"Westron / English…"
"Sindarin…"
"Various Weird Dialects…"
notes: I am not shy to admit that I am not a native English speaker. So if u see any wrong grammar that annoys you, feel free to tell me :) this will be my first fanfic posted on line so i am quite happy to recieve views even if the first chapter that I posted was just a plot. thanks a lot in advance!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything aside from the OC. J.R.R. Tolkien has all the rights. He's amazing. But dwarrows are cooler!
Chapter 1
'What makes reality so unwanted?'
"You're asking?" I can't help but to say the words out loud. I'm currently browsing my facebook news feed out of boredom and found this particular status. Some of the post are random sharing, some of it are truly nonsense, and some are nuts but I can't help but to do it since it's the only thing that I can do right now. I am sitting inside of an old jeepney vehicle and on my way to an inn here in Batanes Islands in northern Philippines. You can call me a traveller, -my parents call me a wanderer since I am going alone- but I love the idea of being called a traveller. It sounds so cool. And I've never been cool all my life.
I am this plain girl who have a plain, normal cashiering work for 10 years now. Never been promoted and never been transfered more than twice. I like it when I am comfortable so going alone in a vacation is a big leap.
This is the first ever vacation I had in 10 years, by the way. The last vacation I had can't even be called a 'vacation' since I encountered so many shits that made a soup out of my brain. I decided to take a break and do this alone despite the fact that my friends and ever persistent relatives has listed themselves as a part of my travel plans. But of course the sneaky little me had packed my bags secretly and disappeared. I informed the important people of my life with "On my way to an Island. I promise to take care of myself and brush my teeth every night." after 5 hours of my disappearance.
My best friend replied me a flip GIF.
So here I am, tired, hungry and bruised with the continues turbulence of my transportation vehicle but I am happy. This freedom from my reality is what I need.
But what makes reality so unwanted? I don't even remember the name of the person who posted this question but the weight of its meaning lingered in my mind. Not because I don't know the answer, in fact, I believe that lots of people knows it. We only have different opinions and explanations but it will all comes down in one plain answer.
Reality sucks.
In my case, I am - temporarily - running away from it because its choking the life out of me. Not literally of course. It was the pressure. The heavy expectations. And the never ending failures. When problems become so unlimited, you as a person would want to take a break for a while. It is all inside my reality. It's been my reality for such a long time.
It took ten years for me to realize that I should love myself more. And like a knife or like a sword being shaped through the fire, the imperfections on our life shapes us to the much better version of ourselves. I really think I earned this small solitude. At least for a little while, I can get away from everything and later come back to my reality.
It was around four-thirthy PM when I arrived in an Inn named Fundacion Pacita in Basco, Batanes. It was a beautiful place with a very traditional design and doesn't look like the usual houses in the capital. I smiled to myself, thinking that this is a good start. A very kind old lady came to me together with two guys, they took my stuffs to my designated room and left as soon as I settled in. I layed down on the mattress and appreciate everything that my eyes can see. Coming alone is a good choice indeed. I can enjoy the peace. I can enjoy these things without thinking or worrying about anything.
So… if you are alone in an island who have a weak wifi connection. What are you going to do?
Me? I am planning to have a serious sleep. But before that, I need to taste the food here. When thou are surrounded by lush greens, fresh air, and pure clean oceans, one can only think of all the fresh, organic foods that you can eat. God, just thinking about it makes my mouth water!
So with that in mind, I changed my travel clothes to a more comfortable sweat pants and a ¾ sleeved red shirt. I took my bunny slippers out of my luggage and hunt down the inn's kitchen. It wasn't hard for me to do since I can smell that something good's being cooked. The kitchen is like a small homey restaurant and there are lots of tables and seats. The walls have painting of people planting rice on a field, some ladies weaving a basket and dressed in a traditional clothes and the other paintings are about nature. The place is simply beautiful.
A man aproached me when I entered the kitchen. "Hello, ma'am. How are you?"
"Good, thanks. Is this the right place to have some dinner?" I smiled. He seems like he's only on his early twenties.
"Yes, ma'am. You are in the right place." the guy smiled with humor. I noticed that he have a good set of teeth and a dimpled smile. A handsome guy in fact, but he's not exactly my type. "My name is Jerry and I will be your server. Please take a seat."
