Chapter 1
New Direction
Of new blooms, once fated
Feelings of change, now abated
I leave to renew.
Memories gray and faded
The flower blooms, elated
And change grew.
A young woman with short brown hair sat on the edge of her bed, staring around her room with a faraway look on her face. As she looked around she couldn't help but remember all of the good times she and her older sister had together in that same room. Every piece of furniture held a different story, a different memory.
There was the dresser where, under the first drawer, she had kept all of the love letters she never sent to her childhood crush. She had been teased for months and months after her sister Angela had found them by accident. She reached up and touched the bottom of the top bunk, always her sister's because Angela was eldest. Molly laughed to herself quietly; all of the tantrums she would throw because of it when she was younger seemed like forever ago. And so pointless too…
After Angela had moved out she told Molly she could have the top bunk, but Molly never did take it. What did it matter, now that she was the only one there? She closed her eyes. Angela was two years older than her and had moved out with her husband when Molly was eighteen. It was a year later when Angela had moved back home, devastated over the premature death of her husband. When Angela had moved back for those few months things had been different between them, she was no longer the easygoing carefree older sister she had grown up with. She understood why though; losing a husband wasn't a small matter. Some nights, when Angela had thought she was already asleep, Molly heard her trying to stifle the sobs she couldn't keep from racking her body.
The room, even though it was full of happy memories, no longer served as a symbol of their happy childhood. Instead, she couldn't look at it without thinking of the slow break down of their family. Everything that she laid eyes on in their house made her think of how her family had split. This was why she needed to get out. Her sister had found a new life as a farmer, a good one from the sound of It, and now it was her time to go.
Every time she talked to Angela she wouldn't stop talking about how peaceful the village she moved to was and how supportive everyone is. She only hoped that her own experience would be just as enjoyable and peaceful. That was what she needed now. Peace; so that she could find her happiness and hopefully drown out the bad with some good hard work. And, she thought, I could work on my poetry.
Molly, now twenty, had just finished her sixth semester at college, so she'd been going for three years now. With a major in Creative Writing and a minor in Art, going to run a farm was a pretty drastic change in direction. She didn't know much about farming, having lived close to the city her entire life, but her grandpa had owned a farm when he was still living and she had often helped care for the crops and animals when she was younger. It wasn't that she was disinterested in farming, but her true talent laid in writing and art. But she had figured that her dream was to write lots of books and create inspirational art and both of these things she could do without a degree. So, she didn't enroll in classes for the autumn and bought a small farm on a remote island instead.
In all honesty, she was a little sad about moving away from her friends and family but she what she'd also miss was going to class. Molly liked college, she liked learning. But…it didn't help, not permanently at least. She needed to change her life, to get away from this lonely feeling that was always creeping up behind her. Molly put a hand to her chest, over her heart. Whenever she thought about what was missing from her life she sometimes believed that if she could feel her heart, she'd be able to feel the hole as well. She didn't know what was missing exactly, or how to find it, but in her gut she knew that this change of direction was right.
Maybe what you're missing is love whispered a small voice in her head. She immediately tensed up. What was she thinking; she gave that up a long time ago. It was impossible. Love couldn't make everything better, just look at where it got their family and Angela too…
It seemed as though everywhere around her love failed, in one form or another. Angela, even though she and her husband were very much in love, ended up getting her heart broken because he died. It just goes to show that even love isn't enough to keep someone by your side; they'll just have to leave eventually. Molly's parents too, they had loved each other but it wasn't enough to keep them together either. She scrunched her eyes close; the memory of her father walking out the door was still fresh in her heart. How many years has it been since he left their family? Four? Sometimes when she woke up in the morning she still expected to smell her dad's special pancakes steaming on the kitchen table.
It wasn't fair. Love was just an illusion, true love at least. If love couldn't keep Angela's husband from dying or her parents from splitting up then what good was it? She didn't need love. All she needed was her family, friends and a job to support her. This sort of life she would be content with and Molly was determined to find it tomorrow when she set sail to the small island of Castanet.
Molly sighed and laid down on the soft blanket that covered her bed. She watched as the sun's rays inched their way down her light green walls, tinted orange from the sunset. She yawned and held her hands up making them orange along with the rest of her room. She could feel the sunset on her skin, today it was reminiscent of the end of a movie. Everything was coming to an end and now it was time to move on to the sequel. Molly closed her eyes, listening to the slow rhythmic sound of the clock, ticking away on the wall. Slowly, she fell asleep.
Green, it was everywhere around her. Trees, bushes, grass, plants; they were everywhere. This wasn't the city, at least not anyplace she knew of. But strangely her vision was blurred, she couldn't focus on anything. Blinking didn't help; neither did rubbing her eyes so Molly gave up, thinking it would fix itself in time. Her body felt light too, very light in fact. As soon as she thought to move her arm it was already in a different position. What was this?
"Molly, you must help me."
Molly quickly turned in the direction of the voice but was unable see anything.
