Chapter 5
Э
In the afternoon, there was a knock at my courtyard gate.
Ethan Parker stood there in a hoodie, a backpack on his shoulders, beaming as I opened the door.
“Hey there! I’m planning to go up the mountain to paint tomorrow’s sunrise. Want to come along for some fresh air?”
He pointed to the mountain not far behind us.
I knew it was quite famous.
Most tourists who came to town did so for that mountain.
I felt tempted.
“Don’t worry! I go camping all the time. I’m experienced and it’s very safe.”
Swayed by his enthusiasm, I nodded.
Ethan was indeed as experienced as he claimed.
He immediately went back to his place and returned with another bag, carrying two sets of camping gear by himself, along with his painting supplies
in hand.
I offered to help carry something, but he firmly refused.
“I’m very strong. Carrying this much is nothing for me.”
As we hiked up the mountain, we talked about our pasts and our futures.
My past seemed rather unremarkable.
It revolved around the Lockwood family, around Carter Lockwood.
In the end, I had become the Lockwood family’s Mrs. Lockwood in name only.
But Ethan was different. He always had endless fresh stories to tell and limitless dreams for the future.
“Life is all about experiences. Right now, my dream is to become a famous painter, so I’ve got to give it my all, right?
–
“I’ll let you in on a secret – I ran away from home. If one day you find the courtyard next door empty, I might have been dragged back home by my
family.”
I smiled at him.
I hadn’t expected that we were both runaways.
Except he still had family who would come to bring him back, while my disappearance might even be cause for celebration for Carter Lockwood. We reached the mountaintop just in time for sunset.
The warm golden light bathed us, creating an almost surreal beauty.
I looked down at the small town below, all wrapped in golden light, quiet and peaceful.
Ethan was already busy setting up the tent.
I asked him, “The sunset is beautiful too. Won’t you paint it?”
“I prefer sunrises. Each day is a new beginning, representing infinite possibilities and vitality.”
I sat on the chair Ethan had brought out, watching him bustle about, my mind continually returning to his words about “new beginnings.” Leaving the Lockwood family was the bravest decision I’d made in years.
But I was like a timid and weak fugitive.
I had retreated to this remote town, hiding away in that small courtyard.
I had never thought about what to do next. Was I going to waste away my life in that little yard?
I was only 25: the future still held infinite possibilities.
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