"Well, Jerry, we don't have to be so formal. I am just a simple human being with a starving stomach. I'm Erika, nice to meet you." I took a seat in one the tables and ordered a local dish. I've never seen or heard a dish like this before so I guess it's a local cuisine.
The. Food. Was. Heavenly.
I've never tasted food as pure as this. Even the marinated fish never tasted like the ones I had before. If you could only see how goofy is my face right now.
Jerry, good lad that he is, came to me with a glass of fresh young coconut juice and the bill that I requested. "How's your dinner, Erika?"
"Like I don't want to go back to the civilization anymore? I tell you what, the milk fish you gave me was the goddess of all milk fish." okay I admit that was over dramatic but what can I do?
Jerry had a good laugh with that one though. "So you like sea food? How was the sea food in the capital?"
"Honestly after eating this, I could only compare them now to the taste of a paper. Depends on what area you breed them and this one that you gave me has the cleanest taste ever." I could only stare at the aftermath of my once perfectly plated dinner.
"Welcome to Batanes Island. Tomorrow I'll be fishing with my father. I could bring some fresh and living ones for you if you like." Jerry kindly offer.
And am I happy to hear that? Damn right, I am!
"Bless your sweet soul, young man. You are the best server ever. I have some chocolates in my luggage and tomorrow we will exchange them."
Jerry's smile lit like a Christmas tree. "Cool. So tomorrow lunch time."
I gave him the money and left some tips for him. "I'll be expecting my fish on lunch time. Thanks, Jerry!"
The guy smiled and I left the kitchen for the comforts of my bed.
Stuffed up and tired, I guess I'll be sleeping with a smile on my face tonight.
I woke up too early and tried to stretch my body for my swimming escapades later. I am very excited because this is the first time ever that I will swim to a crystal clear beach. I only do swimming in a pool and that one is rarer than the blue moon.
My swimming skills by the way are nonexisting. When I attempt to do some strokes, I'd be sputtering after 3 attempts. I don't know how to float in the water and I never tried doing it alone since I fear for my life. My brother tried to teach me but eventually gave up and branded me as a hopeless case. See how nice he is?
Maybe I am not meant to swim at all but that will not stop me from invading the beach today. I am ready and I bought a blue, very chic life jacket.
At seven in the morning, the breakfast was served here in my room. It was sensational. I've never had such a delicious omelette and softest Pan de Sal.
"If I could only be in a paradise forever." I sighed loudly. Of course no miracle can ever do that. I once wished to be Wonder Woman and it never came true.
At eight AM, I am so ready for the salt waters. Gathering all my courage and skin thickness, I put on an ocean blue shade one piece, leotard cut swim suit. It was very demure but not boring since I chose the one with a little low neckline so I could show off a little cleavage. This is one of my many first times since I've never wore a swim suit before when I go swimming. I usually use a black long sleeve shirt and a small jersey shorts. And since no bully family members are around to tease me that I look like a Suman rice cake, I took the opportunity.
I walked barefooted to the beach wearing a shawl over my - chic - life jacket and a hat. I put huge sun glasses that practically covered half of my face, and clutched in my hand is a small cloth bag containing my snorkeling paraphernalia, mobile phone that is inside a zip lock -safe keeping, people!- and a solar phone charger and power bank. Also inside zip lock.
The ocean is simply amazing up close.
I immidiately put down my stuffs and ran in to the water. I was like a kid who was left unattended by her wandering parents and splashed around like it's nobody's business. I hope the locals who can see me now won't think that I finally lost my sanity. Ha! Ha!
I swim and floated and snorkeled around until I am so tired and skin burned. I am doing this for the first time in my life! No more playing safe about who can see my ass or who will laugh at my antics. Not minding about how my skin would lost it fairness and how dry and frizzy my hair would be at the end of the day.
Contented, tired and happy I carelessly sprawled in the sand near my stuff. The mid noon sun was finally taking it's revenge on my skin and it stings but I can only laugh at myself.
"Erika!" I heard Jerry's name and I sat up. I saw him walking towards me with a big smile on his face. "Yeah I was right to look for you here."
"What's up?"
"I, my friend, had a good catch today." the bloke smirked in a friendly way.
