Hearts From The Other Side
Hey guys, I did not want to start on another story at this point, but this idea was just begging to break out and I just had to put it down on paper. I hope it's to your liking and tell me what you think.
Chapter 1: The Mysterious Stranger
She had walked for many miles now. The balls of her feet ached from walking along the dirt road for hours and she felt exhausted. Every breath she took grew heavier and more ragged. It did not help that she also had a heavy bag on her back. Her skin accumulated a very thin layer of dust from the hot, dry air. Her weary eyes peered at the small town out in the distance and it lifted her spirits up slightly from the thought of rest and a nice warm bed. With that at hand, she quickened her pace with a second wind of energy and marched to the town square.
The town itself was situated in the middle of an open, grassy plain. It was a quaint place and it held an elegant air of tranquility and peacefulness. The silence that surrounded it was not awkward, but comfortable. Wooden and brick houses lined along the cobbled pavement, each with its own unique style and shade of color. The air inside was surprisingly cool and crisp; to take one gulp would refresh your body and sharpen the mind. Soft blades of grass whipped in the direction of the gentle breeze like waves in the ocean. Chii stood and looked around in awe of such a beautiful yet isolated place.
She wandered off, absorbing all the sights around her when she spotted a small bakery at the corner of a crossway. It had a bent, wooden sign with the words 'Chiroru's' painted in red. She hesitated for a moment, and than nervously opened the door.
It was small, but there was enough space to have a couple plastic tables evenly spaced in front of the counter. Chii trotted over to the glass case which housed all of their cakes and pastries. Multi-layered slices of cake from all different flavors oozed with icing and some had pieces of fruit meticulously placed on top. Pies and scones ranged from apple to blueberry to chocolate cream. Cookies were stacked in separate trays with small name tags displayed such as 'chocolate chip' or 'peanut butter'. Chii's stomach began to growl just from smelling the aromas of all the baked goods and confections in the store.
An attendant came out of the backdoor and skipped over to the counter. She was about the same height as Chii and had short, brown hair with a pink clip attached on.
"Hello! How may I help you today?" she asked with positive enthusiasm.
Chii looked around, unsure of what to get. The girl behind the counter narrowed her eyes and stared at her with scrutiny.
"You're not from around here are you?" she asked.
Chii shook her head profuse and replied, "No, Chii just came here."
"Wow, we almost never get new people around here! Hi, I'm Yumi Oomura!" Yumi said in the same positive tone. It looked like nothing could ever weigh down her bright and cheery attitude.
"My name is Chii," and she made a bow.
"Hmmm," Yumi searched the glass case, darting from one pastry to another. "Ah, ha! Why don't you try this one? I just baked it myself!" She held up a particular one in her hands. Chii saw that it was a very tantalizing souffle topped with a swirl of whipped cream.
Chii widened her eyes in admiration but then they fell to the floor in disappointment. "Chii has no money," she said in a small voice.
"Ah, that doesn't matter. I want to know what you think," Yumi replied with excitement and placed it in Chii's hands.
"But Chii can't take something without paying!" she spoke again, appalled at the idea of receiving something without payment.
"I'll say it's on the house! I need feedback from costumers anyway and my boss won't mind at all…I think," Yumi replied cheerily as she offered a plastic spoon.
"Thank you very much," and she took a bite. She blinked and her eyes grew huge as the souffle melted in her mouth.
"It is delicious!" Chii said in amazement as it teased her taste buds further, engulfing into a state of creamy goodness.
"Thanks, I was kind of nervous if people would actually like it since it's my first time making anything besides the usual cake, cookie, and pie," Yumi had a huge grin plastered on her face.
Just then, another man came out of the backdoor of the shop. He had a white outfit designed for professional cooks and had a big floppy chef hat on top of his scruffy, brown hair. He had a twinkle in his friendly eyes and he spoke in a warm tone of voice.
"Yumi, have you been giving out 'free' samples again? You know we need to make ends meet and we can't do that if you keep giving out something without payment for each customer," he chided.
Yumi shifted her weight nervously from side to side, staring at the floor. "But she's new here, and she has no money, and I thought maybe she would want to try something out."
Chii watched the manager and assistant interacting with each other. Yumi continued to fidget slightly and looked at everything but the man right in front. He eyed her critically with a stern look, but she could still see the same twinkle. He looked as if he was amused watching her squirm.
"Chii will pay for it," she piped up. The manager glanced over her way and examined with interest. "Chii does not have a job, but Chii will get the money so please don't be mad at Yumi," she said.
"Huh?" His eyes focused unto Chii.
"Hmm," The manager walked over to the newcomer and bent over to her eye level. He thought for a moment while looking at her perceptively. "Well..., what if you don't get a job around here?" he carefully asked. Chii was unable to reply back with an answer.
"Chii can get a job here! We always needed another person and she can help out here! You can work here can you?" Yumi asked eagerly and looked at Chii.
Chii bowed her head and looked over at the manager who was still contemplating at the idea. "Chii will try to learn everything and work very hard," she said with determination.
