Charged Emotions by Adam Rutter

Cara wondered aimlessly through fields of heather on The Long Mynd. Cara’s auburn hair blew across her face. Her white skirt flapped around her feet and she held onto a thin arm loosely with her slender hand while her dark eyes gazed mournfully down at Church Stretton. Cara’s walk slowed to a saunter until she could not walk no more. Her tears reddened the edge of her eyes with every tear being blown round the side of her face. Cara could not face Jack again, no matter how much she wanted to see him, she could not stand the thought of being hurt a second time, in spite of his undying love for her, she knew he will betray her. The grey skies grew darker and blacker as clouds cast heavy shadows over the hills and valleys. Thunder rumbled overhead. A raindrop landed on her cheek, she watched Church Stretton fade in the shadows until it became obscured, like her feelings for Jack. She searched relentlessly for her feelings, and then she stopped searching. A flash of lightning glimmered on her face, accentuating her fair skin against the dimmest light. The rain pattered on the heather, Cara sobbed as her hurt and anguish rumbled inside like the thunder, and tears flowed with the rain as they ran off her face. Jack was cantering on his horse when he arrived in the town after he came back from Shrewsbury. His eyes caught sight of Cara’s figure silhouetted against sheet lightning flickering in the clouds.

‘Cara!’ he cried.

The rain began to pour down. Jack galloped out of town, through the narrow valley of Cardingmill. Cara heard Jack’s voice rising from the valley. His voice was unrecognisable among the thunderclap and the rain lashing down, but she knew it had to be him. She held onto her drenched skirt while she struggled to run among the heather. Jack could not face this anymore. The pain was too strong; stronger than her love for him. Her flat shoes got tangled up in the undergrowth. She fell as she lost her balance. Cara could not get back up. Her arms and legs were sprawled out. They felt weak. The hooves rapid thud were felt on the ground, growing heavier and faster. They were as loud as the thunder. The gallop waned, slowing to a trot. Cara wailed and cried helplessly. She could not carry on running. Not now. Jack had to be faced. But the hurt was charging inside Cara like electricity building up to a high voltage that powered rage and despair. Cara was so charged up, she had the strength to get to her feet and slap Jack in the face, though she could not find the will to do it, she found the words to come out of her mouth.

‘I told you to stay away from me’, she said.

‘You know I can’t do that,' said Jack.

‘You’ve been to see Jane, haven’t you?

‘Cara, what are you saying?’

‘You went to Shrewsbury.’

‘I’ve been nowhere near the place.’

‘You’ve got your horse with you.’

‘Look Cara, I have not been to see Jane. D'you understand? I have not seen her.’

‘Just stay away from me.’

‘You don’t mean that Cara.’

‘I’m not going to listen to anymore of your lies.’

‘I’m not lying Cara.’

‘Stop it Jack. Stop!’

‘The only woman I love in this world is you.’

(first published February 2021)