Chapter Three: Pondering
" The whole day, and you didn't find out anything," Saix said in a monotone.
" I told you, I searched the whole Town over and over again. There was NOTHING," Axel exclaimed exasperated, " Are you positive its Twilight Town? What if it moves to different worlds?"
"Xemnas has clearly stated that the presence continuously emanates only from Twilight Town," Saix declared, " I will further notify you if the location has changed. Until then, continue to search within Twilight Town."
"Great, the same process of searching tomorrow," Axel muttered as he made way to his room.
/)(/
As Dawn finished wrapping the bandages on both her feet, she looked up to see a lane leading down a street a few feet away from her. As she gingerly stood up, she looked around slowly. Not sure where she was or why she was here, all she knew was that she wanted to get away as far as possible from the wall and the hole where the black creatures had come after her. As she made her way into the street of buildings, she stopped at a building with a wooden sign painted 'Store'.
She paused in front of the building, hesitant to go in, but the sun was almost down, and she didn't have anywhere to stay. With a silent sigh, she pushed open the door and a bell sounded inside.
The next morning, she blinked from the sunlight pouring through the bedroom window and the bed she was sleeping in. As she gazed around the room, disoriented, she recollected her memories from the night before.
After stepping into the store, she had been greeted with a kindly looking old woman and a small yet warm and cozy little store. The woman had greeted her with a smile, yet upon noticing Dawn's ragged and scratched up state, she had immediately rushed the surprised girl upstairs to a room with what appeared a large rectangular bowl that the old woman filled with water. She then handed Dawn a white towel and with a push towards the bathtub, said one word, "Wash". As the old woman left the room and closed the door behind her, Dawn turned to look at the large human-sized bowl filled with steaming water. She had seem it before, she distantly remembered that she was supposed to go in it….it was called…a b… a ba…bath-bathtub! Triumphant at the recollection, she smiled. As Dawn took off her ragged dress and stepped into the warm water, she slowly sat down and soaked her body. As she started to warm up, she mulled over her memories, what was left of it anyways.
She knew her name was Dawn. The moment she had stepped out of the pod from that mansion in the forest, she had just known. Other than that, everything was just blank….she couldn't remember anything. It had even took her awhile to remember what the bathtub was called. That was only the first of her worries however, as another problem impeded on her. Her voice. She wasn't able to utter a single word. She wondered if she was born without a voice or if she had lost it sometime during the years. However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall anything about that matter.
As she mulled over her thoughts, she heard the old woman calling from outside, "I've left spare clothing outside for you to change into," I'll be downstairs, so after you're done, come down."
After Dawn had changed into a simple yet intricately embroidered white dress, she had gone back downstairs, as the old woman had instructed. There, it had been revealed that she in fact, could not speak. Through the use of a notepad and pen provided by the woman, Dawn had introduced herself and all she remembered so far. Worried about the girl, the old lady offered Dawn a room upstairs where she could stay. In return, Dawn would be helping out in the shop and assisting with various errands.
As Dawn sat up from the bed, she looked outside the windows to the relatively empty street below. Looking at the few walking in the streets, she suddenly remembered the man that had helped her yesterday. She wished that she could have thanked him yesterday. After all, she wasn't sure if she would ever run into him again nor did she know his name.
'I hope I run into to him sometime, so I can thank him...'
With that thought in her mind, she changed out of the nightgown that she had also received from the old woman and changed back into the white dress she received yesterday. Done changing, Dawn left the room and silently closed the door behind her. From downstairs she could hear footsteps and a delicious aroma wafting about. As she made her way downstairs and into the side door of the shop, she saw the old lady bustling about, fixing something. As Dawn stood by the door awkwardly, not sure of what she should do, the old woman spotted her.
"Ah Dawn, good morning!" smiling kindly, the old woman motioned for her to come closer. Returning her smile, Dawn made her way around the table to the woman.
The woman handed her a plate filled with slices of bread, "I'm fixing breakfast, so if you could be a dear and set these on the table for me?"
Dawn smiled in response and carried out what the kindly old woman had asked. Soon, the woman was finished and both individuals were seated at the table.
As they started to eat the kindly old woman started, "I don't think I ever mentioned my name yesterday!"
As Dawn nodded, the woman started, "How rude of me. I'm very sorry dear it's Grace. Or you can think of me just as Granny, whatever you prefer."
Dawn smiled at the woman's kindliness. She had just met her yesterday, yet the woman did so much for her. It seemed as if she was actually her own grandmother. With that thought, Dawn was soon again lost in her thoughts, wondering about the existence of her own family…did they miss her? Or did she even have one?
"awn…Dawn?"
Snapping out of her thoughts, Dawn raised her eyes to meet Granny Grace's worried ones.
"Are you all right dear? Are you tired still?"
