruised up little boy. When he looked her in the eyes she was about to pounce, kissing him on the lips. But she hesitated, getting an inch apart from him.
Maybe not.
CHAPTER 7
Ray and Thesipha went on as if nothing happened. Ray instead took advantage of the time he had with Thesipha as well as he could. So far, he had taught her all the nitty gritties of survival through his own eyes and introduced her to a few of the tools he’d been carrying. In order to buy more time, he had chosen to show her one thing at a time hoping it would delay his departure.
His leg was almost fully healed in just a month’s time but instead of being happy, he was the complete opposite.
So far, they had been sharing information about each other’s lives that he had not seen coming a few weeks prior. He had told her about trains and aeroplanes, televisions and radios, money and why it was nicknamed ‘the root of all evil.’ She was surprised to hear about religion and how far beyond the world it had spread. The two had gotten quite close but he’d heard very little about her previous life. She liked to tell ancient stories but never got into specifics about why she was all alone in a bubble of all places.
“I know you said I could not stay much longer but I was hoping you would have changed your mind by now.” Ray brought up the discussion Thesipha dreaded so much. She had failed to explain to him why he could not stay and hoped she would not have to.
“I think I have a solution that could work perfectly for both of us. I know you are afraid of human beings, which is justified so I can stay away if you want. Only instead of leaving the bubble, how about, I just find a place for me in the outskirts and you never have to worry about me?” it sounded so simple in his head.
Thesipha was agitated by his insolence so she stopped and started to explain it to him.
“They say that the fate of a god solely depends on their believers. When the people stop believing, the gods start to lose their power gradually.” She sat down beside him.
“You see once upon a time, nymphs were nature’s own blessing forged by the gods and the earth itself. We witnessed the dawn of humanity, mingled among the greatest of gods; No one came close to Zeus, the greatest of them all. We experienced the dawn of humanity with the gods being the moral compass. We were created by the gods to teach man how to take care of the environment for what was supposed to be eternity but no one had ever predicted that vices were part of human behavior. We walked among humans; taught them how to procreate, farm and even how to love but we had no control over the negativity that inevitably appeared. The gods could do as they pleased- anything they wanted apart from mingling with human beings. Perhaps it was their disobedience; it’s hard to tell what it was exactly that brought out the worst in the gods. You see, nymphs had the power to nurture, but little authority over the universe. It wasn’t until we heard rumors that gods were secretly mingling with human beings that our world slowly became undone. It’s easy to have rules but what happens when the enforcers themselves don’t follow the rules? Life is a like a scale that requires balance- without balance life starts to get meaningless. The gods got bored easily so they began to seek adventure by disguising themselves and going into the human world. They secretly cohabited with humans hoping their actions remained secret but the nymphs always knew. The consequences were dire, as you can imagine.”
Thesipha took a deep breath as the memories came flooding back. She had not talked about this in millennia yet it still felt freshly etched in her mind.
“There lived a man named Orion-the hunter. He was a handsome hardworking man who kept to himself most of the time having no family growing up. In his land, he was known as the best hunter there was. Orion lived on a remote Island leading a hermit’s life. He hunted by night and slept by day but he was not unnoticed. High in the heavens, Orion had a secret admirer, unbeknownst to him. Her name was Artemis, the goddess of the moon and daughter of Zeus, the king of the gods. It was her job to guide the moon into place and when the clouds were not blocking her view, she would watch Orion, falling madly in love with him. Artemis knew that gods could not mingle with human beings but she just could not resist. One night, she decided to go down to Orion and when he laid his eyes upon her, he fell in love instantly. They started a secret affair and Artemis would visit the hunter every chance she got. Their love was boundless and Artemis hoped it was enough for the mortal, for after all, what greater honor than to be in the presence of a god? Artemis started to get suspicious when she realized that Orion had a different destiny from the one she hoped for. He wanted to be a great man, have a family and live up to old age but with Artemis, his dreams would never come true. Orion was ready to go public with their relationship and did not care about the repercussions although Artemis was not. When he told her what he wanted, she laughed and told him it would be impossible. I am a god, she said, and you are just but a mere mortal. The words were a bitter pill to swallow but he accepted that nothing would ever come of their relationship. In a bid to move on, he stopped seeing Artemis causing her to get even more suspicious. It was not long before she discovered he was seeing a mortal woman who had taken interest in him. Artemis was jealous and bitter. How dare he compare her to a mortal? If she could not have him, then no one else would. Artemis waited until the hunter was unawares and attacked him with a poison arrow in the dead of night. After Orion’s death, Zeus, honoring a lost demigod Nephilim, cast his image into the stars. Artemis is my patron; the last surviving of the gods and her story serves to teach all of us how human beings bring out the worst in us.”
