After the cloud incident, Louis seemed a bit hesitant of me as he walked beside me on my way back to the cabin. The walk was full of silences: Louis not knowing what to say and me not knowing what just happened.

Eventually we reached the edge of the forest, the cabin in full view ahead of us. Louis bit his lip as he dug his hands into his pockets, unsure of what to say to me. The confident man from before had been replaced by a timid boy.

"Mira-"

"Louis-"

We both started talking at the same time, a tiny giggle from me easing the tension in the air as Louis sighed in relief. I wonder if he thought he had scared me, made me cower in fear at the fact he could do strange things.

Just the opposite happened though, I had never been more fascinated or curious in my life.

"You go ahead." Louis told me like a true gentleman, my fingers knotting themselves together as I asked him my questions.

"How long have you been able to do that?"

"My whole life." Louis easily answered, his confidence now back for good.

"Your whole life? How did you learn to do that?" I asked in wonder, Louis only shrugging.

"I guess it's just a natural talent. I had to practice my skills of course, but the talent is bred inside of me." He kicked a few twigs on the forest floor to the side, a faint tinge of pink on his cheeks. I wondered if he ever showed anyone else his talents.

"Who else knows about this?"

"Just you." He mumbled, stepping closer to me. He had that same look in his eyes as before, that special look that only came out once in a while when he stared directly into my eyes. "You're the only one who knows."

I was silent as I realized how much Louis must trust me to reveal his amazing talents to me. And to think, we only met a few days ago.

"But Mira, please, you can't tell anyone." He gushed, taking my hands in his as he became anxious with fear.

"I won't. I promise, Louis." I assured him, and I truly meant what I said. He had saved me, and for that I was eternally grateful to him.

"Thank you." Louis sighed in relief, eyes closing as he let his fear roll off his shoulders. His pretty eyes opened and fixed on the cabin, my head turning to follow his line of vision to catch sight of Dad's truck pulling up into the driveway. That was strange. He had told me he wasn't going to be back for a while.

"I guess that's your cue to go?" Louis asked, sadly smiling when I nodded. He told me goodbye before beginning to walk back into the forest. A sudden surge of courage overwhelmed me as I rushed towards him, Louis turning around before finding himself caught in one of my bear hugs, my arms wrapping around him tight. He seemed taken aback before he lightly chuckled, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close. He smelled like the forest, a rustic pine scent mixed with something I couldn't quite recognize. Regardless, I loved it.

"Thank you Louis. For saving me." I mumbled, savoring in his warm hug and dreamy smell for a few moments before I pulled away. I gave him a shy smile, blushing at his wild and ecstatic expression. I told him goodbye before turning to go to the cabin, feeling a gentle tug on my fingertips and hearing lips whispering in my ear.

"Check your back porch tonight. Adventure will await you there."

When I got to the cabin Dad was sitting on the couch watching TV, turning ESPN off as I stepped in from the back door.

"Hey baby girl." He said as he got up from the couch. "How was the forest?"

"Good, what are you doing home so early?" I asked as Dad walked into the kitchen and grabbed himself a soda from the fridge.

"The first-aid center is working on training today, but since your father is so gifted and talented at saving lives his boss let him go home for the day." Dad bragged, winking at me.

"Oh yes, you're a medical messiah whose talents amaze everyone." I joked, Dad nodding with his silly smile. "Shouldn't the opposite be true? Wouldn't your boss want the most talented worker to train the new people?"

"I managed to persuade him to let me spend time with my daughter since she's been exploring the forest and not spending time with me." Dad pouted, popping open his soda can and taking a sip. "So how about it? Is there anywhere you wanted to see in town?"

"Is there anything to see in town?" I asked, Dad deflating a little before I corrected myself. "I mean, there was an ice cream shop and some clothes stores I kinda want to go to."

"Put your stuff up and we'll get going." My father seemed pleased as he took another gulp from his Dr. Pepper, myself racing up the stairs to put my camera and backpack up.

