Seasons: Secrets of Penumbra

Chapter 10 - Memories

I managed to find my way back up through the endless corridors.

I was about to open the door to my room when I thought of my long lost sister.

Winter.

What happened to her? I have so many questions. The more I stayed here, the more confused I was.

If no one will tell me, I'll find out myself.

I carefully placed the jar filled with Moon Dust on the floor outside my room and started walking down the corridor. There has to be something I could investigate. Maybe a hidden room?

As if on autopilot, I walked down the corridors as I let my thoughts wander. This is all so strange. Nothing makes sense in this place. 

I stopped abruptly in front of a door. Why did I stop? Why here?

I looked around and cautiously tried to open the door. It's unlocked!

I slipped into the room and gently closed the door behind me. I turned around and swept my gaze across the room.

The moonlight shone in through the window and bathed the room in its glow. 

It was cold in here. Awfully cold.

There was a bed in the corner that looked untouched, and a desk with random objects strewn all over it, as if someone left in a hurry. A few broken glass shards lay on the floor. An eerie silence hung in the air.

Is this the part where a monster jumps out and kills me? Should I run?

I shuddered at the thought.

My attention was caught by something among the glass shards. I walked towards it and kneeled down to pick it up. 

It was a broken picture frame. There were four young girls in the picture, maybe about 5 or 6 years old. I recognized two of them from the picture in my room, the one with burnt orange hair and red eyes, and the one with white hair and grey eyes. There was no doubt who the other two girls were, Spring and Autumn. They look no different other than the fact that they are older now. Deep down I knew, that would only mean one thing. The two girls in the picture in my room... That was Winter and I. 

I peered closer. Was I supposed to look like that? She looked so vibrant compared to me. Her burnt orange hair was so different from mine, and she had these fierce, piercing red eyes. She looked happy. That was when I noticed a small detail on her wrist. I looked down at my hands with my palm facing up and there it was, my birthmark. I have this odd birthmark on my wrist in the shape of a little sun. I rub it whenever I feel anxious. I always thought it was pretty cool, little did I know it meant something.

I was lost in thought when I heard footsteps. 

Shoot.

Should I hide? 

I had about 2 seconds to decide what to do. 

I grabbed the picture and hid behind the door. This is it. This is how I die.

The footsteps got closer and the doorknob turned. I held my breath, ready for whatever's coming.

"Summer?"

A familiar, gentle voice called out.

"It's alright, Summer. It's just me."

I breathed a sigh of relief and stepped out from behind the door.

Spring stood there, a worried look on her face. 

"I was looking for you when I found the jar of Moon Dust outside your room. Are you alright?" she asked.

"I am. I was just..." I trailed off.

She noticed the picture I was clutching.

"Oh, Summer..." 

She gently took the picture from me and beckoned me to the bed. We both sat down and an awkward silence hung between us.

"This was Winter's room," she broke the silence.

"What happened here?" I asked.

A brief look of pain flashed across her face before she recomposed herself and answered.

"The day you and Winter had a fight, she came here before leaving."

"Why?"

"She wanted to take something before she left, I'm not sure what."

"How did you know that?"

She looked at me sorrowfully with her purple eyes. They glistened under the moonlight.

"Because I let her leave," she whispered.

She looked away before continuing.

"I was upset that she hurt you so I followed her. I said some terrible things to her that day. I wish I could take it all back."

"Is that why..." I trailed off as I looked at the broken glass shards on the floor and the messy desk.

She nodded.

"I pushed the picture frame off the table and it smashed into pieces. I told her that she wasn't my sister because she hurt one of us..."

Tears streamed down her face and her voice trembled as she spoke. The flowers in her flower crown wilted, turning into a shade of brown.

It's hard to imagine that Spring would've done something like that. I haven't known her long, but I could tell that she was gentle and caring. I felt a sense of peace whenever I was around her.

"Maybe things would've been different if I never said those things... Maybe Winter would still be here and mother wouldn't have sent you to Corium..."

She wiped her tears away and took my hands in hers.

"I want to help you, Summer. I know you must be feeling scared and confused. You're probably really angry at what mother did. At least let me clear some of your doubts, I owe you that much."

"I don't know if I can trust you," I said.

She's right. I'm scared. I'm terrified. My life was a lie. I don't know what's going on and who I can trust. Who knows? She might be lying to me right now.

"I understand," she said.

She stood up and turned to me.

"I want to teach you a spell."

"What?"

"You and Winter switched elements, right? Winter used to do this spell that helped her relive her good memories."

"Why would you teach me that?"

"I want you to trust me, Summer. I'm your sister. I want you to know that Autumn and I will be here for you if you ever need anything."

She offered her hand and asked, "Shall we?".