The sun rose behind a trail of mountains, basking the earth with its light into a world of color. The call of birds can be heard in treetops, singing their morning calls.
It was a crisp morning when Callum stirred awake, embraced in his partner's arms. His eyes slowly focused on the tent's ceiling, drifting towards the person hugging him closely.
He stared into his girlfriend's face, beautiful and tranquil in her sleep. Her breath slowly came in and out, tickling his nose.
He still can't believe how such a woman became a part of his life. Not once did he think about having a stunning beauty beside him. They have been together for 6 years, meeting inside a library-turned-coffee shop in California. It was one of those days when the rain of early February came crashing down the city, with only the shop's light illuminating the streets. The two were soaked when the abrupt turn of weather came, seeking warmth inside the small shop.
They hit it off right off the bat, helped by his penchant for starting small talk with strangers. It would be magical if he had anything to say about the encounter. Then the weeks that followed were just as wonderful.
His job made it impossible to stay in one place, working in different states when needed. From being a cook, an electrician, or an engineer, his work took him to many places. Keeping a full-on relationship seemed out of reach, his only choices being hook-ups and one-night stands. However, Cathrine’s job as a photographer and video editor made it manageable to travel with him on the fly, which was made possible by the internet.
One particular job saw him as a substitute P.E. and History teacher in a small town in Minnesota. His friend and roommate back in university asked him for the position after discovering that both the P.E. and History teachers had been detained for unsavory behavior inside the institute. Of course, he wouldn’t be taking a job like this if it weren’t for his degree in Anthropology, which he deemed pointless now that he thinks about it, and his habit of physical activity. He always has to keep himself in shape to preserve his lifestyle of hopping from place to place. After all, a sick day is the most detrimental blow to their finances, which he has gone through in their days together.
Still, he wouldn’t have taken the job entirely if his partner didn’t want to. Even if both of their work allowed them to move around the country, it wouldn’t do his conscience any good if he unilaterally decided to take on the job. But when he asked, it surprised him that Catherine was all in with moving into Minnesota for a year. He would have thought that they would need a long serious conversation for this, but his worries dissipated when he saw his lover smile at the prospect of moving to a small town away from the city.
Her excuse was that it had a lot of scenic views, great for her photographic career. However, he knew she just wanted some time off from the busy city life they had grown accustomed to.
Moving into that small apartment was an ordeal all on its own, full of strict documents that would have been impossible to get if not for his connections. But it made the whole thing worth it after meeting the neighborhood—specifically, their next-door neighbor Jake.
If he had to describe Jake, he would be the cool older cousin you never knew was part of the family. He was tall and stocky, standing 6’4, an inch taller than Callum. A grin always crosses his clean-shaven face. He is outgoing and friendly, making it easier for Callum to know the guy. Catherine also seemed to have already known of him, offering stories when they were young. They never did say where they came from, but it wasn’t his place to pry. He had his own secrets too, after all.
The months flew by, with multiple birthdays and anniversaries celebrated with some friends they’d made in their travels. Some even invited the both of them to their weddings and baby shower parties, their friends hinting for them to take the next step in their relationship. But their jobs were so erratic, making it impossible without a good foundation to work on.
Even if he had the job of a teacher, he still found himself working around the small town, lasting for a few more years after discovering the quiet place was enjoyable. He met new people coming in and out of the cities, seeking to escape the bustle of life in tall buildings and scrapers. With these jobs in his pocket, their finances grew more stable in the years that passed by.
When the month drew close to April, Callum thought about taking a breather. Even if he was keeping himself healthy, time was still something he couldn’t stop. At the age of 34, the things he used to easily do seem harder. His body can’t keep itself functional without giving it its overdue vacation. Hence why they are here now.
While reminiscing, he heard a murmur beside him, drawing his drifting mind back to the world. He looked at his girlfriend's face as her eyes drifted open. Their gazes were locked for a moment with smiles hanging on their faces.
"Good morning." said the singsong voice.
She sounded sweet in Callum's ears, melodic in a way that calms his tired mind.
"Good morning," Callum rasped, surprising himself for a moment with how deep it was which drew a giggle from the person before him.
"I can never get enough of your morning voice."
"Then, I guess I'd have to speak closer." He said, moving his head near hers.
"That works for me," Catherine said, closing the distance and stealing a peck on his lips.
He felt like they could've stayed there for all eternity, letting the warmth permeate the atmosphere as they held one another. But his stomach made itself known by growling loudly, bringing both of them back to reality.
"Looks like someone's hungry." His partner said with a chuckle.
"A shame" he replied, retaliating by stealing a kiss of his own.
“But breakfast could wait.”
