The Truth Untold

Ⅰ

  ______________________________

In the winding streets of Smerldo, the sun barely broke through the tangled rooftops, casting long shadows on the crumbling walls. A sharp cry pierced the morning air.

"Thief! Thief!" The voice echoed through the narrow alleys as a young girl ran for her life, her heart pounding wildly. Her tangled hair whipped behind her like a dark flag, determination shining in her eyes, but beneath that brave facade, fear and desperation swirled.

Smerldo was a city of strong contrasts. On one side stood crumbling homes of the poor, their walls stained and worn. On the other side, grand mansions rose high, surrounded by lush gardens bursting with color. The air was thick with the smell of fresh bread and the sharp scent of decay a constant reminder of the harsh realities of life. As she dashed through the maze of streets, her thoughts raced. Today, she had stolen food again, a desperate act born of love and necessity.

Her small group of friends lived huddled together in an old house on the edge of town. It was a refuge filled with laughter but lacking the basics of life food, shelter, and safety. The world outside had forgotten them, leaving them to survive on their own. Stealing had become her lifeline a heavy burden she carried in silence. The children had no idea about her nighttime missions to gather scraps to bring home. They weren't related by blood, but no one understood her like these kids did, they were just like her.

As she burst through the door of their shabby home, she quickly placed her meager haul on the table a few crusts of bread, some vegetables, and wilted greens. The children crowded around her, their faces a mix of hope and worry.

"Where did you get this?" one of them asked, eyes wide with expectation.

"I found it near the market" she replied, trying to sound casual, though her heart felt heavy. She forced a smile to hide the guilt that threatened to spill over. But seeing their eager faces brought her a moment of happiness, even if it was mixed with shame. She hated stealing, but seeing them eat filled her with warmth. Still, she felt the weight of guilt, she never dared to take enough, always afraid of being caught. Who else would care for the children if she didn't?

The amount of food she brought home was never enough.

"We need more," she declared, trying to sound confident despite the turmoil inside her.

"It's okay, I won't eat much" one child said, her innocent words making her heart sink. She couldn't let her go without food.

"No, you have to eat" she insisted, pushing him to take what little she had found, forcing a smile even as sadness filled her.

So there she stood, watching the four children eat in silence, the room heavy with unspoken worries. Would her life always be like this? She couldn't sleep, couldn't rest, without the constant fear of survival pressing down on her.

That's when she made up her mind. "Tomorrow, I will go to the rich quarter" she said, her resolve firming up. She didn't tell the children that she was the one they feared, the girl whose name was whispered through the streets. She wouldn't let them follow her path, it was too dangerous. The children exchanged worried glances.

"It's dangerous there" one warned, his little hands clenched tight.

"I'll be careful. I'm just looking for food, that's all. It's not like I'm going to steal anything" she lied, trying to reassure them, even as her heart raced with fear. She was brave and beautiful, with a spirit that shone despite their bleak existence. Her curiosity often made her wonder about the world beyond their small home, but her selflessness always drew her back to her little friends.

The next day, as dawn broke, she wrapped a dark veil around her face to hide her identity. In the wealthy quarter, she was just another shadow unseen and unknown. The streets buzzed with life, filled with laughter and chatter that felt like a distant dream. Her heart ached at the vibrancy, a stark contrast to the emptiness she knew.

With her heart racing, she moved through the marketplace, her senses alive with the scents of spices and the bright colors of fresh produce. It felt like a different world everyone seemed happy, free from worries. Spotting a stall overflowing with fruits and bread, determination surged through her. A woman was setting down a full sack of food. Slowly, she reached out, her fingers brushing the smooth surface of the sack, its contents shining in the sunlight. But just as she turned to flee, a cold hand grabbed her shoulder.

"Stop!" a guard barked, and panic surged through her. In an instant, her instincts took over. She dashed away, her heart racing, the sounds of her footsteps drowning out the laughter of the rich. She veered into the narrow alleys, desperation pushing her forward, but the guards were relentless, closing in with every turn.

She bolted toward the woods, the thick trees offering a glimmer of hope. Climbing a rocky wall, her fingers scraped against the rough surface, urgency propelling her higher until she finally landed in a hidden garden a sanctuary untouched by the harsh world outside.

Here, vibrant flowers danced in the breeze, their colors a joyful display that filled the air with sweetness. She exhaled, relieved to have escaped the guards, until reality hit her. The girl stood in awe, clutching the small sack of stolen goods, breathless at the beauty surrounding her. For a moment, her struggles faded, and a spark of joy ignited within her.

Yet as she wandered deeper into this paradise, time slipped away. Unknown to her, a pair of eyes watched her. She was blissfully unaware of the young man observing her from an upper window, his blond hair catching the sunlight as he leaned closer, his heart racing at the sight of this stranger in his garden.

What was this girl doing here? He had never seen anyone in his garden before.

Her face still covered, but as she took off her scarf to breath in the fresh air of flowers, his breath hitched. Who is that ? He thought. What does she want in my garden ?

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, she finally realized how long she had lingered. The sack of stolen goods felt heavier now, a reminder of her responsibilities. The garden's beauty was intoxicating, but reality pressed down on her. The struggles of her friends called her back, a haunting reminder of the life she could not escape.

In that moment, the young man began to panic, What if she sees him, he didn't put on his mask. But he still looked down from his window, still drawn to the mysterious girl who had unknowingly entered his world. He felt an urge to understand her story and the life that had led her to his garden. Because no one ever dared to visit him, no one ever dared to enter his garden.

Neither of them knew that their paths were destined to cross in ways that would change them both forever.

A