Some people say there is a theory. A theory based on that which connects us. This theory talks of a something invisible, something we can't know really exists. A connection of fate that cannot be altered, impacted or broken that stems from folklore.
Chinese String Theory is based on this simple proverb:
"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle but will never break."
Smokemont Camping ground, North Carolina , United States of America.
28th August, 2004.
Butterflies circled high above the creek, their wings catching the golden glow off the setting sun as they turned and played. A raven hopped along the bank, its marbled eyes scanning the damp ground intently for any small insects that may be living there. It seemed to have found one but was sent spiralling into the air by the snapping of a twig nearby. The air was growing colder as the evening wore on and a mother called her child back to the tent, lovingly but firmly handing her a jumper.
It may have only been late August but some of the trees had already begun to shed their green coats and were instead donning oranges and yellows, creating –what to some- may have looked like a picturesque painting. Some of these shed green leaves crunched as the child who had earlier been warned about wearing a jumper wandered across them, small hands tucked deep into her pockets. Her chocolate coloured eyes were scanning over the world around her, taking in each shadow and animal in the way only a child could. To her the trees were as tall as buildings and the animals told their own stories straight out of fairytales. The world wasn't just a mix of bland colours to her. Instead it was a pallet that had been finely painted by the most talented of artists. Nearing the running river she turned to receive her mother's raised warning about not getting too close to the water and obediently she obliged.
"It goes pretty fast, dunt it?" The voice caught the child off guard and for a moment she was considering heading back to her parents but after turning she was met with the sight of another girl who could not have been any older than she was. "I put a twig in their yesterday and before I knew it my mum said it would be in China," The girl said happily, a wide slightly toothless grin spreading across her round face.
"Yeah,"
Seeming to notice what may have been a bit of an interruption on her part the new girl stepped closer and stiffly stuck out her hand as she had seen her father do a hundred times before. "I'm Paige," She said politely, small lips pursing in what seemed to be a serious manner. For a couple of seconds the child in the hoodie paused before taking Paige's hand and shaking it jerkily.
"I'm Emily. Emily Fields," She said slowly. Slowly a smile spread across Paige's lips before she stepped sideways and began down the small bank toward the river, her scuffed trainers already thickened with mud. Emily watched after her but made no indication she was going to move, casting a wary gaze back toward her parent's tent just through the trees. "My mum said that I shouldn't go too near the river," She spoke up finally but Paige merely laughed softly, turning to look at her.
"Then we'll just be careful,"
Emily sighed and nodded, placing one foot before the other as she made her way after the other girl. It seemed Paige was way ahead though as she had already removed her trainers and stepped into the water. Paige didn't care much for the cold of the water, or more she didn't recognise it against her skin.
"Have you been swimming in the lake up there yet?" Paige asked, casting a skinny arm loosely in the direction she meant, her gaze more focused on her feet now being covered by the flow of the creek. Emily thought for a few moments.
"Yeah, we went the day before yesterday," Emily told her, finally removing her hands from her pockets, making sure she was ready to catch herself if she slipped.
"My dad went fishing and he caught a fish bigger than my arm!" Paige said loudly, a look of pride spreading across her face. She was a small girl with a petite stature and slightly russet hair. Emily noted that her eyes were the same shade as her own and that she was missing the lower tooth that Emily herself had lost a few months ago in a cream filled doughnut.
With caution Emily took another step, being careful to avoid the roots winding about her feet. She didn't remove her shoes but instead crouched, one of her hands extending toward the rush of water. It was cool against her fingertips but Emily loved water. Her dad often called her a fish and her mother would correct him by calling her a mermaid. They'd then develop it into the respiratory habitats of aquatic life because that was them but Emily didn't mind, she'd just happily sit there and listen until it got very boring and then she'd happily make her exit. In fact somewhere to swim was often the deal clincher on whether Emily wanted to go somewhere on holiday or not. Of course she was only ten so it wasn't like she got the final choice but her parents were very into following Emily's interests.
North Carolina may have seemed like a very long way to come for a holiday just for swimming but Emily's mother had been born in the State. Before coming to the Campground they were currently staying at they had gone to visit her mum's sister and her children so it wasn't like it was a trip completely out of the blue. Emily jerked her head up at the sound of an excited hushing noise and saw Paige pointing across the water, moving into some kind of crouch.
"What?" Emily asked quickly, eyes flickering through the trees on the other side.
"I thought I just saw a bear or something," Paige hissed back, her eyes wide and thrilled by something. That was until a small black rabbit broke the thicket of trees the other side and scampered toward the river edge. Emily rolled her eyes.
"There's nothing grizzly about that," Emily responded with a little chuckle as Paige lowered her arm, clearly deflated.
"Well it could have been!" The girl defended, furrowing her eyebrows. Emily was about to respond but she was interrupted by a shout of her name from her mother's lips as the woman looked for her. Swallowing hard and desperate not to get in trouble the girl scrambled up the bank, calling back to her mother.
However her attention was sharply turned away from her female parent by the sound of a yelp swallowed by a loud splash. Her gaze landed on the river just in time to see Paige submerged beneath the water, the current knocking the ground out from beneath her.
