Retreat [2]

Eva dragged her feet along the sandy track towards the recreational area of the forest.1

It had not been like this last time she had walked out into the area. Then again the area had grown in the passing years with more people choosing to build cabins on the deserted road. It was beginning to become more of a small village rather than a sanctuary of solace piece. 2

Toby marched ahead of Eva swinging his arms back and forth. Pushing branches from the wild path.3

“Almost there Eva,” he called back. His voice cheerfully echoing through the misty atmosphere.4

“I did tell you a few months that the place had changed. I bet you didn't think it had become this recreational. Though I think they could have cleared the path a bit more.”5

Toby stopped walking. He turned around his hands by his side. An undercover shelter in both their lines of site.6

Eva pulled her strap of her writer's bag over her shoulder. Raising her eyebrows. 7

“What is this place?” she asked looking around to see wooden benches filling up the cemented ground. 8

“This my friend is our shelter. Our haven for this afternoon.”9

Eva stepped up the stony steps into the shelter finding a seat on one of the benches.10

“Why did you bring me here Toby,” Eva asked looking at the structure of the shelter.11

“Who ever built this obviously wanted to kill someone.”12

Toby chuckled ignoring Eva's cynical comment.13

“I brought you here because you are going to learn to get in touch with nature.”14

Eva scowled.15

“I've told you before. I am in touch with nature. I just prefer indoors. It is much more relaxing and soothing.”16

Toby smiled.17

“Predictable is what it is. Nature can be relaxing and soothing.” He turned to face the sky. 18

“ look up Eva,” he said pointing to the forest roof. “What do you see? What do you smell?”19

Eva dropped her writer's bag on the bench. She stood up walking over to where Toby stood leaning against the wooden framework. She looked up at the cloudy gray sky smelling the damp, refreshing scent of forest undergrowth . She drew it in letting it waft around and linger under her nose.20

“Rain,” Eva replied. “I can smell rain.”21

Toby nodded.22

“There is a small rain storm heading this way,” he said happily, comfortably.23

Eva sighed unimpressed and annoyed at Toby's trickery. She walked over the the benches retrieving her writers back and pulled it over her shoulder hugging it tightly under her arm. Protecting her precious notes.24

Without a second glance she held her head high and walked down the shelter steps onto the path back to her cabin.25

Toby, taken back jumped of the steps running to catch up with Eva.26

“No come on give it a chance. You spent to much time in that cabin Eva. You need to learn to cope with the beauty mother nature has to offer. Deal with uncertainty. I promise you will thank me for it.”27

Eva spun around shaking her head.28

“That is you Toby,”she said angrily shaking him off. “I like the way I am. It is how I get things done and always have and you know that. Wet t-shirt contests are not my idea of a good time. And frankly I am not going to risk damaging the only tangible notes I have. Do you have any idea how many months I have spent on these? Without them I have nothing.”29

Toby frowned about to plead his case with Eva until he won when a cold droplet fell from the sky landing on his forehead. He looked up at the sky again. A smile creeping across his lips.30

“It looks to me Eva, that you have no choice in the matter.”