Later the next day, Eva and her brothers were gathered around a worn wooden table in their cozy cottage, their laughter filling the room as they played a rowdy game of cards. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue through the window. Meanwhile, their sisters busied themselves in the kitchen, the familiar clatter of pots and pans a comforting background sound.
Further down the shoreline, Kyle strolled hand-in-hand with Taina, the ocean breeze playing with their hair as they wandered aimlessly, enjoying the peace of the village. Around them, children raced across the sand, their kites soaring in the sky, while others basked in the sun’s warm embrace.
Their peaceful walk was abruptly interrupted by a distant commotion, faint but unmistakable. Kyle and Taina exchanged curious glances. The sound came from the beach, where a group of villagers had gathered. Without a word, they rushed toward the growing crowd, the air thick with tension.
When they arrived, the villagers stood in a tight circle, murmuring anxiously. Kyle pushed his way through, his heart pounding in his chest. The sight that greeted him stopped him cold.
There, lying in the sand, was a young girl, no more than 18 or 20. Her dark black hair tangled across her face, her clothes torn and dirty, as if she had washed ashore after a terrible ordeal. The scene was eerily silent for a moment.
Kyle dropped to his knees beside her, his hands trembling as he gently brushed the hair from her face. The villagers gasped collectively, their shock palpable. A woman nearby whispered, her voice thick with disbelief, “How is this possible?”
Taina stepped back, her hand covering her mouth, too stunned to speak. Kyle’s eyes widened as he stared at the girl’s familiar face, his heart racing with confusion and fear. He quickly checked for a pulse, feeling a faint beat beneath his fingertips.
“She’s alive, but barely,” Kyle said, his voice steadying. He scooped the girl into his arms, her weight almost nothing, her body cold. “We need to get her to the healer. Now.”
The healer’s cottage was dimly lit, the scent of herbs and burning incense filling the air. Kyle carefully laid the girl on a simple straw bed while the old healer, Mr. Robert, stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he examined her.
“Hmm… this truly is a flabbergasting to say the least ,” he muttered. Without wasting another moment, he moved to a shelf lined with jars of dried herbs, selecting a few and grinding them into a paste. His movements were swift and practiced, as if he’d done this a thousand times.
“You should all leave now,” he finally said, not taking his eyes off his work. “I’ll inform you when she wakes.”
“Thank you, Mr. Robert,” Kyle replied with a nod, though a sense of unease tugged at him. “Please let us know.”
As they stepped out into the cool evening air, the cottage door creaking shut behind them, Taina turned to Kyle, her eyes filled with questions. “Who do you think she is?”
Kyle paused, staring out into the horizon where the last rays of sun dipped into the sea. “I wish I knew,” he said, his voice distant. “But whoever she is, she’s been through something terrible.”
Taina shivered. “And her face…it’s exactly like…”
Kyle nodded slowly, “I know, everyone who saw her know that two, it won’t be long until this news spreads.” He glanced back at the cottage, an uneasy feeling settling in his chest. “Whatever lead her here , I have a feeling they’re about to change everything.”
As they approached their family cottage, the warm glow from within spilled out into the darkening evening, and the sound of laughter met Kyle and Taina’s ears. Eva looked up from the card game she was playing with her brothers and waved enthusiastically. “Hey, Taina, why don’t you join us?” she called out, her eyes bright with excitement.
Taina paused for a moment, her gaze lingering on Eva, an unsettling feeling gnawing at her. She couldn’t shake the thought of the girl they’d found on the shore, and how somehow, Eva’s face flashed in her mind when she saw the girl’s features. Remembering Kyle’s warning not to mention anything to the family yet, she forced a smile. “Okay, I’ll be there in a second,” she replied, making her way over to the card game.
Meanwhile, Kyle stood at the entrance, his eyes trailing over to where Eva sat. Her carefree laughter filled the room, but something about her seemed different now. He couldn’t help but notice how closely she resembled the mysterious girl they’d found, a similarity that sent chills down his spine.
“Is everything okay, Kyle?” His mother’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts. She stood in the doorway to her bedroom, a basket of clothes balanced on her hip, her eyes creased with concern.
“Yeah, it’s nothing, Mom,” Kyle replied, forcing a smile. “Just… thinking about something.” He glanced around the room, still feeling the weight of what they’d discovered. “Where’s Dad?”
“Oh, you know him. He’s down in the basement, tinkering with his old things again,” she said with a chuckle.
“Guys, dinner is ready!” Crystal’s voice rang out from the kitchen, cutting through the chatter, and Ruby got to her feet, brushing off her skirt. “I’ll go call Dad,” she offered, disappearing down the hall.
The family gathered around the dinner table, and for a moment, everything seemed normal. They laughed, exchanged stories from the day, and the air was filled with the delicious aroma of the meal. But despite the smiles on their faces, only Taina and Kyle felt the heavy weight of the unspoken secret between them.
Kyle’s gaze flickered to Taina, and she caught his eye. As the conversation swirled around them, Eva glanced up, her eyes meeting Kyle’s. “You’ve been quiet,” she noted, tilting her head. “What’s on your mind?”
Kyle hesitated, searching for the right words. “Nothing important,” he replied with a grin. “Just… thinking about how I’ll beat you at cards later.”
Eva laughed, the sound light and carefree.
YOU ARE READING
Arika: The legend of the lost jewel
FantasyA forbidden religion leads to a violent execution of many believers after the rein of a new leader who despised it's existence and declared himself to be worshiped instead. However during the execution two survived, twin sisters gifted with divine a...
