Chapter One

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The despair that one cannot define through words

Wind blew the strands off her porcelain face, as she squinted her eyes, her pupils darting upward towards the dark and cloudy sky with a gloomy expression. Her surroundings were clouded with shouts of people, joyous screams of kids playing, adults walking with hands packed with groceries, and smithies hammering the steel on the hot cauldron. No matter where she looked, she instead saw the fear hidden away in their eyes, fearful of the following days of, yet again, another brutal death of their loved ones. The lifestyle they prayed for was all just a nightmare, a simple little nightmare.

She sighed. Looking at the children running a few feet away, she sadly smiled as she tucked her hair out of her face, behind her ear as it danced around in the wind, making her squint her eyes in bothersome.

"There you are!" A familiar voice shouted behind her. Turning her body, she eyed her mother who stood by her home's entrance door. Looking down at her daughter who sat on the stairs, she continued. "I've been looking all over for you Elena Eastwood! Have you been slacking off, staring at nowhere again?" Her mother questioned with her right hand placed on her hips, eyebrows furrowed.

Elena grinned as she slowly stood up and faced her mother.

"Not at all mother, just wanted to take a break from handling some chores." She replied. Her eyes now look down at her mothers' clothes, noticing a rugged cloak around her shoulders. "Are you perhaps going somewhere?"

"I'm glad you asked because we have a few groceries to buy for our dinner tonight." She said with a sigh, stretching her arms with a yawn. "Since you look like you have freshened up, why don't you help me with a few groceries then?"

Elena nodded her head as the mother and the daughter strolled away toward the food market.

Walking silently with her mother, Elena swayed her arms as she took a glance around the busy path in the food court. Individuals deadened voices reach her ears and the barks from passing dogs echo around the crowded area.

"So what do you want me to make today for dinner?" Her mother said.

"I'm fine with whatever mom, you know I love the food you make, don't you?" Elena replied while looking at her and smiled.

Her mother reciprocated the smile and replied. "You always say the same thing, I don't even know your favorite dish at this point!" She jokingly complained.

"Then stop making such delicious foods! Then we won't be having a problem by now." Elena said with a wide grin.

Hearing her daughter's words, her mother burst out laughing in joy.

"How far are you gonna go with these compliments? You're starting to make me flustered here." She said between her laughs.

Elena Laughed along and replied. "However long you may exist."

Her mother softly smiled at her and held the back of her hand while walking. "How lucky have I gotten to continue living with such an amazing daughter, you have taken after your father's jokes and laughs, haven't you?"

Elena's eyes widened as she looked away, hiding her smile with pursed-up lips; a small habit of hers that had developed, getting shy and embarrassed after small praise or flattery.

Her mother giggled when she suddenly gasped. Elena quickly eyed her mother in curiosity and fear. "What happened?"

"Has the season of winter finally brought pomegranates from above!?" Her mother exclaimed excitedly. "Do you know how long I have been waiting for this!? Wait, hold for a moment and stay here, I'll be quick."

You've reached the end of published parts.

⏰ Last updated: Jul 07, 2023 ⏰

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