Finding Peace

The Grandmother

NOT EDITED//

CHAPTER 20

Catching up to the boys was longer than Arita thought. But finally they spotted two boys gripping the arm of a frustrated Nick.

"Oh, there you are." Brooke spat, "thought you could run off so easily?"

Nick threw an unamused smirk and strongly jerked free of the boys' grip. Arita found his mood unpleasant, and rolled her eyes, Brooke just let out a giggled sigh.

After another few hours of swimming, the group came upon a village. The ocean village had small houses in different directions, with markets and playgrounds. it was a cute place, and it made Arita smile, knowing there were people out this far in the vast ocean.

"I think we should rest here for the night, and restock our food." Arita said. Michael nodded and they swam into the village. Brooke and Arita were anxious to explore the new town and be around people. Civilization had been non-existant to the group for two days, and being active with others, was long needed.

Arita and Brooke swam up to an elderly woman while Michael and Jacob got food, and Nick searched for a place to stay.

"Excuse me," Arita said, laying a gentle hand on the woman's shoulder. She turned around and gave a warm smile to the girls. She had a wrinked face, that gave glance of pain and years she has experienced. Her crystal blue eyes sparkled at the new-comers, like she was pleased to see new faces. She was pale, and thin, and her hands shook a little as she reached up to grab Arita's hand.

"Hello, child. Welcome to our town. We dont get many visitors." She gave Arita a soft laugh and a smile. Her voice was soft and sweet. She gave Arita a small feeling of her mother's presence.

Brooke smiled at the woman. "My name is Brooke, and this is my friend Arita. We are here with some other friends and were wondering exactly where we were." Brookes voice was soft, she always had a way with elders.

"Welcome, my name is Genevieve, but you may call me Gen." She paused and smiled. "I have lived here all my life, seventy years to be exact. It's very peaceful and loving here. It has been for a long time, and new comers are always welcome. I work over at the Shell's Loft, where you can stay for as long as you wish. And please dont be shy, everyone here will wecome you both. Brooke and-" She paused staring at Arita. "Darling, what did you say your name was?" She asked gently.

"Arita, my name is Arita, ma'am." She answered. "Arita Jones." She let out a slight gasp and her thin hand flew to her mouth, and Arita saw a spark in her eye. Arita gave her a questioning look. 'Mrs. Gen, are you alright?" She asked.

"Y-you-. No it cant be you." She whispered, bringing her hand to Arita's plump cheek.

"Mrs.Gen, are you alright?"

"Oh, Arita, is that really you?" She asked, again in a whisper.

"Mrs.Gen, what's going on?" Brooke asked. But Gen would not brake eye contact with Arita, and Arita found herself unable to pull herself away.

"Arita, dear, where is your mother?" She asked. Arita was a bit thrown back by the intruding question. She closed her eyes tightly for a minute, remembering the pain of losing her mother. "She's dead ma'am. Well, sort of." Arita whispered the last part and looked at Brooke. She knew what Arita meant by 'sort of' that was the whole point of the mission, to know her mother was still alive, and still out there.

"Dead? Or trapped?" Gen asked.

"Tha-that's none of your business, ma'am. And how would you know that anyway?" Arita questioned.

"Because, Arita. Your mother, was my daughter."

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