The entire time she was talking, Ray was staring at her finely chiseled face. Her nose was straight and slightly upturned at the end while her chin ended in a fine almost point delicately rounded at the bottom. Her curved eyebrows of medium thickness went up and down when she spoke in concern. He had been listening to her explanation yet nothing she said stopped him from falling even deeper into infatuation with her.
“Artemis could return any minute and if she finds you here, she will kill you.” Thesipha announced snapping him back into reality. “You can’t stay here Ray.”
Her warnings only proved that she cared about him but he was shaken by her story. There was an eerie ring to the way she told her tale. She was probably right, he could not stay there. But where else could he go?
“Plus, even if you decide to live as far away as possible from me, if you don’t build a shelter, you’d be dead from exposure in two months.” She added pouring him a bowl of vegetable soup.
“Thank you for telling me this. And I apologize if I have been insisting on staying and defying your decision.” He held her hand softly in appreciation and she did not know what to do. Thesipha struggled with her inner desires. Not having the touch of another for decades, she could not help but feel conflicted. His touch was warm and her blood must have been boiling. Having the boy around for so long was evoking mixed feelings.
This time, she did not pull away but remained scared of the feelings that were brewing inside of her.
“I escaped my home not only because I was avoiding the draft but it’s the violence that pushed me to the brink. The world is a dark place, Thesipha, you don’t even know half of it.” He started. Perhaps she did not understand so he explained it like you would to a little child.
He told Thesipha about slavery, colonialism and the scramble to conquer territories. It was all just a petty competition to diminish another human because existence; he said. Ray told her about the world wars, the cold war, the tragedies at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the civil rights movements and the Vietnam War that was ongoing as she listened in horror at the atrocities of men. He told her about crimes against humanity that were committed every other day. Robbery, racism, gun violence, rape, extrajudicial killings, serial killings, suicides- anything he could think of.
“The world has changed Thesipha, people have embraced animalism in the name of ‘survival’. The principle do unto your neighbor as you’d like them to do to you is long gone. We live together because it is inevitable while seeing each other as threats. The world is just a ticking time bomb ready to go off any minute and I’m just glad I’m no longer there. Please, don’t make me go back.” He begged.
Thesipha sympathized with Ray, of all the things he had said, she was stuck on his request to stay. Just hearing about what the world had become shocked her. Surely she could not send him to a fate like that. She would not have been able to live with herself. He was yet to heal completely so she would let him stay until they could figure it out.
Ray liked to offer his company when she went to pick out flowers or herbs. Their conversations eventually continued in the fields. Thesipha had to admit that having him around was far much better than being all alone. Ray liked to watch her move around; he would never let her know but he had somewhat of a crush on her. How could he not? She was the most intelligent female he had ever encountered and her beauty was mesmerizing. Her thin and athletic physic, was no testament of her true age. The dresses she wore were reminiscent of his imagination of what a goddess would clad in. The linen that made her dress was a bit see-through r and he often wondered if she knew that. He caught a glimpse of her thighs as she made each step as her round butt protruded through the shear cloth.
He was about to complement her when he saw her stand up straight her ears pointier than ever.
“Don’t make a sound. She’s here!” Thesipha was petrified nearly dropping to the ground from her shaking hands.
“Stay here, I’ll be back for you.” She promised rushing back towards the house.
Ray was as alert as she was sensing that he was in danger. He did as she said retreating further behind a bush and sat there.
Thesipha walked as quickly as she could trying to calm her breath. Her mind was racing fast, she needed to get to the house first but when she got to the entrance, her fears were confirmed.
“My goddess, Artemis, you have returned!” she dropped the basket to the floor and got on her knees hailing the cloaked goddess who now stood before her.
CHAPTER 8
Thesipha was glad she had always hidden Ray’s belongings before they left the house. She was relieved he had not decided to do laundry on that particular day.
