chapter 7
893 Words
"Reality is not a dream, Nor is it what it seems. A fleeting touch, a ghostly trace, We chase it still, we give it chase."
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They stood by the shore, the golden glow of the setting sun painting the horizon in hues of amber and crimson. The waves stretched far and endless, their rhythmic whispers lulling the world into a quiet stillness. The salty breeze brushed against Isla’s skin, tangling in her hair as she stared at the boy beside her.
Leon had been silent for a while, gazing out at the endless expanse of the sea, as if searching for something beyond its distant horizon. Isla watched him, the way the wind ruffled his dark hair, the way the last remnants of sunlight traced the sharp lines of his face. There was something enigmatic about him, something she hadn’t quite figured out yet.
She hugged her arms to herself, glancing away. “I guess this is where we say goodbye.”
Leon finally turned to her, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Guess so.”
The quiet between them wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was heavy—laden with unsaid words, with thoughts neither of them had quite sorted out. Isla wasn’t sure what to make of their meeting. but whatever she made, she couldn’t say.
“Will I see you again?” she found herself asking before she could stop the words from slipping out.
Leon’s expression flickered, something unreadable passing through his eyes before he looked away. “Maybe.”
She frowned. “That’s not much of an answer.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “That’s because I don’t have one.” He turned toward the sea again, his hands slipping into the pockets of his coat. “Some things in life are uncertain, Isla. That’s what makes them interesting.”
She scoffed. “Or frustrating.”
“Both.” He tilted his head, studying her. “But you’re the type who doesn’t like unanswered questions, aren’t you?”
Isla bit her lip. He wasn’t wrong. “I just like understanding things.”
Leon hummed as if considering her words. “Then I suppose I’ll have to remain a mystery for now.”
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that played at her lips. “You’re awfully dramatic.”
“I like to keep things interesting.”
A small wave crashed against the shore, sending a fine mist into the air. Isla sighed, shifting on her feet. The moment felt fragile, like something that would disappear if she lingered too long. She wasn’t sure why she felt the weight of it—after all, Leon was just a stranger. A peculiar one, sure, but a stranger nonetheless.
And yet, she had the nagging feeling that meeting him had changed something, even if she didn’t quite know what.
Leon took a step back, giving her one last, lingering look. “Take care, Isla.”
“You too,” she murmured.
Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, his silhouette fading into the deepening dusk. Isla watched him go, feeling something restless stir inside her. She had a feeling this wasn’t truly the end, but for now, all she could do was turn away and head home.
The walk back was quiet, save for the distant cries of seagulls and the occasional rustling of leaves in the breeze. The town was settling down for the night—lamps flickering to life, voices growing softer, the smell of warm bread still lingering from the bakery. Isla breathed it in, trying to ground herself in the familiar.
Yet her mind kept drifting back to Leon.
By the time she reached her house, the sky had darkened into a deep shade of indigo. She pushed open the door, stepping inside just as Isha’s voice rang out.
“You’re back!”
Isla barely had time to react before her little sister threw herself at her, wrapping her arms around her waist. “Where’d you go? Did you talk to that weird guy again?”
“Isha,” Isla sighed, gently prying her sister off. “He’s not weird.”
Isha scrunched her nose. “He looks weird. He dresses too fancy.”
Isla snorted. “That’s called having good taste.”
Isha huffed, flopping onto the couch. “Pa was looking for you earlier. Said something about the ship schedules.”
Isla nodded. Their father worked as a marine engineer, and the schedules often dictated when he’d be home or away. She’d check in with him later.
She walked to the small window near the kitchen, glancing outside. The moon had risen now, casting silver light over the rooftops. The town was quiet, the sea a distant whisper.
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The night stretched on, and Isla lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep eluded her, her thoughts tangled in questions she couldn’t quite answer. Who was Leon? Why did he seem to know things about her, about her family? And why did their meeting feel like the first step into something far bigger than she could understand?
The waves continued their endless rhythm outside her window, steady and unchanging. And yet, something in Isla’s world had shifted.
She closed her eyes, letting the sound lull her into sleep, where dreams waited like whispers on the tide.
- Writer
