Auroras Povs
The warm sun was setting behind the hills of Greenfall, casting a golden glow over the town. I stood by the window of my new room, watching as the last rays of daylight bathed the land in a serene, amber light. The peacefulness of the town was almost unnerving, so different from the hustle and cold formality of Pine City. Here, everything seemed to move at a slower pace, as if time itself was reluctant to rush.
I had been in Greenfall for just three days now, and already, I felt the difference. The air was fresher, the people kinder and more informal with each other; even the simple act of breathing felt more profound, as if I were inhaling the spirit of the land itself. "Maybe coming to Greenfall won't be so bad," I said to myself. My thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door.
"Aurora, dear, are you ready?" Aunt Jenny's voice called from the hallway.
"Yes, Aunt Jenny, I'll be down in a moment," I replied, smoothing out the simple dress I had chosen for the evening. Aunt Jenny had organised a small welcome party for me, a gesture I found both kind and a bit overwhelming. In Pine City, such gatherings were formal affairs filled with hidden agendas and insincere smiles. But here in Greenfall, I hoped that things would be different.
When I descended the stairs, the sight that greeted me was nothing short of heartwarming. Aunt Jenny's cosy living room had been transformed into a festive space, filled with the laughter and chatter of Greenfall's residents. A long table was set up with an array of homemade dishes, each more mouthwatering than the last. The smell of freshly baked bread, roasted meats, and sweet pastries filled the air, making my stomach rumble in anticipation.
The people of Greenfall had gathered to welcome me, their faces warm and friendly. It was clear that they knew one another well, and I couldn't help but notice the closeness that bonded them. They were like a large, extended family, their connections as strong as the roots of the ancient trees that surrounded the town.
"Aurora, come meet some of your neighbours," Aunt Jenny said, leading me to a group of people who were already smiling at me. "This is Mr. Thompson, our town spokesman, and his wife, Margaret."
Mr. Thompson was an elderly man with a kind face, his eyes twinkling with the wisdom of years. He was tall and lean, with a silver beard that matched the silver in his hair. His wife, Margaret, was a plump woman with rosy cheeks and a gentle demeanour.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Aurora," Mr. Thompson said, shaking my hand firmly. "Welcome to Greenfall."
"Thank you," I replied, feeling a bit shy under their warm gazes. "It's lovely to meet you all."
Nana was nearby, her usual attentive self, making sure everything was in order and offering polite smiles to those who greeted her. Lately, as I had stopped her from serving me, she didn't seem to know what to do with herself anymore, poor girl. She had quickly endeared herself to Aunt Jenny and the other townsfolk, her quiet competence and warm nature winning them over just as she had won me over years ago.
Throughout the evening, I was introduced to more of the townspeople, farmers, artisans, and merchants, each one more welcoming than the last. Their friendliness was genuine, their curiosity about me polite and respectful. It was so different from what I was used to that I found myself relaxing, even enjoying the attention.
As the night deepened, Aunt Jenny brought out a large pot of steaming stew, and everyone gathered around the long table to eat. The food was delicious, made even better by the laughter and stories that were shared around the table. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt so at ease, surrounded by people who seemed to genuinely care.
After dinner, Mr. Thompson stood up, clinking his glass to get everyone's attention. The room fell silent, all eyes on the old man as he prepared to speak.
"My dear friends," he began, his voice steady and strong, "tonight we welcome a new member to our community. Aurora, you've come to us from a faraway place. But here in Greenfall, we value different things. We value community, kindness, and the strength that comes from being together, no matter where you come from."
He paused, looking around the room as if to gather his thoughts. "Greenfall has a long history," he continued. "It was founded over two centuries ago by a group of settlers who were looking for a place to call home. They called themselves the 'Moon Children.' They were people of the land, farmers and craftsmen, who believed in hard work and the power of community. They built this town from nothing, carving out a life in this valley. And over the years, Greenfall has grown into the town you see today, a place where everyone knows everyone, and where a neighbour's troubles are everyone's concern."
I listened intently as Mr. Thompson spoke, his words painting a vivid picture of Greenfall's past. He spoke of the hardships the town had faced, harsh winters, failed crops, and the occasional threat from outside forces. But through it all, the people of Greenfall had stood together, their bonds of friendship and family unbreakable.
