"Is she alright?"
"I don't care. Momma said to stay away from strangers."
"But she looks like she needed help."
"The adults alway say to help those who are in need."
I could hear faint voices conversing near me. No. They aren't just faint voices, they are childrens' voices. Are they talking about me?
"Fine. I'll help, but just this time. "
I slowly opened my eyes and the clear azure sky welcomed me. Sunlight hit my skin, letting me know that I'm not dreaming. The blades of the grass tickled my skin as it brushes on my back. A face of young girl popped in front of my view.
"She's awake! She's awake!" She exclaimed.
My brows furrowed. I helped myself up into a sitting position. I looked at the group of children that looked at me like I'm a different creature.
"Hello," I greeted.
Of course, I don't want to freak them out, because they are the only ones you can help me at the time being since I'm mentally freaking out myself. I could see that we are in a vast and open land where there are only grasses and treess that bathe under the sunlight and greets the blue sky. Where am I? I was supposed to be at the apartment with Michaelis, investigating at the place. How did I get here? As I tried to think what happened, a young boy spoke up.
"Hello."
It caught my attention and so, I smiled at them.
"Little ones, do you know where I am?" I asked.
The children became silent for a moment before the same boy spoke again.
"My mother said don't talk to strangers."
Ah, I see. It was like a light bulb appeared in my head when I realized what it meant. I stood up and went closer towards them. When I managed to stand in front of them, I dropped down and smiled.
"My name is Nina. And you are? " I said.
"What?" The boy muttered.
"Since talking to strangers is bad, I'll introduce myself. With that, you already know me. So I am not a stranger to you anymore," I said, smiling genuinely.
The boy frowned and I could see the look of hesitation in his features.
"I'm Daisy!" The girl beamed.
"And I'm Ruth," the other said.
"Hello, Daisy and Ruth."
"My name is Robert," the boy faintly said.
I looked at him in the eye and smiled.
"It's nice to meet you all, Daisy, Ruth, and Robert."
"Miss, are you from the sky?" Daisy asked.
My brows furrowed.
"Why do you think that?" I asked.
"We saw you falling from the sky," Ruth gleefully yelled as she points out the sky.
I'm from the sky? Is that for real? I tried to feel my body to check if there's any pain, and fortunately, there was none. I sighed. I don't know if I did fall from the sky, either way I'm thankful that I haven't got any fractures, dislocated joints and probably a crushed skull.
Should I tell them the truth? As I think for a way to tell them about me, a thought passed through my head.
"Yes. I am from the sky. I actually live there." I smiled.
The children shouted a few awe and widened there eyes in surprise. I could see the exitement shinning in their eyes. I sat and laughed at there reactions. I guess I'll just make things out for a while. They sat beside and we formed a small circle. Daisy and Ruth looks so excited that it's plastered all over there faces. While Robert pretends to be uninterested at all, although I can see how he leaned forward when I told them about me. And I thought it was cute.
"Are there any others like you or like us in there?"
This is time a curious Daisy inquired, her eyes glinting in anticipation.
"Yes, Daisy. There are a lot of us living in the sky. We have houses, huge castles and temples. And I live on the latter," I said.
"I want to visit your place, Nina!" Daisy beamed as she giggled with Ruth in such a cute manner that makes my heart swell.
If it was Michaelis handling these children, he would have snapped already. I knew how short-tempered he is, even though his job requires such patience every time. Where could he be right now? I wonder if he's searching for me. I haven't found any clue yet so I haven't yet known what place I'm at. Well, at the very least I have these little children accompanying me.
"Nina? Why are you suddenly silent?" Daisy asked.
I blinked and looked back at her. I was so lost with my thoughts that I've forgot that we're talking. I smiled and patted her head.
"I'm thinking of someone for a while. I'm sorry, little Daisy."
Daisy and Ruth uttered an assurance that they're completely fine with me just spacing out a while ago. However, at my peripheral view, I could see Robert frowning.
