IV. The Impact of Her

~ Twenty-Seven ~

James' eyes widened.

'Did he suddenly realise something?' I asked myself.

"Why the sudden interest?" James asked as I walked past him. "Did the pirates tell you anything?"

I kept my silence as I reached the other side of his desk. Slowly, I smiled to myself for a brief moment. Guilt was evident in his tone. "We were always forbidden to go there," I replied as I slowly turned back around, "And the pirates didn't say anything."

James nodded. But I noticed a quick sigh of relief from him. He wasted no time and immediately shook his head. "Why are we discussing this?" he asked as he turned to me.

"I wish to go there. Now."

"That won't be possible."

"And why is that?" I asked as I crossed my arms. "Is there something to hide?"

James chuckled as he walked past me. My eyes followed his every action. "There is nothing to hide," he said as he stood behind his chair. "I just don't understand the sudden need to go there. There is nothing to see."

"Do I look like I care?" I answered as I approached the table. I leaned onto the table and continued, "I want to know what's within that island. It doesn't matter if it's barren or not. I believe that I am of appropriate age to know what lies within it."

James groaned as he turned around. Slowly, he shook his head. His hands landed on his waist.

I couldn't understand why James was resistant to let me see the island. Has he hid the truth all this time? Was it because of his pride? His ego? Or was it guilt that caused him to act this way?

"I am waiting, James," I broke the silence.

James sighed before another long pause. "Must you really see what's within that island?" he asked once again.

"Yes."

Defeated, James sighed and lowered his head. "Very well. Agreed."

~*~*~*~

Evening was to fall upon us at any minute.

But James kept his word and brought me to the forbidden island. He only allowed himself, me and three guards beyond the barrier of the Living Trees.

"I didn't know that it was easy to get past the barrier," I remarked.

"You are able to enter because you are with me. The Living Trees will only allow entry to those who look over the island," James explained.

Now, I understood why legend said that to come here was a way to die.

We trekked a few more trails before we were finally greeted by the sea. How calming it was to hear the waves as it hit the shoreline. The beauty of an impending sunset added more to its serenity.

But as we walked further in, discarded fishing nets were scattered everywhere. And what seemed to be destroyed ports stood along the shoreline.

"What did I tell you? There is nothing for you to see here," James said as he remained behind me.

"You once said that this was barren land. That no one has ever lived here before," I replied as I turned to face him.

With his arms stretched out, James asked, "You don't see anything, do you?"

"I don't know if you are blind or simply ignoring the truth. But there are clear remnants of fishing activity here," I answered as I pointed at everything that I saw.

Instead of acknowledging the truth, James decided to stay oblivious to it. "I don't know where those came from," he walked past me with his hands behind him.