Hunters

5 - Forgotten Memories

Alesana dreaded her first night. The trees and bushes she'd walked past had looked dry and dark. They were just as welcoming as the hedge of thorns keeping the two lands separate. However, there was no fear as the sun disappeared. The darkness hadn't felt as oppressive and repulsive as she had feared. Once the last remnants of sunlight were chased away by the dark, other lights took its place—small, light blue spheres that floated through the air and settled on the branches.

Alesana found them fascinating. She could watch them tirelessly. Now and then, she extended her hand, but they always shrunk from her touch. She hoped the creatures would get used to her presence, so she didn't feel an intruder so much. For that, she did.

She didn't know when the feeling started to grow, but by now, she knew she didn't belong here. Every creature was startled by her footsteps, she was triggering them to hide. Alesana felt their presence; she had done that all day. Yet, not a single creature showed itself, which saddened her. She didn't come here with bad intentions. She just wanted to find her father, that was all.

In the end, following the blue fireflies with her eyes tired her. She slipped away in a deep sleep, and the dream that visited her felt like an extension of her journey. Endlessly, she walked on across dark trees. And she was alone.

Upon awakening, she started to regret sending away Roran. She might not be very talkative, but starting and ending the day in silence made her melancholy. After gathering her things, she slung her bag over her shoulder. Foot for foot, she followed the path, not sure how to find her father. There had been no plan to systematically explore this land; she hoped that her heart would lead her feet.

The first sign of life almost disappeared beneath her shoe. Lost in thoughts, she'd walked on, until her eye caught a snail. Quickly, she stepped aside. It was only a snail, others might say, but Alesana had always believed that every life was of equal value, whether it was a snail or a horse.

"Even with so little passerby's, this path is perilous to you," she said with a weak smile. Picking up the snail, she put it down on a leaf on the other side of the path. "Have a safe trip!"

Oddly enough, seeing the snail delighted her. It was nice to speak to something, even when it didn't come to a real conversation. She wondered what others were thinking of her if they would see her now. Did they believe she had already lost her mind? Maybe it was for the best that she was alone. It might be the only way to fulfill herself without others imposing restrictions on her.

The smile stayed on her face. More and more things drew her attention. Ants crept up tree barks, white feathers were carried by the wind, and small, colorful flowers caught the sunrays. She saw more and more details as if the land was only showing its beauty with great care.

Warmth flooded her. The exact reason eluded her, but absolute contentment fell upon her. A calm she had never felt before, but which she had craved for her whole life.

It no longer felt as if she was an intruder. It felt as if she came home in an old, dusty house she had turned her back to years ago, but where every plank and piece of furniture was part of a forgotten memory.