Harvest Moon: Magical Memories
Chapter Eight:
Rumors. Rumors had run themselves rampant throughout the small village, carried on through their legacies, heralded by secretive girls about other secretive girls, wrapped around themselves with their own twisted lies. Joe smokes on his days off. Dan has a secret sex life consisting of two other men. Kati enjoys the occasional drug hit and Ellen and Ann play strip poker on occasions. But the latest and hottest rumor consisted of Kurt leaving a mysterious new girl's house early in the morning.
But these rumors didn't find there way to Luna's ears. Luna, who was lying on the mountain, eyes closed, blood pooling slowly around her.
That's when a stranger approached. Dark hair falling over his caring eyes, he knelt next to her, gasping as the realization of what happened hit him. He looked up at the foreboding mountain, then down at the girl in his hands.
Luna woke hours later, shaking. She couldn't see out of one eye. A large bruise was forming an angry lump at the back of her skull. Little pieces of grit and small stones were lodged in her backside, which had been disinfected and wrapped tightly in a once-white gauze. She sat up, immediately wishing she hadn't, sinking back down. Where am I?
"Ah, Luna, you're conscious. Welcome back." Luna's thoughts were abrubtly ended and she turned her vision around to face Alex. The doctor came over to her. "You fell, I'm guessing. Did you do it on purpose though?" Seeing her hesitation, he nodded. "Never mind- it isn't important. Well, you're better now. But you're lucky I found you as soon as I did. I often go up there for herbs. I almost wasn't going to go up there tonight… but... well… let's not brood on that thought, eh?" He smiled politely and bowed. "Now if you'll excuse me..." She nodded as he trailed out of the room, pulling out a notepad to scribble studiously about his subject. She glanced around for a brief moment, taking note of the pouch of blood handing above her, the IV leading it down into her arm. She felt her face, felt the white wrappings around her head, covering her eye and the large bruise. She felt each missed piece of stone jab itself into her sore skin. Trying to ignore her pain, she fell into a dismal sleep.
"Luna?"
"Huh?" Luna blinked at the sunlight filtering into herroom. Alex stood at the other side of the room, checking suplies.
"You had visitors. They left a few hours ago but will be back tomorrow, or so they said, to check up on you. There was a fish too but that was... removed due to the ah... smell." The doctor smiled and once more disappeared from her room, once again writing something haphazardly on his notepad, nodding.The fish... that must've been from Ray. She turned her attentionover to her bedside table. A bouquet of yellow flowers lay on the surface, along with a pouch, a card, and a small rock. She picked up the card first.
"Get well soon! I'll take care of Skruskru for you, k? -Ellen"
She smiled and set the card back down. Then she carefully picked up the wild flowers, now drooping lazily, and noted a card tucked deep inside a blossoms.
"Hope you feel better soon so we can hang out more! -Joe"
"Thanks Joe." She murmured with a grin. She set those down onto her lap, the scent wafting around the room and considerably livening up the room. Just like Joe. She laughed, excited now, to see what her next gift was. She picked up the small brown bag. It looked almost like it was made out of a rough leather, tied at the top. She carefully pulled the strings and gasped as the view of what was inside hit her.
"Dirt!" Dark, loamy soil filled the bag to the brim, a small tendril of green sticking out amidst its fertile abode. A plant? Dirt... Terry. She got slowly up, placing the plant by the window.
A breeze blew past the opening. Luna breathed deep. The cobblestones gleamed like fish scales under the blazing sunlight, the trees rustled in a soft wind as if to say "Come play with us". Luna took in the world before her, waiting for her to live in it, waiting for her to roll in the long reedy grasses, the soft petals, the cool river that always ran its course. She leaned on the window frame, her IV pulling her back into the room, her bumps and bruises making her want to crawl back to bed. She succumbed and walked carefully back, sitting at the edge of her bed, and picked up her last present.
A small rock. Light and rough around its edges. A rock? Now this is a difficult present to decipher... She rolled it in between her hands. That was when she noticed it. A small piece of the rock had flaked off into her scratched hand. Beneath the rough interior, a shimmer caught her attention. She began rubbing her fingers over the dusty surface, delight litting up her face. I'm unwrapping a present! Clever! She was left holding a small gold nugget, the size of a Skittle.
"Luna! You've got visitors!" The doctor called from a distant quarter. It was later now, six at night. Luna woke, eyelashes fluttering. The flowers still rest on her lap, the gold held tightly in her fist.
"Luna! We've fixed your coop. It got a bit mussed when the storm hit." It was Woody, holding her hand and patting the top of it fondly. "Would you like anything? Has the doctor been feeding you?" She laughed and nodded. I hardly know Woody... he's so friendly though...
"I'm sorry if I've worried you." She said, lowering her eyes.
"No matter, no matter. Now I'm going to talk to Alex. I need to know how to cure saw blade cuts..." Joe blushed and followed him out, large bandages wrapped tightly around his upper arm. He waved then continued out, still blushing crimson.
Kurt was left in the room, standing opposite her bed, staring down at the tiled floor.
"Thanks Kurt."
"Huh?"
"Thanks. For the present." She held up the gold and his eyes grew wide.
"How did you..." He trailed off, looking off into a corner. "I- I just..." He seemed like he was almost angry. His eyes were filled with a darkness that she couldn't quite grasp. She didn't need to though. He came out with it. "People are saying... people are saying I left from your house early." He glared at her. The small piece of gold felt heavy in her palm.
"Kurt... I-" I suppose it wouldn't be a good time to mention you did leave early? She gulped. "I- I didn't start that rumor- if that's what you think."
There was a moment of silence.
"No. Of course not." Then he simply left. He turned away from her, walking forward, not hesitating, and left the room. Left it just as it was. Empty and dark, save but a small glint of gold in the night.