Phoenix Maplewood i could write novels with the words i could never say to you

Adeline gets several steps ahead, away from the bush she’d been investigating (why is it her leaving?) but doesn’t get far before she hears the footfalls behind her. She doesn’t even have time to process that it should be him that leaves so she can go about her business. Instead, he’s following her, and this causes her ears to press back and slow to a stop, turning so that she can face him. She is far from a fighter but a feeling deep within her chest does not settle well as he pursues her. Instead, she swallows a thick lump in the back of her throat and a flicker of her lip in warning.