“Thesipha, you look well my dear. I cannot say the same about myself however, time has not been kind to me.” Artemis’ voice was raspy.
That was true, the Artemis the nymph once knew was no more. She was a crotchety old woman- a former shell of herself. If you looked closely, you could tell she was once the most beautiful woman in the world but that had long since faded. Thesipha would not bring that to her attention so she looked at her only when necessary.
“I have been patiently waiting on your return.” Thesipha led her to the shrine she had made for the goddess. There she worshipped her on a daily basis in a bid to keep her legend alive. Thesipha wondered what had happened to her godly patron over the years. The once radiant deity now looked shriveled and miserable however, she knew better than to ask.
Thesipha knew the psychology of the gods. All they needed was to be praised, shown that they were important. It was as easy to please them –simply do as they want. Thesipha played the perfect position ready to serve her wherever she needed. Giving the deity time to herself in the shrine, she excused herself to go collect what they would have for supper but in reality, she needed to get rid of Ray’s belongings before they were discovered. She carefully took out his bag from underneath her bed making sure she left nothing behind and snuck out to go find the young man. She hoped Ray had not left in fear for it would only make it easier for Artemis to find him. His best chance at survival was to hide and only she could show him how.
Ray’s presence in her bubble had done her a lot of good. She had therefore explained to him how it worked. The bubble remained intact as long as all the magical creatures remained untouched. Before he arrived, she had been feeling weak which was evident in her physical features however, their interactions had made her magic return. Thesipha hoped that Artemis was not able to sense that.
“I’m so glad I found you Ray,” she rushed to hug him when she found him sitting quietly under a tree. She had taken a liking to the young man feeling like it was her responsibility to take care of him. No doubt, he made her feel like a true nymph once again.
“What happened?” he asked relieved to see her. The embrace was unexpected but he did not mind.
She explained how Artemis had arrived out of the blue after years of disappearance. It was as if the dead had come to life-she said. From Ray’s angle, he could tell Thesipha was afraid of her.
“I’m sure if you show her what good progress we’ve made, she might just be as accommodative of me as you are. Maybe I can prove her wrong about humans if you just intro…” Ray did not get the chance to finish his statement.
“No! That is not and will never be an option. You don’t know Artemis like I do. Although a kind goddess in her own right, she is spiteful and vengeful. Artemis does not reward disobedience with understanding, she punishes.”
Every time she started to talk about Artemis her hands would shake and Ray held her close. He did not want to get either of them in trouble so he did as she asked.
“I brought your things along with a magical piece of cloth. With a few tricks here and there, you can be able to create a shelter for yourself. What is it you called it, a tent?” she joked.
It was nice to see she was learning from his teaching. He did not think he had anything to offer such a wise being. She went on to tell him that she had cast a magical spell on the cloth that would help him stay undetected for the time he was in hiding. He chose a spot that had an amazing view of Thesipha’s house so he could see her every day. She promised to bring him something to eat as she went back with a fully stocked basket. A tent would not be hard to make- what would be hard was suddenly having to be so far away from her. He thought he would have been prepared for the moment- that he was okay with but this was an adjustment. Thesipha was kind enough to bring along some blankets with her which made it easier for him to create a resting area for himself. Times like these, he was glad he had his radio.
Thesipha returned to an unsuspecting Artemis and prepared a sacred meal which they shared together. It was an awkwardly silent dinner, the old goddess devouring the food like she had not eaten in days. The nymph was glad she was enjoying the meal at least. They said little to each other Artemis expressing just how tired she was before retiring into the holy room. Thesipha waited until she was out cold then snuck out once again. As much as she feared the goddess, she could not help but think about Ray and how he was doing out there. She had developed a soft spot for him and in a way had gotten attached.
Ray lay on the carpeted floor staring into the night sky. The stars were faint but he could see them from a distance. He thought of the story of Orion the Hunter and Artemis and wondered how the world of mortals existed with such little knowledge.
“Care for some company?” Thesipha appeared out of the blue like a beaming angel. She had crossed his mind a bit too much lately; he had not expected to see her so soon.
She looked as beautiful as the stars above.
“How did you manage to get away?” he was concerned. Her dress flowed elegantly as she sat right next to him.
“She’s asleep. Well I may have added a little something in her food to ensure she remains true to her fatigue. Don’t worry, it’s totally natural an non-toxic. She won’t even know.” He was relieved to know that they did not have to worry about Artemis.
