Two days remained until the Full Tree Festival.
It wasn't raining as much anymore, which was strange. A week before, it had been pouring in torrents, soaking her garden to the brim. But now, it was bone dry. Aralyn stood in the backyard, tending to her greens.
They were wilting. The combination of excessive rain and sudden heat had taken its toll, clearly visible in the leaves. She looked around carefully at her surroundings before laying her palm flat against the soil.
A faint blue glow seeped into the ground, channeling into the roots beneath. Her flowers brightened with color, her green babies deepening into a rich emerald. And yet, streaks of brown still lingered along the stems.
"They are sick, Miss Odie."
"Ah!"
Aralyn spun around, eyes wide, her heart leaping into her throat. Please tell me they didn't see that, she prayed silently. Her gaze landed on a head of auburn hair just beyond the fence. Aralyn stepped closer and peeked. "Calliope?"
The little girl stood there alone. That was strange. She was always with Lucas wherever they went.
Aralyn stood and gestured for her to come through the gate. "What are you doing here?" she asked, crouching down to her level, her eyes softening. "Where's Lucas?"
"Luke is with Mommy and Sentinel. They're hanging lights around him," Calliope said before leaning closer to whisper, "Please help them, miss. They are crying for help. They said the salt is too much."
Aralyn stared at her, incredulous. She turned her head to look at the beds of greens.
Was that why they still looked sick? She turned back to Calliope. "What is salty? Did they tell you where it's coming from?"
Calliope thought for a moment before nodding. "They said it come from a place where the air is salty too."
Aralyn exhaled slowly. At least she understood what Calliope meant by that part. "Let's go. I'll walk you to them," she said, dusting off her pants. She closed the gate and walked beside the girl.
They made their way into the woods together.
"Calliope, do you usually have fun during this festival?"
"Mommy and Daddy don't let us go," Calliope replied.
"Why?"
"They said me and Luke are too precious to join. That people will be drunk."
"Precious, huh?" Aralyn echoed. "If they don't let you go, does that mean they don't join the festival either?"
Children were honest about what they saw and observed. It could give Aralyn everything she needed to know about the festival so far. "Careful," Aralyn said, taking the girl's hand as they stepped over a large root. The noise ahead signaled they were close.
"No. They stay home with us," Calliope replied, her face lighting up when she spotted her mother.
"Callie! There you are!"
The girl ran forward and threw herself into her mother's arms. The woman looked up, her eyes twinkling at the sight of Aralyn. Lucas, meanwhile, gave his twin a quick once-over. Aralyn stifled a smile at how protective he was.
"Aralyn! It's nice to see you here," the woman said, extending her hand. "I'm sure you only know me as their mother. I'm Elena."
Aralyn took her hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you, Elena."
A faint tug pulled at her heart as their hands met. Elena was beautiful, with kind, compassionate eyes. Aralyn glanced up and noticed a man standing behind Elena, his arm looped around her waist. She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Lucas?" Aralyn asked carefully.
Elena laughed softly. "No, Aralyn! That's my husband, James. This is Aralyn, dear–the one who sent our twins home in the rain weeks ago." Her voice carried warmth as she introduced them. "You aren't the only one who's called him that," Elena added with amusement.
The twins stood by their father's side. Aralyn studied them more closely. Lucas resembled his father almost exactly. That explains the protectiveness. They shared the same striking green eyes, while Calliope carried her mother's warmth and softness.
"Oh. Uh, sorry. I must look like an idiot," Aralyn said, shaking her head.
Calliope only smiled, leaning against her father's leg.
"How are you doing, sir?" Aralyn asked. James released his hold on Elena and extended his hand. His large palm easily engulfed hers.
"Haven't seen you since three years ago," he said, earning a light smack on the back from Elena.
Aralyn gave an awkward smile. "I figured it was time to come out," she replied with a small shrug. They let go, and Aralyn glanced around.
The long table Noah had been sawing the other day was now complete, its surface carved with intricate murals. At the center stood a massive tree, surrounded by falling leaves etched into the wood.
Each of the fallen leaves had a circular shape.
James followed her gaze, a note of pride evident in his voice. "Pretty good, don't you think?"
Aralyn nodded in quiet awe. "You made it?"
James gave a curt nod as he walked back to the table. "With Noah's help. Couldn't have finished it without an extra pair of hands."
Where is Noah?
The question surfaced out of nowhere as her eyes instinctively searched the area for him. Elena, noticing, smiled knowingly. "Searching for someone?" she teased.
Aralyn reacted immediately, shaking her head a little too quickly. "No? Why would I be?" she rambled.
