When I unlocked my phone, three new messages greeted me on the screen. Deciding to return to my room for some privacy, I grabbed the device and made my way back. Once inside, I settled under the blanket, snuggling into its warmth as I lay on the futon. Taking a deep breath, I opened the first message—it was from Beth.
Beth:
“Aria, girl, how are you? Have you arrived on the island yet? Volleyball practice was so tiring—Coach really pushed us hard on the first day of summer practice. I swear he’s taking revenge on us! 😂 Don’t forget to take a picture of the island, okay? You promised! Oh, and hey, have you met your aunt yet?”
I smiled at her familiar, bubbly tone. Volleyball practice. Right. Beth always found a way to turn even the toughest days into something funny. Her message reminded me of my promise to send her photos—and of how much I really needed to find Aunt Marie.
I moved on to the next message, which was from Dad.
Dad:
"Yes, my business trip is going well. Your brother is here with me; you must have heard the news from your mom. I’m planning to spend some quality time with him. Do you think he’d prefer breakfast at a restaurant, at the hotel, or maybe with his friends? And love you, daughter. Dad."
A soft laugh escaped me. Dad’s messages always carried this mix of formality and warmth. I could tell he was making an effort to bond with my brother, and it warmed my heart. At the same time, I couldn’t help feeling a little jealous—this was the first time he’d written a slightly longer message to me. I’d love to spend time with him, too. Maybe when this whole island trip is over, I’ll get the chance to have some one-on-one time with him. For now, I was just glad to see him making the effort.
The third message was from my brother:
Brother:
"What?! You’re serious? That’s unbelievable, Aria. So tell me more—have you pieced together all the clues Aunt Marie gave you? And what about the villagers? Hey, don’t leave me hanging! Also, just be careful, alright? Oh, and guess what? I met this really nice, hot girl here. But... I’m kind of worried she might be, ugh, supernatural—like a ghost or something. I’ll tell you all about it when we’re back home."
I blinked at the message, unsure whether to laugh or roll my eyes. Supernatural? Really? And why couldn’t he just tell me now? Was he teasing me or being serious? Either way, I couldn’t help but wonder when would be the soonest chance to go home after meeting auntie.
A twinge of disappointment struck me when I realized there were no messages from Aunt Marie—or even from Mom. It wasn’t like Mom. Why hadn’t she replied? I hoped everything was okay at home. Now that I think about it, she’s the only one there while the rest of us are away. Maybe she’s just busy managing the restaurant.
Before falling asleep, I quickly composed replies. I updated my brother about my discoveries—the villagers’ tattoos, what I’d learned about Aunt Marie so far, and the story behind Mr. Bill’s tongue. Maybe his sharper mind could help me connect the dots.
----------------------------------------
Morning came, and I woke to the sensation of something warm and rough on my hand. Opening my eyes groggily, I found Sky—enthusiastically licking me. He must’ve let himself in through the window.
Smiling at his boldness, I decided this was my chance to pet him. Moving slowly so I wouldn’t scare him off, I sat up and carefully reached out to pat his head. As my hand met his soft fur, I exhaled deeply to keep my excitement in check. He purred contentedly, and I felt triumphant.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door, followed by Charlie’s voice. “Aria, breakfast is ready in the dining room.” With a final pat for Sky, I stretched, ready to start the day.
Hearing Charlie’s voice, I quickly replied, “Coming!” Determined not to keep him waiting, I tidied up my room, folding the futon and returning the blanket and pillows to the cabinet. A glance at my watch told me it was already 7:30 a.m.—later than I usually started my day.
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I rummaged through my bag, grabbing fresh clothes, my favorite red jacket, underwear, and soap, deciding to freshen up before heading to breakfast. After a quick but refreshing wash, I felt more awake and ready to face the day.
When I arrived at the dining room, Charlie was waiting at the table, a warm smile lighting up his face.
I asked, slightly surprised, “Why haven’t you eaten yet? Were you waiting for me?”
Charlie shrugged casually, but his smile softened. “Yeah. It’s too lonely to eat alone, you know.”
His words made me pause. I doubted he truly felt lonely, but considering Granny Chan and Mr. Bill were often out at sea, it must’ve usually been just him and Sky here. Maybe some days he did feel lonely, or perhaps he was just trying to make me feel at ease. Either way, what he was doing was a kind gesture. I returned his smile. “Thanks, Charlie.”
