That morning, I sat alone in silence. Empty. Confusion crept back in, slipping between breaths that still hadn't found their rhythm. That feeling returned—the feeling of being left behind. Just like when Mother drew her last breath… And now, my sister had left me too, without a promise to return.
I felt hollow. My world crumbled. But amidst all that emptiness, something else emerged. Or rather… someone.
My eyes lifted—and there she was. Olivia. She stood quietly, gazing at me with gentleness. She looked like an angel descending from the sky. The morning light streaming through the leaves made her hair glisten softly, her eyes clear, like a tranquil lake. She said nothing… but her gaze spoke more than a thousand words.
I met her eyes, slowly. Tears still stained my cheeks, but I forced a faint smile. Then, without hesitation, I reached for her hand—and in that moment, Olivia embraced me. Tight. Warm. Her hug… gathered the broken pieces of my heart scattered through the night.
Now the four of us—Olivia, her parents, and I—sat inside a horse-drawn carriage. The wooden wheels creaked gently over the gravel road, carrying us farther and farther from our village. The sky was overcast, and a silent wind accompanied our quiet departure.
I looked outside, watching our small village shrink, slowly vanishing from sight.
Then I turned to Olivia and asked softly, "Olivia... where are we going?"
She turned to me and smiled. "We're going far away from here… to a better place," she said, wrapping her arm around mine, warm and reassuring.
Still puzzled, I asked, "Where is that?!"
Olivia's father, seated in the front, responded promptly. "We're going to my place, kiddo. My little laboratory."
He glanced back and gave a comforting smile.
Her mother added, "It may be small, but there's room for all of us. It'll be a better place to live… better than staying under a bridge like before."
My fragile heart slowly felt warmer. I nodded, smiling, and said sincerely, "Thank you, Uncle, Auntie. I'm truly grateful that you welcomed me with open arms."
Time flew by, and as the sun climbed higher, we finally arrived at the place they'd spoken of.
I was left speechless, utterly in awe. This place… was breathtakingly beautiful.
The small laboratory stood atop a hill overlooking a vast valley. Just behind it lay a quiet marsh, reflecting the sky like a giant mirror. A thin mist hovered over the surface, adding to the magical feel. From this hill, the view stretched endlessly—rows of green trees from the eastern forest waved gently, as if beckoning us to explore. Little birds fluttered low, and the fresh scent of earth filled the air.
I stepped down from the carriage, my eyes wide with wonder. "Waaahh… this place is even better than I imagined." I smiled widely, from the heart.
Olivia nodded, pleased. "See? This is my father's laboratory. A place he loves… and so do I." Her cheerfulness brightened the air around us.
Her father, after paying the coachman, chuckled at our conversation. "Hahaha, is that so, kid? I haven't brought you here in ages." He ruffled Olivia's hair, then mine.
Olivia's mother came close. "That's right. This place holds so many sweet memories from when you were little, sweetheart." She smiled softly and kissed Olivia's nose.
Her father then turned to both of us and said firmly, "Alright, Olivia, Alberttt… Starting today, we'll live here, and explore everything together."
I looked out at the distant marsh, the forest like a painting, and the sky that seemed bluer than ever. Deep in my heart, I whispered:
This… is the picture of peace.
And I couldn't wait… to discover it all with Olivia.