It didn’t take long before he started to feel like home. There was such a deep understanding between us, something I had never experienced with anyone before.
I look over at Illysia who is still sleeping, a calmness spreading around me as I think of my friend. My friend. I had met her, just her and I, not through someone else. I finally had a friend of my own.
In the corner of my eye, I could see my small green bag and it was now calling my name, a call that I couldn't resist. Carefully lifting myself from the bed, not wanting to wake up Illysia and Daffodil, I snatch my bag and grab the diary.
With the book falling open, the page with Ector's text grabs all my attention. Sitting cross-legged on the soft mattress, I bring myself the confidence to read it.
Tears prickle in my eyes as I read the last words, especially the words he never finished writing.
I think I’m starting to lo-
When did he write this and why did he not finish the sentence? Had he been in a hurry or did something sudden–
His father.
It was impossible to keep the tears in as the dots connected themselves. Of course he had written this after I fell asleep that night. He had wanted to stay awake to protect me.
The sobs were coming uncontrollably now, but I tried to keep them as quiet as possible, not wanting to cause a scene and make Illysia wake up. She had already dealt with me last night, I didn't want to bother her with another emotional collapse.
I wanted to know what the last sentence was going to be, but I would never get the answer because I would never see him again. He had passed and there was nothing I could do.
Stroking my shoulders, my body swinging back and forth, I try my best to take deep breaths.
“Good morning.” She yawns and stretches her arms widely.
Quickly I rub my eyes and pretend like nothing has happened.
“Good morning! Did you sleep well?” I say with a big smile on my face, pressing down every single drop of sadness and replacing it with joy.
“I slept like a princess.” She yawns again.
“Well needed.”
“Should we go?” She asks, getting out of bed, already getting dressed even though she just woke up.
“Now?”
“Yes, silly.”
“You just woke up?”
“I’m a morning person.” Her face lit up.
Doing as she insists, I grab my bloody dress and drag it over my head. Reaching for my shoes and tying them around my ankles.
Leaving the room behind, we make our way towards the lobby and thank Astra for letting us stay the night for free.
“It was an honor having you here.” She says politely.
“It was so fun meeting you, Astra.” I responded with my tone full of love.
I follow Illysia outside and it doesn't take long before a crowd of people appears before us. The city looks different in daytime with the sun casting its rays on all the glass decorations.
Around us stand different stalls, every single one of them selling different kinds of decorations. One thing that immediately grabs my attention is a windchime. I've always loved the look of them and the sound they make, this one is ethereal.
It's a huge seashell like one I've never seen, the inside in a hue of bright pink. Seven glass bricks are tied to it, and the sound it makes every time a breeze passes by makes me feel so at peace with myself.
Walking further in, not only windchimes appear but so do sun and dreamcatchers. All of them are in different shades and colors but all equally beautiful in their own ways.
