CHAPTER 239

ANNA KYLIN CHESTER

"I WAS LOOKING for you," Mitch's voice said. I refused my instinct to turn and look at him. "How long have you been here?" He asked. His voice was closer now.

Since I left the meeting, I had been in the woods, enjoying the serene silence of the snow, and wishing my emotions were as straightforward and plain as the color of my surroundings - mostly white for the snow that was on the floor, and in the branches and trees. I watched the snowflakes drift to the floor as I maneuvered through my own emotions. I was feeling confident, but at the same time scared. I was angry at Mitch, but at the same relieved.

I remained hidden in the slightly warmer enclosure of wily branches for close to an hour until I heard the heavy footsteps as his feet crunched ice flakes on the floor.

"Are you okay?" His deep voice swam into my head. He came to sit beside me, gratefully, he didn't touch me. He just sat on the log of wood, looking straight ahead.

When I didn't respond, he added, "Yo