My stomach turned and I had to get myself out of the cave that brought on such painful emotions. I quickly scooped up the small journal and slipped it into the pocket of my deep blue lace dress. Then I pushed myself off of the ground and hurried towards the edge of the mountain.

“My life has meaning.” I assured myself. “My life has meaning.” I added again. “My life has meaning. My life has meaning. I was not abducted. This is the new world I needed. My life has meaning.” I repeated these words to myself for a minute until I felt a calming overwhelm my body. I then returned to my search for the boy.

As I passed through the crooked turns of the mountain I began to hear the a light and repetitive tap. Each step I neared towards the sound increased the volume of the sound slightly. Soon enough I could determine the sound appeared to be of pebbles hitting the ground. And after a sharp turn around the mighty mountain I viewed pebbles tumbling down the mountain side from a higher level and pouring onto the mountain’s floor of the level I was on. Then I looked up.

In the distance there sat a boy with mid-length dark brunette locks and light freckles across his face. He dressed in dark wash jeans, a plain black t-shirt, and classic Chuck Taylors. He appeared to mindlessly pushing pebbles off of the cliff he resided on and letting them spiral down the mountain side until they would fall onto the mountain’s floor. His thoughts were undoubtedly in a distant land and he seemed unaware of his surroundings. Yet, even though he appeared ordinary, he was greatly unique. He had eyes that were open, but were filled with emptiness. This boy was the boy.

When I stepped directly into the clearing the boy’s empty eyes hopped from the wilderness to me. Though he should have been taken back by my presence, he instead shared a look with me that made it feel as if he had been expecting me. Lightly he smiled in my direction and placed his palm on the edge of the cliff adjacent to him. “Let’s talk.” He spoke softly as he patted the edge of the mountain.

“How do I get up there?” I called out.

Instead of replying, the boy simply brought his eyes to the right and then looked back at me. In response, I wandered to where he had been looking and found a rigid staircase built from various stones. Cautiously I maneuvered my way up the stoney mess and eventually reached the final step. I felt shaky on the uneven ground, but stepping back onto the mountain’s floor encapsulated me in a sensation of sanctuary. However, bringing my eyes towards the boy with the new knowledge I had brought on an illness of its own.

“I appreciate the company.” The boy stated as I sat myself beside him.

“You could come down to the wilderness and see us more often if you’re looking for company.” I retorted without hesitation.

The boy grinned and let out a soft chuckle. “I had wondered.”