Tale of the Gifted Beings

chapter 24

chapter 24

I AWOKE WITH A START, my heart pounding in my chest as if it were trying to escape. For a moment, I couldn't seem to recognize where I was. The canopy of trees above me, the damp earth beneath, and the unfamiliar sounds of the forest were all so foreign—so different from the walls of the orphanage, from the laughters of the other orphans, from the chitchats coming from Mori and the rest. My thoughts swirled like a storm, and I couldn't even remember how I had come to be here, lost in the wilderness.

As I lay there on the ground, I felt a very soft and cozy weight on my chest. Looking down, I found Ophelia purring gently as she inched close against me. Her presence somehow brought comfort to my puzzled heart, and with her, a flood of memories returned. She stretched her arms, and for a split second, I frowned.

I had left Miss Alice's orphanage with no direction and no plan other than just a desperate need to escape. How the dome disintegrated as my necklace glowed, I have no idea. All I know is that I had walked for hours, and as the familiar surroundings of the academy faded away and the forest loomed before me, the questions that had always haunted me grew louder and more insistent. Who am I, really?

I cradled Ophelia close, her warmth resembling something of the cold uncertainty that threatened to consume me. The only thing I had from my past, the only link to who I truly was, lay against my skin—the necklace. It was a simple silver chain with an intricately carved pendant, and though I had worn it for as long as I could remember, I still don't know the origin or meaning of it.

Shrugging, I then wandered deeper into the forest, disregarding my thoughts and wandering elsewhere, drifting to Bryce and Mamori and the others that I left. Mamori, most of all, had been my childhood friend. Even though I find her annoying sometimes, she is the realest and most transparent person I know who truly cares about me. Although she was clearly hiding something from me, However, my friendship with Mori could not outweigh the fear of what I heard from Miss Alice and Augustus and how they were planning to take my necklace away, so I wouldn't know. The anxiety of their conversation drove me into fighting a bunch of intrusive thoughts. And now, I am far from everything I had ever known. I am rudderless, and I am lost in every direction.

The shadows of the trees stretched long and dark across the forest floor, and I felt as though I were walking through a dream, an eerie stillness settling over the world. The further I ventured, the more lost I became, both physically and mentally. My mind raced with the possibilities of what might have happened to me before I wound up in Perthlochry's orphanage. But as I stumbled through the underbrush, my legs were heavy with exhaustion, and those thoughts vanished like oblivion. I needed to find shelter, to find food and water, and to survive this wild place.

I held Ophelia close, drawing strength from her purrs and the steady rhythm of her breathing.

As I walked on, I clutched my pet much more tightly to my chest. Her soft meows comforted me, reminding me that I wasn't alone in this forest. My breaths came in shallow gasps as I tried to steady myself, taking one step forward, then another. I had no idea where I was going—really, no clear direction in mind. But I had to keep moving. All I know is that I'm hungry and thirsty, and the more I walk, the more I will endure this feeling.

***

I ventured deeper into the thick woods as time went on, the crunch of leaves beneath my feet the only sound to break the silence. While I was wandering aimlessly, my ears picked up on the faintest of sounds. I know, for sure, it was a gentle murmur of running water. Instinctively, I followed the noise, my pace quickening as the sound grew stronger. Pushing through a curtain of tangled vines, I found myself at the edge of a small river, its crystal-clear waters flowing gracefully over polished rocks.

I knelt down at the water's edge, cupping my hands to bring the cool water to my lips. Ophelia leaned down and lapped at the water beside me, her pink tongue darting out in quick succession. As I drank, my thoughts were thrown back to my past, to the dark days spent at the orphanage in Perthlochry. The memories of countless families' apathetic gazes, their disinterested voices, and their pitying expressions came flooding back to me. I was the unwanted child, the burden that nobody wanted to bear. And even now, as I found myself lost in the wilderness, those feelings of homelessness and despair threatened to consume me once more. I had escaped Miss Alice's home, believing that my identity was being stripped away from me by her and Augustus. But as I sat by the river, I realized that I still didn't know who I truly was. I had fled one cage only to find myself trapped in another—the cage of my own making, built from uncertainty.

A soft breeze rustled through the trees above, sending a shower of golden leaves floating down around me. As they fell in the air, I realized that tears were already streaming down my cheeks, blurring my vision as I stumbled through the rocky landscape beside the riverside. The air was thick with fog, making it difficult to breathe, and the cold was almost unbearable. The rushing of water was slowly replaced by an eerie silence, and the only sound I could hear was the occasional whimper that escaped my lips. The forest, once teeming with life, now felt like a wasteland. Suddenly, I heard the sound of branches snapping and leaves rustling behind me, and my heart skipped a beat. My eyes widened in fear as I instinctively clutched Ophelia tighter and turned around.

