Hiraeth

Chapter Twenty

We walk the remaining distance to the shore. I can't see the pirates that have come here first. Maybe they’ve all gone to their houses as soon as they’ve arrived to find out if it's burnt or their family is still there. Where's their house anyway? I can't see houses here, instead, we are welcomed by tall trees. But the forest isn't scary like in typical forest in horror movies because the grasses here are trimmed. They even have a cemented pathway. One thing that I'm also fascinated by is like the trees are made up of some kind of technology. They are all the same in terms of sizes. Tall, not that big, with a massive amount of leaves.

Storm’s the first one to move forward. I follow him, while Death is behind me. No one speaks. I can only hear our footsteps and heavy breathing. The deafening quiet is much creepier than chaos. Thoughts about the possibility that our enemy is now watching us and waiting for the right time to attack us leave rent-free in my mind.

Our clothes are soaked, and I can see our bodies trembling for a bit. I’m thankful for the sun to at least make it bearable. It’ll not take any longer to dry us.

We’ve been walking farther and farther from the shore. It makes me nervous. The quietness is getting on my nerves. Why the hell there are no animals here that can at least make some noises? That will somehow assure me that this place is not abandoned.

We continue walking. I can't tell if we are lost or the houses are built so far away from the shore. But we aren't lost, I guess. We are following the cemented pathway.

Then I realize that this place is called The Veiled Shore after all. That means, my guess of the houses being too far, is right. It’s like the trees are veiled. I’m only making guesses, so I’m not sure.

On and on we go until Storm abruptly stops. I also stop and watch him slowly unsheathing his sword. He won’t be like this if he doesn’t sense danger. So, I also get the dagger tucked in my waist even if I have no way of planning to use it on someone. If there's a danger, I'll just run. Still, I need to prepare for this because I don't know what we are expecting to see. Maybe it’s not the royal navies. It might be a dangerous animal, so I think the dagger is important.

Weirdly, I can't sense that something isn't right. Well, except for the silence, of course. But I'm talking about Storm. What did he see or hear? I don't know.

I clear my throat and to my surprise, Storm looks at me with alertness, even Death, who surprisingly hasn't spoken a word, looks at me full of alertness. They are so hyper-sensitive, I am fascinated. While they are so focused on the surroundings, my mind is wandering. It fascinates me when someone is like that. How can they be so focused? Have they learned how to block their thoughts?

“Sorry,” I whisper an apology. “It's nothing.” My throat is just dry from not speaking. I need water or anything that's liquid. Do they have milk tea here? I smile at my thoughts, but it fades when I see Storm staring at me with his usually serious face.

I clear my throat again. Stand chin up, shoulder's square. When Storm leaves his eyes at me, I hunch back and roll my eyes.

We start walking again. This is a long walk plus the sun rays are painful to my skin.

Are there even houses here? How big is this island anyway?

Before I can complain, I take notice of the thick ashes before us. At that, I can now feel that we are growing near to the real ruin.

I take big steps so I can catch up to Storm. And I find ourselves running as we all hear cries and shouts. I don't know what's happening. All I know is that we're nearing danger.

“Run and hide,” Death whispers when he catches up at me. “If something happens.”

I can't agree more so I nod. It's my plan anyway if things get tough. But there's no way that I will run without helping someone. That's the reason why I've come here in the first place and take a risk.

When we get close, the noises are getting clearer. I follow Storm when he gets inside the forest without words. Even if I don't turn back, I know that Death is still behind—moving as fast and silent as he can.

The houses of the same kinds are now in sight. Some of it caught on fire. The fire is coming from the other side of the island, and weirdly and fortunately, it stopped before it could ruin the whole island.

The navy is using a cunning plan. They will eliminate the ones the pirates value the most so pirates will become vulnerable too, thus making them an easy target. It doesn't take a smart mind like Albert Einstein to know their wicked plan.

I also take sight of men in uniform that stop me dead on my track. I can’t see any pirates and I only realize the cries earlier stop. It feels like it’s only in our imagination and our minds are messing with us.

Yet, the sight of the royal babies with their bright color blue uniforms makes my knees shake uncontrollably. I have to take a long, deep breath and slap my knees to calm down for a bit.

I can still remember the trauma from their hands. They are not the men who pointed their swords at me and threatened to kill me, but they are the same kind.

“Go around,” Death whispers. “Look if a different house isn't burnt yet.”—He takes a deep breath, sending me shivers when I feel his breath on my neck—“Find a small cemented platform that is covered with grass. There's a tunnel there. Lead the survivors to the ship. If you find one.”

I feel so overwhelmed by this mission. What if I won't find the one he's said? Or what if the royal navies see me and now I'm the one who will need help? But my desire to help wins over. I need to do this. I won't know that I am capable of helping them if I don't try. What is the point of going here if I cower in the corner, right? So, let's get it!

“And,” he says before I can run. “Give this to her.”

I reach for the hair clip with a smile on my face. I don't know his mom, but I don't want to waste my time asking him the descriptions. I run.

I will find the survivors and lead them to their safety. Then one of them is Death's mother. It'll work and end well.

I run from tree to tree and hide from them while listening to the sound of other footsteps aside from me and observing the royal navies if they notice me. Thankfully, they haven't. They’re still in a serious discussion.

