Episode 1: THE TRIGGER

The road to the mountain resort was long and winding. Mei-Lings family was on their way to Clearwater Resort for a vacation. The highway was gray. The trees were green. Mei-Ling felt tired. Stressed from school. She was looking forward to getting from it all.

Mei-Lings mom, Mrs. Lin was driving. She was an organized person and liked to plan everything. Mei-Lings dad, Mr. Lin was sitting in the seat gripping the steering wheel tightly. Mei-Lings sister, Sora was listening to music in the seat.

Mei-Ling pressed her forehead against the window. The glass was cool. It felt good. She could see the trees and the fields passing by. The scenery was beautiful. Mei-Ling was not really looking at it. She was thinking about how tired she was and how much she needed a break.

After a while Mrs. Lin told Mei-Ling to stop making the glass misty. Mei-Ling pulled her head back. Wiped the glass with her sleeve. Mr. Lin said they would be at the resort in an hour. He was trying to sound excited. Mei-Ling could tell he was not really looking forward to it.

Sora pulled out her earbuds. Said she did not want to go hiking. Mei-Ling. Caught her eye. They both knew that their parents had planned this trip for them. They were not really sure if they wanted to go along with it.

As they drove the scenery changed. The highway started to wind. The trees got closer together. Mei-Ling could see the signs for the resort. She felt a little excited. Maybe this trip would not be so bad all.

When they arrived at the resort Mei-Ling was surprised. It was beautiful and luxurious. The buildings were modern and sleek. The views were stunning. Sora said it was " of insane" and Mei-Ling had to agree.

They checked in. Got their keys. Mei-Lings parents had booked two cabins, one for them and one for the girls. Mei-Ling was relieved to have some space to herself. She and Sora went to their cabin. Sora claimed the bedroom with the best view.

Mei-Ling did not unpack. She was too restless. She walked around the cabin. Looked out at the forest. The air was fresh and clean. She could hear the sound of birds singing. She felt a little better. She was still tired and stressed.

Sora said she was going to take a nap and told Mei-Ling not to disturb her. Mei-Ling said she was going for a walk. She grabbed her phone. Slipped it into her pocket. The trail was easy and well-marked and Mei-Ling felt safe. She started walking feeling the sun on her face and the wind in her hair.

The path was wide and smooth. Mei-Ling could see the trees and the flowers. She felt a little more relaxed and her feet carried her forward. She was not really thinking about where she was going she just knew she needed to get out and walk. The sign at the trailhead said it was a two-mile walk, to the overlook. Mei-Ling thought that sounded like an idea. She started walking feeling the stress and tiredness start to melt away.

Mei-Ling walked for twenty minutes. The air around her started to feel different. At first she saw people from the resort. They were couples walking slowly holding hands and kids yelling at their parents. One old man walked by with a camera that probably cost more than a semester of Mei-Lings school.

People would look at her and nod. They did not want to talk. As Mei-Ling walked deeper into the mountains she did not hear people anymore. The families and old couples turned back. Spread out and soon Mei-Ling was alone.

The path got smaller. The nice gravel turned into dirt. Big trees leaned in. Their branches touched, making a ceiling that blocked out most of the sunlight. The air felt thick and sweet like honey. Mei-Ling felt a weight lift off her shoulders. Her back. She could breathe deeper. She felt more alive like she could feel everything around her.

The path split and Mei-Ling stopped. She looked at her phone. The map said to go straight.. There was a small path to the right that was not on the map. It looked old and wild. Mei-Lings smart side told her to take the path but something about the wild path pulled her in. She wanted to see where it went.

Mei-Ling told herself she would just look and then go back.. She stepped onto the wild path. The ground was rough. Roots stuck out. The trees were big and close. Wildflowers grew everywhere. Mei-Ling saw colors she had never seen before. A bird made a sharp sound that she had never heard.

The air felt alive and Mei-Lings skin tingled. She thought maybe it was magic. Then she laughed. She was just imagining things because of school stress.

Mei-Ling walked through grass and then stopped. The forest. She saw a big valley. There were houses and barns and animals walked around. It looked like a time. The air felt special and Mei-Lings knees felt weak.

She looked at her phone. There was no signal. Mei-Ling felt scared and curious at the time. She knew she should go back. Her feet did not move. She felt a pull like something was calling her.

Mei-Ling stepped into the valley. The grass touched her legs. She smelled dirt and plants. It felt familiar. She saw a barn and a figure coming out. It was a man, strong and confident. He walked towards her and Mei-Lings heart stopped.

The man looked up. Saw her. Their eyes. Mei-Ling felt a shock. Time. The wind died. The man started walking towards her slow and deliberate. Mei-Lings mind told her to run. Her body did not move. She was stuck, looking at the man.

His name was Ren. He kept walking towards her. Mei-Ling did not know what would happen. She felt a rush of excitement and fear. All she knew was the sun on her back and the air, on her skin as Ren got closer.

He was really close to her now his strong body blocking out the sun putting her in his shadow. Being this close to him was exciting she could feel the heat from his skin smell the smell of iron and earth and something sweet that made her feel funny.

His dark eyes looked into hers and Mei-Ling knew something true. The resort, her family, what happened before. None of that mattered now.

This secret place that she was not supposed to be, in was where everything felt right. Mei-Ling felt like she was where she was meant to be and Mei-Ling knew that Mei-Ling would be okay.

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