The bush behind me seemed to tremble, its leaves shivering as if caught in an invisible gust. I inched away from it, my chest tightening with anxiety, and the sound of a small river nearby was the only thing I could hear apart from the quivering foliage. My breath then hitched in my throat as a figure emerged from the bush, seemingly unscathed by the ravaging forest. I was ready to fight whoever that was, until I realized the figure was someone dear to me. He was smiling warmly as he stepped toward me. My heart raced, and I squeezed my eyes shut, convinced that my trauma had manifested him into existence.

"No, you're not real!" I cried out, my voice hoarse and shaking. The image of Elliot was too painful to bear, a reminder of all the suffering I had endured in the past.

But as I continued to weep, Elliot moved closer and knelt before me. His hand gently brushed away my tears, and despite my insistence that he wasn't real, his touch felt all too familiar. The lines between reality and imagination blurred, leaving me questioning my own sanity.

The presence of this apparition, whether real or not, brought my darkest memories to the surface. The relentless weight of my traumas, depression, and anxiety threatened to consume me. His death, the devastation, and my escape from Miss Alice's academy only intensified my emotional turmoil. I couldn't help but wonder what was going on. And as Elliot's comforting touch lingered on my face, I took a deep, shaky breath and tried to steady myself. Whether he was a figment of my frazzled mind or not, his presence forced me to confront the questions I had long buried in the depths of my heart.

Who am I? And when will my trauma end?

I looked into Elliot's eyes, and for the first time, I felt the courage to face his eyes. I took a step towards Elliot, my heart pounding in my chest. "I don't know what to believe anymore," I said.

The fog of depression descended upon me like a relentless, suffocating storm. And then, there was silence. It was as though a malevolent creature had crawled inside my skull, devouring my thoughts and leaving only darkness in its wake.

I mean, I longed to hear Elliot's voice again, to see him, to feel his presence once again. But all I had left were memories, fading like photographs left out in the sun.

As I tried to make sense of this broken world, I realized I never knew anything about myself. Like, how could I trust anyone when I can't even figure out who I am? All I knew was that I needed answers, but my mind was a space of doubt and fear, with no end in sight. The depression also slowly consumed my will to live, leaving me crumpled on the floor. I felt defenseless, a fragile shell of the person I once was. The weight of my sorrow pinned me down, suffocating me with the crushing realization that I was useless and that my existence was questionable. My life blurred together in a slow, torturous march, marked only by the ever-present darkness that swirled around me. I was a prisoner in my own mind, shackled to the unforgiving chains of despair. I sought solace in sleep, but even my dreams were tainted by visions—I can't figure out what.

You are our salvation.

My heart ached with the bitter sting of confusion. I looked in the reflection in the waters of the river and saw a stranger, a ghost-like figure with hollow eyes and a shattered soul. How could I find my way out of this when the very essence of my being felt like a lie?

Then, I was trapped in a chilling feeling that threatened to kill the light of my hope. I yearned for a lifeline, but for now, I was lost in the depths of despair. I had no choice but to accept the bitter truth: I was useless, and my existence was a question that echoed in the hollow chambers of my broken heart. It was a truth I could not escape, a truth that would haunt me until the day I found the strength to rise above the darkness and reclaim my identity.

I slowly opened my eyes after crying to see everything in its place. I then blinked several times, trying to piece together the events that led me to this moment, but the more I tried, the more I felt trapped in a fog. I then slowly sat up, feeling a pang of loneliness. I scanned my surroundings, searching for Ophelia. But she wasn't there.

"Ophelia?" I called out, my voice hoarse and barely audible. She was nowhere to be found. A wave of panic crept over me. I stood up and stumbled towards the river, hoping to find solace in its gentle murmur. As I reached the edge, I gazed into the rippling water, my reflection distorted and fragmented by the ever-changing surface. My face looked like a shattered mirror, each piece trying to find its way back to some semblance of a whole.

I also realized that my hunger gnawed at my insides. While I searched for Ophelia, I also searched for something, anything, to ease the emptiness in my stomach, but the more I looked, the more I got exhausted.