“How’s the leg doing?” she knew it was improving for she had checked on it every day but she could not fight the feelings of concern. She had already made it his mission to take care of him.
“Do you mind if I ask why I have to hide like this?” Ray understood the uncertainty that came with being around a stranger but he was willing to change Artemis’ mind if only Thesipha gave him the chance.
Thesipha’s heart skipped a beat at the thought of that. It was clear that Ray had a long way to go in understanding how things worked.
“Ray, Artemis is a goddess; do you know what that means? Put yourself in her shoes for once and think about it will you? She is old and grey now an unnatural way for a deity to age. She is no longer the youthful goddess she once was but at least she is alive. The rest of her kind is gone, wiped away after using up all their powers to fight each other. In the beginning, gods had no reason to fight each other, at least not to the death. All these problems started when they began to mingle with human beings. Feelings of jealousy and revenge were inevitable when it came to fighting for a mortal’s love. Artemis knows this better than anyone because she was the only one who saved her energy for herself. Now tell me, if it was you, would you be so lenient with mortals?” she kept eye contact just to see if he really got it.
“Gods are supposed to be immortal beings, stronger than you can ever fathom. Artemis once protected nymphs, made sure we were taken care of but now, she holds our kind in a utopia. She sees herself as the last vestige of purity and protection for women and nymphs alike. Nymphs are like caviar for demigods and demigods are like Wagyu steak. One is a delicious treat and a show of class and the other is all that and a hearty meal. You are in grave danger, which is why I have to hide you Ray. You have no idea what Artemis is capable of.”
The steak reference threw him off completely. He did understand though that he stood no chance against the goddess so he let that slide.
“You know, the world could have used your help on several occasions. It still could you know. How come you never helped the women during wars? You’ve been locked in here when stuff like Vietnam war keeps happening.” Ray asked. He was only trying to understand her.
Thesipha found the question quite confusing. She had been so caught up in her own bubble; she had not stopped for a second to think of the world outside.
“I’m not sure. I’m ashamed to be honest because I had no clue what’s been happening out there. I suppose things just changed, not for everyone but for me as well. I used to live outside human villages once upon a time helping sick women and children. We would sow our magic on fields with failing crops razed by war to restore their fertility. The people had no idea we were there but our presence left a sense of peace and healing. We nymphs were fulfilling our duty to the world but that was a different time. We no longer exist like we used to, it’s no longer that simple. I guess after I was separated from my people it no longer made sense. I was weakened and forced to retreat into hiding. I was under the impression that this was the only way to save whatever power I had left. Now that I know what it’s been like all these years, I can’t fight the desire to go out and help people; If only that were up to me.”
Thesipha knew that everything she did was because Artemis asked it of her. She had no control over what she did with her body- Artemis owned her. That’s just how it was.
Ray realized that they were far too similar. He felt the same way when he was at home with his family so in a way, he could relate. He wanted to make her feel better so he told her stories of how he volunteered in soup kitchens and joined anti-war protests because he knew it would irk his old man. He shared a funny story of how he had once been beaten by his father for listening to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech on his father’s radio and they laughed.
“I noticed that you liked listening to music so I brought you a surprise.” Thesipha was carrying a bottle of mead that she had made herself along with a tiny harp she had kept from her time in the Greek empire. She began to play a heavenly tune which he seemed to enjoy very much. She too was curious about the music from his world so he played her a few on his radio. The blend of different instruments to create music was a concept she had not yet grasped.
“What is that?” she asked. He explained what production was as well as he could, informing her of the innovations that had come up in the entertainment industry. The closest he could get to a television was through a magazine so he had to explain it to her like she was a toddler. He enjoyed the way she was finally letting him in. All he wanted to do was make her smile and it was working finally. He could smell the coconut oil in her hair so fresh he wanted to stay there forever. He reached out and kissed her hand careful not to cross the line. Thesipha’s heart beat faster but she invited the feeling that made her want to be with him. Ray pulled her closer, letting her head look into his and he waited listening for her heart beat a moment longer then perched his lips on her. Thesipha felt like her soul had been trapped for so long and he was setting it free. The taste of his lips on hers sent her to a place of coloured rainbows and all things pure and when they finally broke for a breath; neither of them could take their eyes off the other. Ray was glad she had let him taste her even just for a moment. It was all he wanted- a chance to prove to her that there was still hope for humanity.
