Page 45 of Autumn Secrets

“Thanks.” With a shaky hand I put the beautiful orchid in the water.

“Aurora, are you okay?” Lexi asked.

“Yeah, I think I just need a shower to wake up, unless you guys need a hand with anything?”

“No, you go. We thought we could go to the markets in town when we’re finished here.”

“Sounds good. I’ll be right back.”

I quickly went upstairs and closed the bedroom door behind me. My senses were still on high alert, replaying every moment of what had just happened to me. I wanted answers right away, but I had no idea where to start. If someone had been watching me this morning, it was highly likely that this person lived around here somewhere. All of a sudden, the idea of going into the markets sounded like the perfect plan. I jumped in the shower and welcomed the warm water over my frozen body.

As much as this whole morning should have made me question my mental wellbeing, I still felt that strange calmness, almost like a surrendering. Because I knew my grandmother must have had the same gift. Well, I wasn’t sure if I could call it a gift yet, because I knew nothing about it. But if my grandmother possessed it, it definitely wasn’t evil in any way. She had been the kindest woman I’d ever known. No, this definitely wasn’t something bad that was happening to me, because I had never felt as at peace with myself as I did this morning in the forest. I’d felt so complete and so in tune with everything around me. It was the most amazing feeling I’d ever had. Would I be able to do that again? I knew I wanted to. It was calling to me…

“Aurora, come on, breakfast is ready!” Lexi yelled as she knocked on the bathroom door. Apparently, someone else was calling to me as well. I giggled at my own humour and turned the shower off.

“I’ll be right down,” I shouted back.

After breakfast we drove back into Lovika Creek.It was a cute little town, surrounded by Mother Nature, just like Angel Falls. The market we were visiting was in the middle of the town square. We bought ourselves some hot chocolates and roasted almonds and started to explore the market stalls. It didn’t take long before we all got separated, but I didn’t mind walking around by myself. I had too much to think about to be able to socialise anyway.

I was strolling around the stalls, when I noticed an old woman further down the street waving towards me. I didn’t recognise her, so I turned around to see if she was waving to someone behind me, but no one seemed to be paying any attention to her. I turned towards her again, and she continued to wave for me to come over. I pointed at myself, and she nodded enthusiastically. Did she know my mum or something? Or she might have known my grandparents? Curious, I strolled over to where she was standing.

“You’re here,” the old woman said and reached for my hand.

“’Sorry, do I know you?” I asked politely and smiled at her.

“The light bearers will be happy to know you’re finally home,” she said, and squeezed my hand gently.

“The light bearers? Sorry, but I think you must have me confused with somebody else.” This woman was clearly old and in a fragile state of mind. The woman shook her head and smiled.

“No, dear, I know whatyou are,” she whispered and held on to my hand gently.

I looked for any sign that she was messing with me, but she seemed genuinely happy to know me, so I decided to take a chance. Maybe she knew something about what had happened to me. Maybe she could help me.

“And what am I exactly?” I whispered back.

The woman’s brow furrowed as she studied my face. “You don’t know?”

“No, I don’t know. But if you know something, please tell me,” I implored. Did she know what I could do? She seemed to detect the urgency in my voice and patted my hand.

“The autumn equinox will be here very soon and that is the only day when light is vulnerable and can be defeated by the darkness. You need to be prepared,” she whispered.

“I don’t understand.”

“Then seek your answers. I can see that you are already connected to the light within.” She gave me a reassuring smile as she let go of my hand, then turned around and started to walk away. I hurried after her.

“Wait! Please, just tell me where to look.”

“Aurora, there you are. Have you seen the other girls?”

I spun around, somewhat startled to see Mia standing there.

“No, hold on one second. I just need to ask this lady something.” I turned back to the old woman, but she was nowhere to be seen.

“Where did she go?” I mumbled and looked around.

“Who are you looking for?” Mia asked.

I turned to Mia. “This old lady. I was just talking to her. Did you see her by any chance?”