204: HOW LIFE’S BEEN ONE YEAR LATER Sitting cross–legged in the soft, dewy grass of the sprawling meadow, I felt a gentle breeze tousling my hair as I gazed up at the vast expanse of the sky. The sun was just beginning its ascent, brightening everywhere in the landscape. Birds soared and swooped in intricate patterns above me, their melodic songs filling the air with a symphony of nature’s own composition. Watching, a magnificent stag burst forth from the edge of the forest, its powerful muscles rippling beneath its sleek coat as it bounded across the meadow with effortless grace. My heart swelled with wonder at the sight of such a majestic creature in its natural element. I marveled at the sheer beauty and power of the animal, feeling a deep sense of connection to the world around me. The stag came to a halt not far from where I sat, its dark eyes meeting mine with a look of curiosity. Time seemed to stand still for a moment as we regarded each other, human and beast, sharing a fleeting moment of understanding. Then, with a toss of its antlered head, the stag turned and disappeared back into the forest, leaving me with a sense of awe and reverence. A smile played at the corners of my lips as I watched the other inhabitants of the meadow go about their morning rituals. A family of rabbits darted among the wildflowers, their cotton–tail puffs bobbing in the sunlight. A pair of squirrels chased each other up and down a nearby tree, chittering laughter echoing through the stillness of the morning. their High above, a hawk circled lazily on the thermals, its keen eyes scanning the ground below for any sign of movement. I followed its flight with rapt attention, feeling a sense of freedom and exhilaration in the bird’s effortless mastery of the sky. I imagined myself soaring alongside it, feeling the wind beneath my wings and the sun on my face. The meadow was alive with the vibrant energy of the natural world, with each creature playing its part in the intricate tapestry of life. I felt a deep sense of peace settle over me as I drank in the sights and sounds around me, letting the moment’s beauty wash over me like a gentle tide. As the sun climbed higher in the sky, painting the meadow in a wash of brilliant colors, I closed my eyes and tilted my face upward, basking in the warmth of its rays. I felt a profound connection to the earth beneath me and the sky above–a sense of oneness with all living things. When I finally opened my eyes, the meadow was alive with movement and sound–a bustling symphony of life in all its forms. I rose to my feet and heard someone call my name. “Ariel, you’re here. I’ve been searching everywhere for you,” Laura uttered, walking closer to me. You had me worried.” “Oh, sorry, I just came to take some fresh air,” I replied, turning around. She looked around, also smiling at everything. “I see. Well, I have something important to discuss with you.” “And what is that exactly?” “I’ve discussed it with Bernardo and made it official.” I looked at her, waiting for what she had to say to me. “We’ll be going to New Haven,” she revealed. “Finally, back to where you came from.” “That’s nice,” I said with a nod. “When will we be leaving?” “Probably tomorrow or the day after that.” “Won’t be a problem; do we have to discuss anything else?” She shook her head. “Not really. Well, I’ll be going now. You can continue taking some fresh air.” She was about to walk away, but I told her to hold on. She did then, and then she turned around. “Thank you for everything,” I said softly. Laura smiled at me. “You’re welcome, my love. And thank you for supporting me in my business.” “I was just repaying the favor. If it wasn’t for you, I would have been dead by now.” She laughed softly. “Oh, please don’t say that now. “Why? I got shot, fell into a river, and almost left the earth, but then you found me, took care of my wounds, took care of me till I regained consciousness, and then you gave me a place to stay. Of course, I should be saying these things.” Laura laughed. “Ariel, I’ve heard you.‘ I laughed as well. “I know that. And thank you once again.” “And once again, you’re welcome.” She smiled before walking away. Yes, that was Laura. A 41–year–old woman who not only saved my life but also showed me the true meaning of compassion and selflessness. Of course, we all knew I was in a dire situation, bleeding profusely from that deep wound caused by that good–for–nothing witch, Harriet. And yes, without hesitation, this wonderful woman rushed to my aid and treated my wound with such expertise and care that would leave anyone amazed upon hearing this story. She saved my life, and I will forever be grateful for her quick thinking and kindness. She truly exemplified the saying,.“Not all superheroes. wear capes.” Now, I was going to make Luke pay for killing my son. As for Mason, I would make his life a living hell because he was the one who caused everything. On the other hand, Harriet was so going to get it from me. These three people would get to see a different side of me because the Vengeance was moving me. And trust me, they no longer knew the soft and caring Ariel. And I wasn’t planning to go to anyone for family sh*t or something. I had two purposes: search for my daughter and take revenge. The sound of laughter and giggles soon cut me off from my thoughts. I turned around to see two little children chasing after their puppy, who had a ball in its mouth. They were about five or six years old, with bright eyes and big smiles, and I watched them run around in the meadow. It was a beautiful sight that reminded me of my childhood. Suddenly, one of the children crashed into me, causing me to stumble back a little. But before I could even register what had happened, the child was already apologizing profusely. “I’m so sorry, ma’am. I didn’t see you there,” the little boy said with a look of concern on his face. “It’s okay; it was just an accident. Are you two okay?” I asked, trying to hide my laughter. The little girl, who seemed to be the older of the two, nodded eagerly. “Yes, we’re fine. We were just playing with our puppy.” I looked down to see the puppy wagging its tail happily, completely oblivious to the chaos it had caused. I chuckled. “Well, that’s quite a playful puppy you have there. What’s its name?” I asked, crouching down to pet. the puppy. The little boy beamed with pride. “His name is Max. He’s the best puppy ever.” “And he’s really fast, too,” the little girl added, still trying to catch her breath. I smiled at the children. “Well, I can see that. Maybe you two should be careful when playing with him. They both nodded enthusiastically, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of joy and innocence wash over me. These children reminded me of my own kids, who were not here with me. One was dead, and the other was kidnapped. So painful. “Thank you for reminding us, ma’am. We’ll be more careful next time,” the little girl said with a small curtsy. I laughed and ruffled both of their hair. “No problem, kids. Just be safe, okay?” They both nodded and ran off, chasing after their puppy once again. I watched them disappear into the distance, feeling grateful for this small interaction with them.
