The Institute by Kayla Howarth Page A

not that long ago, no one is ever here,” he replies.
    The unpaved
path in which Drew has taken me down is pitch black and I am
holding on to him for dear life, trying not to trip on tree roots
along the treacherous ground. I keep telling Drew that this wasn’t
a great idea, that I’m not exactly the most agile person around. I
recall to him the first day we ever spoke to each other, to remind
him of that fact.
    He has a torch
with him and is trying his hardest to light my path for me but it’s
no use. I have trouble trying to walk when the only obstacle in
front of me is my own feet. Suddenly he picks me up and I’m hanging
over his shoulder with my butt up in the air.
    “As classy as
this makes me feel, can you put me down please?” I guess he is not
taking me too seriously considering I’m laughing as I ask him
this.
    We make it down
to a lake and it’s absolutely gorgeous. I can see what looks like
lily pads and lotus flowers floating on the water but I can’t be
sure as it’s so dark out here. The moonlight gives off a little bit
of light, and on the other side of the lake, the grass looks
well-manicured and short. I wonder why Drew didn’t bring me in
through that way so I didn’t trip all over myself.
    We sit down on
the grass and I can’t help but look up at the stunning stars above
us. At least staring at them gives me an excuse to avoid eye
contact; I’m so nervous.
    “So how is it
that you have lived here longer than me and you didn’t know about
this place?” he asks.
    “I don’t
exactly get a lot of time to go out and explore. If I’m not helping
Dad on the farm or looking after Shilah, I am with Ebbodine,” I
say. “Hmm, was with Ebbodine. That’s still hard to get used
to; talking about her in past tense.”
    Drew reaches
for my hand and holds it in his. “And Shilah is your brother, I’m
guessing?” I know he’s trying to change the subject and I’m
thankful for that.
    “Yeah he is. I
thought you met him when you came over after … your accident.” What
is wrong with me? Why am I continually bringing up the bad
things?
    “I wasn’t
exactly paying a whole lot of attention to anyone but you that
night. You were amazing that day and I don’t think I have properly
thanked you for saving me.” I’m glad it’s so dark out here, he
won’t see how bright my cheeks are. “I think about how I wouldn’t
know you if the accident never happened and in a way I am glad it
did, at least something good came out of it anyway.”
    I look down at
my feet, embarrassed by his compliments.
    “I don’t know
what came over me that day, I always imagined if I was ever in an
emergency situation, I would panic and just freeze up,” I tell him.
“I remember one day on our farm, we used to have an electrified
fence and one of the kid goats broke free from their pen. I could
see what was going to happen, she was running as fast as she could
and wasn’t really paying attention, she passed straight by me but I
was in such a panicked state I couldn’t move. I didn’t try and
catch her, I just watched her run into the fence.” I stop, and
shake my head. “Needless to say our fence is no longer
electrified.” I’m clearly great at handling romantic situations.
What is wrong with me?
    “Well that’s an
upbeat story,” he says, smirking.
    “Oh she
survived. She never ended up producing milk though and kind of
seemed a bit … how shall I put this, umm, special. It was only a
low voltage fence to keep out smaller animals like rabbits and
rodents but it always made me think I would be useless in an
emergency, she could’ve died and I did nothing. I still giggle at
that little wobbly kid stumbling all over the place though.” Stop talking, Allira.
    “Well you
obviously don’t have that issue anymore. It really was amazing what
you did for me. You’re amazing,” he says, gripping my hand
tighter.
    I still can’t
bring myself to look up at him, I’m worried my face is a glowing
red. I focus