After the death of Ayça's estranged mother, she must travel to her mothers homeland. Here she will be forced to reconcile with her past and embark on adventure with a handsome stranger to solve a mystery that has plagued her family and the island fo...
When she awoke the next day she felt lighter than she had in a long time. She blinked to remove the alcoholic fog from her brain as the morning light streamed in from between the trees.
"Alp?" she called out hoarsely. She sat up slowly groaning as a throbbing pain began to settle between her brows.
There was no answer, except for the crackling from the logs of the dying fire.
She dressed quickly and braided her hair before rolling up her sleeping bag and packing her stuff. Surprisingly the sores on her feet no longer ached as she moved around the campsite. The key around her neck thumping against her chest. She let out a small cry as a pair of strong hands landed on her waist and spun her around.
"Good morning" Alp said as he took her hands and softly pressed them to his lips. She felt a warmth bloom in her chest, her mind going blank as she melted under his gaze.
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"You're in a good mood" was the only thing she could think to say.
"Its a beautiful day the birds are singing, the sun is shining.. and I am here with you" the last part falling over his features like a veil of happiness.
The vegetation grew thicker as they moved through the heart of the island while following the path marked on the map. Thick roots rose from the ground like a nervous system connecting each tree to one another.
"They say the gold is cursed and that the ghosts of the Barbary crew guard it ....are you ready to fight a legion of undead pirates Sancak?"
"Aren't you a little too old to believe in ghost stories" she teased as she stabbed the ground with her walking stick.
He opened his mouth to protest but stopped when the clearing gave way to an expansive bay.
"This can't be right" she said looking at the map "it says here we need to continue forward"
Alp pulled up a heavy branch "Looks like this hike just turned into a water one" revealing an old wooden canoe. Together they yanked off the green tarp that was still partially covering it, revealing the only two things that were in it.
He pulled one of the shovels out "I take this as a sign that we are on the right path"
There wasn't enough room to take both of their backpacks so they left Alps behind as they set off over the water. The water was calm as they paddled, the oars rising and sinking with each stroke sending a shimmering cascade of water that landed as a fine mist on their skin.
"Why did you vow to stop singing?"
She focused her attention on her paddling "Singing formed a special bond between us...When I was up on that stage every emotion that I struggled to express in words I could transmit in my singing" she shook her head "It was her dream for me to be a singer"
