Stern

…

….

“Pfft–”

A chuckle slipped past her lips.

“Oh, you’re great.”

I blinked.

“Huh?”

She lowered her arm, leaning against the cushioning.

“So by that thing you mean…” She rubbed the back of her neck. “It’s been 5 years and my mind's kinda hazy.”

“The snake goddess hybrid thing.”

“Right. Her.”

My eyes narrowed. “How could you even forget something like that?”

She pressed a hand against her cheek.

“It’s been 5 years.”

“I doubt 5 years is enough to forget that thing.”

After all, it’s not every day you get to meet a ‘goddess’.

She let out a sigh. “Yeah, and a lot can happen in that time.”

A scoff left my mouth.

“The apple?”

She pressed her hands together.

“Tasted weird.”

…

“Y’know that’s not what I meant.” I groaned, a palm dragging across my face.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. It’s invisibility.” Her shoulders slumped. “Not the flashiest.”

I paused, leaning into the cushioned back of the couch.

“Practical.” I muttered under my breath.

Slowly, I lowered my head, facing the lady before me.

My hands pressed in the cushions.

Enough beating around the bush.

My shoes dug into the floorboards as I pushed myself up.

If I do things at this pace…

Who’s gonna make that murderer rot in hell?

I walked forward, the floor creaking.

The necklace.

That’s what I wanted to know about.

Finally, I stopped. Just near the window.

My head turned, agonisingly slow.

Eyes locked onto the ex-musician.

She was staring right back at me, a blank look on her face.

No way I was the only one after that necklace.

My mouth opened.

“So,” I placed a hand on the windowsill, my fingers tapping rhythmically. “Are you–”

CREAK!

Footsteps echoed down the staircase.

“Told him!” A voice shot out.

A blur of black hair skirted right past us.

Her foot caught on a floorboard. She stumbled, then quickly regained her balance.

“Seems like you two already started talking!” She beamed, flashing us a thumbs up.

I blinked, staring at her.

“What?” She tilted her head.

“Nothing.” I looked away.

My grip on the windowsill tightened.

How the hell would I ask Ashlynn now—

Wait…

My head turned, eyes locking onto the med student again.

I never tried asking Laurel about the necklace.

…

My hand left the window sill.

The only thing that goddess told me about the necklace was that it was under the sea.

One hell of a clue.

I’d have already lived an entire lifetime before I could get my hands on it.

But…

If I’m not the only one. That’s a whole other case.

The cushions sank as Laurel dropped onto the couch.

Her mouth opened instantly. “So what were you guys talking about?”

Ashlynn answered, but I barely heard a word.

I didn’t bother hearing the rest of the conversation.

A scoff tugged my lips.

That med student’s personality made it almost impossible to suspect she was hiding anything.

I stepped forward, the floor creaking beneath me.

They were still talking.

My mouth opened.

“Do you guys wanna go back to Earth?”

…

Silence.

Both of their heads had turned, facing me.

A beat passed.

…

Was that too direct—

“I like this place.”

My gaze snapped towards Laurel.

“I don’t know about you guys but…” She hummed, leaning into the back of the couch. “I don’t want to leave.”

She tapped a finger against her cheek. “I mean, what would I even do if I went back?”

Ashlynn blinked, a small smile forming on her face.

“Neither do I.” She tucked a stray strand behind her ear. “I’ll just lose everything all over again.”

…

Guess that clears both of them, for now.

I let out a sigh, my hand pressing into my forehead.

So far, I seem to be the only one.

Unless they’re lying.

My eyes flickered towards Laurel.

“I mean, what would I even do if I went back?”

Those words played in my mind again.

Can’t believe some people can just let go so easily.

My back pressed against the windowsill as I leaned back.

I should just jump into the ocean.

A sigh left my lips.

I’m no closer to that necklace than when I started.

-XXX-

“See you around!” The blonde waved, stepping outside.

Click.

I shut the door.

Well, that wasn’t useful.

My grip on the door hand faltered.

Maybe I was alone after all.

