#Chapter 57: Not For Nothing

Ava The cool marble of the bench chilled the backs of my legs as I sat with Chris in the sculpture garden, compelling me to nuzzle into him ever so slightly. We sat in silence, just taking in the view. “Well?” Chris asked. “What do you think?” I paused for a moment, then turned and reached up to stroke my fingers along the statue that stood over us—a man and a woman, their limbs tangled together and their hair flowing so realistically that I thought they might come alive. “It’s beautiful,” I admitted, suddenly feeling bashful after the way I had been speaking about the human world earlier. Chris hummed in agreement, then stood, reaching for my hand. I took it without hesitation and let him lead me further along the pebbled pathways. We silently wove our way through the other sculptures, taking in the beautiful sights and sounds of this little paradise nestled right in the heart of the city. As we continued our peaceful walk through the sculpture garden, I started to b