"Ahuh… so I guess you earned your Cadbury's today!"
"Yesss!" Jerry exclaimed happily. He offered me his hand and helped me stand up. "You're the best guest we ever had." I laughed on his giddyness, he is just like my younger brother after I told him that I bought him a new mobile phone.
When we turn around, the two of us was both surprised to see a woman standing just right in front of us staring closely on my hand that's still on Jerry's hand. The woman has a shoulder lenght bushy hair but with a quite pretty face. Her eyes are so sharp that I shuddered after she directed her sight on me.
"Amanda…" Jerry's voice sounded a little bit shakey as he let go of my hand carefully.
"Jerry." the young woman, apparently named Amanda placed her eyes on Jerry's way. Her face is still hard as a stone and no emotions can be read. "How are you? It is been days since you last visited our farm."
I watched them with caution. Are they in some kind of weird relationship? The young woman feels like a territorial bird who will strike whoever enters her domain. I don't exactly care if they do have a relationship, I just don't wanna get sandwiched up in an argument between the two them.
Jerry looks like her prey. He told her he don't have an idea when they will take some stuffs from the said farm. It turns out that Amanda's family owned farm supplies some of the inn's food supply.
If it's like that, what's the big deal about him not visiting for a week?
"And who is this?"
Oh, is she talking about me? I think she does because her creepy, leering eyes shows an enormous amout of disdain for me. Well she got another thing coming if she's expecting me to cower down.
"'This' someone you are talking about has a name and that is Erika. Nice to meet you, Ms. Amanda."
Jerry gave me a 'stop it' look.
"Erika… are you a guest in the inn where Jerry works?"
"Yes.. I'd be staying here for a week so I guess I'll see you around. For now we need to leave because we have a fish to cook, and we need to do it now. So if you'll just excuse us." I smiled at her like how I smile at annoying customers who demands a refund for their items that was claimed to be unrefundable. "It's really nice to meet you, Amanda. Bye!" I took Jerry's arm and practically dragged him away.
We took the inn's back entrance to the kitchen and sat down in one of the chairs."Oh, my God, Erika. You should have been a little nicer to her." The pale faced bloke got a nerve to say that.
"Really? Well, sorry! I thought I need to do that because you are slowly loosing the colors in your face five seconds after we nearly slammed into her. I think I desserve some gratitude for saving your ass, thank you very much." all indignacy applied.
He winced. "Sorry. I can't help it. That person is a bad business and as much as we can, we try to avoid them."
"What do you mean by bad business? Was that a figure of speech? Because you gotta be clear since this establishment literally do some business with them."
Jerry gave a hesistant look. What the hell am I missing? "N-no, I mean… It's not like that.. it's just that- uhmm…"
"Like what? Are they in some kind of mafia business?" I suspiciously asked.
"Mafia- what? No! That's not it." He shooked his head and did a little hand gestures as he speak. "Look, it's better for you not to dig up on some details. Just know that some locals here still do and follows some old customs. We avoid them, then we are good."
That was weird. "Jerry, I am not trying to be nosy but I want to be at least aware of what I just got myself into. Who knows?! Maybe I just handed my ass to a terrorist!"
He sighed tiredly. "I get you but trust me, it's not terrorism and it's better if you don't know it. You are staying here for only five days anyway." He said with finality. Okay, that got me, he actually got a point. What harm can the woman do? For sure I am not the first person or the first tourist she encountered who's been a little bit colder to her.
Well I can't help but to be one, have you seen Jerry's face? I'm sure not but I did and he looks so… scared of her. If that can be the perfect word for it.
But like his point, I am not going to spend the rest of my vacation trying to unravel one woman's secret. I'm supposed to be enjoying this week and Amanda's not the one who's gonna stop it.
"Fine, but if she do some weird shit just know that my brothers and I play wrestling. She do somethin', I go and John Cena her ass."
I was being serious but the bloke just laughed at me! My feet is itching to kick down the chair that he's sitting however he redeemed himself by saying, "Okay… so who wants some cheese burger and grilled stuffs?"
"I'm in!"
