Chapter 7: Of Horses and Ruins

Edith’s thoughts instantly brightened and she followed the tall, swaying form of Caden Byrne along the cemetery’s stone path. As they walked, Caden kindly asked about Edith’s family.

“Oh, my mother passed away when I was young. She was coming home from work and there was a car accident. I had no siblings, so it was just me and my dad from that time on.”

“He talked about you often,” Caden said gently. “I could tell he was proud of you.”

“You are being kind,” Edith smiled warmly. Caden blinked and suddenly looked away.

“How about you?” Edith ventured. “What about your family?”

Caden stopped walking, “They are all gone. I was a lone child too. My parents, and most of my friends are gone now.”

“Oh,” breathed Edith. She looked up at the cloudy sky. “I know how that feels, to be alone.”

Caden eyed her curiously, and nodded.

They fell into a marching rhythm, and soon crested the rise near the back of the cemetery. Tall, dark, green trees lined the burial grounds, but she could just begin to see the path continued on the other side of a stone fence.

Reaching the fence, Caden turned and held out his hand, “Over we go.”

Edith took the offered hand and without even a glance, climbed over the old, rough stone wall. Caden hopped over immediately after her, and she smiled in surprise.

“You must do that often,” she said. “You hopped over that without messing up your suit.”

Caden looked at her quickly, paused, then chuckled.

“I have done that more times than I should have,” he almost smiled. “That fence has come between me and trouble many times.”

They continued walking through the trees, and Edith reached up to let the thick, fragrant needles brush gently over her finger tips.

Caden suddenly gave a sharp, long whistle. A series of excited neighs echoed through the small forest, and Edith wondered if she were in a dream.

Four coal-black horses came through the trees towards them.

“This is Viktor, Lotta, Mia, and you have already met Bracken,” Caden stepped forward to rub his horses’ heads. They snorted softly and stood quietly as he spoke to them in low, soothing tones.

Caden invited Edith forward and she began to stroke the long, muscular black necks. She smiled at Caden, and realized he was watching her.

“They are beautiful,” she said.

“My family has had this breed of horse for as long as I can remember,” Caden raised his chiseled eyebrows. “I only have these four, but Lotta and Mia are both in foal. Miles comes and takes the young ones to train. Then he sells them for me.”

“So you have been friends with him for a while?”

“Oh yes,” Caden practically whispered. “For a long time.”

Caden and Edith had reached a quaint barn made of rich dark wood. It sat back in the bushes, with a path running further up the property to a stark, grey manor with black roof and doors. Lilacs grew abundantly around the home, which was surrounded by the same evergreen forest as the barn.

Reaching inside the barn door, Caden retrieved two halters. He handed one to Edith.

“Get Viktor, and I’ll grab Bracken.”

Edith watched Caden tack up his horse and mount up, impressed with his skill. She felt her heart quiver slightly as they rode out among the trees towards the ruins. As they walked and trotted along a narrow path, Caden pointed out interesting features about the forest, trees, and wildlife. They approached a steep hill and Caden urged Bracken into a strong trot.

“Do you feel like a gallop?” Caden called over his shoulder.

“Of course,” Edith replied eagerly.

With a snort, Bracken leaped forward and Viktor followed. The horses crested the hill side by side, and before them lay the ruins.

Caden reached over and touched Edith’s hand. The instant he touched her, he pulled back as if she were on fire. As they continued their ride, he motioned her to follow him down a trail that ran along the outside of the ruins.

The next couple of hours passed quickly. They explored the trails, with Caden acting as guide. He was pleased with the way Edith handled her horse, and kept up with him. She blushed at the compliment. When they rode into the center of a large, rectangle ruin, Caden halted to give the horses a rest.

“Edith,” Caden began. “I haven’t felt this happy in so many years. Thank you for riding with me today.”

Edith’s breath caught in her throat, but she smiled, “I’m having a wonderful time, Mr. Byrne. Thank you for inviting me.”

Caden looked out over the waving grass, “Your father would be happy knowing you rode my horses… and you may call me Caden.”

A few, soft raindrops fell onto Edith’s face. Caden noticed and looked up at the sky.

“We should get back to the house, Caden said. He turned Bracken towards the path, and suddenly shook violently. He coughed.

Before Edith could ask if he was alright, Caden held up a hand.

“I’m fine. Let’s go.”

They retraced their ride in the early evening light. By the time they reached the home of Caden Byrne, Edith noticed Caden had become very pale. He was more solemn and reserved. They untacked their horses in silence, with Edith hardly taking her eyes off her host.

“Are you finished?” Caden asked in a voice low and hoarse. “I must take you home like I promised.”

When the horses were fed, barn lights turned off, Caden surprisingly took Edith’s hand to guide her. She looked into his pale face, but he simply stared at her hand.

As they reached the door, Caden gave a loud dry cough, and shook his head.

“Are you alright?” Edith said. “That cough doesn’t sound too good…”

“You should go,” Caden said coldly.

Edith stepped back in confusion, “I didn’t mean to upset you, I was just …”

“You were just going…” Caden glared, His breath was slowly becoming ragged, and his normally dark blue eyes seemed to change. Edith swore they now looked a deep, crimson red. She shook her head as icy shivers ran up her spine.

“Caden, I…”

“Just go…Please,” Caden reached into his pocket, then handed Edith some loose change. He turned his back to her and leaned on the wall. “Go down the driveway, and when you reach the main road, turn right. There will be a bus stop, lit up, a short walk down. Go now.”

Fighting back tears, Edith left the house and began walking down the long driveway to the main road. She realized she had stayed longer than she planned, as the sun was now setting. The sky was heavy with rain clouds, and Edith swore she could feel a sprinkling of rain.

“If I take the main road, it will be dark before I even get to the bus stop,” She paused. Edith looked back through the forest towards the graveyard. The sky seemed lighter in that direction, so the young woman changed her plan. Edith walked briskly through the forest and to the stone fence. As she placed her hand on the wall, Caden’s

Shadows danced menacingly in the darkening twilight, as the full moon began its slow rise between the clouds in the sky.

“They’re just shadows,” Edith said to herself. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

She had only gone about twenty steps when she heard the distinct sound of footsteps behind her. At first she ignored the sound, and simply lengthened her stride. Then she noticed the footsteps were getting quicker, and tried to shrug off the growing feeling of being followed. Finally, when the rain started to fall, Edith turned around.

A man wearing a long, dark coat was heading towards her on the ever-darkening path. As she watched, two more men stepped onto the path from behind gravestones. The man with the long coat looked up, his eyes glowing red like coals in a fire, and without a sound, he broke into a run.