Seeker waited for Beautiful to come down from her room. She never did. Will she meet me in the dream? She did, but something was off. Outside, winter had arrived—but in the dream, autumn clung to the trees. Reds, golds, and oranges still flamed on every branch. And yet, the colors looked faded. Dimmed. No birds sang. Not one.
They visited all their places—the stream, the waterfalls, the orchard… but something was missing. Every step felt… hollow. No spark. No fire. Only the ache in his chest, sharp and hot.
There’s got to be something I can say. He racked his brain. I got nothing.
They sat in silence for a long time. Then Beautiful turned to him. “Seeker, I have something to tell you.”
Finally. She loved him. He knew that. But something was wrong. Maybe now she’d say what it was. He ran through everything again. Nothing came to mind. What did I miss?
“But not here,” she said softly. “I can’t do this to you here.”
The blood drained from Seeker’s face. She’s going to leave me. He opened his mouth to speak—to plead. He reached for her hand—but she was gone. Just like that.
Alone.
***
Beautiful had made up her mind. Kind’s words still echoed in her heart. She was selfish—wanting Seeker’s love so desperately. Greedily. But she couldn’t give all of herself. Not yet. Maybe not ever. He deserved more. There were so many beautiful Pilgrims—girls who would love him better than she ever could.
She went to him that night. She wanted to savor every moment. Stretch the time. Burn it into her memory, every glance, every laugh. But her guilt ruined it all.
She’d be cruel. Make him hate her—so he could forget. He’d move on. And she would carry her love in silence. Alone. What would it be like… seeing him with someone else. Another girl… hand in hand. No. She couldn’t even picture it. It was too much.
As they sat in silence, she turned the words over in her mind. Not here. Not this place. Not our dream. It had to stay untouched—sacred. A place to return to. To cry. Guilt surged again. Still thinking about herself. Still not about him. But she needed this much. Tomorrow, she promised herself. I’ll tell him tomorrow.
