Lissana

Chapter Four

The sun is at its height and I feel annoyed on how its light brought continuous stinging on my skin. As I frantically try to fit my small form under the colorful umbrella we've bought prior to this special day, a grunt escapes my lips as I noticed the heat distort the surroundings. When I tried to recall what special day it was, mysteriously, my attention forcefully transferred on the shiny looking seashell beside me. I squealed in glee as I hurriedly pick the seashells from the unfolded picnic cloth. I felt something was amiss, but ignored it because of my new found treasure.

After picking those white shells, I decided to search for a proper place to hide them so that I could search for them later and have an advantage over my younger sister if ever our mother dared us to collect shells. Against all odds, I tried my best to walk above the scorching sand and evilly laughed while grabbing the nearest handkerchief. Laughing with a 'fufufufu', I placed the sea shells inside the cloth.

Sister? I started to wonder. Do I have a sister?

As I try to remember the name of my sister, I was yet again distracted by the astonishing amount of people that come and go. I gazed at them full of wonder and disbelief, so many people. Being always locked inside our home and showing repulsion about the idea of venturing outside, I do not have many friends. It was not because I am not allowed to go out, but it is safe to say that it is my own decision. I am no-good at having social interaction so on reflex I always refuse whenever there is a gathering that needs social interaction.

I was in that state— my figure quietly sitting on some sand— when I heard someone called my name. No... I didn't clearly hear it, but I turn to look anyway, to look at the one who called my name. It was purely on impulse, I only heard a part of the shout and I immediately tried to find the source of the voice.

A man in his twenties is running towards me, strangely I was smiling from ear to ear as I watch him struggle to walk above the sea of burning grains. He was wearing his shorts printed with a floral pattern and was somewhat dragging his feet, making the sand scatter as he pass by. I found his actions a little bit clumsy and a snigger threatened to escape. I was amused, but I had no idea why, the answer was on the tip of my tongue.

"••••," the man called my name again, his cheeks jiggling as he did. This time, he was already in front of me, his form towering over mine. I softly giggled as he made a funny face, he even added more effort on making me laugh. Although I am already ten years old, this never fails to entertain me.

Ten years old? Me?

I was once more distracted by the man's smile, he radiates an unusual kind of warmth that urges me to burrow my head to his body. He patted my head and I squirmed nearer, like a cat getting petted by its owner. The man shuffled near me, sheltering his body under the shade, his back was apparently not under the umbrella's shadow.

"Father, you should go and swim," I suggested him as I bobbed my head to the right.

The man, who was my father, did not seem to agree and his face wrinkled, expressing that he do not understand but he stood up and met with a woman anyway. I only waved as he glanced at me for reassurance. They held hands and slowly walked near the beach, increasing their distance away from me. The only thing I was doing was following their figures until they disappeared in my line of sight.

Then darkness descended. It was abrupt, there are no warnings nor obvious signs.

It was sudden, and the beach was gone. In turn it was replaced by plain black, my eyesight's not really seeing that much. I tried to extend my hand but did not find any walls, I tried to exert force to my feet to no avail. I can't stand up. Shortly, the feeling of dread choked me akin to a snake trying to incapacitate its prey.