"And so, Aurora," Mr. Thompson said, turning to me with a gentle smile, "you are now part of that history. You are one of us, and we are glad to have you here. I hope you find peace and happiness in Greenfall and that you come to love this town as much as we do."
His words moved me deeply, and for a moment, I felt a lump in my throat. I had been prepared to feel out of place here, to be an outsider. But Mr. Thompson's speech made me realise that perhaps, just perhaps, I could find a new beginning in Greenfall.
"Thank you," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "I'm grateful for your kindness. I…I hope to make Greenfall my home."
A warm cheer rose from the crowd, and I felt a wave of emotion wash over me. These people, with their open hearts and welcoming smiles, were offering me a chance, a chance to leave my past behind and start anew.
As the party continued with music and dancing, I felt the need to step outside for a moment, to gather my thoughts. "Excuse me, Aunt Jenny," I said quietly. "I need to step out for a bit of air."
Aunt Jenny smiled and nodded, too engaged in conversation to ask any questions. Nana noticed me slipping away and gave me a small nod, understanding my need for some quiet.
Outside, the cool night air was refreshing against my skin. I walked a little way from the house, the sounds of the party fading into the background. As I wandered, I heard a strange sound behind the bushes. Curious, I walked over to investigate, only to find a dead rabbit, its body still twitching with the last vestiges of life. "Something must have killed it just now," I murmured to myself, about to turn back to the party. But a strange feeling began to stir within me, a pull that I couldn't explain. It was as if something, or someone in need, was calling to me, urging me deeper into the woods that bordered the town.
Curious and a little apprehensive, I followed the feeling, my steps light on the forest floor. The trees around me grew thicker, their branches intertwining to form a canopy that blocked out the moonlight. I could barely see, but I pressed on, driven by an inexplicable need to find the source of this strange sensation.
After what felt like an eternity, I stumbled upon a small clearing. In the centre of the clearing, lying on the ground, was a majestic creature, a wolf. Its fur was a deep, rich black, almost blending in with the shadows of the forest. But it was clear that the wolf was injured, its breathing laboured and pained.
I approached cautiously, my heart pounding in my chest. The wolf's eyes flicked open as I drew near, and for a moment, our gazes locked. In that instant, I felt something profound, an undeniable connection that sent a shiver down my spine. It was as if the wolf and I were bound by some invisible thread, its pain echoing in my soul.
Without thinking, I knelt beside the creature, my hands trembling as I reached out to touch its fur. The only thought in my head was to save the wounded animal, to soothe its pain. The moment my fingers brushed its side, a surge of warmth flooded through me. I felt a strange energy coursing through my veins, something I had never experienced before. My hands began to glow faintly, a soft light that seemed to radiate from within me.
Guided by this newfound power, I unconsciously pressed my hands gently against the wolf's wounds. The light grew brighter, and I watched in awe as the injuries began to close, the wolf's breathing becoming steadier. It was as if the power within me was healing the creature, mending its broken body with each passing second.
When the wounds were fully healed, the light faded, and I sat back, a wave of exhaustion hitting me so hard my head spun for a while. The wolf stirred, rising to its feet with surprising grace, looming over me, causing me to stumble back in fear. Strangely, it was bigger than any wolf I had ever seen. It looked at me calmly as if judging me, and in its eyes, I saw something that filled me with a deep sense of hatred and sorrow that mirrored my own.
Before I could react, the wolf turned and disappeared into the shadows of the forest, leaving me alone in the clearing. I sat there for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. The power I had felt, the connection with the wolf, it was unlike anything I had ever known.
When I finally returned to Aunt Jenny's house, the party was winding down. Nana was waiting for me by the door, a concerned look on her face.
"Where have you been?" she asked softly, her eyes searching mine.
"I…I went for a walk," I replied, my voice unsteady. "I needed some air."
Nana didn't press me for details, but her eyes held a knowing look. "It's alright," she said, "I covered for you. Aunt Jenny thinks you were just tired from the journey and is fast asleep.
"Thank you, Nana," I whispered, grateful for her understanding.
As I wanted to go inside, the feeling that someone was watching me invaded my senses, pricking my thoughts, I looked back at the direction I felt the feelings but I didn't see anybody, shaking my head I went inside the house, but I could have sworn I saw a pair of eyes in the darkness.