Chapter 2: The Whispered Warning ⚠️
Part 1 : Alethea (Aurora's mother) Point of view
I gazed out the window, my eyes scanning the village streets. Days had passed since Aurora's encounter with Kaelin, but the memory still lingered. My child's smile had begun to return, but I knew the wound ran deep.
As I watched, a figure emerged from the shadows. Tall, hooded, and unfamiliar. My instincts prickled.
Who was this stranger, lurking around our village?
My mind racing, I thought, 'We're in danger.'
I swiftly gathered Aurora, my heart pounding. "Pack a small bag, dear. We must leave now."
Aurora's confused eyes met mine, but she obeyed without question.
We slipped away under the cover of darkness, leaving behind our home, our life.
The next morning, I imagined Lyra's disappointment as she'd find our empty house.
"Mother, where are we going?" Aurora asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
I forced a reassuring smile. "Somewhere safe, my love."
But safe from what?
And why?
Only time would tell.
*Part 2: Lyra's Point of View*
I walked to Aurora's house, excitement bubbling within me. We hadn't played together since the incident with Kaelin, and I missed my friend.
As I approached her house, a sense of unease crept in. Something felt off.
I knocked on the door, but there was no answer.
I knocked again, louder this time.
Still, silence.
A faint worry gnawed at my mind. Where could they be?
I peeked through the window, and my heart sank.
The house was empty.
Aurora and her mother were gone.
I stumbled backward, confusion and fear swirling within me.
Why would they leave without saying goodbye?
Did something happen to them?
I thought of Kaelin's cruel words and wondered if that had something to do with their sudden departure.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I realized I might never see my dear friend again.
"Lyra!"
I turned to see my mother calling me from our nearby house.
"Lyra, what's wrong?"
I hesitated, unsure how to share the news.
"Mother... Aurora's gone," I stammered.
My mother's expression turned concerned. "What do you mean?"
I pointed to Aurora's empty house. "They left. Without saying goodbye."
My mother's face fell, and she pulled me into a comforting hug.
"We'll find out what happened, Lyra. I promise."
But as I gazed at the vacant house, I felt a deep sadness.
My friend was gone, and I might never see her again.
*Part 3: Aurora's Point of View*
As we journeyed to our new home, the rhythmic clip-clop of horse hooves filled the air. I gazed out at the unfamiliar landscape, my thoughts drifting to Lyra.
"Daddy..." I whispered, though my mother sat beside me, not my father.
"It's Mom, dear," she corrected gently.
I nodded, my mind still with Lyra. "Mom, do you think Lyra will hate me?"
"Why would Lyra hate you, sweetie?" Mom asked, concern etched on her face.
"I didn't say goodbye. I just left."
Mom's expression softened. "You didn't have a choice, Aurora. We had to leave quickly."
"But Lyra will think I didn't care," I persisted, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.
Mom wrapped her arms around me. "Lyra knows you, Aurora. She'll understand."
I hoped Mom was right. Guilt weighed heavily on my heart. I missed Lyra already.
"Will I ever see Lyra again?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Mom's hesitation before answering made my stomach twist with anxiety.
"I don't know, Aurora. But we'll make new friends where we're going."
New friends. But Lyra was more than just a friend – she was my confidante, my partner in adventure.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the world in a warm orange glow, I whispered a silent promise to Lyra.
"I'll never forget you, Lyra. Never."