The chilling wind then whispered through the trees, their skeletal branches reaching out to me like bony fingers. The forest seemed to stretch on endlessly, and with each step, I felt more lost than ever. I stumbled through the undergrowth, my shoes sinking into the soft, damp earth, as I called out her name. "Ophelia! Ophelia!" My voice cracked, desperation sinking its claws into my throat. The shadows grew darker around me, and I couldn't help but feel that I was being watched—a baleful presence hidden within the gnarled branches and the rustling leaves.

Without a choice, I ventured deeper into the wilderness. Adrenaline surged through my veins, and I felt my heartbeat quicken in anticipation. Could it be ophelia? I held my breath, straining to hear any trace of her soft mewling, but all that met my ears was the eerie silence of the forest.

I turned toward the source of the sound, and slowly, he once again appeared from the shadows. My heart clenched at the sight of him again, a bittersweet mixture of longing and bitterness filling my chest. This was not the first time my mind had conjured his image—a cruel trick playing on my fragile sanity.

"You're not real," I whispered, my voice trembling with both fear and anger. I fought back the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes, refusing to give in to the phantom of my past. But Elliot didn't fade away like he had before. Instead, he smiled at me, his eyes filled with warmth and sadness that made my knees buckle.

"Prim," he said softly. "I hope you are safe and that you find yourself very soon."

"I miss you," he added.

His words broke something inside me, and I crumpled to the ground, my sobs echoing through the forest like a haunting lament. The weight of my loss and the unbearable pain of living without him threatened to crush me, like the roots of the ancient trees that surrounded me. As I wept, the cold wind bit at my skin, and the shadows seemed to grow darker, tightening their grip on my heart.

In a moment of sheer desperation, I tore a strip from my tattered dress and tied it to a sturdy branch hanging over the river. If someone was determined to steal my identity and my past, then it was only fitting that I take control of my own destiny. I was ready to end my pain and silence the questions that haunted my every waking moment. I could no longer bear the torment of my existence, the relentless pursuit of happiness that always seemed to elude me. With a heavy heart, I prepared to take my final breath.

Perhaps I would be reunited with Elliot, and together we would find the peace that had been so cruelly snatched from us. And perhaps Ophelia would find her way back home.

With a tear-streaked face and a heavy heart, I took my last step towards the unknown, hoping that in the end, I would be happy.

I stepped closer to the edge, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath, ready to embrace the darkness. But just as I was about to step into oblivion, a sound pierced the silence.

My eyes snapped open to find Ophelia standing on the riverbank, a fish clutched between her fangs. A familiar, soft, and muffled meow escaped her mouth. She dropped the fish at my feet and looked up at me with eyes as deep and mysterious as the night sky. It was in that moment that I realized the impact of what I was about to do.

A wave of guilt washed over me, and the sight of Ophelia's presence brought me back from the precipice. Slowly, I untied the makeshift noose and stepped away from the edge. I sank to my knees and pulled Ophelia into my arms; her gentle purring resembled a soothing remedy for my wounded heart. As her warmth enveloped me, I knew that I was not alone in this uncertain journey.

My heart then clenched as Ophelia slinked closer towards me with her graceful gait, her tail swishing softly through the air. It was as if she could sense my pain and my hopelessness and had come to my side to offer her quiet, unwavering support. Instantly, the tears that had been threatening to spill over finally broke free, cascading down my cheeks in torrents.

As the sobs wracked my body, I couldn't help but let out a choked laugh. It was absurd, really, how the mere presence of a cat could chase away the shadows that had been haunting me. But there she was, her green eyes shining with a sight and understanding that seemed almost human.

"Ophelia," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "I don't know what to do anymore."

Of course, she didn't respond with words. But she didn't need to. Instead, she stepped closer, her soft, warm fur brushing against my leg as she nudged her head against my hand, urging me to pet her. And I did, my fingers sinking into the plushness of her coat, the silky strands a balm to my aching soul.

As I stroked her, I could feel my heart begin to mend, the fractured pieces slowly knitting themselves back together. It was as if Ophelia was telling me that everything would be okay and that I just had to trust in her love and strength. With my free hand, I reached up and grasped the delicate silver chain around my neck, my fingers closing around the small pendant that hung from it.

As another tear slipped from my eye and onto the cool stone, in what felt like an eternity, I felt a glimpse of hope in my chest, a tiny flame that promised warmth and light, even in the darkest of times. And slowly, Elliot's apparition disintegrated into nothingness, his smile etched on his face, until he dissolved in the air.

