Chapter Eighteen

Rock

That morning, just as the first rays of the morning light flow through my open window, a knock on the door wakes me up. I get up from my bed immediately, rubbing my eyes. Another knock is heard moments later.

"I'm coming," I shout at whoever is knocking.

I open the door to a group of concerned villagers. I can see the expressions of confusion and curiosity on their faces, mixed with a hint of suspicion.

"Sorry for waking you up," the first one, Jonas, tells me, looking apprehensive.

"That's fine," I assure him, glancing at the two, standing next to him. "Is something the matter?"

Jonas hesitates to start, but it's obvious that Rose and Leo are here just for support. Jonas is the one who is to do all the talking, if he eventually manages to say what he came here to say.

"Why is there a human in our village?" he finally says the words. "We… we're all worried."

My first instinct is to tell him that Elena is more worried than they are, for a good reason, but I don't say that. I remain calm, realizing that they are just asking for answers. Nothing else.

"This isn't how we do things," he adds, and the two next to him nod in agreement.

"Why don't you come in," I suggest, not wanting to have this conversation in the doorway.

They do as I bid them, as I close the door behind them. "Take a seat," I offer.

Rose and Leo do so, but Jonas remains standing.

"I wanted to have a town meeting and discuss this, but with the threat of the enemy bear clan, I didn't see it as a priority," I explain.

"Not a priority?" Jonas raises an eyebrow at me. "She's here again. And we have small ones to protect."

"She is not the one you have to protect them from," I tell him patiently. "Listen, I understand this is highly unusual. And that it is probably making you feel uneasy."

"It is," Rose interjects this time.

"You are a woman, Rose," I turn to her. "You know how important it is to have protection. She… Elena… doesn't have anyone here. She is all alone, camping out in the woods."

"Why isn't she in Pinehaven then?" Jonas inquires.

I don't want to tell him that she was in more danger there than out here in the woods.

"Only we can protect her," I reply. "She's been with Cal and me in the woods, and we've all been attacked by an enemy bear shifter. I have made the decision to bring her here."

Leo frowns at me. "Why should we trust her? Humans only bring trouble." There is a note of skepticism in his voice, and I understand where it is coming from. Humans have really brought us nothing but trouble whenever they were close to us.

I decide to choose my words carefully. "She is not like the others. She didn't want to come here, because she knew that she would not be welcome. I went after her, to convince her to come, because she truly needs our help. We must be good, compassionate and extend our protection to those in need, regardless of who they are."

The trio all exchange glances, obviously still uncertain about the presence of a human in their midst. The idea of accepting someone from the outside challenged their established norms, but for all the right reasons. I can't fault them for being extra careful, when I myself taught them to always be like that.

"I ask for your trust in this matter," I continue. "We are a community that looks out for one another. Let's show kindness and help those who seek not to attack us, but on the contrary, who seek refuge among us."

The weight of my words hang in the air as the three of them are deliberating the meaning behind it. After a moment, a nod passes among them, signaling a tentative agreement.

"If you say she needs our help, we'll give her a chance," Jonas assures me. "But we're watching."

I acknowledge the compromise, nodding in gratitude. "That is all I am asking. Thank you."

With a shared understanding, the three of them leave. I am left to navigate the delicate balance between the tradition that we have striven to upkeep and the new wave of things I myself have chosen to adopt. Realizing that Elena might herself feel a little apprehensive to be here, I decide to wake her up first, then Cal, so we can take her to a nearby waterfall. Maybe taking some photos of a breathtaking spot might make her feel better. In fact, it will make all of us forget the tension that hasn't left the village ever since we found out about the other bear shifter threat.

Getting dressed quickly, I make my way to Elena's cottage. A sense of determination is infusing my every step, and the sun above me is promising that this will be a lovely day which we shouldn't waste. I approach her door and knock gently.

"Elena?" I whisper, when after a few seconds, there is no reply.

I wait a bit longer, then the door creaks open, revealing a sleepy-eyed Elena, still in the midst of waking up. Her tousled fiery hair is framing her face as she blinks against the morning light.

"Rock?" she echoes. "What's… going on?"