As Thesipha played the harp, Ray found himself reminded of a song he thought was perfect for the moment. He started to sing along to the melody finding the lyrics from Bo Diddley’s Pretty Thing. She loved the song tuning her melody to fit his. It was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her.
Thesipha realized just how much she had missed being in hiding all this time. They continued drinking and talked all night staring into the stars almost losing track of time.
CHAPTER 9
Thesipha was yet to understand why Artemis was back. She liked to keep her matters private which Thesipha usually did not mind but lately, she had found a distraction that she liked. She had been meeting with Ray per usual and Artemis had not suspected a thing. She knew the danger but the company with someone wholly new was refreshing. The youthful nymph found herself daydreaming about Ray who she now felt was her counterpart. She’d wake up and wonder about him. She thinks if he’d eaten, she’d ponder what he’d say to her when she went to him. The kiss they shared had sent her over the moon with conflicting emotions and feelings. Being with someone, let alone a human, like that- had had awaken a desire.
Thesipha felt sad that he’d avoided talking about it. He wouldn’t get too close to her. He would even apologize when their skin grazed. He was a fit young soft spoken man with an interest in making the world a better place and that was enough for her to like him. Her heart beat with joy thinking about his messy blonde hair or how sweet his lips tasted. For his young age, he had managed to impress her more than any mortal she had met in her entire life- although she didn’t know many mortals in her thousand some odd years. How she struggled to keep a straight face when he showered her with compliments. She had eyes for a mortal once when she had taken the form of a human girl but that had ended fast when she revealed true self to them in a bid to be honest. They had called her a freak of nature and shunned her. Belonging to the mortals was something Artemis warned her of.
“Can you hear me?” Artemis’ strict voice came cutting through her whirlwind of thoughts. Thesipha had missed what she had said the first time.
“I said it is time for us to leave this place behind, Thesipha. That’s why I came back for you.” It was better when she had not heard her the first time.
Thesipha’s heart sank but she remained silent. The first thing that came to her mind was this place, the animals, the plants… even Ray. She did not want to leave, but Artemis had her survival in mind. Artemis always warned a time would come when the world would be destroyed- but now? After all that Ray had told her. The horrors he had told her of made her feel like this world couldn’t end- this was their hell.
“What about the home I created here. Am I just supposed to destroy it or leave it behind, Goddess?” she did not want to sound stubborn or indignant but she also couldn’t help herself.
Artemis gave her a stern look, studying her face as if waiting to hear another word come from her mouth.
“Are you suggesting that I do not know what is best for us?” she shot back watching for a reaction, “After all the centuries you’ve survived under man’s rule?”
Of course not! That was not what Thesipha meant and she knew it. Artemis was manipulative as she had expected. All the time and age and loss of power had turned Artemis bitter and weak.
“We will leave together in a fortnight. By then I’m sure you will be ready.” Artemis said it as if she was doing her a favour.
Thesipha fought to keep her mouth shut- she had half the mind to protest. But the disappointment written all over her face gave it away. Artemis saw her expression and it concerned her. In all the years as a deity, she had never had to explain herself to a nymph.
The day felt longer than ever as the nymph went on with her routine only that nothing she did was on her own accord anymore. Artemis watched her like a Hawk. Even when Thesipha thought she wasn’t being watched the god could see her. Ray needed to know what was going on before Artemis became aware of his presence.
The evening approached. With that Artemis’ age showed, she was yawning and tired and ready to retire for the nightZ Once Artemis left to rest, Thesipha snuck up the hills to see Ray who was waiting eagerly for her. She carried some food for him and mead she had made for Artemis.
The night progressed but Thesipha’s mind was lost in thought, until Ray broke through, “Is something troubling you?”, he looked to her concerned and curious. Since she had arrived there something was amiss. Thesipha was not sure where to begin. She hoped to spare Ray all the drama as she poured him another drink. What would she say? That she wanted him to leave? Because she didn’t- at least not anymore. She just couldn’t let this situation persist and increase the chances Artemis would kill him- or worse.
“Is it Artemis? What happened?” he insisted. For the few months he’d been with her, he could tell when she was unhappy. He wondered if he was the cause of her long face.
“She wants us to leave.” Taking a gulp of her mead and pouring herself another.
