LOST

Chapter 5

The silence in the room was deafening to her. How long had it been since Luna had left? An hour or two? It felt like more to her. Ji-Yeon rolled over to her side, contemplating going on a home exploration. Since she promised Luna she would stay at the house and wait for her return, there really was nothing else to do. During her contemplation, she heard small voices outside her boarded window. It sounded like children playing.

Hearing their laughs brought a smile to her face. Happiness was something she only heard from a select few in Serenity. If it was fun, her father was against it. The laughter grew and she just couldn't resist it anymore. Kneeling on the bed, she tried to peek through the small hole in one of the boards. A handful of kids were outside kicking a small, partially deflated ball. Their smiles stretched wide across their faces.

As they played, Ji-Yeon felt a need to go out and watch them. Or maybe it was just to get some fresh air. Whatever the main reason was, she just wanted out of the stuffy room. She practically ran down the stairs with her excitement building as she grew closer to her goal. She wandered through the living room and into the kitchen in hopes of finding a back door. She smiled when she saw the door with its plastic cover over the window. Freedom, or lack thereof, was on the other side of that door.

The porch stretched a few feet with only a few steps to the ground. It was missing a few posts and a railing for the stairs. On it was a couple of old lawn chairs that looked like they had seen better days. The metal arms and legs were rusted and the fabric looked thin as paper. How Luna and Yuki sat on those was beyond her.

Ji-Yeon took a seat on the edge of the porch, placing her feet at the bottom step. She rested her chin in her hands and her elbows on her thighs. She smiled as the children ran past her. Their screams of excitement filled her heart with joy. Even though they had so little, they still found enjoyment in the world. More people needed to be like that in her books.

"JI-YEON!"

Cringing at the sound of her own name. Nothing ever good happened when they screamed her name. She turned to see Luna standing in the frame out of breath. Had she been running from something? Were they in danger? Ji-Yeon rose from her seat quickly, with her heart racing.

"What's wrong?" Ji-Yeon asked.

"Lady Ahri wants to meet with you," Luna said calmly.

Near the center of the city, was a botanical garden. It was the only building that seemed to still be intact. And with good reason. Luna led Ji-Yeon through the glass doors and into what seemed like a forest. Lush greens engulfed the entirety of the interior. Plants growing various fruits, vegetables and herbs were spread out throughout. With its glass ceilings and walls, it was almost hard to spot anything wrong with the structure.

Aside from Luna and Ji-Yeon, there were a few others in the garden. They had woven baskets sitting at their hips as they picked the ripe fruit of their branches. They passed by without a word to them. Luna had one goal in her mind –getting Ji-Yeon to Ahri.

All through their walk through the garden, Ji-Yeon worried about who this 'Lady Ahri' person was. She knew she was important. That was given what with this giant greenhouse. She didn't seem to rule with an iron fist, she could see that with the other people. She obviously loves her people enough to select a few of them to protect them.

They came to the center of the garden and Luna held out her hand to stop. Ji-Yeon wanted to yell at her for almost making her trip, but her words were stolen with the sight she held. Standing in front of them was Vincent, Yuki, Kane, and Alex. All wearing the same outfit Luna was. What caused her to stare aimlessly wasn't them, but the woman who stood between Vincent and Kane.