The world around Adam was quiet, save for the occasional whisper of the wind brushing through the grass.
His body remained paralyzed, his limbs lifeless against the soft earth.
The sky above was still cloaked in stormy clouds, their edges glowing faintly with residual lightning.
Despite the eerie stillness, Adam's mind raced with thoughts of the bizarre turn his life had taken.
And then, breaking through the silence, he heard it—a voice.
It was faint at first, distant and unclear. But as it grew closer, the sound became distinct. It was a girl's voice, light and full of urgency.
Adam's heart leaped, and he instinctively tried to turn his head toward the sound.
To his surprise, his neck obeyed, albeit sluggishly. For the first time since his body had given out, he could move—if only slightly.
He shifted his head to the left, his eyes scanning the meadow.
There, in the distance, a figure was running toward him. As she drew closer, Adam could make out the details.
She was a young girl with shoulder-length blond hair that fluttered behind her as she ran. Her clothes were simple, the kind commonly worn by villagers.
Her pale skin glowed faintly under the muted light of the stormy sky, and her green eyes were wide with concern as they locked onto Adam.
She was calling his name.
"Adam!" she cried, her voice sharp and filled with worry.
Adam's breath hitched at the sound, and his brow furrowed in confusion. She knows my name?
Before he could dwell on the thought, his mind was flooded with memories—not his own, but those of the body he now inhabited.
Images and feelings surfaced unbidden, painting a vivid picture of the girl who was now approaching him.
Her name was Sophia.
She was the same age as Adam—fifteen—and had been his childhood friend for as long as he could remember.
Her father was the village chief, a respected leader and skilled hunter.
Her mother was one of the most talented medics in the village, known for her ability to heal even the gravest injuries.
The memories continued to play out in Adam's mind like a slideshow. He saw moments of their shared childhood—laughing, playing, and growing up together.
Their bond had been unshakable, forged through years of friendship. Their families were close as well, with Sophia's father and Adam's father being childhood friends.
Sophia even had an older brother, George, who is a friend of Adam's elder brother.
As the memories settled, Adam whispered her name, almost as though testing its weight on his tongue.
"Sophia…"
The sound of her name felt strange yet familiar, a blending of his old self and the life he had now inherited.
Sophia reached him, her breath coming in quick gasps from running. Her green eyes scanned him anxiously as he lay on the grass, motionless.
She frowned, a mix of worry and exasperation crossing her face.
"Adam," she began, her tone sharp yet concerned, "what happened? There was this huge noise from this side to the village, like thunder. Did you see anything? Did a wild animal attack you?"
Her words tumbled out in a rush as she knelt beside him, looking him over for injuries.
She circled him, her hands hovering as though she expected to find some hidden wound.
"If a wild animal attacked me I wouldn't lie down. Is this girl stupid?" thought Adam.
Adam sighed inwardly, watching her move with such care. She looked almost comical, flitting around him like a worried bird.
He couldn't help but notice the way her presence felt both new and strangely comforting.
"I'm meeting her for the first time… but it feels like I've known her forever," Adam thought.
He chuckled softly, breaking the silence. "No, Sophia. I didn't hear anything. I was sleeping here peacefully—at least until you decided to ruin my nap."
Adam decides that he will not tell Sophia anything about his paralyzed state and will only have a normal conversation with her, so that she does not get stressed and Sophia will never tell this to her parents.
Sophia stopped in her tracks, her frown deepening as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Adam, you're impossible," she huffed, sitting down at the edge of the grass beside him. "You know Uncle—your father—is going to be furious when he finds out you've been lazing around here again."
Adam smirked, turning his head to glance at her. "How will he find out? It's not like you're going to tell him, right?"
Sophia puffed her cheeks in mock indignation, her green eyes narrowing. "Do you think I need to? Everyone knows you come here to sleep most of the time. Your siblings and our friends know exactly where to find you."
Adam let out a resigned sigh, turning his gaze upward to the stormy sky. The clouds above had darkened further, the faint crackle of lightning still present.
Sophia's voice softened slightly as she broke the silence. "Adam… my father's going hunting tonight."
Adam blinked, surprised by the shift in her tone. He turned his head toward her again, his curiosity piqued. "Hunting?"
Sophia nodded, her expression growing more serious. "Yes. My mother's going with him too—to help in case anyone gets hurt." She hesitated, biting her lip before continuing. "They've asked me and George to stay at your house tonight."
Adam's eyes widened, the surprise evident on his face. "You're staying at my house?"
Sophia nodded again, her cheeks turning slightly pink. "Yes. They said it would be safer… since we'll be alone."
Adam stared at her for a moment, his mind reeling from the sudden news. A mixture of emotions flickered across his face—surprise, curiosity, and a hint of awkwardness.
The storm above rumbled faintly, as if punctuating the conversation. Sophia looked away, her green eyes fixed on the horizon, while Adam lay there, processing her words.
And with that, the chapter came to an end, leaving Adam with more questions than answers as the storm loomed overhead.
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End of Chapter Six