"Who's there?" She asked.
"I am the Harvest Goddess, I watch over this land. But, this land is slowly dying and I need your help to give it life. You must help me; you are the only one who can make this land prosper."
Molly was dumbstruck. Was she dreaming? It made sense, all of these weird things with her body and unknown voices. But at the same time, it felt too real to be a dream. Should she go along with it? Even though she was nervous and scared, she didn't feel as though she was in danger.
"W-why are you asking? And why can't I see you?" she said, attempting to keep her voice straight so as not to give away how nervous she was.
"You cannot see me because you have yet to set foot on my land. I can only communicate with you through your dreams. I have attempted many times, but this is the first time that I am able to talk to you directly," said the voice.
Molly didn't know what to think. After giving it some thought she did remember having weird dreams before. She couldn't remember much, a lot of greens and blues shifting around, kind of like the ocean. And a voice…maybe it was the same as this one? But there were times where it was different, like a child's voice. But that wasn't what was troubling her the most.
"If you're somewhere else, how are you able to communicate with me through my dreams? How is this even possible?"
The voice laughed softly. It struck Molly how beautiful it was. She often heard people compare a woman's voice to the chiming of bells but this was the first time she understood what they really meant. Her laugh reminded her of the tiny wind chime she put outside her window in the summer time. She took in a deep breath, pretending to inhale the wind that would have blown in through her window.
"I am able to make this possible because I am the Harvest Goddess. It is within my capabilities to communicate through dreams; it isn't an uncommon skill. There are many with this ability."
"I've never heard of anyone like that…at least not anyone real," Molly mumbled. The Harvest Goddess laughed again.
"Soon you will meet others with similar powers. But, I must hurry; you are going to wake soon. Molly, tomorrow you will meet one of my helpers, a harvest sprite named Finn. He will bring you to me and I will explain your job. But before then, you must promise me that you will help in any way that you can."
"But…well what is this job? I'm going to start my life as a farmer tomorrow; I don't think I can do any more than that, I'll be really busy," Molly said feeling troubled. Why did this Harvest Goddess, who can talk to people through dreams and probably do many other incredible things, need her help?
"I know what you must be thinking, but I cannot do this by myself. I need you Molly, please, this island's health depends on you."
Now an entire island needed her help? She didn't see how she could do anything like that by herself, not to mention along with running a farm. But, she said I was the only one who could help…
"What…what do I need to do?" Molly asked tentatively.
"It is not so much as what you are thinking; Finn will be there to help you, as will the other sprites once they are found. I would never give an impossible task, Molly, please understand. I will explain everything once you get here but first; you need to promise."
Molly hesitated. What did she really know about this person or Goddess or whoever anyways? What if this was a trap? She wasn't looking for trouble; she just wanted a peaceful life. But, she thought, putting her hand over her heart, this feels like the right thing to do.
Steeling herself, she answered.
"Yes I promise I will help you…Harvest Goddess." She couldn't believe she had agreed so easily, but it felt like something, some mystical force was guiding her. Maybe she was going crazy?
"Thank you. Thank you Molly," said the voice much closer this time. Warmth started to spread throughout her body, as if someone was holding her tightly. Molly blushed. Was the Harvest Goddess dream hugging her? What a silly thought.
"I am leaving now; soon you will awake and then take the boat to the island. I will be here waiting for you, Finn as well. Take care, and do not worry, everything will turn out fine," said the Harvest Goddess, her voice fading as well as the scenery around her. Soon, Molly was staring at the bottom of the top bunk back in her bedroom. She looked over at the clock on the wall. 5:30 a.m.
Molly stretched out and had a bit of trouble sitting up because her body was so heavy. It was no wonder she felt so sluggish, she had slept for so long. She reflected on the strange dream for a few minutes before her stomach growled loudly and she realized she never ate dinner last night so, dragging herself to the kitchen, she poured herself a bowl of cereal and sat down at the table to eat. A noise in the hall startled her but it was just her mom having just got up herself.
"Molly, you're up this early? Your boat doesn't leave until eight, is everything okay?" Her mom asked, popping some bread into the toaster.
"Mmm, I fell asleep really early yesterday so…" Molly said, taking a bite of cereal.
"So that's it. When I came home last night I thought something was strange when I didn't see you in front of the T.V."
Molly 'hmphed' and pursed her lips, "I'm not always in front of the T.V., only at night." Molly's mom worked late and since she usually had morning classes she didn't get to see her until at least 9 p.m. on most nights. If she had the T.V. on her mom would usually join her and they would talk, most times not even paying attention to the program.
"Well it's too bad you fell asleep so early, now I only have a couple of hours before I have to watch you leave," she said buttering her toast, back to Molly.
Molly felt a surge of guilt. First her father walked out, then Angela moved away, and now she's moving out too. Her mom will be all by herself in this small empty house.
Sensing her feelings Molly's mom smiled sadly and came up to hug her from behind, leaning over the chair.