I groaned, turning around.

“I got something for you!” Laurel beamed, still sitting on the couch.

“Roasted pork.” I murmured.

-XXX-

“And then she agreed to teach me the flute!” She yapped from across the table, her elbows pressing against the wooden surface.

I nodded, absent-mindedly.

Does this person ever shut up?

I shoved the final piece in my mouth.

SKRAP—!

The chair skidded behind me as I stood up.

I wiped my mouth and headed straight to the front door.

“You’re going again?” She pouted, still sitting at the table. “It’s 10:30!”

My hand grabbed the jacket hanging on the stand.

“We’ve been delaying this for too long.”

Her body slumped onto the table, her finger tracing air circles onto the wood. “I’m staying here.” She mumbled.

“You do you.” I muttered, slipping the jacket past my shoulders.

I gripped the handle. In a swift turn, the door opened. A cold breeze blew inside.

I was already halfway out.

“On second thought.” A chair scraped against the floor. “I’ll go too.”

I paused, turning just enough to see her face.

A smile had already formed.

I sighed.

“Don’t slow me down.”

-XXX-

The moon hung above, small white dots pricking the black sky.

“She’s got purple hair, red eyes.” I rambled to a local.

He shook his head, walking away as gravel scattered beneath his boots.

Dead end. Again.

A scoff tugged my lips.

I turned to Laurel who was a bit further away.

She gave a thumbs down.

No luck on her side either.

My hand gripped my hair.

This method isn’t going anywhere…

Wouldn’t even be surprised if we’d already questioned half the town.

CRUNCH! CRUNCH!

I walked towards Laurel.

“We need another method.”

“Yeah… I know.” She sighed, swaying around.

A finger tapped against my chin.

But what could that be…

Her hands landed on my shoulder. “Let’s go to the market again.”

I gave her a blank look.

“Did you forget something there?”

“I’m not that irresponsible!” She began to scowl.

I let out a deep breath.

“Lead the way.”

In an instant, her eyes lit up. “Really?”

I nodded. Whatever it takes to find Eyara, I guess.

A smile appeared on her face again as she began to skip away, heading straight for the marketplace.

I groaned.

It’s as if it would kill her just to stand still.

-XXX-

We passed the listal shop again, finally reaching the dead center of the marketplace. The fountain.

The glowing crystals bathed the entire place in a bright, colourful light.

I glanced towards Laurel, who was walking ahead of me, humming.

“Why are we here again?” I arched an eyebrow.

All she did was put a finger in front of her lips. “Shh! You’ll see!”

Immediately, she froze mid-step. “Wait, uh, what’s the time?”

Great.

I turned around. “I’ll go ask a local—”

“NO!”

…

I stared at her.

“I meant—I’ll go ask instead.” She flashed a weird smile.

My eyes narrowed.

“Hey, Ma’am! What’s the time?” Laurel waved to a nearby lady.

The lady stopped, reaching into her bag, then held out a small circular object.

I squinted.

Was it a watch? Certainly had a weird design.

“Almost twelve.” She answered before rushing off.

“Thank you!”

Laurel turned around. “Just wait a bit.”

My fists tightened.

Damn it.

I dragged a palm across my face. “For what?” I groaned. “I’d rather ask locals around for Eyara than this.”

I only followed her ‘cause I thought she’d actually found something.

“Eep.” She squealed, her face scrunching. “Take a break from time to time.”

“And that’d help me a lot.” I muttered, lifting my feet again.

“Wait!”

She grabbed my wrist.

A cold wind blew past us.

My shoes dug into the ground.

“I don’t see any reason to.” I stated, coldly. Not even sparing a glance.

Her grip faltered, just for a second.

“Do you really need one?”

I paused.

…

My jaw clenched.

Funny to hear this from someone who faked their way through life.

I yanked her hand away.

Every second I waste in this damn world.

“Yes. I do.”

My murderer is still out there.

“Just wait a bit longer!”

She reached for me again.

I stepped back.

I have to go back.

“I don’t have time to waste.”