"I heard the girls say he was by the coast earlier, with one of them," Elena said. "Was it Clara, dear?" she asked, glancing at James.
James only nodded without turning around.
"Clara Whitlock, twenty-six, a schoolteacher," Elena continued. "Poor thing has had her eyes on Noah since he came back but that boy doesn't know how to be serious."
Aralyn looked away. The sudden heat behind her eyes at the mention of Noah being with someone else tightened something in her chest.
Why would she care?
He wasn't anyone important to her.
"Wait, the coast? We have a beach around here?" Aralyn asked, curiosity creeping in despite herself.
Elena nodded. "Yes. Oh, it has a lovely view of the sunset, Aralyn. You should go there sometime."
"When you say it like that, maybe I should," Aralyn replied. Suddenly, Patrick ran up to her, holding what looked like a leaf crown.
"Please have this, miss Odea! I made it for you," he said, offering it eagerly.
"So that's why you suddenly wanted to learn how to make one, Patrick?" Elena said, her eyes twinkling.
Patrick flushed immediately, pushing his glasses up his nose. Aralyn raised a brow. Since when did he wear glasses?
She carefully took the crown into her hands. It was impressive–how they could weave something so delicate from leaves and twigs.
"I hope you wear it when you come here," Patrick said hopefully before darting back to where he came from. A small smile tugged at Aralyn's lips.
She turned to Elena. "I have to go now. See you at the festival?"
"Oh no, we're not celebrating," Elena replied, a trace of caution threading through her tone.
"But you helped the town decorate all this," Aralyn said, gesturing to the vibrant surroundings. Sentinel stood adorned with lights, glowing even in daylight.
"We only help. That is all we came for," James said, his tone clipped.
It made her flinch, just slightly. Now I see why Lucas speaks like an adult sometimes. "That's... kind of you," Aralyn said slowly. Everyone else seemed to be in high spirits, hanging lanterns and laughing among the trees. Yet this family–this one family only helped, never joined.
"I should go. Goodbye," Aralyn said, waving to the twins before heading back toward town.
Her thoughts lingered on Elena's words.
Dewhurst had a beach. But how on earth was she supposed to get there? She had no means to travel. Her face scrunched in annoyance as Elena's voice echoed in her mind:
"Poor thing has her eyes on Noah since he came back but that boy doesn't know how to be serious."
-
"Have you thought about it?"
He felt her hand brushing his as they walked closer by the shore. He linked his pinky with hers, swinging lightly.
Clara ducked her head, a shy smile plastered on her lips. Noah looked over her. Clara was pretty alright, but something about it just screamed unladylike behavior from her. He should be falling for her by now.
She had asked him earlier if he wants to join her with this group called The Light. It was super helpful because they helped her getting out of her dark times.
"We have another gathering tonight," she said softly. "You don't have to do anything. Just... come by and watch. It's peaceful," she added, hope shining in her eyes.
Noah gave her a glance, then looked back at the sea. The breeze helped cool them under the glaring sun.
Peaceful.
The word echoed in his mind. Funny, it didn't feel like peace at all when she mentioned it.
"Peace, huh? Feels like a therapy session. Or a cult," he joked lightly. He felt her fingers tighten slightly around his.
Clara always wore something connected to nature. Today, a silver necklace with a flame-shaped pendant, and a ring etched with three wavy lines, like wind.
"Not like that!" Clara laughed softly. "They help people. To find their purpose, you know?"
He had a purpose. He still did. Noah loved music–loved the way it made people feel. But then again, that purpose hadn't really helped him much, had it? He came back to the town he once swore he'd never return to.
He exhaled through his nose.
"You'll be there?" he asked, glancing at Clara.
She nodded immediately, her smile bright. "Of course! I was hoping you could come with me."
It made Noah feel good. Making someone smile had always been one of his strengths. His gaze drifted to her neck–smooth, bare, untouched.
An uninvited thought crashed into his mind.
Scarf.
A neck always hidden.
Hazel eyes that met his with cold distance, yet softened around the twins.
Clara suddenly sneezed. Noah, ever the gentleman, shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
"Sorry about that," she said.
He took the chance to rest an arm over her shoulder, pulling her a little closer.
"It's too salty today."
Noah stilled. Clara noticed and looked up at him. "What's wrong?"
"What did you say? Salty?"
"Yeah? I mean the air," she said, gesturing to the sea. "I think we should go before my allergies kick in."
"Right... right. Let's go," he said, pulling her closer as they made their way back to the car.
They said it was getting too salty.
The voice of a small boy echoed in his mind. Something was happening.