He let out a good-natured laugh. "All right, you got me. How can I say no to two cute faces looking at me like that?" He clapped a hand on Chii's shoulder. "All right, you're in. You can begin here tomorrow. Is that okay with you?"
"Chii can come tomorrow," she bowed her head in thanks. However, he noticed her hesitation.
"Is something wrong?" he asked again. Chii looked back and said quietly, "Chii does not know where to stay." The manager had the same smile on his face and replied, "You don't have to worry about that. There's an inn west of here that you can stay at. Just tell the landlady over there that you need a room and that you will work at Chiroru's. She'll let you stay overnight for free."
Chii beamed with joy and was about ready to speed off in that direction when he stopped her from bursting through the door.
"Whoa, slow down, let me tell you my name first okay?" he chuckled, "I'm the manager, Hiroyasu Ueda, but in the workplace you can call me manager."
She pointed enthusiastically at Ueda and proclaimed, "Ueda is called manager! Chii will remember, always!" Ueda chuckled again from her wide-eyed innocence.
"Good, now be here at nine o' clock sharp." He opened the door for her.
"Chii will remember!" she announced and sped off to the inn.
Ueda shook his head in disbelief and amusement and looked over at Yumi. "You certainly attract the most interesting characters over here don't you?" Yumi just grinned widely back at him and ducked her head into the ingredients stored in the cupboard.
Chii scurried down the pathway; houses passed by as colored blurs. Her slim, white dress with cuffs fluttered in the wind and her purple ribbons tied around her elbows bounced up and down with every stride. She stopped in front of one building with the sign painted "Angelic Rest" in bold letters. It was a small and quaint inn. The oak walls were short but sturdy and there was a feeling of tidiness and tranquility surrounding the whole building. Chii opened the glass door and walked in. There were a couple of puffy sofas around a glass table with a vase full of dandelions. Lamps attached to the walls were strategically placed along the whitewashed walls. Just then, a woman came out from a door and asked, "Hello there, do you need anything?"
Chii looked around in curiosity and trotted over to the counter. She replied, "Chii needs a room to stay for work at Chiroru's."
The woman gave a warm smile and picked out a room key from a drawer. "Oh you're going to work there? They're tiramisu is to die for!" She walked from the counter and over to Chii. "You can follow me dear. I'll guide you to your room, and my name is Ms. Hibiya. I'm the landlady here."
"Your name is Ms. Hibiya. This woman is Ms. Hibiya. She is the landlady." Chii said, pointing her finger to confirm.
Ms. Hibiya's eyes twinkled and both of them went up the stairs and down the hall until they reached a door on the left.
"Here you are Chii, and the bathroom is right across from your door. If you need anything, I will be in the only room downstairs. Do you need anything else?" she asked kindly. Chii shook her head and confirmed with a "Chii is fine."
Ms. Hibiya left the room and Chii looked around. It was small but comfortable. A wooden polished bed was located in a corner with a firm yet soft mattress. Folded blankets were placed on the bed, next to the wooden closet and cabinet. Fluffy white towels were hanging on a steel bar nailed to a wall and a polished desk with a light-blue lamp on top stood under a window with cotton curtains.
Chii walked over to the bed and sat on it. A frown replaced her usual smile as she tried desperately to remember anything from her past. Ever since she came to this town, she has not remembered a single memory as if someone had erased everything that has happened to her.
She fell back on the pillow and turned to her side. There was something else that had bothered her when she came here. When she was in Chiroru's, a man stooped over was sitting by himself in a corner. It seemed that Yumi or Manager Ueda had noticed him at all. The man just stared down at the table and once in a while he looked at Yumi and gave out a sigh. He even glanced at Chii for a moment before his head drooped down in dejection. She sensed the aura of sadness that surrounded his slumped form. But what made her feel the deepest pity in her heart was the look of his eyes. His black orbs were deep and dark like tunnels, not a single glimmer of hope in them.
Chii closed her eyes and went into an uneasy sleep. She was totally unaware of the set of eyes among the treetops, watching her from the window before they disappeared in the everlasting night.
For the next couple of days, she had quickly become accustomed to the simple and quiet life she had entered in. She became fast friends with Yumi who was eager to have another co-worker to chat with. Manager Ueda was kind and helped her whenever she has trouble with a specific recipe or had a question about what kind of delicacies there were available. Ms. Hibiya was like a mentor to her and showed her around the town and where all the significant sights were and the shops.
However, very occasionally Chii spotted the same brooding man in the same dark corner of the pastry shop. Yet, whenever she finally had some time spared to attend to him, he vanished without a trace. It disorientated her many times and both Yumi and Ueda often asked her if she was feeling okay.
"Yumi? Do you see a man over there?" Chii pointed.
"Hm?" Yumi scanned over to the corner to where she was pointing at. "No, I don't see anyone. Why?"
Chii looked at Yumi with confusion. "But Chii saw hi-," She looked back, but than he vanished.
"Are you feeling all right? You always think there's some guy over there. Maybe it was a trick of the light or something," Yumi said.
