Young David is on his first journey away from home. Hired as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, he is flown half way around the globe to work in a pilot school teaching refugee children. Settling in and learning about the new world he lives in he meets and falls in love with beautiful Amaris, a mysteriously secretive young woman who lives on the hill.

The entire village knows about the people on the hill, but only his friend Robert is willing to give him a stern warning about embarking on a relationship with a girl from the hill.

As their relationship grows, David and Amaris find they have many things in common except the hill. He is not allowed to go up nor is Amaris willing to tell him anything about it. What is the secret of the hill and its power over Amaris and David?

This story takes you on an unexpected journey through twists and turns that you will not see coming. It puts mystery and romance together in a way that will draw you in from your first word to the very last. Take the ride with David and see if you can figure out the mystery of the hill.

Short Story Press publishes short stories written by everyday writers.

Dorothea Bryant