"Get ready," I tell her, walking past her. "We're going… now."

"Going?" she turned to me, rubbing her eyes. "Where? Is everything alright?

"Yes, yes, of course," I nod, realizing that I maybe didn't approach this the right way. "Everything is alright. I was just thinking we could wake up Cal and head over to the waterfalls. I thought you might enjoy capturing its beauty with your camera."

Her eyes immediately light up, welcoming the suggestion. "A waterfall? That sounds amazing. I'd love to take some photos and get my mind off of everything. But… are you sure we'll be safe there?"

"I'm sure," I nod. "It's not too far away from here. Besides, we'll be careful."

"Alright then," she beams at me, looking around. "Let me just get ready."

"Take your time," I tell her. "I'll go wake up Cal, and we'll come pick you up, alright?"

"Yes," she nods. "And… thank you," she says sweetly, stepping on her toes to kiss me on the cheek.

I gently touch the place she kissed, feeling it burn. "I'll be back soon," I say a little awkwardly, leaving her cottage.

About an hour later, all three of us arrive at the waterfall and the sight that greets us is nothing short of enchanting. The cascading water, glistening in the sunlight, is dancing down rugged rocks surrounded by lush greenery. A gentle mist hangs in the air, creating an ethereal atmosphere that only seems to add to the allure of the scene.

"This is… breathtaking…" Elena manages to whisper, in awe of the sight before us.

The sound of the rushing water echoes through the secluded space, creating a soothing melody that only adds to the harmony of nature around us. Sunlight is filtering through the canopy above, casting dappled patterns on the moss-covered rocks and the crystal-clear pool below.

The sight is breathtaking, just like she said, but Cal and I can't focus on the waterfall. All we see is her. I see the same desire, the same love in his eyes.

Elena is caught in the magic of the moment, taking out her camera and starting to take photos. After a while, we find a peaceful spot to sit and indulge in the gentle symphony of the waterfall in the background. The leaves above us are swaying in the gentle breeze, and a part of me wishes we could stay here forever.

Cal, leaning against a tree trunk is the first one to break the tranquil silence.

"This place has a way of making everything else fade away, doesn't it?" he wonders, and it almost sounds like a rhetorical question. "Just the sound of the water and the rustle of leaves."

Elena is lying comfortably on the grass, nodding in agreement.

"It's like a sanctuary. A break from all of the chaos." She turns to him, then to me. "I've never seen anything so beautiful. Thank you both for bringing me here."

Our conversation unfolds and we start to delve into the simplicity of life. She tells us more about her dreams and aspirations, and I can see that she is still torn between taking that one photo that would change her life in exactly the way she has always imagined it would. But at the same time, we all know that would be the end of us all.

I don't want to ask her about her decision. Whatever she decides, and whenever she decides, she will let us know. In the meantime, I am sure, just like Cal is, that she will not take that photo without our consent. I trust her. We both do.

"You know, sometimes it seems almost natural to be here, with you guys," she admits. "Almost as if that should have been my dream all along."

"It is completely doable," Cal says. "It just takes a single word."

"No, it doesn't," she smiles at him somehow sadly.

"Why not?" I wonder.

She shrugs. "How could I ever become a part of your world?"

Cal scoots closer to her. "I think you already are."

She raises an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Well… this is as strange for us as it is for you," Cal locks gazes with me, then continues. "But I think I speak for both me and Rock when I say that our paths crossed for a reason. You are here for a reason. You still may be torn between going back home and staying here, taking that photo, your presence in the village, there are so many things, I get that. But sometimes, reason is just an obstacle, listing all the things that are in our way to something we want to possess. Sometimes, we have to go with our gut."

"You mean heart?" she chuckles.

"Gut, heart, it's the same thing," Cal laughs, and I can't help but join in.

"Maybe you're right," she says, once the laughter calms down a little. "But… me staying here, won't that create trouble for everyone? Especially you?"

"You let us worry about that," I assure her. "Things will quiet down, as soon as we sort out these bear shifter troubles."

She inhales deeply, leaning her head on Cal's shoulder. "I wish we could stay here forever."

Cal turns to her and caresses her cheek. "We could stay here… the three of us together."