Home for the Few - The Awakening of the Silenced Ⅰ

VI. Perfect strangers.

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   Lilith jumped off the raft, and the moment her boots touched the fine orange sand of Verum, she began to laugh in confusion. The last time she had been on solid ground was the morning she was forced to leave Apis. Ten years ago.

   She was accompanied by Sao, Jacoba, and four friends of the former. It was Lilith's first time visiting this place, as it was dangerously close to Vulpes. The Olympe de Gouges approached every three dawns; the crew took turns going ashore and left minutes before sunrise. The pirates' loved ones knew which days they should come at night, without being detected by anyone in town. It was quite simple since the terrified citizens rarely approached the shores at night, as the darkness of the sea represented their greatest nightmares. The port remained deserted as long as it wasn't illuminated by sunlight.

   Due to the distance, only those living in Vulpes could come close. The rest went months, even years, without seeing their loved ones. It was too dangerous.

   It was early Monday morning, and there were still long hours before the sun would start to rise. Sao didn't go ashore as much as she had in her youth, feeling more comfortable surrounded by water and in Lilith's company.

   The island was small, about the size of four galleons together. It was truly difficult to walk on its surface due to the dunes that made the terrain uneven. These sand mounds constantly shifted in shape and location due to strong winds that transported sand particles to other islands, laden with minerals and properties essential to the ecosystem of Serendipity, also erasing the footprints of its visitors. The only feature on this land was a tiny oasis with a small waterfall at the center of the island, so tiny it was still considered deserted. Confused, Lilith looked at Sao, thinking it was a joke.

   In silence and darkness, the whole group began to walk toward the center of the island. Lilith trailed behind, trying to adjust her eyes to the darkness, but she couldn't see the famous tavern called The Heart. They all wore coats, as the temperature dropped sharply at night, from scorching heat to intense cold. Much like the high seas.

   When they reached the oasis, which consisted of a pond, a twisted acacia tree, and a large orange rock where water constantly fell, Lilith stopped for a moment to look toward Vulpes. It was the first time she had seen it; its street lamps cast confusing shadows. She was surprised by its size, never having considered the small place where she lived. What she had thought about countless times was what her fate would have been in Vulpes if the Black Block hadn't rescued her.

   Thoughtfully, she observed the beautiful city with such dark secrets.

   She felt intimidated by the closeness of Vulpes. It was impossible for them to see or even hear her, even if she screamed, yet she still felt fear.

   At that moment, Sao began to touch the stone in a strange way with her fingertips, drawing some strange symbols. To the young woman's surprise, the stone glowed for a few seconds where Sao touched it. A hollow sound was heard, and suddenly, a dark tunnel seemed to appear behind the waterfall. Sao crossed through the wall of water, and the others followed. Lilith hesitated for a few seconds before deciding she hadn't come this far to chicken out. Upon crossing, she began to descend steep stone stairs, fighting not to slip due to the water flowing down them. The smell of dampness filled her lungs, causing disgust. When her field of vision became pitch black, she noticed a rock moving behind her, closing the gap through which they had entered moments ago. Completely in the dark, she fumbled with her hands, feeling trapped in a small stone cave with no way out.