Fractal Sea

Day 4

Humans tried to reach the stars for the longest time.

The foolish yet daring mortals yearn to swim freely amongst the sparkling stars above.

They looked and reached far ahead, yet truly oblivious on what's right behind them.

The depths of the great blue sea, a place forbidden seemingly for humans, the great darkness that can't be illuminated.

Why do you think humans rarely explore the sea, instead looked above to the stars too far to reach?

Do humans hate the sea, or does the sea hate humans?

"Thanks for the food!"

Father and I had just finished breakfast, and we're preparing to leave for the village. The weather is nice today, and we found no new items on the beach this morning. Come to think about it, new items rarely appear on the beach as of late. At best we're getting only one or two in a day, when it used to be eight items a few months ago. I wonder what happened to the sea.

The sea?

Why am I thinking like there's something wrong with the sea? It's always been like that since I was born, so I just assumed it's normal for it to have a beach where the most random of items wash ashore. I never really thought much of it, and just go on my days without thinking about it. Then again, this is the only beach I've ever seen in my life. The village is a bit farther into the land with only a few rivers flowing through it. Even the capital, that father said is very far away, is not near any beaches.

"Don't forget to put your sandals on, Mika. Oh, and your long shirt too. While the weather seems nice today, wouldn't hurt to keep you protected from wind."

"Huh? Why? What's wrong with the wind? Don't we feel the wind all the time on the beach?"

"Because too much wind means you'll get sick. You don't want that, do you?"

Getting sick, I hate having to go through that. I once fell ill to a high fever, and father won't stop worrying about me. He even teared up at some point seeing me half asleep with such high body temperature. I don't like seeing father like that, it makes me feel hurt. He did say that was the sign that he loved and treasured me more than anything in the world, so I'm happy with that.

But is it the whole truth?

Does he love me because I'm me, or because I look similar to mother?

... No, I'm clearly overthinking it. Father loved me because I'm his daughter. Nothing more, nothing less.

"... Mika. Mika?"

"Huh? Wha?"

"We're going to be late, dear. Come on, put your sandals on." Father said as he's already starting his bike.

"Ah, y-yes! I'll be right over!"

I put my sandals on, and slightly ran towards father.

I enjoyed the breeze whenever I drive with father. Today is no different, in fact, it's even better than usual. The sky is only slightly cloudy, letting the sun slips its rays below. The wind blows against my hair, letting it flow freely behind my back. Father also enjoyed the breeze as much as I do, but he always seem to enjoy seeing my reaction to it more. Often I noticed him taking glances at me, staring in adoration, before focusing back to the road. Whenever I noticed him doing that, I always scold him, "Father, the road!" Which he simply laughs off and obeyed. It feels weird to have your own father obey your words, isn't it?

We arrived at the market where we planned to buy chicken for tonight's dinner. Yesterday's canned food stash doesn't have chicken in it, which father seemed to notice my mood lowering because of. And so he brought me here today to find what I always love to eat for dinner; roasted chicken slathered with honey!

"Mika, let's sell these items first to the junkyard, and then we'll get you a honey chicken, okay?"

"Yes, father!"

Father needed help from the uncle at the junkyard to carry the items from his bike. There's quite a bit of items today, from scrap metal, toaster, and even fully functioning refrigerator. Well, functioning, but it's filled with sea water. It's weird though, despite father saying the fridge seem to be submerged in water for a while, there's no signs of moss, algae, barnacle, or even rust. The cooling box works just fine, it just needed a little cleaning. I simply watched as father and the junkyard uncle clean the fridge up and test if it's really working.

Mika.

That voice again. I still couldn't tell who's calling me and for what, but it's creeping me up. I looked around to find nothing but the junkyard workers. There's no way the one calling me is among them, as they're all man.

The voice calling me was that of a woman, one that I don't recognize.

But somehow, I feel attracted to it, as if I'm being pulled.

"Mika! We got a lot of money from that fridge!" Father said as he walked towards the bike where I'm sitting on. "With this, we can buy you a chicken that lasts for a week or two!"

I greeted him with a smile, but I can't hold my curiosity anymore.

"Father, did you hear anyone calling my name?"

"Calling you? No, I don't. All I can hear is the usual junkyard noise."

"But I can hear it, someone's calling me by my name. It sounded like a woman."

Father paused for a second, then leans closer to me.

"Do you recognize that voice?"

"N-no, I don't. I don't know whose voice that is."

"... Good."

Without saying anything, father got onto the bike, and rode me to the butcher. We got back home immediately after, where father seem to be in deep thought throughout the ride. In the end, we did cook the chicken and slathered it with honey. But it doesn't feel warming. Father is quiet for the whole night, and insisted I sleep early.

Not wanting to anger him, I obeyed. I don't think I should ask him anything further.