Adventures of Sinbad and Layla

When Layla Died (Part III)

Esra woke up to the sound of the waves. It was so calm and peaceful that she didn't feel like waking. Her meeting with her mother felt like such a dream that she wasn't sure if it actually happened or not. Still, she needed to force herself up to make sure she was on the right path.

She yawned and rubbed her eyes as she sat up. Flopping her arms back down, she opened her eyes and checked her surroundings. She gasped and her eyes widened in shock.

"Holy crap."

Her boat was no longer at sea. In fact, it was docked on a sandy shoreline of what seemed to be an island. In the middle was a little hut and that's when she knew exactly where she was.

It was Layladria's Island. The hut was a distinct feature of the island and Hinahoho told her that that was how she would know she was in the right place. He described it as a small grassy island with a hut.

'So far, so good.'

However, she was surprised at how quickly she had arrived. It was scheduled to take her at least a week yet she has managed it one day. Soon the realisation hit her and she couldn't help but smile.

'Thank you, mom.'

Grabbing her things, she strapped the bag over her shoulder and climbed out of the boat. It was early morning and there were no signs of Sinbad anywhere outside. So, she headed towards the hut. The door was closed and when she tried to open it, it was locked. She tried fiddling with the handle but it was stuck.

Inside, Sinbad's eyes shot open as he woke up from the sound at the door. 'Is it Jafar?' Then the door began to rattle as whoever it was tried to open it.

"Hello?" came a girl's voice.

'Definitely not Jafar...' He grabbed his scimitar from under his pillow and silently climbed out of bed. He walked quietly to the door and placed his hand on the handle. The girl knocked on the door.

"Anybody home?"

Sinbad silently unlocked the door and counted to three. When he hit three, he swung the door open and aimed the blade at the intruder.

"Wait!" Esra gasped, her eyes widening as she held her hands up.

Sinbad's own eyes widened in shock as he stared at the girl's eyes. They were unmistakable.

He blinked. "Layla?"
She shook her head. "No..."

Sinbad stared at her blankly and in slight shock. Was she really his daughter? The colour of her eyes gave it away. In all his life the only one he had ever seen with those eyes was Layla. After that, it was their daughter. But this girl was a teenager. Is that how much time had passed since Layla's death?

With the blade pointed at her face, all Esra could see was his eyes. They were amber but there was no shine to them. And there were tired bags under his eyes, which gave away his age. Eventually, he lowered his sword. It was only then she could see his full face. He donned a beard that had become dishevelled from clear low maintenance. And he seemed to look so much older than she imagined him to be.

His sword dropped to the ground. "Esra..?"
"Yes." She smiled awkwardly. "Surprise."

Without saying anything more, he turned and returned inside the hut. Esra stood there not knowing what to do. She didn't plan on what to say or do but it wasn't what she expected. Since he left the door open, she picked up his sword and entered the hut.

She didn't know what she was expecting inside but it was incredibly underwhelming. It was pretty much empty apart from a bed and a large chest. She stood by the door but didn't enter further.