The Distance

My hair stood as I watched the waves below me crash against the cliffside. My toes could feel the energy of the water through the grass, fascinating me as the strength of the ocean hummed in my bones. As I gazed out before me, the horizon stretched beyond my sight, revealing an endless sunset of orange and red settling in the distance. The air coming from over the ocean stroked my skin softly. If only the cold draft was the sole reason I shivered. I had run as far east as I could. I needed a new direction.

“Azora.”

I looked towards the voice. I hadn’t run far enough. He stood only ten paces from where I was. I closed my eyes, not wanting to accept that he had followed me.

“Why did you run?”

I turned back to the sea. It was beautiful. Strong and reliable. Unlike everything good in my life. I heard him step closer and I stayed.

“What is it?” He now stood beside me on the edge of the cliff. His eyes were on me, waiting for an answer I was never going to give him.

“Azora, please… you don’t need to tell me, just come home.”

I cried. And before I could even react, his arms were around me, holding me tightly against him. It felt safe and I couldn’t stop myself from returning the embrace. Neither could I stop the flow of tears pouring from my eyes. I had lied. There was one good thing in my life that was strong and reliable. Him.

He deserved the world. But he wasn’t even supposed to be here. Wasn’t allowed to be here. He was forced to stay put, never to explore all that life had to offer, all that he deserved to have. Letting go, I tried to wipe my tears away. “We should get you home before anyone finds out…”

“So this means you’ll be coming home, too?” He asked, smiling sweetly at me. Lifting his hand, he gently caressed my cheek with his thumb, taking the tear from my face. I nodded. If I didn’t follow him home, he wouldn’t return either. “If you want to talk about it, you know I’m here.”

“Ash, you could get in a lot of trouble…” It was true. And I couldn’t help but worry. I wasn’t worth the consequences.

He chuckled. “I wasn’t about to let you run off from yet another home, Azora. Stay.”

I looked back to the sunset. Purple covered the sky and the ocean. Quickly turning away, I gazed back to Ash. “Okay. I’ll stay.” He smiled warmly at me and lifted my boots. Kneeling down, he helped me step into them. I held onto his shoulder for balance as I did so.

My chest tightened as he placed an arm around my shoulders and directed me back towards the oasis. “Azora, whatever happened that made you want to leave, I’m sorry. I don’t ever want you to feel like the Oasis can’t be a home for you and that you can’t talk to me.”

I pursed my lips, finding interest in watching my steps sink into the sand. If only I could find the strength to tell him what I had done.