Episode 2

Aurora:

Waking up to a beeping machine, my head was so heavy, and the room was spinning

out of control, I remember holding the most beautiful baby ever, she was just

born I was in charge of cleaning her and returning her to her parents. My eyes

focus on Mom, cocking my head to the side trying to figure out why she seemed

so down.

“OH, Doctor, she’s awake,” Mom whimpered as our eyes meant, she had been crying

but why?

“Aurora, welcome back to the land,” Dr. Chad said holding a clipboard smiling,

it was a fake smile, he had been my friend for over ten years and had always

told me the truth, never hiding anything, but right now, at this moment he’s

hiding something big, something indescribable and I don’t know what it is

either. My brain was running through all the possible scenarios that can cause

dizzy spells, blackouts, nausea, and fatigue, but nothing fit the bill,

Pregnant ‘Nope’

High Blood sugar ‘Nope’

Heart disease ‘Nope’

“We did some work up, you’ve been out for a full day and it worried me so with

your mother's permission I ran a Ct, MRI, and blood, findings were…” he looked at

the floor classic sign of my best friend trying not to tell me. With glossing

eyes, he looked back at me, he was about to cry…

“What is it? What’s wrong?” I rushed to sit up only to be

knocked back by the dizziness.

“Aurora, I’m sorry to be the one to tell you, but there’s something wrong with your heart, we can do surgery, but that would only give you a couple of extra weeks, but as of now eight months is the longest I can give you” he hung his head low watching as my eyes welled up, mom was in hysterics, this couldn’t be happening. I didn’t smoke or do drugs of any sort, socially

drank once or twice a month.

“I need to leave, unhook me now” I snapped, anger and sadness

in me, as those words sunk in, my world was spinning out of control and the only thing I could think of was why me?

“You should stay for a day or two, let me run some more tests,” Chad said, but

the look on his face said everything this was the end and there was nothing

more he could do.

  What grand plan could god have for me if I died now? I never married, had kids, never done all those amazing and dramatic things I read about in books and now I only had eight

months live, this was too much for me. Walking out of the hospital with Mom

helping me to the car,

“I don’t want to die here, I want to be somewhere else,” I

said, listening to her sniffle, she didn’t want me to leave, but I know it would

be best for her. I told her ‘I’m not having the surgery I’m going to live the

rest of my life in peace on the beach, I’ll make all the needed arrangements

for you,’ she didn’t need that burden.

The pain she will endure after I die will be unimaginable and I didn’t want her trying to mourn and have the finical hassle. Most of the time driving home I thought of somewhere I could go to

blend in and stand out at the same time, packing to just hit the road, for now,

if I stayed here it would only hurt more to see my mom watch me whether away.

Once we returned home, I went straight to my room, didn’t want to waste any more

time.

Laying everything out on my bed,

Clothes, Tablet, Passport, Wallet.

Packing my suitcase and over shoulder bag ready to leave this city behind,

“Aroura, where are you going?” Mom asked as she walked into my

room, obliviously seeing the suitcase and laid out items.

“Mom, I need to go away for some time,”

“Please no, we can get another opinion, you’re fine I’m sure

of it.” She pleads, but deep in her heart she knew as well as me, Chad would

never lie about something like this.

“Mom just let me go” I sigh, hugging her one last time, it

made be the last time we are face to face.

“You can’t leave, please! I don’t want to wait around for that phone call,” I shook my head at her knowing she didn’t need to wait around, she needed to pretend I was on vacation and that was it,

“Just think of it this way I’m going on vacation and when I

come back, I’ll be at peace.” I smiled kissing her on the forehead.

“Call every morning, we can talk with coffee” she smiled with

reluctance to let me go, smiling as I left.

 On my way to the airport, I took a minute to think and reminisce about my life as I was now. Just an everyday average girl, a bit of a hopeless romantic waiting for the perfect

man to marry and live old with, it was always my dream. Throughout elementary

and high school, I had perfect attendance and even in college never missed a

day or got sick. I always had my head stuck in a book, working hard to get where I

am.

Hated when my roommates would have parties making it impossible to study, looking back now I wish I had fun and partied hard too. Pulling up at the airport I made my final decision to go to

Bird Stars island.

A beautiful carefree island with maybe less than

two-hundred-thousand people on it, the only way there was to take a plane to Cove

Launch then a boat to the island. It would be the perfect place to live out the

rest of my life, and I would even forget my sickness once I’m there.

