Guiding light

A little step ahead

Perdita

My stomach crumbled as I tried to make some bread out of the little flour I had left. If I knew this is going happen, I would have saved more of this. I thought and sighed putting the dough into the oven. While it baked, I searched in the basement between Emilio's old stuff to see if there's anything that could help me out. I found an old fishing rod, a smile spread on my face. I took it up and cleaned it carefully, also put some oil between the grinds to make sure it is going to work. I can't believe how lucky I'm with this! The bread was ready and I walked to the window closest to the water. I broke some of the bread into tiny pieces and threw it into the currently calm ocean. Luckily, the water was rising and the string was long enough to reach into the water. Soon I saw tiny bubbles on the surface and remembered what Emilio did. I put a tiny bred ball on the hook and threw it into the water. Soon something got caught and I managed to pull a rather nice fish to the house. I took it off of the hook, not in the most professional way, as a tiny piece of the mouth of the fish remained on the hook and blood sprinkled on the floor. I sighed and went to bring something I can out the fishes into. My choice was the now multifunctional washing basin. I threw the hook back into the water and thanks to my previous clumsiness, I caught an even bigger fish! When the basin was full, I washed the fishing rod and hid it in the basement. If they find it I'll definitely starve next time. I thought and went to prepare the fishes. I have put some of the meat into the freezer of my small fridge and smiled contently as I baked the dry fish skins for snacks. I still had some bread left and decided to go for a bit bigger target. I left a piece of the bread in the window and waited. Soon a seagull came and I captured it. With a quick movement I've broke its neck and started to clean the bird from its feathers and preparing the meet hiding some in the freezer again. After a couple of hours of hard work. I could finally breath and felt exhausted but extremely happy. If I can find a way to get more food alone, I'll never have to depend on the people from the town! Tyler is going to be so proud of me! I kicked the air and squeaked happily imagining that only a few more days and he'll come again. Also he will bring a friend! I wondered how Jake could look like based on what Tyler said about him but couldn't imagine. The faces I knew were all blurry to me, distorted by anger, hate and fear all the time. The first real smile I saw was Tyler's, not even Emilio used to smile so purely. Tyler, he was so kind and when he was with me I felt warmth in my body and the world just became a bit more colorful. Could this be the love he said he'll show it to me? If this is love, than this is so amazing! I just can't stop smiling and my heart is racing but I'm not afraid. It was a weird feeling but I loved it. The sun was setting down and I had to go back to the tower to avoid the town folks visits. I was really sleepy but set the oil on fire and turned the light towards the ocean. I looked at the horizon as it turned from deep purple into dark blue and in the end black. The light illuminated the path to the island, I've tried to keep my eyes open, but I couldn't. I was too tired, and slowly my eyelids closed. I woke up to the first rays of the sun and gasped. I didn't keep my eyes on the water. My chest clenched and my heart started to race. I felt terrified and kept staring at the stairs. They'll know. They'll come and hurt me again. I don't want to be hurt anymore. My hands and legs trembled and I stayed like that for a long time, but no one came. I collapsed against the railing and took big breaths. The sound of my breathing was swallowed by the gentle waves and screams of the seagulls. They are not coming... I thought and carefully walked downstairs. Everything was the same as I left it the other day. I could hear soft music coming from the town and the sun getting warmer as it penetrated through the windows. I pinched myself to check if I was dreaming, but I was wide awake. I checked the freezer and even the food was there and intact. I fall on my knees and hugged my chest while I started sobbing. I had no idea what kind of miracle happened, but I was so relieved. I slept for the first time at night for ages and nothing bad happened! Slowly I got up and walked to the kitchen to prepare something to eat, and paid attention to every noise coming from the outside, easy to strike if needed. But, no one came. As time passed I've noticed that my hips moved to the rhythm of the music I heard through the windows. Soon my legs followed my hips and my arms joined in as well. Finally, I could forget about danger for a moment and enjoy the peace. I've danced around the house and when the food was ready, I sat down at the table and forced myself to eat it slowly and savoring it. Usually I simply swallowed food like the seagulls and tried to eat as fast as possible , because I could never know when I can eat next time. After breakfast, I went to my bed and without sleeping, just rested there, listening to the music and to the sounds of nature. I couldn't calm down completely as it felt like the silence before a storm, but I tried my best to relax a little my muscles and my mind. I lifted my hand uo and closed one finger. A day less and I'll meet him again! It would be so nice to make them some food when they come. I thought and rushed to the basement bringing the fisher rod up and started fishing again. I cannot lay back and relax. I must secure my survival till the town people are leaving me alone. I caught another fish and my day continued like the day before, with the exception that I couldn't close my eyes even when I felt exhausted. As the day turned into night, I felt more an more uneasy with every noise and turning behind me continuously just in case. I kept guarding the light all night and the next morning, I pulled a chair under the door knob and searched for the old wood panel we used to close the door with before Emilio bought a new one with keyhole. I secured the door and fall into my bed with a smile lifting my hand and closing another finger down.

See you soon, my hero.