***
Making the rounds in the morning was a daily routine for both of them. The constant moving around made them prepared for quick morning preparations. Callum can't even remember the last day they had time to relax, but all the work they did made this whole vacation worth it.
They’ve been in this forest for almost a week now. The smell of pine and morning dew helped calm their minds. Especially for Callum, feeling like his worries for the future has melted away for a moment. The sight of his girlfriend making preparations for breakfast also made him feel warm, and he couldn’t help but smile to himself as he let his anxieties disappear.
Before heading out to join his partner, he went back inside the tent and got to his travel bag, rummaging his hand into one of its pockets. Some of his savings have been put into their vacation trip in one of Oregon's many forests, but most of it was spent on what he's trying to find. After a few minutes of blindly fumbling his hand inside his backpack, he finally pulled it out and looked at the thing in his grasp.
In his hand is a small black box. Inside is a silver ring, a diamond embedded at its center.
Callum thought himself stingy for all his life, having a pragmatic mindset when it comes to his wellbeing. However, this one purchase is something that he considered he needed to splurge on. It wouldn't do his morals any good when the one thing that would change the course of his entire life is bought cheaply. At least, he thought it would. It was still a wonder how he decided now was the time to tie the knot when they'd been living under the same roof for the past few years, but he couldn't complain when it made hopping between places easier for him and his significant other. However, now that they’ve decided to stay in Minnesota for good, Callum thought it pertinent to commit to their relationship and bring it to the next level, and the ring would be the start.
Nodding to himself, he closed the precious box and stored it in his pockets, looking around to see if his loved one had seen what he was holding. Proposals are supposed to be a surprise after all.
Heading out of the tent, he found his partner readying their portable stove on the foldable table. She was humming one of her favorite cartoon songs as she got out some of their foodstuffs.
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Callum walked over, looking around to find the other person that came with them on the trip.
“Where’s Jake?”
“He left to take the loo,” she said, back turned to him as she scrambled some eggs in a bowl. “He can’t keep it in anymore after drinking the last of our beer.”
Callum wrapped his arms around her waist, halting her breakfast preparations.
“Well, I wouldn’t say no for a little bit of privacy,” he grumbled,a little irritated at Jake’s sudden decision to invite himself to their vacation.
They weren’t really subtle about their plans. If anything, they contacted everyone they knew they would be going on a vacation. The well wishes were welcome, and some even sent gifts for their travels. However, when Jake heard of their trip to Oregon, he insisted on coming along. Callum was of course opposed to the idea of a third person coming to what is essentially a kind of honeymoon. Catherine was even annoyed Jake wanted to go with them, but the guy was stubborn.
Cathrine put her hands on his, squeezing them a bit. “Forgive him. He’s a bit overprotective when it comes to me. And it’s a good way to thank him for all the things he’s done for us.” Which is true.
Jake helped them settle in Minnesota, and his friends from the military assisted with the move. Also, he did most of the repairs in their dingy apartment free of charge.
“You’re a woman worthy to be protected, after all, Queen Catherine,” He said, hugging her closer to him.
“Why thank you, King Callum” she replied.
The both of them laughed, happy to be left alone for a while under the sunlit canopies above.
Cooking fell on Callum that morning, making egg and bacon sandwiches for all of them with the help from their portable stove. He had the experience of cooking when his father introduced him to work at one of his friend’s grill houses back in high school. An experience he’s not going to forget after he botched his first roast.
“Isn’t he coming back? Must be one hell of a hungover if he’s out for hours” Callum asked while eating, a bit worried that Jake was still in the woods.
“He’s fine. He’s one tough bugger after all.” Cathrine said, waving her hand as if to waft away their worries.
“Hope he’s not violating Mother Nature by relieving himself in the woods.” He replied. The thought of Jake doing something unholy in the forest sent shivers down his spine.
“It would be a waste not to eat this too,” He added.
“Let’s just leave a note or something. I found this nice clearing yesterday anyway, so why not explore while we wait for Jake to come back?” Catherine said, finishing her last bite of the sandwich.
Callum nodded, not seeing any reason to worry more about Jake. He could survive a fall from a second-story building, amazing and dangerous for sure but Callum contributed it to the guy’s tough body. If anything, he’s more worried about what Jake was doing inside the woods.
After finishing their breakfast, they fell into a routine of cleaning up their makeshift campsite and exploring their surroundings. Leaving a note to notify Jake of where they were going.
The hike to the clearing was challenging, to say the least. Full of slopes and small rivers that they’ve got to cross, killing Callum’s back in the process. It was creeping up to noon when Callum and Catherine finally found the clearing to rest in. It would also do great for his whole purpose of planning this trip after seeing it with his own eyes.