Five-thirty in the afternoon, I am in the beach again, enjoying the amazing sunset while soaking in the salty waters. My skin color is now a creamy tan and a little bit reddish. For sure sunburn will kill me earlier but it's worth it. This first day will be the most memorable day since the taste of freedom is like the first food you ate after a long period of starvation.
But this very first day made me realize that, I can't keep doing this. Not only because I don't have the money to sustain it but luxury itself felt so strange. So alien. It is not what I am that even this beautiful place can't suppress my small but growing emptiness. Around me, as the sun completely set, all the I can hear are the sounds of the gentle wave flowing into me and the soft breeze of the early evening wind. No laughter. No teasing. No one for me to tell how happy I am to be on this place.
Don't get me wrong, this alone time is what I'm looking for. But have you ever been in a situation that you don't know if you're going to be happy with something or not? This is what's happening to me, I wanted to have a moment of peace but I never realize that being alone with yourself will make you think more deeper and in the end you will never get the whole meaning of the 'peace of mind' because your own brain won't allow you to have it.
Am I making sense? I think not. I don't even understand myself or where this weariness comes from so pardon me if I am ranting.
It's getting colder so I stood up and walk to where I left my bag and I was a little surprised to see a woman standing just above it. I said a little because earlier, I wasn't alone in the beach and there was a small number local people having a good time. Now it's completely desserted. Maybe because it's night time already and quite dark? I have no idea. Why there are no light post around? I have no idea too!
The said woman was standing stiffly and unmoving I almost thought she's a cardboard stand if not for her hair flying around as the wind pass by. A few more steps and I recognized the woman instantly as Amanda. How can I forget that creepy aura? Not to mention the deadly looks she's sending to me. I almost don't want to be near her if not for my small bag. My ipod and my solar charger are inside there's no way I'm gonna leave it just because I found her creepy. Well, Jerry told me to stay away from her but hey! that ipod was two months worth of my salary!
So, I gathered all my scattered courage and stride up to that damned bench. Her eyes was never leaving me. I reached for the body bag and put it around me.
Though I am wary, I am not used to people intimidating me like this. If you're working in a busy grocery store for a decade then only your boss who gives threats of salary deduction can intimidate you. So, I greated her. "Good evening, Amanda!" i smiled but it was a faltering. How glad am I that it's dark!
She just continued starring at me and it was creepier than before. I can feel some killing intentions!
"Can I help you?"
"Jerry… did he just made an effort to catch a fish for your whims?"
Okay that was so direct. "Uhm no? He said he and his old man will go fishing so he offered me one after he learned I love seafoods."
"Why?"
"'Why' what?"
Her glares became more sharper and it feels like i was on the edge of a knife. "Why did you tell him those things that you like?"
This bitch is starting to annoy me. "Well he found out when he asked me how was the food that he served me. Does it matter to you?"
"It matter to me who he is talking to."
I scoffed unbelievably. "Excuse me, to what I gathered, you are not even his friend. Jerry is a good person but you're not his boss or even his parents so what he does or even what we are talking about is none of your damn business." I took a step to get out of this place and finish this none-sense conversation but she caught my left arm with a force. I almost wince but i tried to meet her furious looking eyes. "Let me go."
"Jerry is mine."
"Ahh there it is." I rolled my eyes with all sarcasms out. Her intentions finally came out of picture. And the funny thing is, I only hear those kind of claims on those corny and overly dramatic soap-operas that my aunts and cousins love to watch in the afternoon. It makes me cringe internally that I am hearing this lines on reality, not to mention, directed to me. "Amanda would you stop? If you think I am flirting with Jerry then you got it wrong. If you like the guy then you might as well know that he is a good person, of course much more to his workplace's customers. He got a little happy because I exchanged his fish with some chocolates. Was that a big deal?"
"Yes." I sighed exasperatedly. This woman is out of her mind. Jerry, you're in a big trouble. "You are trying to steal my about to be bethroted, and I will not allow it. I won't!" say whut?
Before I could react, Amanda grabbed me in both arms and pushed me into the sand. Not just regular bully pushing down its victim but she literally threw me. I was too surprised to react quickly and just collected my wits after i found myself sprawled into the ground. Sands sticked in my skin but I didn't even noticed it, the woman's strenght frightened me. For her skinny arms to just throw ME, seventy-five kilograms of five foot and six inches of body, was strange enough to scare the living shit out of me.