Ray leaned back confused, “Us or you two?”
Ray was quiet, he knew he had no right to have an opinion. He could always stay, but without Thssipha, was it even worth it? Trying to play it cool, he calmly took a sip of his drink watching her in distress. He couldn’t fix her and once again he felt responsible. The news had come like a blow but they really had no choice, he couldn’t defy a fucking god?
“What will happen to me when you leave?” it seemed like the only logical thing to ask.
“I don’t want to leave you.” Thesipha confessed despair written all over her face, “I don’t know what will happen to the bubble or my animals. I don’t know what will happen even to you.”
He sighed, “You don’t have to worry about me. Teach me about how to care for the animals?” He just wanted her to feel better and to not be so worried. She had done so much it was the least he could do instead of being at war.
She barked back quickly, “I do care about you. That’s most of the reason I’m mad. You’re the first person that I- to be my friend.”
Ray was taken aback by her sudden fervor. She had leaned into him. Her cheeks blushed from the mead and her eyes looked at him hooded.
“I don’t want to leave you either, Thesipha. I like it here with you.” She didn’t realize but she’d been waiting to hear those words since she got here.
“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about our kiss. I’ve been thinking about you constantly.” he slowly took her cup from her hand, placing it on the floor beside them. The fire pit Ray had built and lit flickered orange rays off of his face and hair. Thesipha looked even more supernaturally gorgeous. Her hair was shining and radiant in the light of the flames. The moon was just as much an atmospheric enhancement to this moment. Ray raised his cheek and brushed it, then moved his hand to her arm.
Thesipha was upset by the way his words rolled off of his silken tongue but made her hairs stand. She was more upset by how it made her feel as a tightness built in her core and loins. She squeezed her legs together tightly.
“Are you cold?” he asked, feeling the goosebumps against her skin when he touched her arm. “You can leave if you’d like? I’m sure you’ve seen your fair share of starry nights.”
Without thinking she spoke, “I don’t want to leave. I wanna be here with you a bit longer. Could we sit in your tent?”
He answered so benignly, “Yeah of course.”
Thesipha was almost happy he didn’t read into her words- almost happy. She had lived long enough and heard enough stories of man’s desire but she was getting a hunger she’d never once thought to indulge in.
She watched as he led her to the tent. Despite his healed injury and slight limp- he was still a strong virulent young man. His strong body and tender smile made her heart melt and her legs weak.
She sat in the tent and watched as he removed his shoes, “Thank you for treating me so well. I know I wasn’t the most receptive host.”
He turned with a smile, “Listen, no harm no foul. At the moment I was devastated but once I got an idea of what your situation was- how could I ask for more than what you’d give?” He sat next to her, “I know what it’s like to always feel like an outcast but you never treated me like that. You helped me, a total stranger, your selflessness is an example in my humble opinion. I’ve never met anyone like you.” She had balancing tears; a mixture of alcohol and emotions. The fact that she could do nothing about her own fate made her feel so helpless. But he made sure not to make her feel any worse.
“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” She said after finishing her silent lamentation. She turned to him, they were so close to each other now. Her breath smelled so sweet to Ray. He was not sure whether he was allowed to do so but he inched himself a little closer to her. “Is it okay if I kiss you again?”
She was caught off-guard, her freckled cheeks turning pink instantly. He was being quite gregarious- she was so close, Thesipha wondered if that’s why he’d chosen to just say it. Before she could say a word, he wrapped his hands around her tiny waist and pulled her in. The feel of their lips intertwined so perfectly her whole body begged for more. She moaned softly as she tried to catch a breath but he would not let go. She did not want him to.
His strong yet gentle hands grabbed her waist tightly; in his arms she was so warm. She loved how her soft flesh gave way under his fingers. His masculine scent was unfamiliar but it made her head swim. Ray’s head was swimming with her scent as well. To Ray she smelled like the women in poetry from the romantic era- impossible for any living human. He had never been with a woman like this. Never thought he’d be with a woman like Thesipha. Her kiss was sweet. Her little moans made him even harder.
“Wait… there’s something you need to know about me.” She suspected he could feel her pulse increase and her skin become clammy with anxiety, she choked at first, “I-I’ve never been with a man before. I’ve never really been with anyone before. I was chaste for so much of my life… until now I suppose?”