Disturbing Events

"It really won't stay down,"

Angela complained as she attempted to tame the rebellious blue streak of hair that defied her efforts for the school outing. I had warned her that no clips or bands could hold it in place, but she persisted, playfully teasing me about our similar hair colors. However, as much as I enjoyed our banter, I knew deep down that Angela couldn't be the one I was destined to be with. My future lover's hair was a beautiful sea-glass blue that gently spiraled into the air above my straight blond strands.

"Ah, but dear River," Angela began, her voice laced with mischief, "maybe she could be an alien. A hideous, slimy, and violent monster who wants to eat your brains for breakfast."

We shared a laugh at her imaginative suggestion, but despite the humor, I couldn't help but entertain the possibility of a more angelic girl with big, soft eyes, someone whose love would be legendary and change the world. The thought brought a confident smile to my face, fueling my anticipation for the moment when our paths would cross.

"Or..." Angela countered, raising an eyebrow as she continued her playful theater, "...maybe she's an angel because she died tragically by the hands of a Thallassian." She mimics the dying scene of a girl becoming skewered by a poisoned Thallassian spear, adding dramatic flair to her words. "I'm sorry, future lover River. We weren't meant to be. I will love you from Heaven, and though we have never met in this life, I will be there to kiss you in the next and for all of eternity. Bleeehhhh...I die."

Amidst Angela's creative theatrics, a familiar voice interrupted our laughter. Conley, with his striking strawberry blond highlights, leaned in with a secretive air about him, sharing news of a recent Thallassian attack at sea. "Did you guys hear about what happened over the weekend?"

Conley's voice was hushed, as if fearing to invoke the very horrors he spoke of. The revelation left us puzzled about the motive behind the assault. The Thallassians rarely ventured near our shores, and we couldn't comprehend why they would target civilians. A sense of unease settled upon us as we questioned the mystery surrounding the incident, making the serenity of the sea outside the bus windows seem deceptive, as if the secrets of the sea were whispering through the cracks of reality, beckoning us into a realm of enchantments and dangers beyond our grasp.

"Well...apparently," Conley continued, his words resonating with both curiosity and trepidation, "there was an attack out at sea. Some people came back on stretchers with barbs embedded in their sides and were rushed to the hospital in silence."

The revelation was like a dark melody, one that invoked both fascination and fear, pulling us deeper into the enigmatic world that surrounded us. The very notion of innocent lives jeopardized by malevolent beings sent a pang of sorrow through my heart, as if the tragic echoes of their suffering reverberated through the depths.

"Why?" I ask, hearing the fear in my own voice, I try to control my tone. "Thallassians rarely attack here. What interest would they have with us. All the fighting is off of Worthstad."

Conley shrugged and replied, shaking his head towards his shoulder. "Dunno, but I heard mom talking about her night shift to dad this morning. Maybe something is going on. I mean, why wouldn't they sound the alarms? There weren't any warnings at the beach or on TV. Not even in the paper either. Just seems so...strange."

In this world of secrets and uncertainties, I knew that I could no longer be content with idle musings about my future love. The events unfolding before us were too real, too tantalizingly mysterious, and I couldn't help but feel that my life was about to embark on a journey of revelations and dangers, one that would challenge the very core of my beliefs. The urgency of the situation lingered in my mind, overshadowing the joyous moment of our end of the year class trip.

"Wait! Your mom works as a nurse at the hospital right?" Angela confirmed with Conley. "Maybe the people attacked just got in the Thallassian's way to some other destination? Did your mom hear anything from them?"

"No..." Conley' said plainly. "That's what made everyone so freaked. It was a patrol boat. Those people aren't trained to fight Thalls. Things know they're not to mess with island affairs."

Conley's gaze fixed on the serene sea outside the bus window. The calm surface held secrets that none of us could truly comprehend. Despite his composed demeanor, His trembling eyes betrayed the weight of this revelation. When he leaned closer and whispered, "Mom was given money by some suits to not say anything," he spoke as if the very act of voicing such information was a forbidden confession. "I saw em'. They gave me a look I didn't like when I left for school."

I felt my heart sink. Conley's words hung in the air, and I couldn't help but share his concern. The idea that an attack had occurred with no alarms, no warnings, and no public mention in any media was deeply unsettling. The Thallassians were known for their merciless and violent nature, and the thought of such an incident being kept hidden filled me with unease. The revelation felt like a key to a long-forgotten mystery, one that unlocked the door to hidden truths and sinister conspiracies. It was as if we had stumbled upon a dark enigma that could alter the course of our lives forever.

As the bus came to a stop, releasing us into the vibrant fairground, I couldn't help but feel like we had entered a realm of contrasts - a world of wonder and joy juxtaposed against the lurking shadows of the unknown. The sights and sounds of the fair offered a brief respite, but the mysteries of the Thallassians and their hidden intentions persisted, like a haunting refrain, weaving through the tapestry of our reality. I was filled with dread at the thought of war returning to the island. What could I even do to help protect my friends? The fair may have brought us joy for now, but the threat lurking beneath the waves continued to haunt me. The Thallassians and their malevolent secrets would continue to cast a spell over us, pulling us deeper into the enigmatic dance of fate and destiny.

To be continued...

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