The evening air carried a lingering warmth as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in soft hues of amber and violet. Eila walked beside her mother, Celena, their footsteps light against the worn dirt path leading home. It had been a long day, but the quiet companionship between them made the journey comforting.
"How was your day?" Celena asked, glancing at her daughter with a gentle smile.
Eila shrugged, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Eventful," she admitted. "I submitted my application for Moonshine University."
Celena's eyes gleamed with pride. "That's wonderful, my love. I always knew you were meant for greater things."
They continued chatting, their conversation shifting to lighter topics—idle gossip about the neighbors, the changing seasons, and the upcoming festival preparations. The familiar sights and scents of home surrounded them, grounding Eila in a way that nothing else could.
As they neared the farmers' market, the atmosphere shifted from peaceful to lively. Stalls lined both sides of the narrow street, their wooden frames adorned with colorful cloths. The scent of ripe fruits, freshly baked bread, and dried herbs filled the air, mingling with the chatter of merchants calling out their best deals.
The moment Celena stepped into the market, several vendors turned their attention toward them.
"Celena! Eila! You're just in time—fresh tomatoes, straight from the vine!" a plump woman called out, holding up a basket overflowing with red, glossy fruit.
A butcher nearby grinned at them. "Ah, Eila! All grown up now, I see. And I hear you've got yourself a big-shot mate, huh?" His eyes twinkled with mischief.
Eila flushed. "I—well—" she stammered, but before she could form a response, another vendor chimed in.
"Leonard Blackwell, no less!" the baker exclaimed. "That man could buy this entire market if he wanted to. You must be over the moon!"
Eila could only manage a small, embarrassed smile as her mother chuckled. The attention was overwhelming, but she knew it came from a place of goodwill. The people here had watched her grow up, and while their teasing was relentless, it was also affectionate.
After exchanging pleasantries, they made their purchases—plump peaches, golden honey, crisp greens, and a slab of fresh-cut meat for the evening meal. As Celena haggled over prices with an old fisherman, Eila let her fingers trail across a basket of deep-purple plums, their smooth skin cool beneath her touch.
She found herself wondering what Leonard liked to eat. Did he enjoy simple home-cooked meals, or was he used to the kind of lavish dining fit for a man of his wealth? The thought made her stomach flutter in a way she didn't quite understand.
Once their baskets were filled, Celena exchanged a few final words with the merchants before they made their way home.
The moment they stepped inside the house, chaos greeted them.
The living room was in complete disarray—chairs knocked over, shattered glass littering the floor, and a suspiciously broken vase lying in pieces near the fireplace. The sound of hushed giggles and hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway, confirming the culprits' presence.
Eila crossed her arms. "Drake. Daria. Drew," she called, her voice carrying the authority of an older sister who had seen far too much of their mischief.
After a brief pause, the triplets hesitantly emerged from their hiding spot, their expressions a mix of guilt and defiance.
"It was a training match," Drake offered weakly.
Daria scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "I won fair and square."
"Only because you cheated!" Drew interjected.
Celena pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling sharply. "Enough. I don't care who won. You three are cleaning up every single mess you made, and no dinner until it's spotless."
A chorus of protests followed, but one glare from their mother was enough to silence them.
Eila was thankful for her mother's special power which could repair any non-living objects otherwise they would be forced to live on the streets by now.
Eila helped Celena and Meera in the kitchen, the scent of sizzling spices and warm bread filling the air as they worked together in comfortable rhythm. Despite the earlier chaos, there was something undeniably comforting about the routine of home.
After dinner, with the triplets still grumbling over their punishment, Eila finally retreated to her room. She sank into her bed, exhaustion tugging at her limbs.
But her mind refused to settle.
Leonard's touch still lingered on her skin—the warmth of his hand on her shoulder, the intensity in his gaze. She could still hear his voice, that smooth, unreadable tone that sent shivers down her spine. She sighed, hoping sleep would bring dreams of him, of something softer than reality.
Then, without warning, the world shifted.
A force slammed into her, and suddenly, she was falling—plummeting into an endless void. Cold air rushed past her, her body weightless as the darkness swallowed her whole.
She tried to scream, but no sound came.
And then—nothing.