Lincoln was working on his farm in the morning. He had already decided to use the seeds his nephew had bought with him. The Addis had made good profits from selling the harvest of the previous year, and by sowing the seeds Corbin had brought, they would save some more money this year.
Corbin never failed to give Lincoln a reason to be proud of his nephew. In a good mood, Lincoln was busy with his work when a boy came running in his way.
"Mr Addis! Mr Addis!"
Lincoln turned around to see the boy who lived in the neighbourhood.
"Slow down, my boy. If you break your another tooth then your mother would lock you in the house." Lincoln laughed, but when he noticed the panic on the boy's face, his laughter died.
"Mr Addis"
"What happened boy? Why are you so scared?" Lincoln asked in an alert.
"Mr Addis, Corbin..."
Lincoln's heart sank hearing Corbin's name. "What? What happened to Corbin?"
"He... he is drowning, Mr Addis!"
Lincoln felt like he was struck by thunder. Corbin... his Corbin was drowning? But how was it possible? Water was the one thing that had left a great impact on Corbin's life. He liked to stay away from it as much as he could.
Then how?
Lincoln was not in a state of asking anything more. The boy held his hand, and they ran to the lake outside the village. Lincoln's heart was beating fast. His old age constrained his pace, yet the fear of his nephew pushed him to move forward.
He was panting and drenched in sweat by the time he reached the lake. He saw a group of kids huddled together. Lincoln's heart thundered loudly in his chest.
He pushed the kids aside and pierced through the human wall, only to see a kid coughing while sitting on the ground. He was wet from head to toe while two of his friends were crying beside him.
Lincoln wanted to know what exactly happened there, but his worried eyes searched the surroundings. His gaze stopped on a man sitting on the edge of the lake, staring at the water in silence.
Lincoln made his way toward him. Corbin's damp blonde hair shone under the sunlight. Water droplets clung on to their ends like pearls hanging from strings.
The muscles in his back were taut in tension and were visible through his light-coloured wet shirt as it hugged his body like a second skin. He sat with his knees folded and his arms resting on the top of them.
"Corbin!"
Corbin didn't turn around, nor did he bat his eyes, lost in his own world of thoughts. Lincoln sat beside him, observing his body to check if he was hurt anywhere.
After not finding any wounds on Corbin's body, Lincoln left a sigh of relief.
"Corbin?" He placed his hand on Corbin's shoulder, breaking him out of his trance.
"What the hell were you thinking? What happened here? And why are you wet from head to toe?" Lincoln sounded agitated- a rare sight to see.
Corbin released a shuddering breath before his lips trembled as he spoke. "I... I saved him uncle. I didn't repeat that mistake."
Lincon's breath hitched, seeing the look on Corbin's face. It reminded him of a five-year-old boy. Broken, scared, confused and... guilty!
"You did not commit any mistake even then, Corbin."
"You still believe that, uncle?"
"Yes, I do because I know for sure that it wasn't your fault. It... it was an accident."
Corbin chuckled humourlessly. His whole body shook as he recalled that inauspicious day that turned his life upside down.
He was too young then, yet he recalled that day vividly as if it was only yesterday. And it still made him feel as guilty as he was twenty years ago.
"It was my fault, uncle. I was responsible for what happened, and that very fact doesn't let me sleep peacefully, even for a single night in these past twenty years.
Every time I close my eyes, I see a river. I see a boat. I cannot block those screams and calls for help from ringing in my mind.
I cannot forget those terrified faces, longing for one chance at life. I could have done something... anything, but I..."
Words stuck in Corbin's throat as a thick lump formed there. His eyes stung with unshed tears. His tears had dried up after all these years, yet the pain in his heart hadn't seized. Not even a bit!
Lincoln's heart broke seeing his nephew suffer in his misery. The man who was the joy of his life, a ray of happiness in his village was so broken and sad. Yet nobody saw those hidden tears behind that bright smile.
But Lincoln knew! He always knew!
"Corbin!"
"I wish I hadn't survived that day, uncle. Maybe... maybe then I might have saved myself from this guilt and pain."
Lincoln grabbed both of Corbin's shoulders and forced him to face him. "Shut up, Corbin! How many times I have told you to never say that?!" He scolded, but instead of anger, his words sounded anxious.
Lincoln's eyes darted around before he said in a low voice.
"You couldn't have died that day anyways, Corbin. You know that!"
"That's a curse, uncle! That's the only curse of my life that stole everything from me." Corbin was frustrated.
"No! That's not a curse, Corbin. It's a boon! Trust me, my son. You will one day realise it."
Corbin hugged his uncle tightly, unable to hold back anymore. A tear rolled down his cheek as he murmured.
"I wish I wasn't like this, uncle. I wish I was like everyone else. I don't want this boon or curse whatever it is. I... I want to be NORMAL!"
Lincoln had no words to console him. His hand ran over Corbin's back while he hugged him back tightly.
He wished he could help his nephew in some way, but there was none.
Corbin had to live with his curse!
*
*
*
Sylvia was still locked up in that room with her hands and legs tied. Her wand was tucked securely under her dress, but she couldn't reach it.
She heard a raven outside the only window in the room. Unfortunately, it was closed, and she couldn't open it.
Sylvia was chanting prayers for a miracle that would save her. Her heart was filled with thoughts of what next. She wished she could get help from somewhere.
Hours passed before she heard some sound coming from outside the room. She recognised footsteps approaching fast before they stopped right in front of the door.
Her heart skipped a beat as fear consumed her. Her cheek was still red from the slap she had received.
What if they beat her again?
Not knowing what she should do, she remained still on the cold floor. The jingle of keys was followed by the sound of a door opening.
Sylvia saw three men standing at the door. She recognised one of them though her eyes were blinded by the sudden contact of light after remaining in the dark for hours.
That one man was the same one who brought her there.
He stepped inside the room with a lamp in his hand with another man whose face was not yet visible.
The third man remained standing outside the room.
"Wh-who are you?" Sylvia demanded despite how scared she was.
Her question was ignored as the burly man spoke. "She is the new addition, My Lord. She is young and beautiful with milky white skin and eyes and hair as dark as this night.
And... she is untouched!"
Sylvia felt her insides churning in disgust. He was describing her as if he was marketing a new hair oil.
The other man leaned down and grabbed her chin. The shadows covered more than half of his face. Sylvia didn't even try to look at his face as she struggled to free herself.
That man observed her carefully, recking her from top to bottom. Sylvia felt bile rising in her throat though the man smelled good.
"Hmm... unbloomed innocent flower!"
It took everything in her to not spit on that man's face. He let her go before straightening up. The two men murmured something which Sylvia couldn't catch.
She was hyperventilating with everything that was happening to her. Her mind was everywhere to focus on their conversation.
She blinked a few times to see the man who had touched her giving something to the burly man.
What was it?
The burly man gave a nod to the third one who stood outside the room.
That third man stepped inside the room, making his way toward Sylvia.
Panic settled in, and she yelled. "What? What are you doing? Let me go! Please!"
Before she said more, a cloth covered her nose before she lost consciousness.