Chapter Two

Enchanted

I awake with a start, and right away I realize something is wrong. It's still dark outside, and looking at my clock I see it's only three-thirty am.

'Why am I awake?' I thought, as I nervously crawled out of bed. I turned on the light in the tiny house and looked around. Everything looked fine, and nothing seemed out of place. Nothing except...the toolbox. It was out of line, albeit slightly, and I walked over to it. After opening it, I realized that my newly purchased seeds were gone. 'What!' I thought, as I searched around frantically. My mind was racing, as I had no idea what could have happened to my seeds. 'I know I put them in there.' I slumped to the floor, desperately looking for a solution. When one finally hit me, it wasn't the answer I wanted. 'Someone must've taken them..' I thought. 'That's the only thing that could've happened.' My eyes welled in tears. I had purchased five thousands dollars worth of seeds, enough to last me the entire Winter. Money was tight around here, as my equipment wasn't cheap. My vibrating alarm clock cost me thousands of G's alone. ' Now what am I supposed to do?' I think, before the tears start to fall down my face. I started to sob, as I thought about what this setback could do to me. I could have to sell my animals, or worse. The tears started streaming faster, and who knows how long I would've stayed on the floor, if I hadn't spotted the note on the fridge. 'What's that?' I thought, as I wiped the tears off my face. I walked up to the fridge and took the note off.

'Thanks for the seeds beautiful. Sorry I didn't leave a note earlier, but I was pressed for time. Don't worry, I'll be in town again, and I feel sure we're to meet. It's in the stars. -Phantom Skye.'

I looked at the note, shocked into silence. What sort of thief left a note when they stole things? I crumpled up the message and threw it at the wall in frustration. Unfortunately, it'd looked like I had to take another trip into town.

'Maybe I could put some more seeds on credit.' I thought bitterly. I hated to put things on credit, as it always seemed like the townspeople just did it because of my disability. This time though, there seemed to be no other way. Unless...I looked down to the crumpled up note, and think about it's writer. 'It's in the stars.' it had said. What could that mean? 'Tomorrow night,' I think to myself. 'Tomorrow, I'll go and find my seeds.' Determination fills me, and for the first time in a long time, I look forward to being alive another day.

'Good morning Beauty!' I sign to my horse, not caring that he can't understand the signs. He wouldn't understand me if I were talking anyway. I went through my usual morning routine, feeding and brushing Beauty and Flower. After my animals were squared away, I went to tend to my crops. 'Hey little guys.' I think, as each one receives there share of water. The profits from these crops were supposed to be used to pay for past bills, making the need for my new seeds even greater. Mining was too dangerous with my lack of hearing, and fishing only brought in so much. Besides, I was supposed to be a farmer, and if I couldn't live off the farm, what was I then? I put my watering can in my backpack, and looked around the farm. 'Alright, I have until nightfall.' I thought, as I rolled up my sleeves and continued to work.

At around seven-thirty, I hesitantly stepped off the farm for the second day in a row. The sky had darkened, and most people would either be at home or the bar. 'Where would a thief be?' I thought, having no particular plan in mind. To be honest, I had no clue what I was doing, because not only did I not know what the thief looked like, I barely knew the little village I called my home. Most of my time was spent at my farm, so I had no clue where to go. I keep walking until I pass a large building (an Inn I think?), and before I know it, the beach is in view. My steps slow significantly as I am entranced by the beautiful waves.

'Pretty..' I think, as I sit on the beach. They rock back and forth, almost like a rocking chair, or a mother cuddling a newborn baby. The ocean has always calmed me in a way that even animals can't, and it saddens me that I don't come to the beach more often. I sit, in pure wonder for the longest time. Then someone taps on me, breaking me out of my trance.

'Jill?' Marlin asks, looking at me inquisitively. I jump, startled, before I nod. He looks straight at me, then says slowly, 'Are you okay?' I roll my eyes then nod again, my brief moment of peace interrupted. As I began to stand up, he helps me, putting a hand on my elbow. Shocked, I jerk back instinctively, my body so unused to human contact. 'Sorry.' I watch his lips form, but I just shake my head. 'Jill..' he starts, but I am already walking away, through with seeing with his fleeting looks of concern. I don't need anybody, and nobody needs me. It's been like that for years, and will stay that way for more to come. Tired and frustrated, I look at my watch.

'Ten pm?!' I think, surprised. 'It's that late already?' I spent way longer at the beach than intended, and now it was about time to call it a night. A sigh escapes my lips, and I am at the entrance to my farm when suddenly, I'm knocked over. A noise escapes my lips, and I look up to see the face of the man that literally knocked me off my feet. I was in no way prepared for what I saw.

A.N. Hey Guys! Hope you liked it. This one was a bit longer, but don't worry, there's still longer to come. Also there's more dialogue soon, as Jill will be interacting with people more, including a certain special someone. (Heh Heh Heh) Please review! Constructive criticism can make this story so much better, and it's greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading!

-Goldengirl

Oh, by the way, thank you so much for those who have already left a review. Your words of encouragement mean a lot. 3