I turn back to look for Death and Storm but they are nowhere to be found. For a moment, I feel like they are going to leave me on this island. Death gives me a mission but in reality, it's just a plan to get rid of me. He's assumed that I will get on his way when I've told him that I'm also going to search for the Book of Shadows, right? Then he acts after that incident like nothing has happened or we haven't talked about it at all. Maybe he's just taking his time and now's the perfect time to eliminate me.

But then I realize that it's my anxiety who's telling me that Death plans it, so I move forward. I won't let such thoughts hinder me from achieving my mission. This is in between life and death. It's either we succeed or fail. So, it’s not the right time to entertain it.

From my position, I still see some royal navy. There are five of them, but I don't know if there are others. Who knows if some of them are wandering in the forest to know if some escaped or pirates are wandering in this place.

It's like I'm doing hide and seek with them. I hide in the trees if I feel like they're going to suddenly turn in my direction and run if I'm confident that they aren't watching.

Death has said that I look for a different house. The houses here are all the same in size and design. A brick wall that perhaps is approximately 2,330 square feet. I don't know what he means by different. Is the size much bigger or has a different design? I can't even tell if the houses are the same because most of them are ruined. There's no fire now but the thick ashes are still everywhere.

I stop when I reach the part of the forest that has been caught by fire, but fortunately, it's been put out. Though, it's still so hot out here. This is my sign that I can no longer move forward in the forest. I need to leave now and find another hiding place in the house. This is the end, and if I continue, I’ll only expect more ruins.

The royal navy is out of sight. I think they are hidden by a house. But knowing that they are near, still makes my heart beat fast. I'm afraid they'll hear it. Which, of course, won't happen. I'm just overthinking again.

I don't know what Storm and Death are doing, but I have a clue. They will kill the royal navies as much as they can. That might also be the reason why Death gives me this mission because I can't fight. Let alone kill someone.

So, I focus on my mission. They have decided to bring me here because they see something in me that can help them. Their families need help, and I'm willing to help as much as I can. For a while, I forget about my own life. The danger I'll be getting in here. To be honest, I'm afraid. If I die today and God will ask me how I live my life, I will probably answer that it's a bad one. But still, I will say to Him that I die because, for the first time in my life, I help strangers. That becomes my motivation to continue.

I take a few deep breaths before I rush to the house. I fall to my knees as I catch my breath. When I feel that there's no sign of danger, I get up and examine the house. There's no obvious difference in this with other houses. So, it's not what I'm searching for.

I look around and examine the houses that are fortunately still standing, though some parts of them are ruined.

But for the love of god! These houses are all the same!

Death hasn't given me an exact description of the house, so how the hell I will know? I can only take guesses and that's something I must not do in times like this.

I want to go to another house but unfortunately, the next house is next to the one I'm hiding. If I go there, the royal navy might see me because the distance is a bit far. Though there's a house behind me, it's already ruined and there aren't cemented platforms that have grasses on it. Unlike the house that I want to go to. I can feel that it's the tunnel entrance that I'm looking for. That's it. I'm trusting my intuition.

With my back pressed against the wall, I walk sideways and reach the edge. I take a deep breath before I risk taking a peek if the royal navy is still there in their position. To my surprise, they are gone. There isn't blood to assume that someone has killed them all.

I survey the area with only my eyes, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear so I have a much clearer view.

I smooth down my skirt and take another breath. Well, they aren't here so I might as well go to that house.

I take a few steps forward before I dash towards the next house. The only thing I'm looking for is my goal destination. Nothing more and somehow it makes me reach the house without encountering some danger.

I breathe a sigh of relief. I'm still alive!

I'm relieved by the fact that I'm still breathing until I hear an unexpected noise coming from behind the house. Another noise that is something like people fighting using swords makes me flinch. I hold my dagger tight and crawl towards the sound.

In horror movies that I've watched, my reaction to the character that comes to the place where he hears noises is that they're an i***t. I realize that this also makes me an i***t and a hypocrite. And that even in real life, there's something weird that is pulling you to it. Yeah, let's just say there is.

I have a feeling that it is Storm and Death. I may not hear or see it with my ears and eyes, but I know that they might do something to make the royal navy away from this house. And the reason that I can only think of is that this is what Death has told me.

I stop crawling because of my sudden realization and turn to the uneven grasses that I've passed by. I must not waste my time. I have a mission to do and it's now in front of me. But my curiosity still wins thus making me continue crawling.

The sound of swords, metal against metal, Is getting clearer. It's weird because, in fights like this, there should be yells or cries, but none. They're fighting silently. Whoever they are, I can tell they've got proper training. It's advisable not to yell during fights because it, fortunately, distracts the opponent but you aren't immune to the distraction as well. Also, if they aren't good fighters, someone will whimper in pain. I can imagine a situation where no one gets injured or dies.

My imagination is indeed right when I catch sight of Death fighting with three royal navies at the same time. Not far from him is Storm. He has two opponents and is so serious, unlike Death. Death's eyes sparkle, with the skin a little wrinkled round and under them, and with the mouth a little drawn back at the corners. His opponents on the other hand are sweating excessively and like Storm, so serious.

Since I already know what's happening, I go back to the uneven grass.

I start looking for the lock but can't find any. Or maybe I'm so lucky that they don't have it?

I'm not sure where this tunnel ends but the way Death has told me that leads them to the ship, maybe it goes to the ocean. I look again for the second time, even riskily standing because I know there are only five royal navies here because if there're more of them, they should have been here.

But in that part, I am wrong.

There are a lot of them and they take the crews that are the first ones who arrive here.

I know because I've seen them with my two eyes.