Now We Wait

I lay on my back, covered with my jacket and t-shirt, already dried. I was alone. I sat bolt upright, scanning the surroundings for the man I loved. ‘Kieran!’ No one else was there. Panicky, I threw on my clothes and struggled to my feet, which hurt the moment they touched the ground. I forgot I’d twisted my ankle the previous night. But the pain couldn’t stop me from looking for him. ‘Kieran!’ The fire had gone out. Kieran’s clothes were gone. I was on the verge of tears. Was last night nothing but a dream? Was Kieran gone from my world once again? No, I couldn’t take that; wouldn’t accept that. I had to find him. Hopping on one leg, I braced the stone wall for support. ‘Kieran!’ Leaves crunched underfoot. Somewhere in the distance, birds chirped. But no one responded to my calls. ‘Kieran! Jai!’ Terrified, I hopped and almost tripped over a rock on the ground. Something rustled in the bush. A figure appeared. Kieran stood at the entrance of the cave, carrying an armful of mushrooms. H