Once I am done, I sit down on one of the rocks at the shore, letting the setting sun dry me.
It’s moments like this that I feel so thankful for how my body has recovered. Now all of my outer wounds have healed, just one large scar on my abdomen remaining.
I am just thankful to be alive.
I am alive.
Maybe this is why my parents sent the three of us on this trip. We were all part of the same incident and shared the same trauma.
Goddess, I am so stupid. I spent the last months trying to prove to myself that I could study like Dario, so much so that I completely forgot what I can and want to do.
Maybe I amnot too deep, but at least I am alive and have a chance to become happy.
The sun has set, and I get up to dress myself. Once done, I take one more moment to look at the ocean, taking in a deep breath. That’s when I smell it. A hint of jasmine. I know shit about plants, but I would recognize this scent anywhere. When I spent months in a wheelchair, Mom and I often sat in her favorite part of the garden right next to a jasmine bush.
My gaze wanders from the shore upwards to the hill, and then along to a cliff where an observation deck is located. I can make out the silhouette of a woman with long curly hair. She looks magical in the way the wind dances around her, and she brushes a strand of hair out of her face.
Kiran stirs in my mind, suddenly so much on alert that my whole body tenses up.
Find her! he growls.We need to find her!
As if I am possessed, I rush off to the path leading upwards and then across the field, to the area I spotted the woman. Her scent is still lingering, but she is nowhere to be seen.
sixteen
Anxiety
*GWENDOLYN*
Donna blinks once, twice, and then a third time.
“Elsa grew the zoo,” Faye giggles.
“Really,” Donna says. “I am impressed.” She gazes at me curiously. “There must be something about you that draws them in.”
“I am sure it’s just a coincidence,” I mutter. “The duck was literally in front of the porch last night,” I explain to her. “Wouldn’t leave my side. So, what other option did I have?”
Donna smiles gently. “No option at all,” she says.
I feel my cheeks heating up. Of course, I could have sent the duck away or at least call someone to take it away, but I couldn’t. I just…couldn’t.
“Look,” Faye squeals. “Quackquack is still protecting it.”
“What’sit?” Donna asks curiously.
“QQ, found an egg this morning,” I tell her. “And now is incubating it.”
Donna laughs. “You are a funny lot.”
“Thank you for coming here to keep an eye on Ann,” I say. “I know you prefer to look after her at your place.”
“That’s no problem,” she reassures me. “But what are you going to do with all the pets, in the long run?”
“Well…“ I swallow thickly. “You know this is just an intermediate stop. I… I like this town and this place… and…” My voice trails off.
“Don’t worry,” she chuckles. “You don’t need to spare my feelings. I am well aware that a pretty, young woman like you won’t want to stay here and work in that shady club. The world is ahead of you, and all the doors are open. Don’t be scared to walk through them.”
I am not so sure if all the doors are open, but I hope I will be able to open a couple of them.