"Is that person like you?" Robert asked.
I was suddenly taken aback when Robert's voice rang in the air. My heart almost somersaulted when I heard him asked me. Well, I was trying to get him like me, since I can sense that he doesn't like me at all. I can't blame him though. I was a complete stranger, not to mention I fell from the sky and miraculously acquired an intact and unscratched body.
I smiled sadly at his question when I started to think about Michaelis.
Michaelis, a fox divine familiar who's hundreds of years old waited for a Land god to serve, but only to be given into a human girl, who can't do anything but trouble him. I can't blame him if he hates me or if ever, loathed me. It was my fault from the start. If I haven't set foot on that shrine and forced a contract on him, he would have been living his life without care of guarding a god. He could have been leisurely spending time inside that brothel. My sight started to become blurry as I felt my eyes started to burn. My chest hurts as I think of the time he spent and will be spending on those women demon on the Beyond. It feels like it's being squeezed. A hand touched my forehead and my attention instantly went back into reality. The children's worried eyes looked back at me.
"No, Robert. That person is not like me," I answered back as I held back a tear.
The children frowned at me causing me to sigh.
"He is a better person than me."
At this, their heads shot up and their focus went back to me.
"Sure, he is bossy, intimidating, and scary when he's angry. But he's the kindest person I've ever met in my life. He saved me. He sheltered me and gave me food. He accepted with me. And he was practically raising me." I laughed at the last part.
I looked at the children and there were no reactions at all. All that was there was curiousity. All that was there are the eyes of those who want to eagerly listen to me. And so, I continued.
"He would always be there when I needed help. He would jumped into action to protect me. It almost feels like he would do anything for me. And I treasured him. I cherised him. I wouldn't want my day to end without seeing his face, his smile, his witty retorts and lectures. He's beautiful, from the inside and out. And I know that someday, I'll have to let go of that rose. After all, he hated me."
"I thought he was the kindest. Then why did he hate you?" Ruth inquired.
"Aren't the adults are the kindest?" Robert asked.
I laughed half-heartedly at their inquiries.
"Yes, Robert. Adults are also one of the kindest."
"Nina, please tell us why he hates you," Daisy urged.
I sighed heavily and continued on my story.
"Because I did something bad, Daisy."
I could almost feel the tears threatening to fall from my eyes. It was like being thrust by needles countless times.
"How bad it is, Nina?" Robert asked.
"Let's just say it was something he don't like me to do."
I smiled sourly at them as I stared at there gaping faces.
"Well, I won't be living in the sky if there's a person like him," Ruth retorted as she crossed her arms.
"Why is that?" I asked, curious at her words.
"Because he is not kind at all," Ruth answered. "Because he hates you."
I was caught off guard at her answer and I was rendered speechless for a moment. I smiled. I doesn't really matter if Michaelis hates me or not. In the end, it would be the same result. He might probably suffer because me. I am much of burden and I don't want to make it even more heavier than I already was. Michaelis would be probably happy if I gets out of his life. I would make everything easier.
As I continue my train of thoughts, Robert shyly gave me a flower crown. It caught my attention and I laughed. It seems like Daisy and Ruth pushed him to do it. The little boy smiled at me shyly as I said my thank you.
I watched as the children play and ran on the grassy plains, bathing on the warm sunlight and comforting wind. I was sitting under the tree with my back pressed on the dark and bumpy bark.
"Nina, do you want to visit our village?"
Daisy came running back to me as she offered me a tour.
"I'd like to," I said.
"Then, let's go." Daisy said and pulled me up by the hand.
I laughed as she struggles because of our difference in weight.
The children guided me through the grassy plains, singing songs as we go. The sky was getting darker, and the sun is starting to disappear. Night is calling. I walked together with them as they chant their happy memories about their village merrily.
Was Michaelis able to find a clue about my grandfather while I'm gone?
The thought lingered in my mind as we eagerly made our way towards the village.