As we ate, the atmosphere felt light and comfortable. Even Sky joined us, enjoying his breakfast with contented little purrs. After the meal, I insisted on washing the dishes to show my gratitude. Charlie didn’t argue, simply giving me an approving nod.
“Thanks for breakfast,” I said, rolling up my sleeves.
“You’re welcome,” Charlie replied, his tone as easygoing as ever. This place, despite its mysteries, was making my stay enjoyable so far.
After breakfast, Charlie suggested we head out, and I immediately remembered the library he’d mentioned—the one with the records of the residents and their houses. Excited, I asked him to guide me there.
“Sure,” Charlie agreed with a grin. “You seemed pretty eager about it last night. Let’s head over. We might even run into some of my friends. I’ll introduce you—it’ll make searching for your aunt faster. Plus, as they say, the more, the merrier, right?”
I nodded enthusiastically and followed him out of the inn. As we stepped outside, a thought struck me, and I asked, “Don’t you need to lock the doors?”
Charlie shook his head casually. “Nah, no need. There’s nothing of real value inside.”
That made me pause. I thought about my bag but quickly dismissed the worry. It wasn’t like I had anything worth stealing either. Still, the idea of leaving everything so open felt strange to me—another reminder of how different life on this island was.
As we walked toward the library, I noticed the guy with orange-tinged hair and his distinctive red necklace. For some reason, seeing him made my cheeks flush slightly. Unlike before, he was alone—there were no little girls following him around. His expression was distant, and he seemed to be in a bad mood as he headed toward the seashore. I couldn’t help but wonder what might have happened.
Charlie and I continued walking, eventually entering the village where the library was located. The village had a rustic charm, with all the houses made from bamboo, coconut wood, and other types of timber I couldn’t identify. The air buzzed with life and activity. Children laughed and played in the open spaces, women chatted in groups or went about their chores, while men engaged in trading, business, or occasionally gambling games.
The village felt vibrant yet peaceful, a stark contrast to the bustling chaos of the city. Here, life seemed simpler, more grounded. The fresh air carried the scent of the sea and the earth, unspoiled by exhaust fumes or industrial sounds. The houses were spaced apart, each with its own patch of land, unlike the tightly packed buildings that defined urban life.
I took a deep breath, letting the freshness of the air fill my lungs, and marveled at the sense of contentment that seemed to radiate from the villagers. It was a kind of serenity you could never find amidst the relentless pace and noise of the city.
As we walked past the villagers, some people glanced my way with curiosity, while others seemed too preoccupied to notice.
When we reached the library, I was taken aback—it was much larger than I’d expected. The three-story building, made of wood, was surrounded by well-maintained trees, colorful flowers, and neatly trimmed bushes, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere. In the center were benches and with white flowers, making it feel like the perfect place for learning and reflection.
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“Wow, Charlie,” I said, marveling at the structure. “You all have such a beautiful library. Wait… this is a library, right? Not some kind of community hall?” My mouth hung open in awe.
Charlie chuckled at my reaction and nodded. “Yeah, it’s just a library,” he reassured me. “Since we don’t rely on computers or other gadgets here, we’ve made it a point to collect and preserve all kinds of books for people to read and learn from.”
I couldn’t hide my amazement. “That’s incredible,” I said, taking it all in. The place felt like something out of a fantasy world—a mix of timeless charm and simplicity, as if it existed in an era untouched by industrialization, yet still modern in its own unique way.
“Hey, Charlie, can I take a picture of this place? I just want to show it to my best friend back home,” I asked, holding up my phone.
Charlie paused, looking at me thoughtfully for a moment before shaking his head. “I’m sorry, Aria, but it’s not allowed to take any photos of anything on the island. The only place you’re allowed to take pictures is at the seashore,” he said firmly.
“Seriously, Charlie? That’s so strict,” I replied, trying to process the unusual rule.
“Yeah, it is,” Charlie admitted with a shrug. “But that’s just how it is here. People might report you if they see you breaking the rule. Since we were kids, we’ve been taught about the island’s laws—especially the ones with serious consequences. You know, the grave offenses, the ones punishable by death or... torture,” he said, his tone surprisingly casual for such a grim topic.