Eilika had wandered some distance away from the cottage before she realized how far she had come. The path eventually led her to a quiet pond nestled among tall trees. The place was peaceful, almost untouched, with only the faint rustling of leaves and the soft chirping of birds filling the silence.
She stood near the edge of the pond, staring blankly at the still water.
After a moment, she bent down and picked up a small pebble from the ground. Without much thought, she tossed it into the pond. Her reflection in the water blurred and wavered.
Eilika watched the ripples carefully, as if her mind had followed them into the water.
She picked up another pebble and tossed it again.
For most of her life, she had never been someone who depended on others. She had learned early that expectations often led to disappointment. Because of that, she had always kept a quiet distance from people, choosing to rely on her own strength instead.
