Ella Awakened by S. E. Duncan

said, sliding both a red and green bell pepper and some mushrooms over to
her.  He pulled a skillet out of the cabinet and got the sausages started.
    Together
they made breakfast.  They talked very little, but the silence was
comfortable.  They were each absorbed in their own thoughts.  When the meal was
prepared they sat across from each other at the table and ate.  The food was
delicious and Ella tried to savor it, but her body was desperate for
nourishment, and she finished quickly.
    “Are you
still hungry?” Burke asked pushing a basket of fruit towards her.
    “Maybe just
a little,” she replied picking up an apple and taking a bite.
    “It’s no wonder,”
he said.  “You’ve eaten very little in the past few days and physically you’ve
been through the wringer.”
    “I wouldn’t
have made it through without your help, thank you,” she said sincerely.
    “I’m just
glad it’s done.  So tell me how you’re feeling now.”
    “I never
knew I could feel this way.  It’s kind of hard to describe.  It’s as if I’ve
just come alive.  Like before I was walking around in a daze, or a fog, or
sleepwalking.  My senses are all so different.  It’s like I just got glasses
and I was hearing from underwater before.  Was it like this for you, your
awakening?”
    “Yes, though
probably not as extreme a difference.  I was never human.  But even the change
from common folk was incredible.  You’re able to pick up on things and do
things you may have only imagined in your dreams, but now you aren’t dreaming -
you’re awake.  That’s how it has been described for generations.  I guess
that’s why we call it an awakening. ”
    “Yes! 
That’s it exactly!” Ella agreed.  “I think I’d like to go for a run.  I feel
like I need to stretch my legs after lying around for so long.”
    “I would tag
along, but you probably want to push yourself and I don’t want to slow you
down.  Anyway, I have a few things I need to take care of around here.”
    “I won’t be
long,” Ella told him.
    “Please,
just be careful,” Burke said.  “The property borders a wildlife reservation
along the back.  If you head that way you can go for miles with virtually no
risk of being seen.  You’ll really be able to push yourself and get used to
your speed.  You may not get a signal anyway, but I’d feel better if you took
your phone.  And Ella,” Burke reached across the table and took her hand. 
“Happy Birthday.  I have something for you, but it can wait until you get
back.”
    “Thanks,”
Ella said and gave his hand a squeeze before getting up from the table to go
change.
    ~~
    Dressed in
light blue calf-length running pants and a fitted white sports top, Ella headed
towards the woods from the back of the house.  Burke couldn’t help but watch
her leave through the kitchen window.  Dear Mother of All, he was happy she was
headed out into a secluded area dressed like that and not into public.  Very
little of her toned curvaceous body was left up to the imagination.  She had
been an attractive young woman before the awakening, but the changes to her
muscle tone sure weren’t hurting anything.  She was firm, lean, and cut.  Not
to mention his best friend’s daughter.  Not that he thought James would care. 
As a matter of fact, he would probably want Ella to be with someone he trusted. 
Hell, age had never meant on his world what it meant here.  Technically he was
only three or four years older than her.  Ugh, what in the world was he going
to do?  Nothing stupid, that was for sure.  He was absolutely not going to
scare her off.  He’d kissed her that morning.  Man!  He’d just been overwhelmed
that she was… well alive, to be honest.  Maybe she’d let that one go. 
Obviously they were important to each other.  Look what they’d just been through
together, for the love of God.  Shit.   He was going to have to practice
a little more self-control.
    ~~
    At first
Ella took it