Chapter 27: The Tale of Dylan Aguilar

There was another story and I was about to take a chug on the tea, but I've apparently finished it. I lazily get up to get some more tea in their kitchen. As I do, I see Karen once again, cleaning the floor. I grab the teapot and pour in a bit.

I awkwardly make some small talk, hoping she'd maybe stop hating me less somehow, "Hey Karen, how long have you been working here?"

She shoots me a look before answering, "Two years."

"Wow. Yuki must be a really good guy."

Karen stops sweeping and answers strongly, "He isn't just a good guy. He is the kindest, most selfless and smartest man I've ever met. That's why I stayed with him and wanted to help him."

"That's why... you're wary of strangers around him and coming inside his house?"

"Exactly."

I finish pouring the Green Tea, "Hey, do you… really hate me and my family?"

She crosses her arms and looks away, "I don't 'hate' you. You Harrisons sure are freaking weird and messy. But you're not as bad as they say. At least that's what Mr. Hatsu keeps telling me." she answers softly, "Just don't go around being too cozy with him!"

I laugh, "I know, don't worry." I bid goodbye in singsong and she continues cleaning.

Settling in my same spot in the sofa, I stretch my arms. Okay, it's time for the next story.

"The tale of Dylan Aguilar

I met him while I was on my journey to the cave to do more research. Lives in 7th street. Has 1 daughter and a wife who is overseas. Her daughter, Cara told us his tale.

Dylan Aguilar has been a reserved lumberjack for 50 years now. But in all those years, he only came across one strange experience when he was 30 years old. In late 1881, Dylan went to the dark parts of the forest and cut some wood there all by himself on an afternoon. Then the clouds brewed and had started to rain. It was hard to see, and he was far away from the town, so he went deeper in the forest, finding a sheltered area.

Aguilar came across the cliff and tried to hide under the trees. To his strange luck, there was an arrow hidden between the leaves which pointed down to the staircase. Because of strong curiosity, he gathered some wood from his pile to use as a cover and went down.

It revealed a dark valley, but he continued walking, having to see the infamous place for the first time. As he was venturing, he came across a goldfish on a small puddle who seemed to be struggling for its life. Dylan picks the goldfish with his bare hands, letting go of the wood. He was contemplating what to do with it, until he heard of a strange voice singing out to him. He tries to find the source and immediately spotted the cave.

Aguilar goes inside the cave carefully and there it was, the lady with the purple gown. Startled by the sight, he stood dumbfoundedly as the girl was doing push ups. When she notices Aguilar too, she slowly stands up and they both stare at each other.

The fish laying on his hand jumped which reminds him that it needs to be saved. Luckily, there is a small pond inside the cave, and he sets the goldfish down without saying anything.

The girl comes close to the pond and the two observed it with interest.

'Its fin seems to be broken.' Dylan says.

The lady took a while to response, 'Excuse me young sir, can you look away for a moment?'

Dylan was hesitant at first, but he followed her order. He looked away for only a few seconds.

'It's all okay now.'

Dylan looked back at the fish when she said that and noticed that the fin is all better now. The girl seemed to have moved from her spot with her hands on the pond. Dylan asked, 'You know how to treat animals?'

'I do. I have learned a little about all kinds. The water here is fresh, so I deem it should stay here for the time being.'

'We should also stay until the rain stops.'

The only noise that filled the cave was the goldfish swimming cheerfully around as they were silently watching it and playing with it. After some time, the rain calmed down and Dylan thought to leave. He stands up, about to retrieve the goldfish until Malinda adjured.

'I would like to take care of it if that's okay.'

Dylan nodded and was about to step foot outside the cave. Before he left, there was a short pause before he asks one his last question, 'What would you name it?'

The lady thought about it seriously then replied, 'Her name is Grace.'

They bid each other goodbye and Aguilar wondered about that mysterious lady as he was going home. He told his daughter, Cara, about what happened while they were having dinner the same night.

The next day, Cara showed his father a small drawing she created about the cave and the lady. He appreciated it, but to the daughter's demise, Dylan asked what she meant about the cave. She thought that her father was playing about with her. It wasn't until she grew older to realize that he really had really forgotten after asking him once again.

Thoughts: How did Malinda heal the fish? Did she have anything on her at that time or was it something else? Furthermore, I will get more info regarding this."

I only realized there was someone near my shoulders who was sniffing when I was done reading, "Ah! Yuki!"

Yuki was apparently reading the story with me and was fake sobbing (or maybe not), "That classic story again. Truly tragic." He sat down beside me, drinking some tea.

"Yeah. Uh, are you done cooking the ramen… thing?"

"Yes, I have! would you like some?" He sounds excited.

"No, thanks, again. Maybe next time."

Yuki laughs, "How is your reading going?"

"Great, I'm learning a lot. I guess."

I looked at the book and thought about that story. It was sort of similar to the last story earlier, and they both only visited once and forgot about it immediately. Perhaps after they slept. This story is much shorter, though.

So, Dylan's the one who bought Grace inside that cave. I've always wondered how the hell she went inside. I just wonder how she could still be alive right now. Do they have food or something?

Shaking my other thoughts off, I thought about the story generally. There was nothing special to it. Besides the fact that it took 12 years for someone to see that arrow sign. Weird.

Time for the next one. I go back to the book and flip the page to start reading the next story. But there seems to be a problem?