“Oh, that was nothing.”
“It was a lot to me. I truly believe that kindness is everything, and it’s rare meeting people like you.”
“You’re too sweet. Can I ask you where you’re headed?”
“I’m on my way to Mermaid City and then Seashell Town.”
“Oh, I see! Mermaid Lake has a lot to offer. We’re only at the start of our little city, I would love to show you around.” She says, her eyes sparkling.
“That would be amazing! Thank you again.”
Illysia takes the lead and me and Daffodil follow right behind. I can’t shake the feeling of this girl making me feel so at home, so welcomed.
Walking by each other’s side, I can’t help but question why this girl doesn’t have a lot of friends. She seems so sweet and gentle.Just like me.
“Why don’t you have any friends?” I ask her without hesitation, feeling so drawn to know her answer.
Her body freezes for just a second before she starts speaking. “Well, I think it might be because I have strong boundaries. I’ve met so many people who like joking in a mean way, if you understand what I mean. They find out about your insecurities and use it against you. And that’s something I just can’t tolerate. I don’t want friends who push me to the bottom and blame me for reacting once I stand up for myself.”
“You’re so strong for that, choosing to be alone rather than spending time with people who don’t make you feel good about yourself.”
“That’s very pleasant to hear. Someone who understands my point of view.” She hesitates, “What about you?”
“I would say that I’m too shy. It’s not often that I find myself feeling safe with someone.”
“Do you know why? The reason behind it?”
“I... I don’t think so. I guess I’ve always been that way. But then there’s always been the animals. I attracted them to me much more easily than people.”
“Like this one?” She asks, pointing towards the deer walking beside us.
”Yes, just like her.” I answer, petting her head.
“What’s her name?”
“Daffodil.”
“Hi, Daffodil.” She greets her, slowly letting her hand forward for her to smell it.
The sun has almost set and my fear of the dark is creeping in again, slowly taking over me and making me feel paranoid. Always terrified that someone will find me, kill me. Or seeing uninvited shadows moving in the corner of my eye.
“Do you know somewhere I can spend the night?” I ask, my hands hugging my arms, trying to feel safe as the darkness falls over us.
“You can stay at my place!” She lets out in excitement. “If you want to, of course.”
“Should we do that, Daffodil?” I smile, and she nods. “We would love to!”
Her face lit up, her body radiating joy that would soon enter me as well. She grabs my hand, and together we start running, almost like we’re in a hurry to attend a magical ball.
We ran, dancing forward through the woods like two sisters, not bonded by blood but by choice, who had waited for an eternity to find each other. Laughing and giggling together in a way only a girl could understand.
It was the instant bond that was so rare to find. Something that was often experienced in childhood for many. But for me, that bond had found me now, and it felt ethereal. It was something that felt so out of this world. But finally, it happened to me.
Chapter 31
Ector
I had turned on the oven, hungrier than ever before. My body lacked flesh, and I was on the verge of breaking, my appearance fragile.
