Soul(s) Read Free

know what I
looked like outward, but inward I was on edge. I didn’t know why,
but I wanted to leave. I wanted to take our chances together and
not just wait to fall into some pre-made society.
    Sariah moved closer to me. I began to wrap
my arm around her reassuringly as we left the building, stepping
back into the night—I wanted to keep her close—but I remembered the
way she flinched when I’d tried to touch her and kept my arms at my
side. She wasn’t ready for closeness. Honestly, I’d just met her. I
wasn’t sure why I felt like I belonged with her. Or even why that
felt so natural and I wasn’t opposed to it. I couldn’t remember
images like she could from before but I remembered feelings. I
remember being a lone and liking it that way, but I didn’t want
that anymore. Not with her.
    “ We probably should have
stayed,” Sariah said.
    “ I promise I won’t let
anything happen to you.”
    “ I’m not defenseless,” she
said back to me. There was edginess to her tone.
    Still walking, I looked over at her. Her
eyes were all fired up. They were beautiful in the dark. I could
see them so clearly. With my vision they lit up. There were these
little fleck of gold mixed in the hazel color.
    “ I know, but I want to
keep you safe and we can only trust each other. I know that’s an
intimate thing to say, since we just met, but it feels right .” I told her. “The
recording made it sound like we were reborn here. Those images you
remember are probably from earth.”
    “ Do you think we knew each
other on earth?” Sariah asked me. The defensiveness of her tone had
been replaced with curiosity.
    “ I wish ,” I said. I couldn’t keep back a little smile at the thought
of having known Sariah in another life.
    “ Why is that?” She
said.
    “ I know you’re my
type.”
    “ How?”
    “ I saw you naked.” As soon
as I said it, I felt like I shouldn’t have. But she just laughed
and kept walking. I sighed, feeling relieved. That sentence was completely asinine, but honest. I wondered why she wouldn’t take offense to me
objectifying her body but she is offended by me wanting to protect
her.
    I saw her abruptly look back over at me, and
I knew she’d been listening.
    I thought you wanted
privacy? I thought jokingly to
her.
    No response. I decided to back off for now.
I had plenty of time to figure her out.
    I focused on the landscape around us. It was
changing, becoming filled with more foliage. There was less bare
dirt and rocks and more trees and grass. I wasn’t sure how long
we’d walked but I was finally feeling tired. I felt drained but not
hungry for food. I was a little thirsty though.
    Let’s stop for the night.
We’ve put some distance between us and that
building .
    Sariah nodded. I could tell she was tired
too.
    “ I didn’t mean to listen
in on your thoughts earlier. I can’t control it yet, but once I can
I promise I won’t invade your mind”, Sariah said.
    “ I didn’t mind,” I told
her honestly.
    “ I want you to know you
can trust me. I’ll talk to you but I won’t just dip into your
thoughts.”
    I nodded in agreement.
    Turning away from Sariah, I began scanning
the area around us through the dark. There was a large old tree
just a few yards ahead. Just passed it was a small cave. I led us
towards it, and we reached it in a matter of minutes. I stuck my
head in. Empty.
    Do you sense
anything? I asked Sariah.
    No, for now we’re alone.
    “ We can stay here tonight.
Nothing can come up behind us only in front.”
    Leaning against the walls of the cave, we
settled in. The cave was shallow and we were only a few feet from
the opening. Eventually we both slumped down. I knew one of us
should stay awake, but logic faded away as we fell asleep.
     

     
    I felt her stir beside me. My eyes fluttered
open, fearful that something was wrong, but Sariah had just turned
over. While we were sleeping we had become cradled together and
when she rolled, her face became just inches from