"Paige!" Emily shouted, jumping down the bank. She didn't think much as she waded into the water, quickly finding it rose to her mid thighs as she moved toward the direction the girl was being carried. Paige spluttered and surfaced, batting at the water with frantic hands.
"Emily!" Pam shouted as she spotted her child in the river, without a thought running toward it. The little brunette ignored her though and leant for the trunk of the tree on the bank and with the other grabbed Paige's upper arm. It was slippy and came loose. Emily grasped again and wrapped her fingers through the fabric of her shirt.
"Paige," Emily called once more. The other girl turned to her, clearly scared as Emily held her and desperately told her to find the floor of the river with her feet but she seemed too shocked. Seconds later hands closed around Emily's own upper arms.
"Em, keep hold of her okay? I'm gonna pull you out, don't let go of her!" Emily's fathers voice broke her ears. In all the confusion Emily hadn't even heard her mother call for him. Emily felt herself being yanked backward but she refused to let go. When she felt her own body pulled up onto the bank she saw Pam's hands reach for Paige and ease her out as well, sitting the stunned girl down against the trunk of the tree. For a few seconds the Fields family stood panting, Emily's small fingers shaking. However she soon got over it and went to crouch beside Paige who was still wide eyed and had begun to cough, her face drained to white.
"You kay?" Emily questioned quietly. Paige nodded sharply, a mixture of worried and embarrassed. Wayne was looking around while Pam dropped down beside the two girls.
"What's your name, sweetheart?" She asked softly.
"Her name's Paige," Emily cut in before she recoiled a little. "Mum she's bleeding!" She said, alarm clear in her voice.
"Don't worry, it's not a lot," Pam reassured them both as she rested a hand on Paige's cheek. "Where are your parents, Paige? I think we need to go get them," It was a few moments before Paige responded, recalling off a few digits and a directions that sounded almost robotic, like her parents had told her them again and again to be regaled in a moment just like this.
"You go get them, I'll get her to our tent, sit her down and get her warm," Wayne said clearly, resting a hand on his wife's shoulder before ducking and scooping Paige up into his arms. He was a strong man from his years in the military but a ten year old girl was not an issue considering he'd probably carried packs that were heavier. Emily looked around, lost in this situation but her mother rested a hand on her head as Wayne heading off.
"I want to tell you that you shouldn't have jumped in, it was stupid, Emily," Pam said sharply but her face softened and she stooped to kiss her daughter's head. "But who knows what could have happened if you didn't, now go with your father, I'll go get her parents," She explained before heading away in the opposite direction. Emily nodded before turning and running toward the tent, little feet crunching much heavier against the leaves she'd wandered over earlier. The Field's tent was spacious, one her father had obtained recently. Emily found her father and Paige in one of the sections, a blanket wrapped tightly around Paige's body.
"Are you okay?" Emily asked quickly as she scooted down next to her new friend.
"Yes," Paige's voice was quiet, her brown eyes cast downward. Just by her disposition the small Fields girl could tell that Paige's pride had been hurt and for that she was sorry but even those who exude such confidence sometimes slipped. Literally. A few moments later Wayne returned with a first aid kit in his hand and ducked down in front of the two girls, opening the kit before them.
"Emmy, hold her hair back, I'm just gonna put a plaster on for you, okay Paige?" The little brunette nodded obediently, as did Emily who held her hair off the cut as her father applied the small plaster."Lucky for you, you didn't go down too hard. Does everything else feel alright? No aches or pains?"
"No, Mr Fields," Paige returned politely, a small smile gracing her lips. A few minutes passed in which Wayne produced two mugs of hot chocolates for the girls who seemed to be shivering now in their wet clothes. The sounds of footsteps and voices roused the three members of the tent who looked up to see Pam enter the tent with a tall man whose eyes instantly fell on her shivering daughter.
"What the hell did you do?!" He asked loudly. Wayne stepped back to allow Nick to crouch before his daughter.
"Paige slipped on the rocks down in the creek and probably hit her head as she fell. She got a bit shocked and the water got a bit too deep a bit too quickly but Em jumped in and pulled her out," Pam explained as she looked between the two girls. Paige's head was bowed.
"You wait until I tell your mother about this. She's just gone to the store but she'll be having words little lady," Nick warned her. Emily was frowning over the edge of her hot chocolate. "But thank you, Emily," He added as if as an afterthought before standing up. "Now come on, let's get you back," He said. Paige nodded and did as she was told, rising to her feet. She cast a smile back at Emily as she left, followed by a mouthing of words of gratitude before she was gone.
Emily only saw her once more that Summer. Paige was sat alone on the bank of the river, not too near to touch but not so far away that she couldn't hear the gentle lull it made as it moved. The brunette wanted to speak to her but there wasn't a chance as Paige rose to her feet and headed in the opposite direction.
She didn't know her second name, she didn't know where she was from and all she knew was that her father had caught a fish as big as her arm and that she had an imagination that turned bunnies into bears.
And that is that. I've loved Paily for ages and finally decided to stop being lazy and write something for them.
SO here it is, a multi chapter story.
Please review if you've got a moment but thanks for reading.
Peace out.
