Chapter Fifty Seven
1105 Words
NINA
“Woah…”
It was magnificent. No, extraordinary. No, no words could possibly describe what I was seeing, what I was feeling, what was before me.
Is this what heaven looks like?
Everything was green and not the washed-out green that bordered yellow. No, the good kind of green. The green that makes you want to slump on the padded ground and create snow angels, except this wasn’t snow. I smiled as I watched two birds chase one another, chirping happily, enjoying each other’s company. The sun was setting; its orange-yellow rays cast themselves over the island creating breathtaking scenery.
“Woah…”
A fruit fly buzzed near my open mouth; someone snapped my jaws together. I didn’t have the heart to yell at the mage responsible; I hadn’t even felt pain when my teeth clashed together.
Because I was in heaven.
“I do not understand. The whole point of us using the submarine-“
“The submarine….”
“Yes, that. Was to arrive at the island undetected. Yet here we are, alive and well at the entrance of the island with no healer in sight. I cannot believe I just spent all that time confined in such a small space with this beast for nothing…”
No response.
I let out a quiet sigh. Guzman had not uttered a word since Ruppert’s outburst. He had assumed a stoic expression and withdrawn from everything around him. Ruppert had not pursued the matter. After virtually accusing Guzman of killing his lover, Ruppert had taken a few deep breaths, and soon after, he had changed the topic altogether. As curious as I had been to know why these two were fatal enemies, I had preferred it when I had not known anything about the situation.
“I thought you guys said that these healers were dangerous, evil even…I expected arrows and swords the moment we landed…should we move around? Or how does this work? How do we get the cure?”
No response.
“Well, love, it seems that the beast has become mute, so shall we?”
I angled my head to view Guzman. He still had the same expression from earlier. Struck, hurt, unwilling to share his pain with anyone. I was used to feeling this way, I had mastered the art of stoicism at an early age. Especially when I noticed that my father did not care for my feelings at all. I simply decided not to show any.
“Guzman, please…think about Baric…think about Tamara. We are here to prevent a war from breaking out…Put aside your anger and let us work together…”
No response.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted something or rather someone. I whirled towards its direction as my eyes worked to make out the figure. It was a young girl, and just like this island, she was strikingly beautiful. I felt drawn to her. Her anthill skin shimmered under the glow of the setting sun as her stark white hair moved to cover her face. She was plump and adorable. I felt oddly protective of her.
“Do not get sucked in human…It’s a spell…She is charming you…”
I heard his words distinctly. Every syllable, the way he articulated each phrase yet, I could not comprehend what he was saying. Charm? Spell? What nonsense! This girl was absolutely lovely, harmless. Her white hair, brown skin, fascinating contrasts. She looked innocent, in need of protection. I was meant to protect her.
She was just like Seth.
“Grab her!”
There it was again—the husky voice. I heard the words, but just like earlier, I could not fathom their meaning. Grab? What nonsense! Someone attempted to yank me towards them. I resisted. Then I began scratching them. Were they trying to hurt the young girl? Is that why they were getting me out of the way? I couldn’t let that happen.
“What are you doing, love!”
I stepped on someone’s foot. Then I shoved them in the stomach with my left elbow. I heard a yelp. I took that as a cue for me to run. I felt the wind caress my skin as I dashed towards the young girl. Her blue gown swayed against the wind. I was almost there.
Just a few more steps.
But I didn’t reach her. I watched as a smirk slowly appeared on her face. I let out a high-pitched scream when a force began pulling me backwards. I felt myself falling, I hit the padded ground with a soft thud. I arched my back as I groaned in pain. Suddenly my eyes felt heavy, I let myself be swallowed by the dark.
* * *
I woke up with a start.
Where was I?
I squinted my eyes, trying to make out where I currently was. I patted the bed around me and then pulled away from the covers. Someone had taken the time to tuck me in. No one had ever tucked me in. There was a hum. Someone was humming. It was beautiful. The hummer was using a low tone, the soft kind that made you want to sleep. I planted my feet on the floor and wiggled my toes. Someone had slipped socks on my feet. They felt warm and fuzzy; again, something very unfamiliar to me. I pulled myself upwards, using the edge of the bed. My body felt light and relaxed. When I began walking, it was like I was floating. I felt happy, contented.
“Hello?”
No response.
I sauntered towards the door and twisted the doorknob; the door swung open. A sweet smell met me as I entered the hallway. Pancakes? Waffles? Someone was preparing something delightful. My mouth watered as an image of towered maple syrup pancakes painted itself in my head.
“Hello?”
I watched an auburn-haired woman move around comfortably in what appeared to be a kitchen. She hummed melodiously, swirling around gracefully each time she hummed the bridge of her song. She didn’t take notice of me. I watched as she flipped her pancakes and swirled around while humming. I touched my right cheek, it was wet. I was crying at the marvel before me. I was crying because the moment I had seen the auburn-haired woman, I had known instantly who she was.
“Mother?”
- Writer
