The carriage bumped along the road, but I never felt a thing. My senses were all dulled anyways so it didn't really matter. Finny had insisted on coming along so now all four of us sat cramped in the small area.
Meirin sat next to Finny, her arm wrapped around him. He was teary eyed but determined to stay strong.
"So! Anyone know where we're headed?" Bard asked, trying to break the uncomfortable silence that had settled itself in the carriage.
The silence got even thicker when no one answered. Bard frowned and turned his head to face the small window. The sun was high in the sky, signaling noon. I was getting restless by then, not being in my cat form made my muscles ache to stretch.
When the vehicle stopped for lunch, I was the first one out, practically trampling everyone else.
"Ahhhhh," I sighed, taking in huge lungfuls of fresh air. The countryside was idyllic and quiet. Long wooden fences bordered either side of the road, the grass grew lush and tall.
Meirin brought out a basket with her, a sulking Finny in tow.
Lunch was just some sandwiches that we had whipped up before we left. I quickly scarfed them down and went to run around the fields before we had to get back into the tiny carriage.
To my surprise, I found a small lake! Now was a good time as any to swim, there was no real rush to get anywhere, seeing as we didn't know where Pluto was.
I sat near the lake, watching the sunlight dance and glitter on the placid waters. I wrapped my arms around my knees and closed my eyes, trying to just focus on nature with my human senses.
A loud crunching sound from behind me broke my concentration though. I whipped my head around to see that it was just Bard.
"Hey," he greeted me.
"Hey." He sat down next to me, lighting a cigarette.
"It's beautiful here," he said. I guess he was trying to start a conversation but I really didn't feel like it. Everything felt so dull and quiet and lethargic today.
When I didn't respond he frowned and looked out at the lake.
"Why is everyone so damn quiet today?"
"Sorry, it's just, been a long day and…yeah," I said quietly. I turned to face Bard. He was watching me intently. (Creepy!)
"What?"
"Nothing, your ears are gone today," Bard said, motioning above his head.
"Yeah, I umm forgot them in my bag," I lied.
He nodded and continued to smoke, staring out into the lake.
"We should get back," I said. I got up and started to walk away.
"Wait!" I turned around to look at Bard. But as soon as I turned, I was shocked to see him so close.
He moved so fast that I didn't even see what happened, he pulled me in his arms and just held me. He was warm, so warm.
He roughly pressed his lips to mine. It took me a second to realize what was happening before I shoved him away.
I stumbled backwards, almost tripping over some branches. Then I turned and ran. Ran as fast as my human legs would carry me. But not before the picture was burned into my mind. The picture of Bard, framed against the sparkling blue waters, his hair glinting in the sun, the pain in his eyes.