Dawn shook her head in denial and smiled to reassure the woman. The woman, reassured, went back to talking to the mute girl.
"You know, it's nice being able to talk to someone over breakfast. It's been too long, I almost forgot how it was to eat with company. Feels like family."
Dawn widened her eyes at the remark and smiled. It was nice that Granny Grace thought of her that way. Despite her being a stranger, Granny Grace seemed to accept and welcome her whole-heartedly.
As they gradually began to finish with breakfast, Dawn helped Grace clean up the dished and wipe down the table. Afterward, she led Dawn back to the shop and showed her the various tasks that she needed helping with. It was only 8:05am and Grace had told her that the shop opened at 9:00. Exploring the shop, she saw a row of colourful star shaped items hanging from the racks. Walking closer to it, her eyes settled on a deep and bright red one that was orange at the center, blossoming into a brilliant hue of red at the ends. Dawn gingerly picked it up from the rack and examined it. The colour once again reminded her of the man from yesterday. His hair was the same brilliant shade of flame red as the star.
"I see you've taken an interest in the Wayfinder."
Dawn jumped slightly in surprise and turned around to see Grace smiling at her.
"The Wayfinder symbolizes an unbreakable connection and also serves as a charm providing good luck to travelers. Perhaps you may have someone you would like to give it to?"
Dawn looked back down at the red star and smiled, 'it would be nice if I could give it to the man from yesterday'
"Here, take that one."
As Dawn looked up in surprise, ready to protest, Grace stated, "think of it as a little gift from me to you, since you're providing me nice company."
Dawn looked at Grace gratefully, and mouthed a silent 'Thank You'. Grace made her way back to the counter and came back with a small notepad and pencil. Tucking it into Dawn's hands she said, "Here, keep these also since you need to communicate as well. Can't just smile and make gestures all the time, can we?"
With that Grace went back to the counter and started organizing some stuff.
"We have close to an hour left, so feel free to look around or even step outside for a bit if you'd like dear."
Dawn nodded with a smile and tucked the notepad and pen into the front pocket of her dress. Looking fondly once more at the Wayfinder, she tucked it safely into her pocket as well. Smoothing the front of her dress, she turned to look out the front window of the shop. Just then she saw a figure in a black coat pass by. It appeared to be a normal man walking down the street, save for the brilliant red hair styled into multiple spikes that caused Dawn to widen her eyes in recognition.
/)(/
As soon as Axel awoke, he was tasked to go back to Twilight Town in order to continue his search. Grumbling from a lack of sleep he stepped out of the portal and found himself in front of the Tram Common again. Groaning with annoyance at the repeated task, he slowly made his way towards the Market Place again.
He stretched his arms up in the air as he yawned, observing for anything unusual as he slowly ate the sea- salt ice cream he just bought.
As he walked down the streets, observing the street from side to side, he remembered the girl that had bumped into him yesterday. He wondered if she had been able to walk back home. She seemed pretty shaken and hurt…not that he cared. He was supposed to be on a mission. Not to mention that it wouldn't make sense if he was worried for the girl. He was a Nobody after all… a Nobody with no heart and no feelings.
Grunting at the thought, he continued strolling down the street, pausing momentarily at the random shops that covered each side of the street. As he neared the middle of the street, it was still quiet and still due to the fact that it was still early in the morning.
"Damn Saix for making me recon this early in the morning. Man, I could do with a few more hours of sleep."
Yawning widely once more, he sighed and looked to his right nonchalantly. As he did, he spotted a familiar white-clad female figure through the window of the shop he was directly passing.
"That's….!"
It was the girl from yesterday. She seemed to be in a better condition than yesterday, looking well groomed and clean from the smudges of dirt that covered her from her escape from the Shadows. As he examined her, she suddenly turned to face the window. Surprised, Axel turned away and slowly walked off. Positive that she probably had seen him, Axel quickly hid in the side street right beside the shop, grinning to himself.
So hello again dear readers. As you can see, I've removed Chapter 4 from my previous already-completed list of chapters. This is because I've decided on some numerous changes that will affect the flow of the story-to-come in the future.
In this chapter, it's a combination of edits made from previous content and additional details and content. Sorry that it took about a week to update. I've been busy with finals and moving out of my dorm room and settling back at home. Although I settled in last weekend, this past week has been devoted to spending some time with my family :)
I'm still in the progress of writing and planning out the chapters to come, so I'll try to update as soon as possible.
Again, I'd like to thank those who have remained as a follower of this story and to those who have favourited. Hugs to you all ^^
Like before, please leave any comments, questions, and or corrections (if I have any mistakes and it's bothering you) in the reviews. Please follow/ favourite if you'd like. I'd be happy that this story is getting some readers although it's not as good as many of the stories that are already out there.
Happy Reading!