Ordering a ticket and grabbing lunch before takeoff, sighing deeply I felt fine, the dizziness had subsided, nothing felt off at any point. Chad gave me papers a list of can-do’s and can’t dos now is the perfect time to read it.

*Eat a healthy diet,

*Maintain medication

*Rest enough, no overstress

*No alcohol

*No drugs

*No spontaneous actives

Rolling my eyes at the last one, like that will ever happen now.

‘Attention passengers, Flight 1616 is ready for takeoff’ packing up my stuff

heading to the terminal, this is the last time I will be here alive, sighing as

I silently say goodbye to Mom and Chad. I wasn’t fast enough, as

soon as I stood a man bumped into me knocking everything in my hands onto the

floor.

“Shit” I seared as I rushed to pick everything up the last thing

I needed to lose something important,

“Here Miss,” another man said as he handed me a stack of

papers, caught off guard by his corked smile,

“Thank you” I laughed rushing onto the boarding ramp, damn

man almost made me miss my flight. I was nearly running to get to my seat

before the flight attendants come to check seats.

“I’m sorry, miss,” I smiled as I nearly knocked a lady over trying to get to my

seat, this was nerve-wracking all I wanted was a smooth comfortable flight.

“Attention Passengers thank you for flying Bird eyes Flights,

will you please fasten seat belt and remain seated until cleared take off.”

One of the attending’s said with a smile, standing at the front of the plane.

Looking around seeing so many different people just sitting and waiting, a baby

babbled from behind me, the child’s mother shushed him. It made me smile about the

love and affection she held for her child. Not long after the announcement, we

took off, sighing deeply as I officially started the end of my life vacation.

“Attention

passengers, please fasten your seat belt for landing, thank you,” Started

awaking by the announcement I didn’t realize I fell asleep; the flight was over

and next was the twenty-minute boat ride to my destination. Surprisingly I was

a little more excited than I thought I would be, more like I’ve become content

with the grim ripper walking behind me now. Looking out the window seeing the

sky and ocean, watching the wave roll all the blues and green colors so vibrant

and intoxicating. Getting a bit antsy ready to get out of this chair, feeling

my back getting stiff and sore, thinking the best thing to do when I get to

Birds island is to take another nap.

 One thing for sure was I was hungry. Just like a flash we landed, refreshed, excitement and a wave of freedom flowed through me, to forget everything and everyone even it’s just for a minute.

Taking in the beautiful scenery, the blue sky, birds flying, clouds almost

forgetting the people around me rushing to get to the boat for the following

leg of my trip. Wide eye walking and relaxed free to the world, walking downhill with luggage in one hand and map in the other. The boat came into view a smile stretched across my face, my hair flowing in the breeze, the wind was barely blowing my skirt blowing slightly.

“Excuse me!” turning to the voice finding the same man that helped me before boarding

the plane. That smile again, obviously I was blocking him from moving.

“Oh… I’m sorry sir,” hurrying to move aside, watching his tall stature walk away from

me.

He was nice enough to acknowledge me and not knock me over, his reddish-brown

hair flying around in the wind, he bounced down the hill, nice suit too odd I

didn’t notice a suitcase only a carry-on bag and briefcase.

“Ready for takeoff,” the horn blow as everyone sat in their seats, three rows in front of

me I noticed that man with the reddish-brown hair, was he going the same

place as me?

My phone died just as I got off the plane so calling mom was out until

later today.  Looking around this luxury boat feeling pretty wealthy right now, plush cushion seats with gold trim fancy painting lining the halls even the crew was wearing suits and nice

uniforms just like the airline people.  Everyone here looked so happy and relaxed, with smiles, laughter, and joy.

The window seat is always the best, between the sun and water splashing into my face seemed to be heaven, such a short ride it sucked when the boat docked.

“Ma’am, Excuse me, Ma’am.” I rushed to the lady that left her bag on the chair,

“Ma’am,” I touched her shoulder,

“Yes! Oh my, thank you” she laughed, holding her baby close to her cheek, I wanted

nothing more but to see me with a baby.

“You’re welcome” smiling as I cooed the baby, maybe a little more than eight months

old.  Frozen to my spot even though I was

on the docks, nothing could budget me at that minute, the most maleficent sky in

the distance, the sunset was always my favorite time of day hands down, the vibrant

colors that plastered all over the sky, just perfect staring at the blue fade

into red then orange then blue again to meet the ocean clouds barely visible.

