The UnGlad Game

PART II

As Aileth took her first step, a proof of her trust of Adie —the mysterious boy that could lead her to the light. The woods started to come alive and the world exploded in a kaleidoscope of color and magic. She gasped but kept on walking, "How does this happen?".

Adie opened up his arms like the character in a theatrical show with an amused grin on his face, "The woods welcome you.", he proclaimed proudly.

There was a mix of shock and wonder in Aileth's eyes. All this time she was surrounded by the most astonishing scenery she has ever seen. "It's been this beautiful all along?"

"It's one of its secrets."

"Secrets?"

"Woods have secrets."

"This is the secret?",

"It has many. But, there is one you should know... it is a bridge."

"To where?"

Adie leaned closer to Aileth's ear and whispered, "to another world."

Aileth's eyes widened as she engulfed the beauty of her surroundings. She also noticed how Adie fits in all of it. His glow matches the light surrounding her. She looked down and found her feet produced tinted white light every time she touched the ground. There were various rainbow-colored plants that glow happily, and Aileth's eyes shone in wonder even more.

"You're smiling," Aileth has not noticed that Adie stopped in his tracks and was seeing her reaction to the new world. And he was grinning, content to know how wonderstruck she is of this place — a place where he lives. "I like it."

He likes my smile? She wondered why it made her feel good knowing that.

They continued walking, with Adie leading the way. Aileth spent the rest of the walk admiring the view. Rendered speechless, with a smile plastered on her face.

They walked for a time. The woods greeted Aileth still, and some floating-glowy creatures even caressed her cheeks tenderly. She replied with a grin and continued to follow Adie through an endless magical path.

They finally stopped at a clearing. It was a field that opened up to a vast starry night sky. Hues of blues and pink with glittering starlight and a waxing crescent moon. Aileth finally looked down... and saw a slash of light in the middle of the field. The scenery looked like a body of painting — the slash of light like a wound, sliced by an invisible magical blade. Opening up as a gateway to another world.

Aileth took a step closer... she was hypnotized by the light. It sings to her with a humming-like sound. It was a familiar tune that tugged something in her chest. She didn't realize she was crying, until she tasted the salt water that escaped her sad eyes. Out of nowhere, she fell apart, sobbing in front of the light that conjured the warmth of love she longed for so long.

She's rooted to the ground in front of the light. Sobbing for a time. She had no clue as to why she was so sad. But she cried and cried, letting it all go. The her that was before. Of lost memories and a forgotten life. She might have screamed too. And she didn't care. All she cared about was how liberating it felt to shed the skin of the past. The stack of overwhelming pain. To finally be let out of the cage and let what's inside of her roar its anguish.

She quieted down.

Then a soft voice made her look up. "Will you not walk to the light?"

Aileth saw Adie standing in between the barrier of the woods and field. He kept his distance. Patiently waiting and watching as Aileth finished her outburst.

She was still sitting on her knees with the light at her back.

"Will you not walk to the light?", he patiently asked again. "They're waiting for you."

Aileth looked back, and there it was again — the humming. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The light sent out a breeze with a familiar scent, making her smile.

She opened her eyes again and stood.

She took a step closer.

Then two.

Reaching out her hand to the corners of the light.

It didn't blind her eyes — the light. It was the brightest white she has ever seen. But it was soft and warm.

She tried her best to see past it, to see what's beyond. But she could not.

She somehow knew what's inside would bring her eternal peace and true happiness.

Come. It said, come home.

"Home.", Aileth echoed.

She took another step.

Then another.

On the last step... she stopped.

She looked back and saw Adie.

His eyes were painfully sad, but he smiled nonetheless. "Go...", he urged.

Adie stood alone with the woods on his back. He had a sad smile on his face. The woods behind him were alive. It beamed and swayed with creatures dancing inside. She noticed that they moved slower than when she was in it. They were sad too. Mirroring how Adie felt like they were the same. But why would they be sad?

It was then that Aileth realized... Adie was all alone. He has no one, except the trees and creatures that spoke differently.

Adie was trying his best to cover his loneliness. Trying to be grateful enough for what the woods has given to him. They gave him a home.

But it was clear in his eyes; he craved having someone with him. To stay.

Aileth took a step away from the light, and Adie's eyes widened.

"No... Not yet.", Aileth stated. "I want to stay."

A look of shock was shown on Adie's face. "Why?"

"I- I want to know the secrets."

Confused, Adie asked, "Secrets?"

"You told me the woods have many. You told me it is a bridge. I want to know what else it has."

"You're not going to walk through the light?"

"I will." Adie looked sad again. So Aileth added, "But not right now. I want you to show me around first. Before I leave."

Adie was trying to decipher Aileth's true intention from her face. But he only saw genuine curiosity. So he said, "Alright. I'll be your guide.", and just like that he looked happy again.

He offered his hand and Aileth walked further from the light to Adie as she took his hand.

When they touched, Aileth's hand began to glow and it spread. She gasped and removed her hand out of Adie's. She stared at her hand as the glow stopped on her wrist.

She looked at Adie and he was smiling. "It's okay. It won't hurt."

He held out his hand once more and Aileth hesitantly took it. She grasped his hands as the glow flowed from her hand to shoulders, then spread to her entire body. The transition was quick, and she has glowing skin. She was finally one with the woods.

She offered Adie her smile and they dashed off into the woods once more.