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Chapter 1

THE ARRIVAL

He awoke to his senses and opened his eyes. He looked around and saw a canvas of colors, carefully mixed together to match perfectly to the eye. He gazed around, as he wandered through the land of mystery and pure beauty. He had never before seen such plentiful lands. The trees were filled with beautiful white flowers with pink interiors. Bees came rushing, according to their duties, and went from house to house, flower to flower, collecting fresh pollen in order to make their golden honey. The breeze blew through the slender trees, and some petals were taken away.

As he walked forward, amazed, he could see the valleys and nature being replaced by stone and houses. He had reached a town of buildings. He observed the different houses and small shops close to each other as he walked through the place. It seemed like a farm area, but it was strange; it was also modern and fit his style. He looked at the people working or relaxing, as they also threw looks at him. He felt weird. An old farmer turned around and greeted him, as a warm welcome. Other people just stared at him and made him feel awkward and unwanted. Out of all the houses, big, small, cozy or strange, one house caught his attention. He thought that he might ask his questions to the people inside. It was small, but enough to shelter a handful of people. He combed his hair with his hands, because no man could present himself as a beggar, and dusted his clothes a little. So, after he put himself in order, he firmly knocked at the frail wooden door. The door opened shortly, and a rather ugly looking woman stepped out. Her face was wrinkled and blankly, her eyes so deep in thought even when she only stood quietly to wait for the boy to speak up to her. Her hands hinted at the long hours spent in the kitchen. She stared intensely at the boy, who was now trying to find the words to address the woman nicely.

Good day, ma’am. I was wondering where I had arrived…, the boy uttered insecurely.

Good day to you too, young gentleman. This is a simple town, full of friendly people, which built a few things around to make it better. It does not have a specific name, replied the woman, adding more wrinkles as she smiled.

What I might do here, and who has sent me to this place? the boy enquired.

Well, neither I, nor the others know why people are sent here. We just found ourselves to be here, like you did. We don’t ask questions; we just enjoy life like before. It’s getting dark, and I assume you have nowhere to stay, so come along boy, we may continue this conversation indoors.

Thank you, ma’am. It is very nice of you to let me stay here, but I assure you this is only temporary.

No worries, boy, stay as much as you please, there is enough space for you in the house. We even have an extra guest room.

She entered the house, Aaron following her gratefully. He was going to resume his thoughts and wonders about these lands later on.

Chapter 2

AMBER

The room he was led to looked humble, like the house itself. It was decorated with lovely pictures of what he supposed to be relatives and friends. One picture in particular caught his attention; it was one of an apparently mysterious girl, and Aaron assumed she was his landlady’s daughter. The woman shortly interrupted his thoughts about the room, in particularly about that photo, while sitting down with a cup of tea in her hand.

I am Jacqueline. What might your name be?

Aaron Pierce, ma’am.

And how old are you?

I’m eighteen.

After a short pause, Aaron asked, turning to the picture:

Who is the girl in the picture, if I may ask?

That’s my daughter, Amber. I think you’ll get along quiet well! she said, as she herself looked at the photo Aaron was glancing at. The opening door interrupted them both. A girl stepped inside, hazelnut locks gliding down her shoulders.

Mother, I’m home! the girl shouted from the hallway.

Rather late, don’t you think, Amber?

Well, Raven really insisted that I stay longer, and I couldn’t refuse my friend, now, could I? replied the girl, imagining, once again, the wonderful evening spend with her best friend.

I don’t care about that Raven of yours, missy, now get yourself upstairs to bed!

Good night, then! she said, and footsteps were heard going up the stairs.

You’ll get to know each other tomorrow. Now, Aaron, I suppose you had a long day, I’ll go get you something to eat, and we can discuss how you got here the next days, now it’s getting pretty late.

The woman left the room only to return shortly, holding a croissant and a mug of milk. He devoured his meal quickly, and, following the woman’s instructions on where to go, he slowly walked up the stairs.

After a warm shower, Aaron went to his room, only to find some nicely arranged pajamas on the corner of the bed. He put them on and got into bed. But even if he was nicely dressed and cleaned, one thing still bugged him and kept him awake, namely the thought about these lands. He kept on thinking how he, out of all the people in the world, ended up here, and why he arrived here. Was this world some kind of a parallel universe? Was it fate that brought him here, was it something purposeful, was it by accident? He couldn’t quite get a hold of the answer just yet, but he would soon trace and solve the mystery, that’s what he decided.

Chapter 3

QUESTION EVERYTHING OR ACCEPT IT

In the morning, he was awoken by the sound of breakfast being made; so he hurried down to get his welldeserved portion of scrambled eggs and fresh bread, but he couldn’t find the way to the kitchen.