Small reddish flowers decorated the clearing with willow-like trees surrounding it. The sound of flowing water could be heard as they had to cross a small creek to get inside. Sunlight illuminated the single tree in the middle of the clearing, small flowers adorning its canopy, showering the ground with yellow petals that drift like snow.
Callum was spellbound, with Catherine grinning at him from the side. It was a haven, a sanctuary for anyone to come upon the place. And it was perfect for a marriage proposal.
He walked in the middle of the clearing, breathing deeply to calm his racing heart as he neared the large tree in the middle. This moment will dictate the course of his life, and it wouldn't be ideal if he stuttered now. Steeling his nerves, he looked back towards his partner, standing there in all her beauty as yellow petals slowly fell from the sky.
“What’s going on? Is there something on my face?” She said with a nervous chuckle.
With a wry smile, Callum beckoned Catherine to come closer, his right hand tucked inside his pocket holding the small box.
She complied, moving closer, inches away from his towering frame. His mind was a jumbled mess for a second, as her proximity made him see closer to her stunning face. But he stilled himself, now clutching the small box inside his pocket with his right hand.
“Catherine, it has been 8 long years since we’ve been together. And I know that we’ve had some challenges during those years. But I wouldn’t be the man I am today if I hadn’t met you in that small shop in California.”
Catherine smiled, her hands holding his remaining hand, squeezing it for him to continue.
“I may not be your ideal man, but I’ll try to be. And I wouldn’t want anything else in the world other than for you to be with me.” He finally finished.
Stepping back a few paces, Callum retrieved the small black box and opened it. Then, dropping to one knee, he finally posed his question.
“Will you marry—”
Just as he was about to finish his sentence, a sharp pain surged in his back.
Cold steel met flesh. Pain rushed into his system, making him jerk wildly to look behind him. The engagement ring fell to the wayside as he lurched from the pain of quickly looking behind. Staggering from a knife in the back, he now sees his killer, eyebrows raised high from surprise as he realizes who it is.
"Jake?" Callum said in a gasp.
His lungs burned, punctured by metal, making his breath short and agonizing. His best friend for 5 years stared at him with determined eyes. Callum’s mind couldn't believe it. He tried to understand what was going on, but he was brought back to reality as the knife was suddenly pulled out. Coughing up blood, he slowly glanced back to see his partner, tears in her eyes, her mouth trembling and pressed thin.
“Why?” He croaked.
“You’ll understand it in a bit, buddy,” Jake said as he walked beside Catherine.
Before Callum could reply, he felt his tongue turn numb. Not only that, but everything felt numb, and his muscles eluded his control. He fell backward, his fall helped by two hands. Looking over, he saw Catherine help him gently lay down, tears streaming down her eyes.
Callum was shocked and confused. The two closest people in his life are committing murder, and he is the victim. His mind tried to make sense of it all, yet it kept coming up in blanks. It doesn’t make sense. There are just no signs of the lead-up. Nothing comes up, even if he tries to remember every interaction with the two. However, before his mind spiraled into further confusion, specks of light filled his blurry vision.
“This is gonna hurt, but you’ll have to push through.”
Jake’s voice felt muffled now. The only thing Callum could properly hear was the rapid beating of his heart and the rumbling clouds forming above.
The lights, looking like fireflies, continued to sway in front of him. Then it grew, turning into symbols he didn’t know of. He tried to move his body, but it seemed that the knife stabbed in his back contained some paralyzing poison, his body not listening to his commands.
Callum's thoughts are now in complete disorder. The events transpiring in front of him felt so unreal he thought he was dreaming a nightmare. However, the world proved him wrong when the symbols burrowed into his body.
Searing pain bloomed in his mind, his flesh felt like it was being branded by dozens of small red hot iron rods. If he could scream he would, and yet he couldn’t.
To those observing him, his body started to glow. Golden light illuminated beneath his skin and small yellow arcs of lightning bathed his body. The clouds above had turned dark, and booms of thunder filled the clearing the three people occupied.
Thoughts trying to form in his head are rebuffed by burning pain, and yet it seems like reality wasn’t done with torturing his soul. The symbols that had melded into his flesh continued its descent. Then it found his bones.
If Callum had any semblance of reasoning in his head it would have been turned to ash as his torment reached new heights. He felt his bones burn inside him. The feeling is akin to sensitive teeth being drilled on without anesthesia but cranked to a hundred. The only thing he could do was endure. However, he felt his mind shutting down from the hellish pain.
Then, before his mind goes completely dark, he sees the blurry hand of Catherine swipe across the air.
Silence followed, and dread was born.
A dark slit beyond time and space was birthed into reality. The seams of the in-between took hold of Callum’s mind. The call of the abyss was too loud to not heed its command. Then his senses knew no more.