Chapter 2

It was a typical Sunday, Syrah's favorite day because the Kellers went to church. They reminded her every Sunday that because she was a whore's child she could not find God. Syrah didn't care what they said, she got to be mostly alone at the estate for half a day. She helped the kitchen staff prepare meals and did some cleaning of the areas the family would spend time when they returned and she would run in the forest. Today she decided to go just a bit farther than she usually did so she could run that much more before getting back to the manor. Every trip she made into the woods made her love nature more. She didn't mind what the weather was; snow and ice gave her more of a challenge on her runs, rain kept her cool and helped her feel more invigorated, the sun seemed to warm her soul as well as her skin. However, fall was always her favorite time of the year. It wasn't just because the family went to bed earlier and got up later, though that was a perk, but because there was something about the magic of the season that spoke to her. The colors of the leaves as they changed and fell felt like her soul changing and adapting in her life and the brisk wind that was warm one minute and cold the next made her feel enveloped in its fingerless grasp.

Syrah came to a bend in the river and wondered how far the Kellers' estate went. Was she still on their property? She sat down on the bank and listened to the birds and squirrels go about their business and watched as a herd of elk emerged on the other side of the river and began to drink. She gazed at their beauty and marveled at their size. As she watched, the herd all looked to the East and suddenly took off running. She was amazed by their strength and speed before she realized they were coming right for her. She turned and ran back into the forest, slipping on the bank. She heard the elk splashing through the shallow water and ran like she'd never run before. She felt like she was flying when she hit the tree line and the next thing she knew she was up the closest tree out of the reach of the deadly animals below. She regained her breath while the herd stampeded below her and wondered what could have frightened them so. As the last of the elk passed below her she began looking around to ensure it was safe to come down. She heard more splashing and looked further out towards the river. She saw a single individual on horseback crossing in the wake of the herd and surmised that this is what spooked them in the first place. The person came to a stop below her tree and gazed into the forest after the herd. She didn't move or make a sound for fear they would find her. She knew she wasn't supposed to be in the forest and if the Kellers found out she would be branded again... or worse. She mentally shuddered as she thought of the punishments Mr. Keller had bragged about. The person below placed an arrow back in its quiver and began speaking softly to the horse. She realized it was a man and she feared discovery even more. He picked up his reins, she thought to continue, and he looked straight up at her as if he knew she'd been there all along. Their eyes met and she felt her heart begin racing even more. They continued to stare at each other for what seemed like an eternity before he finally cleared his throat. "Are you going to come down from there? I believe you're safe from the elk now." She continued to stare and realized she was captivated by his gaze. He had the same bright green eyes that she did. This realization made her curious and her curiosity made her brave. She answered back to him as calmly as she could, "I quite like it up here. Who are you?" He backed his horse up to give her some space but continued to stare at her without answering. She felt a strange pressure in her head as she stared at the mysterious man and then she felt a whisper of her name. Her eyes widened and she saw him smile a wicked smile. "What are you doing to me?" Again in her mind she felt her name and then a clear, "I'm communicating with you, Syrah." Her gasp was answered with an even broader smile on his face. She began to climb out of the tree out of sheer curiosity of this bizarre stranger. As she stepped off her last branch to hang for her drop, she felt his voice again. This time it was the last thing she expected anyone to say, "I can't believe I finally found you."