Good morning, Aaron! the woman cried, a cry that startled Aaron to his bones and heart. He glanced at the woman, now coming towards him with a grin on her face.

Good morning, ma’am, he replied.

I thought you might get lost, from outside this house looks smaller than it actually is; many people are fooled by it, she said, as she made the boy to follow her.

The kitchen was wonderfully colored and all in order. The spices were arranged by color and sort, the bread was laid on the table, the dishes were all cleaned and in the appropriate drawers, and, he assumed, the fridge was well organized, too. No spec of dust could be spotted as he sat at the table, nothing wrong or misplaced could be detected. The woman walked to the table with Aaron’s breakfast.

Thank you, ma’am! Aaron took some bread and started eating.

You’re welcome. The woman sat beside him.

So, isn’t Amber going to come down for breakfast? Aaron asked, taking a pause from chewing.

Yes, she will, but she first gets some water from the well. You could go and help her if you want to.

Sure.

Aaron quickly finished his meal and went to help Amber.

The breeze was calm; the birds have, once again, started singing their tune as Aaron caught up with Amber.

My name’s Aaron he started talking, trying to hide his nervousness.

Yes, mum told me about you; the new boy! It’s nice to meet you Aaron, I’m Amber! she joked. Her hair was tied in a messy bun, her eyes cheerful with expression, her lips like pinky pearls. Her lovely dress, red as blood, fluttered as she moved beside Aaron. Her shoes, of a shining golden color, securely stepped on the pavement. She looked at him and saw a thoughtful and kind expression.

Nice to meet you too, Aaron replied, with a smile flourishing on his face. Then there came the silence. None of them spoke anymore. They had reached the well, which was perfectly placed among some vigorous rose bushes. Birds lay down on the roses, singing their melodious tune, a delight for its listeners.

So, you’ve come from the other world? she asked.

How did you, he started, but the girl interrupted him, seeming already to know what he was going to ask.

How did I know? Everyone here came from that world. We all have something in common, all the people living here, but nobody has found the answer yet, and I think no one was interested in finding it out; they have just accepted their fate. I came here from that world, too. I woke up from an unconscious state, wandered about these lands, and found this town not far away from the place I had woken up. I found this house, and I asked the landlady if I could stay and she kindly accepted it. Over time, I started forgetting my old parents and getting used to calling her ‘mother’. And here I am now, away from home. But I don’t complain; I fancy this place. People here are kind and helpful, and I appreciate the fact that I was sent here, Amber explained.

Haven’t you ever asked yourself, or your mother, what you are doing here, and why you were sent here?

I have, but mother doesn’t know anything about this matter, or at least she didn’t tell me anything, and I didn’t want to insist.

I don’t even know why I arrived here, out of all the people. But I remember I was in a foster care, and I was preparing to leave, just as I was turning eighteen. Except for a few people, I couldn’t get along with anyone for as long as I can remember. Then as well, I didn’t know who sent me to the foster care, who abandoned me there, but this time I’m determined to find out why I was sent here, and not just accept my fate again.

It doesn’t matter anymore, really. What really matters now is that you’re not alone, and all these people living here care for you because in here we all stick together and help each other, Amber continued.

How am I supposed to properly think and get used to it when all I’m thinking about is how I’ve got here, and, most of all, why! Aaron said to her.

You’ll soon learn to get used to life here, pretty soon actually, maybe it’s because of the love and care of people around, or the beauty of the lands, but whatever it is, it got me going, and it will do the same to you, too. But what you’re feeling now is normal, Amber concluded, as they grabbed two buckets and lowered them into the old stone well.

* * *

Please, mother, I need to introduce Aaron to Raven and the rest! she cried, begging for the woman’s understanding.

You’re not going anywhere, you need to finish your chores, she responded, as she kept on reading her apparently interesting book. But if you do so, you may leave.

How many tasks do you need to finish for us to go out? Aaron enquired.

Two. I need to wash the dog and dust off the tables and ornaments placed on them. How else do you think this place would’ve looked so clean if it weren’t for my skills? Amber stated with pride in the words she spoke.

Let’s do one chore each, then. I’ll wash the dog, and you’ll clean around here.

Ok, let me lead you to where the dog is.

* * *

Here she is, Mystic. Mother bought her when I came here, saying we will be together forever. Doesn’t that sound cheesy?

She’s cute, and small luckily; it won’t take long to clean her up and get her ready for the parade.

As if she were ever going to a parade. She’s just a simple farm dog.

But she’s your simple farm dog.

After being explained what to do, and after receiving the right sponges and soaps, Amber went to her own chore, and he was left to deal with Mystic. The struggle went on for about thirty minutes, and after having finished it, he headed towards the house to clean himself up