Page 114 of Unbound By Shadows
Silence fell over the table.
“Excuse me?” Cass said after a moment.
Selene smoothed her hands across her lap. “I’m moving away.”
“Where?” Her father asked.
“To an eco-village. I've applied to join a community, and was accepted.”
"What the hell is an eco-village?" Evan asked.
“It’s an intentional community that works for ecological sustainability,” Selene said.
“Like a cult?” Evan asked.
“No, but I’ll be living off the grid. No computers, TV, or cell phones.”
“Are you serious?” Cass cut in.
Selene looked at her sister then down at her hands. “I know it’s… abrupt. And odd. But I’ve thought a lot about it, and this is what I want. I just need a change. A big one.”
“Where is this place?” her father asked.
“The Pacific Northwest,” Selene lied. She had chosen an area the furthest away from Nashville, well outside of driving distance. “I-I’m not allowed to say where specifically. It’s a private community, and they don’t want visitors.”
Her father’s mouth was open. Cass’s face was hard and suspicious. Evan was running a hand across his forehead, looking confused. Her mother was deathly pale.
Cass crossed her arms. “If you’re off the grid, how are we supposed to get in touch with you? What if there’s an emergency?”
“I’ll come home periodically to visit. To check in,” Selene replied.
“So you’re cutting yourself off from us completely? Why would you do this?” Her mother asked. Her lips were pressed together so tightly it made her lipstick bleed.
“I’ll be back to visit,” Selene repeated. “I’m not sure when, but you can count on it.”
“What's this secret eco-village called?" Cass asked.
"Azuresong Pastures," Selene replied, borrowing the name of Brunie and Eldridge's farm.
Cass pulled out her phone and began typing the name into a search engine. The server brought their drinks, and Vivian quickly downed her cocktail.
"Why would you want to hurt us this way?” Vivian asked loudly.
Selene felt herself shrinking into the chair, reverting to childhood patterns. “I’m not trying to hurt anyone,” she said. “I love you all, but this is something I have to do.”
“I think it’s kind of cool,” Evan said. “I’ll miss you, but you deserve to have an adventure.”
Selene smiled. “Thank you.”
Cass gestured with her phone. “Strange how I can't find anything about it online."
“As I said, it's very private."
Her sister gave her a long look then asked, "Selene, will you do me a favor before you go?”
“Of course. What is it?”
“See a psychiatrist.” When Selene started to protest, Cass cut her off. “I’m serious. Ever since we went to Rugby, something is very off with you. I'm worried.”
