The Encounter

She comes to a spot overlooking the small city. Huge oak trees shroud around her, making the area appear darker than it actually is. Rain fills the air with mist and for once the unadorned city looks inviting. Miranda sees a lonesome bench under a marble arched gateway. Tentacles of ivy run up and along the sides of the stone. She sits down and begins twirling her hair, a child-like habit she never could quite break. She lets out a sigh of relief, thankful to have gotten away from the miserable party. Why did she go there in the first place? Why does she do a lot of things? All that now surrounds her offers much needed solace; like being in nature, the soothing storm, and the promise of night. Yet Miranda still feels detached from its beauty. The all too familiar pangs of loneliness are suffocating today, almost deadly. If only someone could have been there with her. If only –. She drops her head and stairs at the ground. She knows getting lost in “if only” can be a very lonely way to live.

The rain falls harder as her soul, locked in the storm’s embrace, screams out for a remedy to kill the pain. Pain that has blackened her heart. Pain that has taken away her innocence. She sympathizes with the cries of thunder. Each rivet of lightning is like a knife digging into her flesh. The rain, her only savior, is like consecrated water, having the ability to wash away destructive thoughts ruminating in her mind.

A sound startles her. She turns around. Someone is here. Panic stricken, she stands up as he comes into sight like a phantom in the night.

He hesitates at first, suddenly feeling afraid. After a moment he manages to speak.

“Please, don’t be afraid. I will not harm you.”

His soft-spoken voice carries with it faint whispers of despair. As he steps forward she searches his eyes and can see the well-hidden sorrow beneath the layers of loneliness. She has seen that look only once before, in her own eyes.

Galen wasn’t expecting this confrontation. It was the furthest thing from his mind. His first thought is to turn around and run away but then he looks at this beautiful creature with the face of an angel and can think of no other place he’d rather be. Something pulls at his heartstrings telling him to stay. He stands there, perfectly still, unable to do anything but look at her.

Inside a voice screams, She’s the one Galen, the one you’ve been waiting for!

Galen knows if he walks away right now and lets fear take control he will end up regretting that decision for the rest of his life. A plethora of emotions strike his heart without any warning. It feels almost magical. The only thing he can compare it to is being struck by lighting. Suddenly this powerful force enters the body and the few that are lucky to survive are never quite the same again. It’s an incredible high.

Galen isn’t used to this. The only overwhelming feelings he’s ever known is that of pain and loneliness. He only hopes this isn’t a dream. The rain falling on his face tells him he’s awake and this is as real as it gets. Perhaps the blessed hands of fate have sent her to him. He knows nothing yet everything about her. It’s like she’s always been there even though they just met. He has a strong desire to kiss this beautiful stranger. He wonders if she will understand his impulsiveness. Galen is shaking all over, his face feels like it’s on fire. Then, like a black cloud invading the sun, fear envelops him. Maybe her purpose for being here is to tempt and tease, ultimately leaving him broken and alone. He was scared. He was excited. He had to find out.

Breaking the silence Galen says, “Good evening, may I sit?”

She nods yes and they both sit down. The legs of the bench begin to creak as if it were about to give in. That’s how Galen felt, weak in the knees and very thankful to be sitting down.

Feeling a bit courageous he continues, “Pardon me, but I can’t remember the last time I saw anyone so beautiful.” He is surprised at his candor. It is very rare, if ever, that he allows his heart to speak.

In a sweet melodic voice she thanks him. She blushes and the rich redness enhances her beauty. Inside, his heart dances. A thousand thoughts follow. Pleasant thoughts filled with mystery and wonder. Like, who is this angel of darkness? Where did she come from? And, is it possible to love her at first sight?

“M-my name is Galen. It’s very nice to meet you.” He extends his hand hoping she’ll take it.

“I’m Miranda.” She puts her hand in his.

Neither could deny the electricity of their touch. Both quickly let go and for a while they remain silent, lost in their own thoughts.

Galen recalls countless encounters with beautiful women. How the magic vanishes once he looks into their hollow eyes. He’s grown tired of meaningless sexual encounters and considers them to be nothing but temporary distractions. Galen craves a connection with a woman whose inner beauty shines through. A relationship based on truth and honesty.

He tries not to look at her but can’t help himself. She is so beautiful. The attraction he feels is more than skin deep. He’s drawn to her soul. Galen tries to look at this from a logical perspective. He starts questioning his feelings but then quickly stops himself. I’m not going to do this. Not now. For a while he pushes these thoughts out of his mind and focuses on her. It isn’t very often he comes across a woman who knocks him right off his feet. He needed to know more.

When Miranda first saw him appear out of the shadows she felt faint. Once she got a good look at him her heart started racing. She was nervous and suddenly felt like a schoolgirl. She felt the attraction surge through her body like lightning. Now she’s curious to know more. Even though they haven’t met before there is something very familiar about him. Miranda wonders where he came from. She certainly didn’t expect anything like this to happen. She closes her eyes and sees his. Wide eyes. Fearful eyes. Her eyes. She feels a connection with him that can’t be justified.

Could he be the one? Could this really be happening to me?

As much as Miranda wants to deny it, she can’t. These feelings are real. They have to be. This incredible rush of love for a man she just met is scaring the hell out of her. Love. Is that really possible? She considers running away but the desire that burns make her stay.

Miranda sees him move just a little closer to where they almost touch. She doesn’t move. The rain has stopped and the air is quite refreshing. A soft cool breeze gently blows. She wonders what will happen next, wanting so much to touch him and make this real. She needs to know his story, though a voice inside tells her it won’t be any different from her own.

The darkness she’s known for so long threatens to destroy this chance. She cannot let that happen. Even though it’s always been easier to succumb to the alluring temptations of the dark, Miranda wants something more. There is a man sitting right beside her and his name is Galen. He is real flesh and blood, not some figment of her imagination. Love calls her name, not loneliness. Passion waits, not pain. She has to take a chance and find out for herself the meaning behind this mystery.

For a while they sit in silence enjoying the serenity of the rainstorm together.