I did my best to keep my composure, using every ounce of self-control that I possessed to keep my breathing steadier than my heart, which was fluttering against my ribcage like a bird that was being held captive. It was all in the face of nervous anticipation towards how Matthew would react to what I had brought him here for. This was it. The reason for our hasty trip. I kept my eyes glued to him, taking in the way that the shadows seemed to make his face look more rugged and angular. I found myself remembering the time that I had seen him for the first time. The time that he had cornered me beside the river. The way that he had looked at me then, compared to what I was witnessing now… The likeness was beyond my comparison. The only thing that was slightly different, was that he looke