The beach
901 Words
Aurora stayed in the room until afternoon.
Her stomach growled insistently, but shyness kept her rooted to the bed until hunger finally won. She stood up and glanced around the room once more. White walls trimmed with gold reflected soft sunlight, making the space feel warm and expensive.
A large mirror stood beside the bed.
Aurora paused and studied her reflection.
“I guess I’m not that ugly… if I’m fifteen out of a hundred,” she muttered before leaving the room.
As she reached the staircase, the sound of the television drifted up from the living room. She took a deep breath and walked downstairs.
“Oh, you’re finally out,” Christine exclaimed when she saw her.
“I’m sorry,” Aurora said timidly. “I’m kind of hungry.”
Christine smiled as Aurora passed her and headed into the kitchen.
“Check the fridge. There’s some bread in there.”
Aurora nodded and opened the fridge.
“I’m a little curious,” she said casually, though her heart beat faster. “You let me stay here so easily.”
Christine glanced at her. “We watched you during the unlocking ceremony. We knew your family wouldn’t welcome you back—they care too much about status.”
“Oh,” Aurora said softly. “I’m glad you found me.”
The room fell silent, filled only by the low hum of the television.
After a few minutes, Aurora gathered her courage.
“Do you know anything about card holders?”
Christine turned from the screen. “Card holders?”
“I don’t really know either,” Aurora admitted. She avoided mentioning the system—it sounded too unbelievable.
“Richard knows a lot,” Christine said. “Ask him when he gets back.”
Almost immediately, the front door creaked open.
Richard and George walked in. Richard carried a bucket, while George held fishing lines.
“Oh, we were just talking about you,” Christine said warmly.
Richard leaned in and kissed her cheek.
“Hey,” George greeted Aurora as she grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.
“Hey,” she replied.
George headed out through the back door.
“What were you talking about?” Richard asked as he entered the kitchen and set the fishing lines down.
Christine gestured toward Aurora.
“She said you know a lot of things,” Aurora said hesitantly.
Richard nodded. “I do.”
“Do you know anything about card holders?” Aurora asked.
Richard’s eyes widened. He stepped closer, gripping Aurora’s shoulders.
“Did they approach you?” he asked sharply.
“No,” Aurora replied, startled.
Richard exhaled in relief and let go.
“I can’t fully explain who they are,” he said. “Even talking about them attracts attention, attention I don’t want.”
He walked out of the kitchen.
Aurora followed him to the garage, where he was packing away fishing equipment.
“But,” Richard added, tying a rope around the gear, “I know a place where you’ll find answers.”
“Where?” Aurora asked.
“The Time Tower,” he said, wiping sweat from his forehead.
“And where is it?” she asked, her legs beginning to tremble.
“At the public library.”
She opened her mouth to ask more, but Richard cut her off.
“I’ll take you there tomorrow.”
Tomorrow?
Aurora screamed inwardly. She knew she didn't have that kind of time the timer was ticking down every second. But looking at Richard’s exhausted face, she realized there was nothing she could do. Even if she went to the library alone, she wouldn't know how to find the Tower.
“Thank you,” she said, forcing the words out.
He didn’t respond.
She returned to the kitchen, where George stood.
“I don’t know if you’ll be free,” he said awkwardly, “but my friends and I are going to the beach tonight.”
Aurora froze.
No one had ever invited her anywhere before.
“Yeah,” she said quickly. “I’m free. What time?”
“Five.”
“Okay.”
~~~~
A knock sounded on Aurora’s door later.
“Hey, are you ready?” George called.
“Yeah, I’m ready,” she replied, checking herself in the mirror one last time.
She wore an ash hoodie and black joggers—simple, but comfortable.
She opened the door. George barely glanced at her as he headed downstairs, Aurora following behind.
They reached the garage, where three cars were parked—one for each family member.
George unlocked a Lexus ES 350 and opened the door. Aurora climbed in.
Once inside, he started the engine and pulled onto the road.
The ride was quiet until George spoke.
“I need to stop by a*****e first. We’ll grab a few things.”
He turned into the grocery store parking lot.
“You can come in if you want.”
They entered the store together. George pushed the cart, checking items off his list while Aurora trailed beside him.
“If you want anything, just grab it,” George said without looking up.
Aurora hesitated.
Her eyes drifted to a shelf of biscuits—and there it was.
King’s Shortbread.
It was expensive. Something she’d always wanted but never had.
Heart pounding, she slipped away from the cart and headed toward the aisle.
- Writer