Life is a precious gift, despite the hardships and traumas we may face. Each day presents new opportunities for growth and fulfillment. Even in our darkest moments, we must hold on to hope and remember that tomorrow holds the promise of better days. Ending our lives prematurely denies us the chance to experience the beauty and wonder that lie ahead. And who knows what lies ahead?

***

It's been hours since I rested. Ophelia purred softly beside me, her warm body pressing against mine. I let out a sigh of relief. Last night's fish dinner had brought me the deep sleep I so desperately needed, and after that, I slowly recovered.

The dreams that had plagued me for months were somehow gone. My chest felt lighter, and I allowed myself a small smile. As if sensing my mood, Ophelia stretched and meowed, her green eyes locking onto mine. I scooped her up, her soft fur comforting under my fingers, and we set off into the unknown.

The forest was alive with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves, but my mind was elsewhere, lost in the recent memories of the life I had left behind. As I walked, I couldn't shake the realization that the forest gradually thinned—and in the distance, I spotted a few buildings that seemed strangely familiar. My heart quickened, and I felt a mix of anxiety and sentiment. I followed the path toward the buildings, my steps growing faster as recognition set in. This was the town I had left behind, the place I had once called home. I know I wasn't mistaken. This is...

Perthlochry.

Walking through the quiet streets, memories flooded back—the thefts, Elliot, everything. I found myself on a well-worn path, one I knew would take me to a place that held a piece of my heart. It was a dirtied path—a stone path stained with dirt and moss. And there it was—the small cottage I had once shared with Elliot. My breath caught in my throat as I approached the door.

Pushing it open, I stepped inside, and time seemed to stand dormant. Everything was just as I had left it. Dusty and forlorn, but unmistakably ours. My gaze fell on a photo of us, and my heart ached. Elliot's smile was there. Tears brimmed in my eyes as I moved toward the apothecary table. I ran my fingers over the worn wood, crying. As tears fell from my eyelids, I noticed an envelope dislodged from a crevice in the table. It fell to the floor with a whisper, as if it had been waiting for me all this time.

Trembling, I picked up the envelope, my heart pounding in my chest. The handwriting on the front was unmistakably Elliot's, and the weight of the unopened letter in my hand felt like a key to a door I had long ago locked away. With a deep breath, I began to peel back the seal, uncertain of what lay within, and a sense of foreboding washed over me as I unfolded it, revealing Elliot's untidy scrawl. My heart pounded in my chest, and I couldn't help but remember Elliot looking for something on his apothecary table. For some reason, I couldn't help but sense as if this was the "thing" that he was looking for at that time.

"Dear Primrose," the letter began, "I fear that I may never find the courage to share these words with you in person, but I feel that it is time you knew. Though my life has been one of hardship and struggle, your presence has been like a ray of sunshine that pierces through the darkest storm clouds."

As I read, I felt my eyes begin to sting with tears. I had always known that Elliot faced great difficulties in his life, but I had never realized how deeply my presence had affected him.

"I must confess," the letter continued, "that I am a stubborn father to you. I have often pushed others away, refusing their help even when it was desperately needed. But you have been the exception. Your patience has allowed me to slowly open up to you, and for that, I am eternally grateful."

The tears that had been threatening to spill finally did, streaming down my cheeks as I continued to read. Elliot's words were so raw and honest that it felt as if he were standing beside me, whispering them into my ear.

"I must tell you something that I have kept hidden for far too long. The day we encountered each other on an alley here in Perthlochry was the day I had planned to end my life. I was lost, drowning in a sea of despair, and I truly believed that there was no hope left for me. But then, you appeared like an angel sent from above, and everything changed. In many ways, I still feel unworthy to be called as your stepfather. I know that I cannot provide you with the life you deserve, and for that, I am deeply sorry. But I also know that you will find happiness one day, Primrose. Your heart is too full of love and kindness for it to be any other way."

Elliot's words struck a chord deep within me. I then continued reading.

"Even if I am no longer here, I have no doubt that you will continue to be a symbol of hope for others, just as you have been for me. Please, never forget how much you mean to me and how much you have changed my life. With all love, Elliot."

I clutched the letter to my chest, my tears falling freely now. I knew that I could never forget the impact he had had on my life, and in that moment, with the weight of Elliot's words surrounding me like a warm embrace, I felt an ounce of hope within me—a tiny yet powerful light that promised to guide me through even though I am quite confused about my own destiny.

Thank you, Elliot. Thank you for everything.