“Miss,” the captain tapped my shoulder, of course, I had been standing here for

far too long and needed to leave the docks.  A good ten-minute walk to the hotel, but for me, it took a good fifteen too busy ohh and ahhing the scenery Birds Island was called paradise, but never did I think it was. Green trees everywhere for shade from the sun, that

is now fully set, two roads one leading to the beach and one leading up the

mountain.

The hotel on the outside looked old school, if I didn’t know any better I would’ve

thought it was a run-down old shack, two swinging seats on the porch, white

pecked fence around the stairs, and deck dark green doors open while to guest

and a brick foundation. Red carpet to welcome with, a tray of treats on the table

in the lounge area, white couches with red trim. It wasn’t very crowded just

two people at the desk, noticing the man from the plane and boat, he was

staying here as well. The receptionist seemed to be a little upset,

“DAMN IT!” he slammed his hand down making every including me jump, walking up

to the desk,

“Checking in,”

Listening in on his conversation,

“How could you give my already booked room to someone else, some jerk stole my wallet I

can’t book another room until morning,”

“Sir, I’m sorry, the trainee made a mistake and double booked the room, the family

has already check-in,” the manager was trying hard to defuse the situation, but

lady, the man going to blow his lid.

“Then book my payment for another room?”

“We have no vacates Sir,”

Turning to the receptionist that was helping me,

“Have a nice stay, Miss,” she spoke as she handed me my room key.

Now or never my brain was going in overdrive,

“Excuse me, Sir, I have an extra bed in my room you can bunk there until morning,” I said, with my head slightly down didn’t want to give him the wrong impression.

“Can I sleep on the couch?” he said the manager, only to be told no,

“I guess I don’t have much of a choice.” He snapped,

“Do you need food too?” I said quietly, knowing he lost his wallet doubt he could get

anything to eat until morning.

“What is your name?” he said in a softer tone little less angry about sharing a room,

shaking my head as I looked up to him, his eyes widen slightly, caramel brown eyes, matching his tan skin and diamond shape face, small nose completely the

masterpiece. He could pass as a model,

“Aroura Lee, you?” seriously trying not to trip over my words,

“Ryn Chen” he held his hand, shanking it I did,

“I will repay you for dinner tonight, shall we” he guested to the dining hall of the

hotel, tables set up like fancy restaurants, servers wore white chef suits. I

couldn’t stop myself from thinking this is a date, even though I knew it’s

wasn’t I wanted to believe it?

“So why are you here?” he asked looking up from the menu

“Vacation and you?”

“Work, how long are you staying?”

“Two weeks and you?”

“Same,”

As we ordered, we shot questions back and forth, he seemed to be genuinely nice

and caring, food arrived seeing his plate made my mouth water, he had steamed

shrimp alfredo, I order clam soup with a burger something I’ve never had

before, most of the dinner we spent laughing at each other’s jokes, he told me

about his plan to build an expansion space for his Dragon park. It took my mind

off the fact that after tonight I’ll probably never see him again and that

eight months from now, I’ll be in a coffin, that was one thing I will not be

tell him.

Walking through the halls headed to my room smiling endlessly, he’s a sweet talker that

was good for one thing and that wasn’t on the agenda for me.

“This is it,” I said holding the key card,

“I really appreciate this,” he smiled, walking into the room, standard big room with a

small lounge area off to the side and bathroom on the other side, walking into

the room fully stopping when my eyes set on the mixed visible, one bed!

“Umm, “

“Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle if you need,” his voice was different, turning to smack

into his chest as he pinned me against the wall,

“What?”  I couldn’t even look at him, this wasn’t the same man that helped me twice today.

“Why would you invite a stranger into your room, if you’re not willing,”

“I… I…” fighting back tears, only one thing came to mind, connecting my knee to his pelvis.

Running to the bathroom locking the door,

“Fuck!” he laughed,

Not sure why the hell he was laughing I didn’t see anything funny though.

“Aroura, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you, truly I’ll sleep on the floor” he laughed knocking on the door, but now I didn’t trust him,

“If I come out, you will put all jokes away, that wasn’t funny, you are right, you’re a stranger,” I said through the door,

“I promise,” he said in the tone of the voice he used earlier with the manager. Fighting against my better judgment I unlock the door founding he had already made a bed on the floor and his sitting

down.

“I’m sorry, but if you want to hold onto your virtue don’t invite strange men into your room with false pretenses,” he said not moving from his spot.

“Night then,” I said, laying down on the bed.

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