On the horizon, Leo spotted a cluster of small, white cottages. Leo's lips curled into a wry smile. "It looks like we've found people," he remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice. "So when someone comes, you must faint," he joked, trying to lighten the heavy burden they both carried.
“Why would I?”
“People will pity you, and try to help!” He smiled, but she simply rolled her eyes.
They had left the rocky refugee hours ago and were still walking along the coast until they reached a hill and a cliff where they could see the distance.
It took them about one hour to get to the small town. As they reached the front yard of the hamlet, Leo's legs gave out, exhaustion consuming him. Collapsing onto the ground, he gently placed Maria beside him. "Sorry... My legs have given up," He admitted, his voice tinged with weariness.
Minutes passed, and Leo summoned the strength to rise to his feet once more. His eyes scanned the landscape, taking in all the details of this newfound place. A long bay stretched out before him, dotted with barges and occupied by a few weathered fishermen. He also noticed a few people leaving town with pickaxes and other tools, most likely miners. A rough slope led up to a rusty brass sign, proudly displaying the name of the town - Puerto Toro. The Chilean flag fluttered defiantly in the fierce wind. In the distance, Leo's gaze settled on a small chapel, its walls painted white and blue. And farther beyond, a bridge emerged on the horizon, connecting this isolated town to the wider world.
Leo's heart swelled with a mix of relief and trepidation. They had found sanctuary in this remote corner of the world, but what lay ahead remained uncertain. With Maria by his side, he would face whatever challenges awaited them in this unfamiliar land.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
The chill of the wind bit through Leo's coat as he gazed out over the now-desolate town. Weariness lingered in the air. Maria's nonchalant shrugs did little to ease Leo's growing anxiety.
"How did we end up in Chile?" Leo sighed.
Maria's shoulders lifted in a casual shrug, her demeanor almost indifferent. "Who knows?"
A tinge of frustration edged Leo's voice, "How the hell are we going to get back?"
Again, Maria's response was a casual shrug. "Who knows?"
"I wish you could teleport us." Leo, a hint of sarcasm tainting his words, coughed.
Maria's eyes reflected the futility of Leo's desire. "I tried already... Joanne cast a curse on us to prevent us from doing so."
"Yeah, yeah! I know..."
Their predicament loomed over them, and Leo's mind wrestled with their situation. Maria's pragmatic suggestion brought a touch of dark humor to the conversation, "We have to work as fishermen to earn money to travel. Beg for money… or who knows, sell our bodies?"
Leo, refusing to succumb to pessimism, responded, "Don’t be pessimistic, someone charitable will help us."
Maria's eyes, filled with skepticism, rolled. "Hospitality won’t last long... few people are willing to help two strangers like us! This world is greedy."
Together, they ventured towards the chapel. However, its door remained locked. Leo thought that the once lively town had transformed into a haunting emptiness, the absence of people hanging heavy in the air.
“I saw a bunch of people in the distance. Where’s everybody now?”
They remained there, sitting next to the chapel entrance, waiting for someone to appear.
As the day wore on, exhaustion claimed Maria, and Leo, fatigued but vigilant, draped his left arm around her in a protective embrace. The hours drifted by, the fading daylight casting long shadows over them.
Dusk descended, painting the town in muted hues. Finally, a lone figure emerged from the silence, an old woman shrouded in a bulky coat. Leo, drifting away in sleep, barely registered her approach.
The old woman, a weathered face carved with the passage of time, stopped before the weary travelers. Leo's tired eyes met hers, but he was too tired to even react.