TRAILS OF THE HEART
Not long after Ethan Henry Grant arrived in Walsvile, the town began to change.
Every day, young women dressed more carefully than usual. Some stood near the bakery, pretending to chat while secretly waiting for Ethan to pass by. Others sat near the bay, hoping he would walk along the water as he often did.
Even the library, once a quiet place for study, had become crowded. Many girls came not to read, but simply to see him—to talk, laugh, or show off in hopes that he might notice them.
Rose and Tiffany had grown quite fond of Ethan as well.
Soon, the bay was far too crowded for Luna and her friends to relax the way they once had. Even the library no longer felt like the peaceful place Luna loved.
One evening, as the sun began to set, a young man named Mathews quietly followed Luna, Rose, and Tiffany through the streets.
Mathews had admired Rose for a long time. That evening, he had finally gathered enough courage to tell her how he felt.
With nervous determination, he stepped forward and gently knelt down, holding out a small bouquet of flowers.
But before Rose could even notice him—
Ethan walked by.
Rose's attention immediately shifted toward the handsome newcomer passing through the street. She barely noticed Mathews kneeling before her.
The moment passed.
Embarrassed and humiliated, Mathews slowly stood up. His face darkened with anger.
He walked away silently, but before leaving, he made himself a promise.
He would get revenge.
Later that night, when the streets had grown quiet, Ethan walked alone beneath the dim lantern lights.
Suddenly, Mathews appeared—this time with several friends.
They surrounded Ethan, holding knives and other small weapons, ready to attack.
But Ethan was not surprised.
He had expected something like this to happen.
With swift movements, he dodged their attacks with surprising skill. One by one, he struck them back, knocking their weapons away and leaving them wounded and defeated.
The fight was quick.
And brutal.
By the time it was over, Mathews and his friends lay on the ground, injured and humiliated.
Ethan simply adjusted his jacket and walked away into the night.
The next morning, the entire town was buzzing with the story.
When the young women of Walsvile heard what had happened, their admiration for Ethan only grew stronger.
To them, he was no longer just handsome and talented.
Now…
He was fearless too.