"Don't worry honey, I'll be fine. After all, I have Fortis here to protect me," she said referring to the brown tabby they had found hidden in an alley last year. Molly chuckled.
"I guess I don't have to worry as long as you have a cat to protect you."
Her mom smiled. "See? Everything will be fine. You can't stay here forever."
Molly finished off her cereal and rinsed out the bowl in the sink. She thought so too but…
"I'll still miss you," Molly said. She could tell right away that her mom was about to tear up so she hurriedly excused herself and started getting ready. She didn't want to see her mom cry; she couldn't handle it when other people cried because she would always start crying herself.
A couple hours later she had everything packed and was standing by the door, waiting for her mom.
"Mom! Hurry up, it's already 7:30 and it takes fifteen minutes to get down to the dock!" Molly yelled.
"I know, I know, I'm coming!" said her mom, her voice getting louder as she walked into the room. She stood in front of Molly, the early morning sun making her face glow as it filtered in through the front window. Her mom was only a couple inches taller than her, same reddish brown hair as she had. Her mom had always been pretty but now her face was starting to show not only her age but the stress load she had to deal with working so many hours. It wasn't fair that her mom had to work so hard, but now that she didn't have to pay for Molly's college classes, things should get a little bit easier.
"Alright, we should head out now," said Molly, and they both loaded her luggage into the trunk of their small sedan and set off toward the docks. Once there, they both got out and paused for a second, appreciating how still the early spring water was.
Molly sat her luggage down and turned to hug her mom. They held each other tightly, putting all that they couldn't say into the hug. They stayed like that for a minute before Molly backed away.
"Make sure you come back for holidays, okay?"
"Of course…I'll see you soon. I love you, mom."
Her mom smiled and kissed her on the cheek. "I love you too, Molly. Take care and be safe!"
"I will. Bye!" Molly said, dragging her luggage to the information center and asking the lady there where her boat was supposed to be. There weren't many people around, and even though it was the first day of spring the air was pretty chilly. When she breathed out of her mouth she could see her breath fog up in front of her. Rubbing her hands together she looked around for the boat the person at the counter had described to her. It was a small blue boat with large white letters that spelled out the words "The Harp Boat" on the side and, after searching for a bit, she spotted it between two large sail boats.
Walking up to it she noticed an older man with gray hair wearing a captain's hat leaning against the ramp that led up to the boat's deck. She slowly approached the man until she was in front of him. He looked up and she noticed that his eyes were the exact same color as his hair.
"Uhm, hello, my name is Molly and I'm taking this boat to Castanet. Are you the captain?"
The man took a moment before he straightened up and held out his hand. "Hello there Molly, I'm Pascal and yes, I'm the captain of this boat. I'm glad I'll have some company today."
She shook his hand and smiled. "It's nice to meet you Pascal; do you not often have people ride your boat?"
"Usually it's just the people who deliver different sorts of resources to the island and the occasional tourist. But, not many people want to travel to the island when it's this cold out. Speaking of which, are you the farmer that's taking over the old abandoned farm?"
"Oh, yes. Yes, I am," she said, raising her eyebrows in surprise. Was it that obvious?
Pascal chuckled. "You're already big news on the island, it's not often we get someone who wants to move out there permanently. The islands not doing too well right now but I hope you'll find everything well. It really is a very, very nice place to live."
Molly nodded. "Yes, I've heard it was. I'm sure everything will be great, I've been really looking forward to it."
Pascal smiled and stared at her for a few seconds, perhaps wondering if she was being sincere about it. Apparently deciding that she was, he picked up her luggage and started to climb the ramp.
"Oh, I can carry that, they're not that heavy," Molly said, following him up the ramp.
"Nonsense. How could I let a girl carry bags when I'm here to do it for her? It'd be rude of me not to."
Molly blushed. People in the city usually weren't this nice. "Thank you very much."
Pascal just nodded his head in response. She followed him to the captain's room where he set her luggage down, right next to the door.
"Since no one else is riding you're free to spend your time in here," he said starting to prepare the boat to leave.
"Thank you, I really appreciate it, but I think I'll go check out the deck first," Molly said, opening the door.
"That'd be just as well. If you get cold you can just come right up. We'll be leaving in a couple of minutes."
"Alright," Molly said making her way outside. She stepped out onto the deck and looked around. The waters were calm and shining with the sun's light. It really was very pretty. But dangerous, Molly thought. Very dangerous.
She breathed in the ocean air and felt the light breeze tussle her hair around. She reached up and held her bangs out of her face as she watched a seagull fly slowly above her head. The horn from the boat sounded loudly behind her and signaled its start. She felt the boat slowly take off below her feet and held onto the railing as she moved further away from shore.
Soon the city was just a bunch of blurry lines behind her and all she could see was the water and the sky, merging together at the horizon. Soon she would reach Castanet and her new life. Soon, she could be at peace. Peace.