Chii was saddened from Yumi's disbelief. "But Chii knows someone is there…,"
Night has fallen and Chii was preparing to leave after a day of hard work. She had memorized the route back to the inn from Chiroru's and made good time.
Suddenly, she heard a rustling sound behind her. She turned around; expecting another person walking on the same sidewalk but nothing was in sight. She started walking again, but more slowly and carefully. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a shadow twitch and flashed across the rim of the circle of light from the street lamp. Chii hastened, more eager to return back to the inn. She was beginning to feel fearful and desired the safety of her bedroom. Her ears could even pick up the light tapping of concrete all around her and it panicked her. Then it became deadly silent.
Chii began to feel shivers crawl down her back and she held butterflies in her stomach. Then a low growl reached through her ears and vibrated her body even further.
A pack of lean, black wolves were standing in the middle of the road.
Ms. Hibiya had warned her that even though this was a peaceful village, occasionally, wild animals may go enter through since it is in the middle of the plains.
Their fur was as dark as the night itself. Their powerful muscles twitched with anticipation from the sound of Chii's uneven breaths. They immediately focused their attention at the shivering girl a few feet in front of them. One wolf walked out from the pack. It was larger and more feral than the rest and it distinctly made itself to be the leader of the group. It growled and started barking, foam dripping from its mouth. Its large yellow eyes glared at her and gave another short bark as a signal. The rest of the pack charged with a wild fury and the distance between them and Chii quickly shortened.
Chii held back a frightened scream and ran as fast as she could, but the rabid wolves were overtaking her. One leaped into the air and Chii stared in horror as its mouth clamped unto her dress. She tried to push it away, but its grip did not relinquish while the rest of the pack surrounded her. The white cloth ripped and another one jumped on top of her body. She could smell its breath and felt the graze of its teeth on her skin. Tears trickled from Chii's eyes and she closed them, waiting for their terrifying jaws to rip her body and devour her flesh.
A yelp was heard and the wolves scattered. Chii slowly opened her eyes and she saw the back of the same man that had appeared in the pastry shop. But this was not the same slouched, depressed man she seen before. His back was straight, fists clenched and his eyes narrowed in a cold stare. For the first time, his usually empty eyes glowed with a fire that immediately made the feral beasts have second thoughts.
Many of the wolves ran, frightened by the sight the man as if he was a supernatural being. The alpha wolf stared at him wide-eyed, totally bewildered from what it had seen before speeding off with the rest of its companions.
Chii tentatively stood up. She had numerous cuts and bruises and her clothes were all soiled and torn, but other than that, she was fine. She lifted her eyes off from the ground in the direction of the peculiar stranger.
"Thank y-," She blinked in confusion. He was not there. He disappeared just as quick as he came.
Chii glanced around but no other living being was around her for a good ten feet. Chii shivered from the cold air and quickly hurried back to the inn with thoughts of her rescuer occupying her mind.
"Chii? What happened to you?"
Ms. Hibiya hurried over to her with a damp cloth and immediately dabbed her cuts and wiped scrapes of dirt. She was in a very battered state but what surprised her most was that Chii's eyes were glowing.
"Chii saw wolves!" she spoke excitedly.
"Oh dear! Are you all right?" Ms. Hibiya continued to take care of her wounds but it was rather difficult since she kept bobbing up and down on the balls of her feet. It was rather odd that she was ecstatic after such a dangerous encounter. "What are you so excited about?" she queried.
"Someone saved me!" she said again in a way that resembled a schoolgirl telling her mother of her first crush. She clapped her hands together and rocked left and right from the reminiscence.
"Oh, did you say thank you to the person who saved you?"
Chii looked down and replied, "No…he went away."
Ms. Hibiya finished tending to Chii and leaded her back to her room. "Why don't you tell me what the person looked like? Maybe I know where he lives," she asked kindly.
Chii had a look of concentration. "He did not look very happy. The 'someone' is always sad and never talks to anybody." Chii soon became glum and a wave of sympathy washed over her. "He looks like he is in pain right here," she placed her hands over her breast where the heart would be.
"Oh…," Ms. Hibiya's expression did not betray any emotion but Chii couldn't help noticing how sullen she was.
"Is something wrong?" Chii questioned, wondering if anything was troubling her.
"Don't worry about it so much dear. Now, you need some rest. Get a good night's sleep ok?" Ms. Hibiya said.
"Okay, Chii will get rest now," and Chii fluttered into her room.
Ms. Hibiya sighed and made a slow walk back downstairs and to her room. She hadn't expected him to stay after all these years ever since the accident.
"So…he's still here, the poor boy," she whispered in a sad voice.
Chii took off her clothes and changed into her pajamas in the bathroom. She trotted over to her bed and pulled up the soft, fluffy blankets and let out a breath of air. So many things had happened today yet she did not know a single thing about the strange figure. She turned over on her side and immediately fell asleep from exhaustion, not noticing the two dim lights from atop of a branch, blinking twice before they disappeared among the leaves.