Message in a Bottle [LGBTQ+] [ONC 2024]

Chapter Five

On Saturday morning, with his chores and schoolwork completed, Eli headed down to the pond. His finishing pole hung over his right shoulder and he carried his bait, some sandwiches for the afternoon, and the glass bottle, which he'd managed to sneak past both his parents.

The bright sunlight burnt his eyes and Eli readjusted his cap to cover his eyes, both to shield them from the sun and to stop anyone he came across from asking too many questions. He was glad that the bruises were starting to fade, but not enough for him to want to meet anyone from the village. The still-purple markings around his eyes were not something Eli wanted to discuss with anyone.

He'd spent the rest of the week off from school with a fake illness to stop too many questions being asked and stories being spread throughout the village. News always travelled fast. Instead, Eli had been confined to the house with the schoolwork Constance would bring home for him. His trip to the pond was the first time he'd left his family's property in four days.

Eli followed the stream, pausing only for a moment to rest the glass bottle containing his letter against the small pebbles. He welcomed the cooling breeze against his pale skin. The high canopy of twisting branches and leaves shielded him from the burning sun as he reached the pond. Eli stopped on the grassy bank to the pond, breathing in the fresh air and listening to the sound of birds in the nearby trees and the rippling of the water.

This was peace.

He settled down on the grassy bank, baited the hook on his fishing pole, and let it dangle in the water for any fish stupid enough to take the bait. Eli removed his shoes and socks to let his feet rest in the cooling water. The small ripples lapped around his ankles, soothing his warm skin, and relaxing his mind. Tugging his cap over his face, Eli relaxed back against the soft grass and drifted off into a light sleep.

Behind him, a branch snapped.

Eli sat up, tearing his cap from his face. He looked behind him, half expecting to see Constance tearing through the trees like a spooked horse, but she usually announced herself along with the crashing sounds. Instead, he watched an unfamiliar red-headed girl emerge from the trees with a shocked expression on her face. She was a few years older than him, but Eli wasn't sure by how much.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think anyone else was out here," she said, running her hands over the front of her pale blue dress.

"It's fine. I was just resting my eyes."

"Catch anything?"

"Hm?"

She gestured to the fishing pole still dangling in the water. "The fish."

"Nothing's really biting right now. Still, not a bad day for it." Eli placed the cap back on his head and angled it to try to hide the bruises, but he knew she had already seen you. "You can sit down if you want. I don't own the pond."

The girl nodded, sitting at least an arm's length away from him — which he had expected given they were alone. Eli turned away and focused on the fishing pole as the girl removed her socks and stockings, dangling her feet in the water the same way he was.

They sat in silence with nothing but the quiet lapping of the pond against their ankles and the birds tweeting above their heads to accompany them. Eli rebated the hook of his fishing pole, although he knew nothing was biting, and tried not to stare at the girl. He was more than certain he'd never seen her before, at least not in the village. She didn't go to school with them.

"I'm Eli, by the way, Eli Webster," he said, dropping the fishing pole back into the water.

"Victoria."

"Nice to meet you. Did you just move here?"

She nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Not too long ago. We've spent so much time getting the farm and the house sorted that there hasn't been much time for exploring."

"You picked a good day for it. Exploring, I mean."

"It's such a nice area, and I love this pond. It's so peaceful out here."

"This is one of my favourite places. The fish aren't usually active, but I like the quiet and not many people come out this way. It's a little to off the beaten path for most."

"A small piece of paradise."

"Something like that."

Victoria smiled, kicking her feet lightly in the pond. Eli knew it would disturb the fish, but he hadn't caught anything all day, so he didn't mind that much. He was just grateful she didn't mention the bruises on his face. He watched her for a moment, his mind drifting back to the letters.

If Victoria had just moved to the area, then it stood to reason that she might have known Samuel. He could be wrong, but it would be a rather large coincidence if they didn't at least know each other. Could she be his sister? She looked younger than his mentioned sixteen years, perhaps by only a year or so, but it was an assumption that made sense. Two new families moving in nearby, so close together, was a rare occasion.

Eli wasn't sure how to approach the topic. Should he mention it? He wanted to know more about Samuel, but at the same time, it didn't seem right to pry. There had to be a reason for Samuel's reluctance to share any personal information, even if it did annoy Eli. Would mentioning it to Victoria ruin whatever chance at friendship they had? He wasn't sure he wanted to take that chance.

"I should go," Victoria said. She pulled her feet out of the water and Eli looked away as she scrambled to put on her stockings and boots. "Mother will be wondering where I am."

"Well, it was nice to meet you, Victoria."

"You too, Eli."

"I'll see you around?"

She shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not."

"Mysterious."

"That's me." Victoria laughed, standing up. "Full of mystery. Goodbye, Eli."

With a small wave, Victoria hurried away. She disappeared through the trees as silently as she arrived, leaving Eli to wonder just what the mystery could be.

~~~

First Published - March 23rd, 2024