One Piece: Sorrow's Cold Embrace (SSW Backstory)

Chapter 16

Saphira's POV

There was this field I was standing in. Long green grass and wild flowers swaying in the gentle breeze. For miles, as far as the eye can see, there was just trees. No houses or concrete roads. The sky was a beautiful blue,  with birds dancing and soaring through the sky. 'Where was I?'  This place felt familiar, like I've been here before. But, I don't remember ever visiting such a place.

My home, back in Idan, there were lots of open fields. This didn't feel like I'm back home. This place felt empty. The only living things I could see were the birds in the sky. As I stood in place, in the middle of the field, I turned my head to take in more of the scenery. Right behind me, there was this cottage. There was smoke bellowing out of it's chimney. 'Was somebody home?'  I tried to walk, but my feet were rooted in place.

I try to wiggle my feet loose, but to no use. I was stuck in place. I look around again for anything I can use to help set me free. There wasn't a tree or bush close enough for me to reach their branches. I turn behind me, back to the cottage, to shout for help. No sound came out of my mouth. 'What's going on?!'  Panic was starting to set in. I couldn't understand why I can't move or make a sound. My breathing became erratic as I kept struggling to free my feet.

"Saphira"

I jumped at the echo of a voice shouting in the distance. I looked up and searched everywhere for the source. The fields were still empty and the cottage door was still closed. 'Where did that voice come from?'  The only sounds I could hear was the whistle of the wind and the singing of the birds. I could also make out a muffled sound of what I believe to be the crashing of waves on the shores. 'The ocean?'  It must be on the other side of that hill.

"Saphira"

I quickly turned back around. I knew for a fact that it was definitely coming from the cottage. I try to see if I could see any movement through the windows. I try to scream again, only for nothing to come out. I've never felt so frustrated. I kept on struggling to get free and kept on trying to scream. 'Damn it! Just move!'  I bent over and started tugging at my ankles. I grunt from the effort, but it was no use. My feet didn't even lift an inch from the ground. I was about to claw at my feet in frustration.

"Saphira!"

I jolted upwards with a gasp. "Saphira, are you okay?!" I looked around me. I was back in Granny Lilo's home. I looked to my side to see Silver's worried face. "W-Was it just a dream?" Silver looked confused at my question for a sec. "Oh, were you having a bad dream? You were thrashing around in your sleep." Silver looked relief at the realization that it wasn't something serious.

I relax a bit at her words. 'So, it really was just a dream.'  I push the blanket off my figure as I stood up. I stood still as I became a bit dizzy. I sigh when the dizzyness quickly faded. "How long was I asleep?" Silver was waiting for me at the ladder. "Almost the whole day." With that she decended the ladder to the lower level. I follow close behind her. 'No wonder I feel so hungry.' 

At the kitchen table, everyone except for Granny Lilo, was standing or sitting around. Leo had Winifred in his arms and Angie was entertaining her. That wasn't what made me froze in my step. "Good evening, you ogre. Nice of you to finally join us." Charlie smiled brightly at my surprised expression. I ignored his name calling and joined him at the table. "Are you healthy enough to be out of bed?" He rolled his eyes at my question, "Do you think I'd be here if I wasn't?" If he's being this sarcastic, he must be fine.

He sobered up a bit, "Granny Lilo said it's fine for me to walk around, but I'm strictly forbidden from doing any heavy lifting and any activities that can tear my stitches." I grimace at the fact he needs stitches. I forgot that Granny Lilo mentioned it. Charlie frowned at the face I was pulling, he poked me in my side. I flince as he poked one of my bruises. It was Charlie who pulled a face now as he realized what he did. "Oh, I forgot you have wounds too..."