𝐀 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒

🌹~Chapter 5

-La Pueblo de Velitas, The Little Candle Village-

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I rarely feel my breath hitched every second as I no longer feel my body whirling or flowing around with the waters--how long did I die since I fell into the river? A few months? Years, maybe?--the last time. Yet it felt like I was still drowning, my lungs burning and my limbs aching as I struggled to breathe. The water had risen around me; even as far down as I could see in my blurry vision from my position submerged in murky water, but alas, before going into the light--I felt someone grapple my arms and pulled me out of the river. 

After that, my vision goes blank. And I assume here I am right now, laying down in tranquility on a cozy soft mattress. Mattress? Am I really in heaven or was I lucky to be found alive? Maybe God knows. 

No matter how hard I try, I fail to remember anything from earlier today, which is uncanny because usually, I can't help remembering everything that happens to me. I try opening my eyes and look to either side, my eyelids flutter, and the gazing sun glints at my very eyes. It's not just bright; it's blinding! Where is this place? I wonder. 

My vision focuses on the window next to the bed, but nothing looks different there. So where else am I? Is it daytime already? My eyes are beginning to adjust to the brightness of the sunlight when something catches my eye. The room was painted in the same white color, yet there were some colors scattered in a rainbow along with more vibrant reds than I have ever seen. And it all came together to make an overall impression that was beautiful. Wait a minute... this isn't heaven at all. 

I sat up, forcing every limb of my body to make its move, and I took in my surroundings. The first thing that caught my attention was the three pictures hanging on the wall next to the door, two of them looked like portraits and the other looked like a photograph of a family. There is a woman and two children; two have brown hair and the woman has jet-black hair and they have different varieties of black-brown and hazel eyes. I was drawn to the picture of the woman. She appeared to be a bit younger than Julieta and Pepa and she has kind, soft facial features that are similar to her kids. Her skin complexion is dark enough that if you squinted, she seemed to blend with the background.

I assumed to be living in a stranger's house, but a door suddenly opened. I jumped in surprise and tried to conceal myself under the sheets, but I saw that the new person wasn't bothered by what I was doing. I heard them chuckle, "No need to be afraid, I won't harm you. I was just checking on you to see if you're awake, but, seems like you already were." Said the caring woman. 

I slowly unveiled myself, feeling extremely timid after being discovered so quickly, "Umm.. hi... W-who are you?" I murmured. "Nice to meet you. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Rosemary Anne Echeverria," She smiled softly (Yes, I changed her surname from Sanchez to Echeverria)

"You can call me Madam Rose for short." She added as she approached me, holding a tray in one hand and a glass of water in another, but stopped midway when she noticed the sheet is halfway covering me. "Still skeptical about me?" She asked with a smile. When she spoke, she sounded so gentle that I couldn't tell if she meant it as a remark. "Don't worry, I came here just to deliver these to you. I made it myself, a hundred percent homemade." 

She placed a trayful of soup on top of the nightstand--that was resting beside the bed, and offered the drink to me, "Drink up. You might want to eat too, you haven't been eating much." She said, concern laced in her tone. I accepted, gulping the water down and drinking the rest of the cup, "Thanks," I mumbled. I can still feel the pain in my chest ached every second once I drank a cup of water, my lungs is still slightly weak all of a sudden and I began to cough--due to drowning in the murky waters of the river. Rosemary sat beside me and patted my back.

I wiped away the liquid on my lips, looking at the plate before me. "What is this? Some sort of soup?" I asked, my voice raspy. "It's called a Sancocho stew and it tastes very delish to your tastebuds that'll cure your cough, trust me." She replied smiling sweetly at me. I'm starving, so I ate it, although my stomach rumbles a little and it pains me as I chew. 

"So," She broke the silence as soon as I finished swallowing the food. "What's your name niñita?"

"Y/N."

"How old are you, Y/N?" She leaned her head to her left side while her hands rested against the mattress. It looks like she's interested in why I'm here. I replied diffidently but with full uprightness: "Er... twelve."

"Twelve!? Well, I guess that answers why you are so thin, it must have been a tough life for a young girl, especially a pretty young lady like you who can't work for yourself."

"Tough?" I repeated while trying not to choke, "I mean... yeah." I nodded lightly, I don't think I've ever been treated like this before. Even though I grew up with lots of friends, I never got to know any people well. "Well, whatever you have been through it must be pretty difficult for a young twelve-year-old like yourself." Rosemary smiled as she rested her hand on my shoulder, I was tensed a bit just then I heard the sound of running footsteps and the door opened with a bang. Revealing two little kids that, who, were in the same family portrait on the walls. 

"Mama! Señor Izan is here!"

Exclaimed the little boy with his face shining up like a stapled puppy that was greeted with a big hug and kiss, I didn't know how to react when he wrapped himself tightly and kissed his mom's face, I felt like a third wheel, but I don't think they minded. "Who's that, Mama?" He continued, staring at me with curious and excited eyes. A little girl, who was much younger than him, came following in. 

Her brunette little hair was braided into twin buns over her shoulders, a yellow sundress adorned her petite frame as she walked towards us, her little feet making slight tapping noises. I was still flabbergasted at their presence here, I didn't know where I am and the last thing I remember is falling into the river and being carried by an unknown person. Why are they here, why am I here? What was happening?

"Pardon my Niños pequeños, they get so excited to meet a fellow guest here in the house." Rosemary chuckled playfully, placing a hand on both of their heads. "Y/N, meet my kids. This big boy over here is Martin and the little angel is Sarah." 

"I'm seven and Sarah is four," Martin added as he pointed himself next to his sister, I simply nodded my head. This boy had a lot of courage than my grieving issues. "I-I'm Y/N." I start to introduce myself to the little kids. 

"Martin, can you tell Izan I'll be right over? I just have to finish something quickly." Rosemary requested. "Alright, mama." The boy smiled and ran off to the door, Sarah gave me a quick wave before following suit. Once she was out of the room, Rosemary stood up and turned her attention back to me, "You can go and take a rest hija, looks to me like you're still worn out from the river. If you're feeling hungry, you can leave the room if you like and fetch yourself something to eat." She patted my head gently and genuinely smiled at me.

She turned to her heels and walked away, but before she completely left the room, I called out for her; "W-wait Ms. Echeverria!"

She turned her back away to me as she hummed in response, "Can you tell me... where am I?" I questioned tentatively. She just gave me a soft smile and replied: "Hija, you woke up here in La Pueblo de Velitas. Our home where we stayed after the great Thousand Days War fifty years ago."

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11/28/22 

"The photo above is how I pictured the village of Alma's former hometown."