Chapter 11: Reflections on the Lake

The afternoon felt endless. The sun's heat seemed to melt my thoughts away. Yesterday's last words spun around in my head. The possibility that my grandmother might have been a witch tormented me. Everything seemed to make sense, yet at the same time, it became more confusing. James kept appearing in my mind, and just the thought of his name made me shiver.

Ryan's extravagant smile pulled me from my thoughts.

"Hey, are you listening, or are you daydreaming?" Ryan said, waving his hands in front of my face.

"Sorry, it's been hard," I replied, taking a deep breath.

Ryan looked at me with a sincere expression.

"Emma, I know we've only known each other for a short time, but I'm here for whatever you need," he said, his blue eyes fixed on mine. For a moment, I felt at peace. I couldn't help but laugh.

"I know a place I always go when I need peace," Ryan said, grinning widely.

I got into the car and let him drive. Ryan took me to a beautiful place. There weren't many people, just a few families enjoying the gentle breeze. The freshness of the air brought me back to life.

The beautiful lake in front of me reflected the afternoon in shades of orange, welcoming me. Ryan invited me to sit on a bench beneath a leafy tree. I took off my sandals to feel the earth beneath my feet. I closed my eyes and breathed in the sweet calm of the moment.

"You know, since I moved to Highland, I've been coming to this place that brings me peace," Ryan said, gazing at the horizon.

"You're not from here, are you?" I asked, trying to be polite.

"No, I'm from Houston," he replied, beaming.

"And what brought you to this place?" I inquired, tilting my head.

"Well, I'm an adventurer, and I've always been fascinated by the history of this place. I love legends," Ryan said, enthusiasm spilling from him.

"Speaking of Highland legends, I've never been that interested in them. I never believed in those things," I said, sighing. Now, however, it seemed easier to believe.

"Do you want me to tell you one?" Ryan asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

I nodded, leaning in to listen. I knew the story could help me understand many things.

"Well, it's said that a long time ago, these lands were guarded by a strange entity called the Being. There was a group of witches in its service who knew it closely. But one day, a landowner, desperate for riches and blinded by ambition, contacted a servant of the Being. It granted him his wish, but took away his immortality, leaving a mark on his chest. It's said that he now wanders in search of redemption. That's all I know," Ryan explained, smiling with skepticism, as if he enjoyed a good tale.

My gaze fixed on the ground. Despite being just a legend, something in the story resonated with me. The word "witch" felt so familiar and cruel; I couldn't help but recall Maria's words.

"Really, you hadn't heard it before?" Ryan asked, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

"Maybe, but I never paid attention," I replied. Yet with everything that was happening, it seemed more believable. For a moment, a doubt arose in my mind.

"Hey, how do you know Ruth?" I asked.

"Oh," Ryan smiled and looked down. "I met her at the bar. I think you didn't work there back then," he said, scratching his head.

I had already imagined that he might be an ex of Ruth's, considering she had many. We fell into silence, enjoying the scenery, although the memories had returned to my mind. But I refused to accept them. I stood up and walked onto the grass, lying down on my back. The sound the wind made in the water was like a melody joining the birds' songs, creating a grand orchestra. I opened my arms and felt nature, for a moment, cradle me like a mother with her child. I felt relief and a desire to remain in its embrace forever.

Night fell quickly. Ryan drove his truck while listening to a song on the radio. His tattoo looked bigger than I had thought. The view from the window was beautiful; the tall buildings and luxurious streets brought me back home and, with it, to my reality.

"Ryan, we haven't talked about the price of your services as a lawyer," I said, realizing I had forgotten something important.

"Today's not a day for that, so no talk of work or problems," he said, and for some reason, his response intrigued me.

"Okay, but we'll talk about it soon," I said.

He smiled, wearing a confused expression I couldn't interpret. Maybe I was the one doubting everything lately.

I arrived home, thanked Ryan for the day and for the peace he helped me find. I entered my room and felt I was returning to the cruel world I had tried to forget moments before. I hurried to bed, wishing for sleep to come quickly to avoid thinking of anything else. As soon as I lay down, sleep enveloped my eyelids almost immediately, wrapping me in a tranquil darkness.

It was terribly cold. The ground beneath my bare feet was repugnant. It was night, and I couldn't see well; only the strange sound of a choir guided me in some direction. The sky had no stars, no moon. I tried to seek the voices singing and ran with all my strength, feeling my heart race. In the distance, I glimpsed a light, like a campfire. There were several women dancing while singing. I rushed closer to the light, but they all stopped singing as if they noticed my presence from afar. For some reason, I felt fear, yet at the same time, curiosity. The women joined hands, forming a circle, and one of them turned to me, extending her hand.

"Emma, this is your destiny," her voice sounded like an echo, a mix of sweet and bitter.

I tried to flee, but I could no longer move. I felt a terrible desperation to move my feet, but I couldn't. As the women approached me, I fell to the ground. Desperation mounted; my chest rose and fell anxiously. I could barely breathe, feeling as if I were suffocating. The group of women surrounded me, all chanting "Emma" in unison. I tried to scream, but I couldn't until a muffled scream escaped me.

I opened my eyes, and the morning light illuminated my face. The sheets clung to my body, my heart raced, and my breathing was labored. I placed my hands on my chest, as if that could stop the constant pounding.

A new dream after some time. "Whatever the destiny is, there's no way to escape it but to face it."