My embarrassment felt like another barrier in my path to success, but I couldn't ignore the weight of my social anxiety either.

Both were responsible for my retreat from the world, and it had been nearly a week since my last attempt to leave the forest.

The thought made my cheeks flush, and I fought the urge to bury myself deeper among the trees, where no one could find me. 

But that wouldn't last long; solitude had a way of turning into restlessness. My emotional walls only distracted me from the freedom I craved.

It was that realization that propelled me to the river's edge, where the fence marked the boundary between my hidden life and the world beyond.

He was there, as I had hoped, shoveling snow from the entrance on either side of the gate to make way for cars.

But there was a problem. Every time I gathered the courage to talk to Ben when the area was empty, someone else seemed to arrive—specifically, the beautiful man. He stood stoically in front of the old grave, white roses in hand, frowning at the ground.

My breath hitched, and I dove behind a nearby tree, peeking out to make sure he hadn't seen me. The mixture of frustration and fear churned in my stomach, but I couldn't turn back now.

After what had happened between us, I wasn't ready to face the possibility of him recognizing me.

He stood in the same spot, showing no signs of disruption. Just behind him, I noticed Ben pass by, nodding a greeting. The beautiful man briefly acknowledged him in return.

"Mr. Thomas," Ben said, prompting the man to respond with a curt, "Ben," before they both resumed their tasks, the keeper moving further away from me.

I scanned the area, searching for obstacles I could use to hide as I inched closer. I stepped away from the tree and slipped behind another one nearer to the entrance, peeking out again to confirm Ben was out of sight.

But as I surveyed the graveyard, the beautiful man seemed to have vanished. Panic clawed at me; the silence felt unsettling as I waited for him to reappear.

"He's a regular here, has been since before I worked here."

I turned to see Ben standing behind me. I jumped back a few steps, shaking a bit. He had a way of being able to sneak up on me that was unnerving.

He was smiling past me looking at the beautiful man, shaking his head in some sort of inside joke with himself. He let out a puff of air as he moved to look at me.

"And I've been working here a long while, miss"

The smile left his face as he crouched down to my eye level, hand reached out to steady me.

"Careful there." His hand was still in the air, waiting for me to move.

After he noticed I wasn't moving, he gently reached out and grasped my hand, pulling me up with him. I blinked, shaking off the catatonic state that had gripped me, and steeled myself for the impending conversation.

As I turned to face him, I realized he was intentionally blocking my path back to the woods. He flashed me a warm smile, his eyes bright with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"You know, the last time I saw you, you ran away," he said, his tone light. "If my wife were here, she'd be throwing a fit over your manners."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, feeling a rush of emotions as I stared at him. I paused, gathering my thoughts before responding.

"I'm sorry?"

He continued to stare at me as he took in my words. It was quiet for a moment before he burst into a fit of old man laughter. He laughed and laughed, almost to a point of me feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Sorry Miss"

He caught his breath then continued.

"You don't have to look so scared, I'm only joking."

He settled himself and muttered, "Well, sort of."

I looked down at my hands, nervously picking at the scab on my wrist, using the action to distance myself from the awkwardness of the moment. After a few last chuckles, Ben patted my shoulder before walking off.

"Alright, miss, have a good day."

The spot where he touched me flared with warmth, a jolt of sensation that reminded me how long it had been since anyone had made contact. A cold gust of wind swept through my jacket, sending shivers down my spine.

I rubbed my arms for warmth, turning my gaze back to the beautiful man. He hadn't changed much since I last saw him, but now a little girl stood beside him, patting his arm in a comforting gesture.

Their eyes didn't meet; they hardly acknowledged each other, yet their stillness suggested a deep bond between them.

Then, unexpectedly, the girl's gaze snapped to mine, her blue eyes narrowing with an intensity that felt almost predatory.

It wasn't threatening, more like she was analyzing my presence, and I felt trapped in her stare. After what felt like an eternity, I managed to look away.

Unease settled in my stomach as I turned to leave. A primal instinct urged me not to turn my back on her as I walked away, making my heart race.

The rest of my day unfolded in a familiar routine, yet I found myself glancing over my shoulder, paranoia creeping into my thoughts.

That feeling lingered through the night, growing stronger as I tried to sleep. As I closed my eyes, I couldn't shake the sense that she was still watching me, her piercing gaze lingering.