The drive into town was lively in the way only Dad could make it, excitedly explaining to me that his boss told him that several nursing positions at Seattle's major hospital were opening up, and that Dad should look into it. I listened silently and politely, my stomach lurching at the idea of leaving a place I was starting to warm up to. I would be leaving the cabin, leaving the forest, leaving Louis. I couldn't do that.

Dad parked on a small side street that led to the main street of Briarwood, both of us getting out and walking around the town square. I knew Dad was never really into shopping for a long time like girls, he was mostly a "get in and out in a short time" shopper.

But he was being patient as I stepped into some local clothing stores and looked around, my eyes settling on a pretty floral dress hiding in a corner of the sale section as he looked at something on his phone. It was a darker maroon shade with fuchsia flowers, and after hurrying to the dressing room, I decided it was time I bought some decent clothes should Dad and I ever go out to eat somewhere nice (which was quite rare, but hey, I liked to be prepared).

Dad handed me the money I needed before I paid, throwing in a new sweater as well as the dress to my shopping bag. As the cashier rang up my clothes, I couldn't help my mind from wondering if Louis would like the dress.

Louis. I had already thought he was dazzling, but what he had done in the forest surpassed any expectations I could ever fathom. He made a cloud with the palm of his hand effortlessly and caught me in midair. His new found talent amazed me, and I was growing anxious to get back to the cabin, Louis' whispered promise of adventure later only adding to my impatience.

Then again, today was time I should spend with the only man who had been there for me my whole life, and I made the most of my time out with Dad.

We stopped at a quirky ice cream shop after I finished my clothes shopping, Dad treating me to a huge banana split sundae that he ultimately had to finish after I had half of the bowl. I liked the ice cream shop, it was different than any other place I had been. The walls were painted bright pastels and the tile was black and white like in the 1950's. Chrome metal chairs surrounded polished white tables as people of all ages and stages of life enjoyed their sweet treats. I wondered faintly if Louis would ever come with me here.

After the ice cream shop Dad insisted we head for a local bookstore he had wanted to come to since we arrived in Briarwood, and then after seeing my worn out look, laughed as he promised we could go back home afterwards. I had brightened up at that, and Dad had only rolled his eyes as we entered the antique book shop.

I had aimlessly walked around the bookshelf as Dad looked around, my eyes gazing over various covers and my fingertips brushing against pages and titles. It was a cozy place, the aging owner a man in his seventies with wisps of grey hair but a youthful smile. Dad and him talked for a bit about books and things to do around Briarwood before we bade the owner, who we had found out was named Mr. Winchester, goodbye.

The sky was getting darker as the sun set when we got back into the old truck, my heart leaping with excitement as I realized what that meant.

I was practically bouncing with excitement in my seat as we pulled up to the cabin, hurrying out of the truck and rushing to the back porch with my bags still in hand. I heard Dad yell at me to slow down and not get too winded, my body slowing down ever so slightly as I opened the back door that led to the porch.

I was disappointed to find Louis wasn't there, but then again he did say tonight and it was barely sundown. I looked around the backyard just to make sure he wasn't hiding to spite me, my foot stepping forward to get a better look around. Just as I stepped I heard a crunch sound, like a piece of paper.

I stepped back and looked down, finding a tiny note written in messy handwriting. I picked it up and read it once, twice, three times. Each time my smile only grew bigger, my eyes looking up to the forest as I clutched the paper so tight in my palm the crumpled note was biting into my skin.

"The earth has music for those who listen. Meet me here at midnight so I can play you its song. -Louis

P.S. I totally stole that quote from Shakespeare. I'm not that smart to come up with that on my own."

A/N: If you haven't noticed, dedications for this book go out to faithful readers, voters, and commentators who adore this story as much as I do. This chapter's dedication goes out to @xcapricious because I love her username and she leaves such lovely comments.

Also, a MAJOR thank you to xBeautyRisesx for the amazing banner!

Hope you all love this chapter! -M