Chasing His Kickass Luna Back

Abby

The crisp morning air stings my cheeks as Karl and I look at each other. I hate the fact that the sight of his muscular body, glistening in the morning sun, makes my face feel hot; but at least I can blame it on the cold.

“Um... Sure,” I finally say, agreeing to run with him. I don't really want to see him right now after what happened at the party, but at the same time, I do. The emotions roiling inside of me are confusing, to say the least, and I hate myself for it.

“Cool.”

Karl, shirtless and seemingly unaffected by the cold this morning, leads the way. His lean muscles flex with each stride, and his breath forms clouds in the chilly air. We run side by side, the rhythm of our footsteps echoing in the quiet morning.

For a little while, neither of us speaks. The scenery passes by—lots of empty fields, towering trees, and the occasional cottage. It seems as though everyone has decorated for the holidays already, and the quaint little houses are adorned with garlands and colorful lights.

I can see someone's Christmas tree through their window as we jog past one house, and for a moment, I can't help but think about my poor little apartment back in the city, dark and empty and devoid of any festive decorations.

But the holidays aren't the only thing on my mind.

I keep thinking back to my deal with Karl, and the promises he made—particularly the promise regarding my infertility. He mentioned some special treatments, some doctor who might be able to help me. I hate to say it, but I'm intrigued.

Having a child has always been a dream of mine, and I hope that the dream won't be crushed yet again, which is why I'm hesitant to let Karl get my hopes up.

“Hey, Karl?" I finally muster up the courage to break the silence.

"Hm?" Karl asks, glancing at me. He seems completely unfazed by our run; he's barely even out of breath.

I swallow, my own breaths coming out in short bursts. I haven't had the chance to run very much over the past few years, so my body isn't quite used to this. “I need to know more about this doctor you've been speaking to.”

He glances at me, his deep brown eyes looking like golden pools of honey in the bright morning sun, made even more bright as it reflects off of the brilliant white snow. “I thought you might say that,” he says, keeping pace effortlessly. “I've been talking to Dr. Armitage.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Dr. Armitage?” I ask. “I've never heard of him.”

Karl chuckles, and it's a warm, familiar sound that admittedly makes me blush a bit. I quickly look away so he can't tell. “I'm going to be honest with you, Abby,” Karl says. “He's... not your typical doctor, for lack of a better word. Some might even call him a bit of a quack.”

I frown. A quack doctor? That's not exactly reassuring. “What kind of treatments does he offer?” I ask, hoping for some sort of clarification.

Karl takes a moment to gather his thoughts. “He specializes in alternative medicine and unconventional treatments. He believes in the power of the natural world and ancient remedies.” My skepticism must be evident on my face when I turn to level him with a stern gaze. It's unlike Karl to believe in homeopathic medicine. He needs hard facts and science if he's going to believe anything. “So, what makes you think he can help me?” I ask. “Why do you, of all people, believe in these... ancient remedies of his?"

He smiles, and there's a glint of hope in his eyes. “Because, Abby, he’s shown me solid proof that his methods have worked for others. People who were told they had no hope left.”

I'm torn between hope and doubt. The possibility of curing my infertility is a tantalizing prospect, but I've been disappointed so many times before. I'm skeptical, to say the least. I don't need to be putting myself through who knows what kind of treatments just to be told the same thing I've always been told. And a few anecdotal pieces of evidence will hardly change my mind.

“But why hasn't he gone public with his findings if they're so miraculous?” I ask. “Forgive me, Karl, but this sounds a bit suspicious, don’t you think?”

Karl slows down a bit, allowing me to catch up. I didn't realize it, but being out of breath and trying to talk has made me lag behind. “He's been cautious,” Karl says. “He's faced a lot of backlash from the medical community. They see him as a maverick, a renegade. But he's dedicated to helping those who have been overlooked by conventional medicine.”

We continue our run down a familiar trail that leads around a nearby patch of woods. The quiet forest around us is shrouded in a serene stillness, and I take in the scent of pine needles and the sound of birds singing in the distance. The beauty of the natural world contrasts sharply with the uncertainty of my own in this moment, though, which is jarring.

“Karl,” I finally say after some time, “I want to believe, but I've been through so much already. I hope you don't blame me for being skeptical.”

He slows down a little more, but his gaze is still fixed on the path ahead of us. “I understand your concern,” he says softly. “I really do, and if you don't want to try it, then you don't have to. But I've seen the testimonials, met the people whose lives have been transformed by Dr. Armitage’s methods. I believe he might have the cure you've been searching for. A way for you to heal your body and have the baby you want. Naturally.”

We finish our run in silence, and the sun has risen higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the landscape that begins to warm the earth and cause the snow to begin to melt.

As we slow to a walk once we reach the driveway, I can't help but feel a glimmer of hope.

Maybe, just maybe, this unconventional doctor could hold the key to a future I've longed for.

Back at the mansion, we sit on the front porch steps, catching our breath. Karl reaches for a water bottle and takes a long swig before turning to me. “Abby, I know it's a lot to take in, and I understand your hesitation. But I think you should just meet Dr. Armitage and hear what he has to say.”

I nod, still uncertain but willing to consider the possibility. “I'll meet him,” I say. “But no promises, alright?”

He smiles, relief evident in his expression. “That's all I can ask for. I'll set up an appointment and you can see for yourself.”

As we get up from the porch steps and head back inside, a sense of cautious optimism begins to blossom in my chest. Maybe this strange doctor really can offer me the help I've been seeking. Maybe I can finally heal my body, have a baby, and get to fulfill one of my greatest dreams.

Or, it could all end in fire and heartbreak once again.