Unlike her, someone who doesn’t even want to go back.

My teeth gritted.

Of course she doesn’t want to.

I paused.

She doesn't have any reason to go back.

Her eyes flickered, staring behind me.

She didn’t reach for me again.

It must be great to die a peaceful death.

I scoffed.

The soles of my shoes pressed against the ground..

Why the hell is she still even here—

FZZZ—!

I froze.

FZZZZZ—!

My head snapped towards the sky.

Fireworks?

“It’s starting!” She squealed.

“What?”

I glanced back at her.

All she did was smile at me.

“Man, I didn’t know you were such a workaholic, Scarlett!” She tapped a finger on her cheek. “Must’ve been the top of your school.”

…

I almost laughed.

My fists clenched.

As if grades even matter anymore—

Pat! Pat!

I flinched. Instantly looking up.

“Laurel?”

Her hand patted my head.

“Y’know, Ashlynn told me that every year on this day, they launch some fireworks at twelve!” She chuckled as the words left her mouth.

“Which is kinda strange, since technically it ain’t even Snake’s Blessing anymore.” She shrugged. “It’s a new day.”

I continued to stare at her.

“That’s what you brought me here for?”

“Mhm!” She nodded, giving me a thumbs-up.

…

I raised my hand.

“Lau-”

“Shh!” She brought a finger to my mouth. “It’s starting!”

I blinked.

My gaze flickered around the entire marketplace.

People began to slow down. Kids stopped running.

Everyone began to raise their heads, eyes staring into the dark night sky.

The moon somehow looked brighter than the sun.

My gaze lowered, looking at the crowd.

Amidst them, I spotted a clothed lady. A hat covering her head, blond hair barely seeping out.

Ashlynn.

Her head was raised.

She was watching too.

And for a moment, the lively atmosphere was replaced with silence.

Laurel’s hand left my head.

I forgot it was still there.

She smiled at me, then slowly glanced up too.

…

My eyes shifted towards the sky.

A cold breeze blew by.

The listals still shined brightly.

But then came something that even that couldn’t outmatch.

A white beam of light bolted high up in the horizons.

Then red, orange…

All the colors soon followed.

And in one perfect synchrony.

KRAK—!

They all blew.

Painting the night in all the colors of a rainbow.

It was the first noise to break the silence.

And then more came after.

People started cheering, clapping.

“It’s prettier than I thought.” Laurel’s eyes were locked onto the rainbow that brightened the dark sky.

…

My head lowered.

“Leaving?” She tilted her head.

I nodded, turning my foot.

“Wait!”

I stopped.

“Didn’t you wanna say something to me?” She tilted her head.

…

“You must be imagining things.” I mumbled, quickening my pace.

She pouted. “Scarlett, I expected you to be much better at lying.”

I didn’t turn around.

“Well, I’m staying here!” She shouted from afar.

“Then stay, I’m leaving.”

I continued walking.

Then—

I stopped.

Turned my head just enough to see her.

She was still staring at the sky.

…

It was a pretty sight. I can’t deny that.

I covered my face with my hands.

Jeez.

I have better things to do.

“Scarlett!”

I paused.

My hands dropped down.

“Wanna come here next year too?” A cheerful voice came through.

That smile was still on her face.

“I’ll think about it.” Though I probably won’t even be here by then.

In an instant, her eyes lit up.

“Better be a yes!”

“I said I’ll think about it.”

She paused, her gaze lingering on my face.

“Also, you should smile more!”

“Smile? What—” My fingers grazed my lips.

…

I turned around.

“I’m searching for Eyara now.”

A chuckle escaped her lips.

“At least be back at the flower shop by 1AM.”

I scoffed.

“Can’t promise that.”

She sighed, back slumping. “Kair isn’t gonna leave the door unlocked the entire night!”

“I know.”

My foot lifted off the ground.

The gravel scattered beneath my shoes as I walked away.

Further and further.

A sigh left my lips.

This past week…

It wasn’t that bad.

~Room To Breath~