Human Blend Read Online Free PDF Page B

managed to escape with her
child, but got lost in the woods for weeks. She survived by eating
berries until, one day, she collapsed. Her child kept wandering and
was eventually found by another settlement. The only words the
child would say was 'hungry mother'. A search party was sent out to
find her, but it was too late. She hadn't survived. Hence the name,
'Hungry Mother',” Austin finished.
    Julie was quiet at first. “That's really
sad,” she said, finally. She was intrigued. “So, what are the other
versions of the legend?” she asked.
    Austin turned to face her as she sat on the
fence. He placed his hands on either side of her. With a
mischievous twinkle in his eye, he said, “That's your homework
assignment,” he teased.
    “You're a mean teacher,” Julie tried to look
mad, but her smile gave her away.
    Austin grabbed her hands and pulled her down
off the fence. “Come on, we're on a field trip, remember?” he
teased. Julie laughed as her pulled her along the trail.
    Austin was extremely knowledgeable about the
park. He even pointed out different trees along the trail. Julie
was familiar with most of the nature lesson, but enjoyed hearing
Austin's enthusiasm in describing it to her. She enjoyed his hand
in hers even more.
    Austin deviated from the main trail. “Over
this way, there is a special spot I want to show you,” he said. The
brush was thicker here as Austin pushed through, holding bigger
pieces out of the way for her. Julie still picked up some scrapes
here and there, but these quickly healed leaving no evidence
behind.
    “What is so special that you are dragging me
through the thicket of the forest to see?” Julie asked,
curiously.
    “You'll see,” Austin replied.
    They came to a small stream. “Be careful, the
rocks are slippery,” Austin cautioned.
    “Wait, what? You mean we are crossing it?”
Julie asked for clarification.
    Austin jumped carefully onto first one
slightly protruding rock, then another. “Take my hand,” Austin
instructed, balancing himself.
    “You're crazy. Austin, this is not a safe
thing to be doing,” Julie chided, looking at the rushing water.
    “Julie, Come on, the water is not that deep,
trust me,” Austin said.
    Trust. That word was like nails on a
chalkboard to her. Life with them had taught her to trust no one,
ever. Yet, here was this boy she had just met yesterday, asking her
to do just that. Trust.
    Julie reached for his hand, unable to deny
the sincerity she saw in his eyes. “If I fall, I am taking you with
me,” Julie said.
    Austin laughed as Julie hopped to the first
rock and gripped his hand tightly. “You won't fall,” he said,
surely.
    True to his word, Austin negotiated the two
of them safely to the other side of the stream. “Oh ye of little
faith,” he recited.
    “Faith had nothing to do with it,“ Julie
huffed. “Water, moss, slippery rocks, means a trip down stream.
Simple science,” she added.
    “Science is about taking risks and exploring
all possibilities,” he argued. He raised his hand to her face, “You
know I wouldn't let anything happen to you,” he said, with a
serious tone in his voice.
    Julie could feel the attachment that Austin
was developing for her. She silently cursed herself for letting it
get this far. Yet, she found herself unable to pull away as he
stepped closer to her. She was breaking a promise she had made to
herself. This is different though, isn't it ? Her thoughts
were silenced the minute his lips touched hers. It was different,
Julie realized. This was the first time she wanted someone to kiss
her. Previously, it had been forced upon her. Once that connection
was made, Julie let go. She slipped her arms up his chest and
deepened the kiss. Austin responded in kind. His hands finding her
waist pulling her closer. Their kiss was broken only when the need
to breathe became an issue.
    Austin rested his forehead on hers, his
breathing uneven. Julie's breaths were deep and panting. “I'm
sorry,” Julie