I looked back to Amanda with wide eyes, the said woman looks like a demon with her snarl and blazing eyes. Add the forces of the wind that is throwing her long hair around her head and the dark, evil aura emanating her whole being. Her eyes are almost bulging out and she have this crazy look to her like she wanted to rip me to pieces. Possibly succeed if I am not going to defend myself.
"Funny, I have never been so angry with someone in my life." seething, she made her way in front of me. "You people from the capital really have no shame. Curse you for your ignorance." As soon as those words left her mouth, I felt a strong throb in my temple, like someone is drilling it. "All you do is affect lives of people living in peace! Why don't you just stay away from us?! Why don't you just stay on your lands?"
I cradled my head into my palm. I'm seeing white because of this pain! "Enough! Stop it!"
Well, my scream, all shout and loudness that it is, was muffled by the sound of the winds that is starting to rage around the two of us. But as pathetic as it sounds, I believe it reached the woman's ear because she gave this crazy smirk as if saying she is enjoying this.
"This land is ours and you invaders have no right to come here." The hell is this woman talking about?! "You have no right to steal what is mine! MINE!" Her voice makes my head pound painfully. Every word that came out of her mouth feels like a nail digging deeply and I cannot help but to shrink where I am. I have a loud groan when a strong throb hit my upper neck. "You wanted your fish so badly? Then I am turning you to be one!"
This person is offically bat-shit crazy. I have to get away!
But my plan to stand up never happened when I felt my body turning friggid and jelly. Do you know the feeling of having injected with anesthesia and slowly feeling it numb you? Well that's the only example I can use to describe what is heppening to me now. But those injections never made me feel so scared. Still, I tried to use all of my energy to even move a limb, and while doing that, I uttered a prayer. I can't just allow this crazy woman to do what she wants to me. And my stubborm self also comes with huge amount of faith even though people around me never saw me as a real believer. I know the Big Boss up there has His eyes on me. And this witch will not have- wait… that's right! It makes sense now!
How could a normal person do this kind of things? How can you make the very wind howl and suffocate someone at the same time? How can you give pounding pain with just words? How can you paralyze someone with only sheer anger? People may think that in these modern times where people can't live a day without wifi, such ancient beliefs are considered ridiculous. It will never make sense unless we are in normal situation.
And what happening right now is above normal in my opinion! This woman is a practicer of dark power.
"Witch…" I uttered under my breath and again, I know that Amanda could hear me.
Her eyes glared darkly. "Yes." there comes my confirmation. "And you will walk the very surface of the Earth with fear that when waters touch your skin you will change as a creature that dwells the seas. Feared monster for eternity!" She was now screaming with all the angers inside her, God only knows where all that came from. I can feel a heavy, cold and a painful crawling all over my skin. Like the feeling of sharp needles sticking in your skin. I feel like I am being stangled in the neck and being drowned at the same time.
I feel so terrified. My prayers were my only salvation, praying to Big Boss to not let this evil woman take my soul away. I have no idea what is happening or what will but right now, my heart only sings for mercy.
"No…" I whispered through now raspy and dry throat. "No, witch. I don't care what powers you have in you. But this is your big mistake." If this will be end, then I will not be afraid.
Fear not, for I am with you;
"You can curse as much as you want."
Be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I shooked my head weakly with defiance. "But my soul belongs to the Higher Ups. You maybe will do nothing than to destroy my body but someone like you will have no power over me." The numbness of my body decreases but not completely disapeared. "I feel sorry for you."
Anger bubbled more into her face and she screams so loud that the winds blows harshly again and thunder spills into the sky. That's when the waves of the ocean decided to enter the scene and became violent. It backed up high and slams into the shore bringing me sputtering into the water.
This is it! She didn't get to strangle me to death or do any anti-climatic murdering act but I will drown to death!
I tried to resurface again however, a big wave slammed into my face and threw me back underwater, tossing me like a ragdoll in a laundry washer. I can only gulp for a small amount of air before a stronger one hit me. I'm starting to become tired and my chest constricts with the pain of lacking oxygen.
With my terror, panic and the pain that the still-numbness my body gives every time I give one more pathetic fight, I can feel the last of my strength leave me.