The connection

It had been a few days since Céleste brought Truce home. His injuries were convalescing considerably quickly. He didn't seem menacing but she always kept her gun under the pillow as she was the never dropping her guards down kind. She hadn't told anybody about this mystic wounded boy who was now residing in her house, for she knew that people have a tendency of butting in other people's lives. As for Truce, he was more like the enigmatic yet gregarious kind. He tried to befriend Céleste. However, his every attempt appeared to be futile.

One day, just like always, Céleste was strolling in her garden right after dawn was welcomed with the melodious chirping of the birds. She noticed a wild deer from the forest had invaded her garden. She went back inside the chateau and brought a rifle with her. Truce was witnessing this from the balcony of his room. He raced down to the garden as she was about to hunt down that innocent creature.

"Please don't!" cried he, "Don't hurt him."

"What are you doing here? Go back inside. Don't bother me. I already have a wild stupid deer to deal with."

"No, I won't let you kill it. Let it go."

"Who do you think you are to stop me? and why do you think you can stop me?" said she in a grating voice and fired.

Truce stood still horrified as the deer was dead in a flash. In a crying voice, he yelled at her, "How could you be so cruel, so inhumane? You have no humanity in you. What sin had it committed for you to kill it?"

"I killed it because it trespassed my property."

"It grieved me, you know, to think you were always alone. I thought you were just aloof but you, you are a monster. You killed a harmless innocent being that had caused you no harm. I now understand why everyone avoids you."

"Good. Now that you know," she replied while heading back to the house, "You should avoid me as well."

He neared the dead deer with a pitying look and discovered it had a broken and wounded neck which must have been bleeding way before Céleste had shot it with her gun. He discerned and lamented his blunder. He hastily went to her room and knocked on the door.

"Céleste, can I come in?"

She opened the door and said sarcastically, "I thought you were planning to stay away from me? What's with the sudden change of mind?"

"Why didn't you tell me that the deer was in pain and was about to die? You killed it so that it wouldn't suffer anymore. I am very sorry for yelling at you and misunderstanding you. I shouldn't have called you a monster. I am very sorry."

"First of all, I don't need to explain myself to you. And second, you don't need to apologize to me. I am not hurt. Whatever you said is true. I do am inhumane and cruel. So, you'd better stay away from me as much as you can, mystery boy, or else you will get hurt too. Now go back to your room."

"Then why?"

"Pardon me?"

"Then why did you bring me, a complete stranger home, treat me, and let me stay here. You didn't even question me about my identity or where I am from, or about anything? What if I am dangerous? What if I hurt you? If you are so monstrous then why did you help me? Why Céleste?"

"I brought you home just for the sole reason that I knew you would've died if I had left you alone in the forest. As regards your identity, I don't want to know you. Once you've recovered, you'll leave. There is no reason for us to be friends. And tell me how can a person who cries for a dead deer can be dangerous. Now go back to your room and get some rest, Truce. You're still healing. You shouldn't be moving around like this." answered she and shut the door.

He fell silent and left.

A few hours later, the moon had arrived to rule the starry night and the sun had kissed the sky goodbye. Céleste fell fast asleep and for the first time in a long while, she had a dream, a long dream. She dreamt about the day her parents had died. They seemed anxious and apprehensive. Her father was driving the car. Someone was with them. They were on the way to the Purl City. Suddenly, a big light flashed and hit them. Their car rolled over. Her parents were gone but the other person with them fell unconscious. Someone approached the car. They took him with them. She couldn't see the face of the assassin but she saw the person who they took. It was Truce!

Céleste opened her eyes. She was sweating and breathing heavily. She grasped that it wasn't just a nightmare that was so realistic. It was the revelation of truth, the truth behind her parent's death which was supposed to be nothing more than just an accident. She looked around and saw the black crystal pearl stone glowing that she had kept on the table beside her bed. She put it in her locket, for she knew it was no ordinary stone. Her eyes that had never wept were teary. She was furious and sad at fate. Now she had a purpose in life: to avenge her parents and know the reason behind their demise. For that, she had to know their connection with Truce. Was he the beginning of her misery or answer to her fate? She took a deep breath and said,

"I guess it's time to know you, mystery boy."