10

10: Visions & Letting Go...

Unknown to me, my new lamp glowed brighter than it is supposed to. It was considered an antique lamp that gives off dim light. Easy for being up without a bright fluorescent light to make it easier as your eyes slowly adjust to your surroundings.

Then it happened. A vision. My vision. One like my mother'. I saw the eight, but they now resemble the crew of this ship entirely. I also saw anarchy. What could this mean ? 

The vision went further than that. I had seen a necklace that greatly resembled the one Yeosang wears. Suddenly the vision shifted. I saw myself standing with someone (most likely one of the crew) completely blurred. Who was it ? What did this mean ?

I sat up quickly as I tried to calm my breathing. A knock sounded on my door. Looking out the one window my room had, it had to be early morning. Who else would be awake at this hour ? I opened the door finding Yunho. "You're awake ?" I asked shivering a bit from the cold air. Yunho covered me with his jacket, "나래아, 괜찮아요? 혼란스러워 보여요." (Are you alright, Narae ah ? You seem confused.) 

Oddly, I felt calm now that I was speaking to Yunho. I know neither of us truly felt what were were saying we felt, but it just seemed right. Like things didn't need to be more complicated than they were. "You still avoided my question... Why are you awake ?" 

He gave a sheepishly look before holding up one of his daggers. "목표 연습을 조금 했을 뿐입니다." (Just a little target practice.) I rolled my eyes as I joined him on the deck. "Do you always practice at this time of morning, Yunho ?" He nodded before he wiped a tear from my face, "What had made you cry, Narae ah ?"

Almost on instinct, I slapped his hand away from me. The vision had given me much to think about. What I had seen in my vision doesn't necessarily have to come true, but that wouldn't stop me from hoping. "It doesn't matter..." I looked out over the ocean when I recognized these water. Was I home ?

I quickly turned to Yunho with an expression he most likely couldn't read. "Are we docking here ? Will the ship stop here ?" I guess he could understand what I was feeling. "Captain felt you should visit home for the last time... Say proper goodbyes..." Goodbyes ? 

"제대로 된 작별인사요? 제가 왜 그래야 하죠?" (Proper goodbyes ? Why would I need to do that ?) Yunho sighed as he gestured to me & the very ship we stood on. "You'll be made an official member  of the crew before we set off on a journey like no other." I assume he spoiled this given how distraught I seemed about being home.

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As soon as we docked I felt...broken. Not whole. Memory of everything that happened before waking up aboard this ship had come back to me. Hongjoong gave a nod in my direction. "We'll meet up back at the ship when you deem you're done with your goodbyes, Narae ah."

I simply nodded back as I went to see my father first. I knocked on the door before being met with the cheerful aura of my father. I watched as that cheerfulness diminished as soon as his eyes met mine. "나래요?" (Narae ?) I could tell my eyes teared up, but I kept my voice calm. Then I noticed my step mother carrying yet another child, a son. 

I turned my attention back to my father. He hadn't thought about me once. Even though I am sure I've been missing for  a couple of days... "오늘 이후로, 나는 당신의 딸이 아닙니다. 저는 당신에게 사과나 변명을 원하지 않아요. 이번이 절 보는 마지막이 될 거라는 걸 아셔야 할 것 같아서요." (From this day onward, I am not your daughter. I don't want an apology or an excuse from you. I just felt you should know this would be the last you'll see of me.)

My father tried to explain himself, of course. I left swiftly as I went home. The home I was raised by my mother. I simply let myself in when my aunt Yun-Hee embraced me. "You're home ! Where have you been, Narae ah ?!" I could hear the relief in her voice when my mother soon joined us by the stairs near the front door. I removed myself from the embrace as I looked at my mother. 

"You," I snarled out as my mother stopped in front of me. She simply held my face in her hands. Her eyes mimicking what I knew she would have me perceive as an apology. "I am sorry, Narae. You weren't supposed to find out." I rolled my eyes as I stepped back from her. "Oh, really ? You would've rather continued lying to me ?" 

My mother sighed as she gestured to me. Once again bringing the conversation off of her lies & onto me. "Where had you gone, Narae ah ? Rumor had it that some bandits had taken you aboard their ship..." I smirked as I let out a dry laugh. "You care ? I am surprised."

My aunt interjected, "Why hadn't you come back sooner, Narae ?" I frowned as I remember what I was told on the ship about why they took me on board. "Did everyone know ?" My mother acted innocent as she asked me the exact question I had. "Did everyone know what ?"

I couldn't believe it. Would she keep her secret forever ? "DID EVERYONE KNOW YOU ARE A SHIFTER ?!" My mother' & my aunt' faces said it all. Everyone knew but me. Why did no one ever warn me ? Why keep this kind of secret from me my whole life ? My mother teared up, "정말 미안해요, 나래아. 널 다치게 하려는 뜻은 없었어요." (I am sorry. I am very sorry, Narae ah. I never meant to hurt you.)

I sighed as I wiped my face. I wanted to leave on a strong note. Not the note of a girl sobbing over the lies she's been told her entire life. "I am not your daughter anymore. Forget about me..." There was nothing left to say as I ran back to where the ship was docked. In my rush I crashed into someone' chest. 

"Are you alright, Narae ah ?" That voice. I've come to know this voice well over the time I've been aboard the ship named Destiny. I looked up finding none other than Yunho. "I am alright... Where is everyone else ?" He slowly let go of me with a warm smile, "They all went for a drink. I opted to wait for you."

I climbed onto the ship noticing his target had at least eight daggers perfectly in the bullseye. "Can you teach me how to be a master with swords & daggers like you ?" The smile he then gave me was one of true interest and happiness. As close as we could manage to mimic at least.

"나래아, 당신을 위해 무엇이든요." (Anything for you, Narae ah.)