1
There were two people…things at the cave entrance, ’ I whispered, shuffling as close to him as possible, my eyes trained on where the strangers had stood only seconds ago. At my words, Patrick seemed to jolt awake.‘ Sometimes the fire makes shadows when it’s dying, ’ he said, sitting up, his arm brushing against my side. ‘I’ve slept here many times and it happens, ’ he added.‘ No. They were real.’ My thudding heart was like thunder in my ears. ‘They were really tall and pale, and blond, really, really blond.’‘ Maybe, as you were falling asleep tonight, you were thinking about the shadows at your window, which caused you to dream about two blond men?’ His warm breath tickled my hair. ‘And maybe, deep down, you have a thing for blonds. I’m a little offended, actually. .Vanessa Garden
2
Do I look that bad?’ I said, my voice quavering with the rejection that I was ashamed for even caring about. ‘Is that what this is all about? How ugly I look?’ Patrick kept his eyes on the back wall of the cave.‘ If you really have to know, it’s the opposite of that, ’ he said, his voice taking on a tender tone. ‘I think you are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.Vanessa Garden
3
Have you ever read Hans Christian Andersen’s story of The Little Mermaid, Miranda? Have you ever wanted something so badly that you were willing to suffer the sensation of a thousand blades cutting into your feet?Vanessa Garden