The new day, the new sky, the water and the land - ever the same and ever evolving - the embodiment of the moment and the eternal entwined.

Barry woke to the steady patter of rain upon the window, droplets yet to scatter the nascent rays of rising sun. The sound brought a calmness to mind, a soothing melody, and a natural lullaby. With eyes at rest he felt his centre, live happily within himself for these blessed moments of solitude.

The drift of ocean was audible and he couldn’t help but think about the time when he was aimless as a child on summer vacation, paddling, at ease with the fluidity of time but he wasn’t at the sea anymore, nor was he on a vacation.

He was on the Island.

He shifted his weigh to the other side and faced the empty house. Freya wasn’t anywhere near.

The house they spent the night is wasn’t warm as they normally are but this at least this one looked like a normal house – almost like the ones back at his own neighborhood. The house must’ve been functioning properly years ago. Given its condition now, the fat layer of dust, broken cabinets and the out of order kitchen screamed it hasn’t been used in years. There were chunks of seemingly heavy wood lying on the ground. The house wasn’t exactly ideal but it was enough to be called a house or maybe an ‘abandoned’ house.

Barry sat up. Shuddering, he rubbed his shoulders and he looked around, trying to remember last night’s event. His eyes almost widened when he realized how close they were to kissing – Freya and Barry, of course.

Under the moonlight, after Freya told Barry how her parents died, the Island witness Barry consoling Freya with love and affection.

“Trust me, it’s not your fault.”

“It is! I should’ve never left the house in first place…” She sniffed, cuddled in Barry’s hug.

“You were just a kid. Curiosity got the best of you and it’s alright. Kids are curious, you were curious. Cut yourself some slack, Freya.” He caressed her hair.

“Frey.”

“Hmm?”

She broke the hug and looked at him smiling,

“You can call me Frey.”

Barry smiled. Her icy blue eyes didn’t look so cold and icy anymore; instead they looked tired and ready to cry any moment. Before Barry could say anything further, his eyes widened and a piercing scream left his throat.

“OH MY GOD! GET IT OFF ME!” He screamed and jumped, running away from… nothing.

Freya’s eye widened too as she tried to figure out what exactly was Barry fighting against.

“Get off what? Point it to me!” She yelled at him, shoving a thick piece of wood in the air like crazy.

“GET IT OFF ME OH GOD!” He screamed again and fell on the ground. Bringing is legs close to his face, he started throwing his hands randomly on his legs.

She stood alert, ready to slam anything with the chunk of wood in her hand but before Freya could come to his help, something flew in front of her eyes and dropped dead on the ground, right beside her.

“Hai yah!” She yelled on top of her lungs and smashed whatever it was with full force. And again, and again.

“Is it dead…?” Barry asked, panting as he got on his knees, “I – I don’t think I can stand.”

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“Did it bit you?!” Freya looked at him with concerned eyes,

“No, no it didn’t. Thank God.” Barry shuddered.

Freya removed the piece of wood and gasped, “It disappeared…” Her mouth fell open, “But… I don’t think such a creature exists…”

“No, I’m sure it’s still there. Oh God, I can still feel its crawl on my leg!” Barry whined,

“I can’t see it! It definitely disappeared!” She said, fuddling against the leaves,

“Wait, I’ll help but on God, if it’s alive, I might die of a heart attack.”

Barry got on his knees and stumbled over.

“It’s okay, get behind me, okay?” She said and Barry stood behind Freya, bending his head to find the creature.

“There! Oh God, it’s moving! KILL IT!” He yelled!

“WHERE?” Freya panicked but before she could find it, Barry snatched the piece of wood and slammed it against the ground… thrice. Freya looked at the maniac man in front of her who kept banging the piece of wood on mere ground and a few autumn leaves… His hair bounced back every time he charged, his mouth hanging open as his screamed grew louder with every slam.

“Stop! Barry!” She said, trying to control her laugh, “Barry! I’m sure it’s – it’s dead!” she said before laughing out loud.

Barry suddenly stopped and looked at her with disbelief, “You’re laughing?” he asked, crossed, “Nothing about this situation is funny! I could be dead right now!”

Freya pressed her lips, trying to stop her laugh, “Yeah, I – I’m sorry. You’re right.” She cleared her throat, “Where’s the creature?”

“Right there.” Barry pointed with the wood.

Freya took a step forward, trying to locate it, “Where?”

“Right there, Freya!” He replied, annoyed.

“I can’t – wait, that?” Freya asked in disbelief and her mouth hung when Barry nodded after she pointed at a spider.

“A – a spider?” she confirmed and he nodded, “You started screaming and shouting because you saw a spider?”

“I didn’t see it! It was ON ME!” Barry emphasized.

Freya looked unimpressed, “Alright. You screamed like a baby because a spider crawled on you?”

Barry dropped the wood and folded hands on his chest, “I – I don’t like spiders.”

She couldn’t help but notice he looked like a baby with that pout.

He looked at her with innocence but she could tell he was embarrassed. His cheeks were turning red.

“It’s okay.” She bit her lip and smiled. She couldn’t fight the new feelings emerging inside her. It was, as if, someone opened a jar of butterflies’ insider her stomach. She loved his affection, his touch and his jokes. This was a new high for Freya and she could feel herself losing conscious.

“You don’t think it’s… childish?” He asked.

She shook her head, “No. I think it’s okay.”

Barry caught the hem of her shirt and pulled her closer. She could feel his breath on her forehead and his muscles relaxing under her touch.

“Is it okay if – ” Barry put a finger under her chin and she looked at him.

“If?” She looked at him.

Both of them knew the word. Both of them knew the feeling. Both of them wanted it.

“If?” She said again.

Barry tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and caressed her cheeks.

“If I – shit!”

Before Barry could complete his sentence, it started pouring unbelievably hard. The water droplets hit against their head as they ran for shelter.

“Come on!” Barry ran, holding her hand, and this time, she followed.

“Stop!” Freya said from behind him and he turned around.

There she stood. Not caring about the rain, not caring about anything. And this feeling was new for Freya too but it was okay.

“Why are we running?” She asked.

The water travelled all the way down to her black hair before falling to her shoulder. The fog was so heavy, it was impossible to see ten feet away.

“I – I don’t know.” Barry replied, smiling.

She smiled and shrugged, “its okay.”

He watched her turn around and look towards the sky. Her eyes closed, as the rain dropped on her face. Before Barry could look away, she turned around.

“I didn’t complete my sentence…” He put hand in his pocket and bit his lip.

Freya smiled, “Didn’t have to.” She replied before pushing her lips against his.