Eden (49 page)

“
Does it still
work?”

“
Royce had it saved in the
basement of the hospital, along with about fifty other
vehicles.  Do you want to go for a ride?”

I couldn’t suppress the
smile that spread on my face as I nodded.

Avian straddled the
motorcycle and a moment later had the engine roaring to life. 
I sat on the seat behind him, wrapping my arms around his
chest.  “Hang on,” he said over his shoulder.

The beast ripped to life,
the pavement falling behind us as the hospital faded away. 
The night air caressed my cheeks as we sped by, my hair fanning out
behind me.  This was a freedom I had never experienced, one I
vowed to experience over and over again. 

We drove for nearly an
hour and I realized where we were going as I smelled the salt in
the air.  Avian parked the motorcycle in the middle of the
road and looked out to the west.

I didn’t wait for him to
follow me as I slid off the back of the motorcycle.  My eyes
fixed in front of me as I crossed the pavement and my boots sank
into the sand.  I walked to the edge of the water, staring
into the horizon.

There was nothing but
water and sky for as far as I could see.

I understood then what
West had said about the ocean being scary and beautiful at the same
time.  I felt so small then, so helpless.  It could claim
my life in just a moment if it were to awaken with fury.

But it was also so
beautiful.  The slowly fading moon gleamed on its surface, an
endless dance of celestial skill.  Mankind could never hope to
move like that.

It was then that I noticed
something at the edge of the sand.  My old tent had been
pitched, waiting there like an old friend.

“
Welcome home,” Avian said
softly.

As I looked back out over
the water, his thumb brushed across my cheek.  It was then
that I realized there were tears streaking down my face.

Maybe I was more human
than I thought.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I first have to thank my
Father above, for the gift that I have to write, for the chance
that I have to share my stories with everyone.  Nothing is
possible without Him.  Thank you to my husband, for his
encouragement and love.  Thank you to my Mom, Jenni, Alex,
Crystal, Halley and Kim for beta reading for me and pointing out
all of its flaws and potential.  Thank you to my dad, for
taking me shooting and for answering all my random questions that
helped to create the world of Eden.  And thank you to
you
.  I couldn’t do
what I do without you.

KEARY TAYLOR lives on
Orcas Island in Washington State with her husband and their two
children.  She is the author of the
Fall of Angels
series.  Learn
more about Keary and her writing process at

www.KearyTaylor.com

or

http://kearytaylor.blogspot.com