The Legend of the Immortal Traveler, Book II

Summer

Summer's POV

I woke this morning like every other, sleeping on the ground beside the shops in Crestwood. I spent most of my day sitting on the street, my cloths are pretty much just scrapes of material. People only look at me with disgust, there is no compassion here for a child with no home. I was approached by a beautiful young woman with dark brown hair that reaches her waist, and eyes the color of emeralds. She had an angelic face that was filled with compassion. Her clothes were not dirty, but it was apparent that she had been traveling for a while. Her voice brought a feeling of comfort when she spoke.

"Hello, my name is Aroura. What is your name?" She asked me.

I was ashamed to look at her face. "I am Summer, I am the local nobody."

"Everyone is somebody, they just have to believe in themselves." She said to me with a kind smile.

"Not me, I am nobody. Nobody loves me, nobody wants me. I am just alone." I responded to her.

"Well, how about you come with me, to find lodging for the night, and you can tell me about yourself." She asked me with a friendly smile.

For some reason, I felt like I was supposed to go with her. I nodded my head in response. I slowly gathered my belongings from the ground beside me. I helped her find the lodge. She paid for a double room, and took me with her, telling me to settle in. I was so shocked, she was willing to share her room with me. I could tell she was ready for a shower, but she offered for me to bathe first. I felt bad, but gladly accepted the chance to be clean. She even gave me a clean outfit to wear. The hot water felt amazing on my skin. Aroura would never understand how grateful I was for this small bit of comfort. When I finished dressing, I stepped out of the bathroom to find her sitting on one of the beds, with a map spread out on the bed and a book in her hand, writing. I asked what she was doing out of curiosity.

"I am on a journey of self discovery. I am recording my journey and the stories of the people I meet." She answered as she showed me, her map.

"That is great. It must be so wonderful to travel unhindered by anyone. I would love to get away from here." I responded as I looked at her map.

"It gets lonely. Traveling alone, I often find myself wanting someone to talk to. I spend days in the woods or country side with no people anywhere around." She started. "So tell me, how did you end up alone on the streets?"

I quickly looked away, not sure what to tell her. "My parents were always busy, they expected me to be responsible for taking care of the house, and never break any rues." I looked down trying not to let the tears fall. I took a deep breath and lie. "I was supposed to be responsible to get involved with boys. I was expected to make adult choices. But I met a boy, who stole my heart. At first, I managed to hide him from my parents." I am careful not to tell her what my father had done to me since I was ten, how he would slip in my room at night and hurt me. "I would sneak out at night to meet him, but one night my father caught me. He believed I was lying about him being the only boy I had ever dated, and began to hit me. The boy tried to help, but my father hit him, too. That was the last time I saw the boy. My father dragged me home and beat me for hours, yelling about how I let him down. The next day, I packed a bag of cloths and left. I would rather sleep on the street than live under his roof." I finished tears flowing down my cheeks at the memories of the horrible things my father had done, while my mother watched.

"How long has it been?" She asked her voice laced with concern.

"Two years, and two hundred miles, and it's still not enough. I looked over my shoulder out of fear, I will run into my parents." I answered her a chill ran through me at the thought.

"How old are you? Be honest with me, please." She gave me a sincere look of concern.

"I just turned eighteen a few weeks ago. I have been on the streets since just before my sixteenth birthday." I confided in her.

"Well, for at least tonight, you will be safe and warm. We will see what we can figure out for you to not be on the streets going hungry." She told me warmly as she was putting her stuff away. "I am going to get cleaned up, then we will get some dinner." She finished as she headed into the bathroom.

She was kinder than anyone I had known in my life. I wondered why she was being so kind to me. It wasn't long until she exited the bathroom fresh and clean, ready to head out for dinner. We went to the restaurant in the lodge. While we ate, we discussed solutions to my situation. Finally, I had to asked.

"Why are you being so kind to me? No one has ever tried so hard to help me."

"I am going to tell you something, I have never told anyone. I am only fifteen. My family hated me, and I ran away. I have been on my own for over a year, I completely sympathize with your situation, and I want to help you get a fresh start." She smiled as she revealed her secret. "You can not get a fresh start, if you stay in this horrible place."

Before I could respond, the waitress asked if she realized I am living on the streets. Aroura was kind until the waitress called me trash.

"She no longer lives on the street. She is traveling with me to find a new home. This place is not fit for her." Aroura snapped at the waitress and dismissed her.

We talked about how no one here had ever talked to me. They didn't know my name, or my story. No one offered to help me or feed me. She informed me that at first light, we would leave this town to find a new place for me to start over. A place to be my home. I was excited to have a chance to travel with Aroura. Once we finished dinner, we headed to our room to rest to get an early start. The morning brought new excitement, when I woke, Aroura was already packing up to leave. The sun was just starting to rise as I was finishing up getting ready. I did not have much to take with me. As we were walking through town on our way to leave, I could see people staring and whispering. These people were cruel right till the end. Someone stopped us to ask if I was forcing Aroura to help me. Aroura ignored them and walked away. The faster we are out of here, the better.

Once we are finally out of Crestwood, I feel a sense of relief. I feel safe traveling with Aroura. The hate and cruelty of that place was like a smog in the air in that town. We first travel through the country side, the path is lined with wild flowers. Trees dotted the land. Spring was finally beginning and the birds could be heard singing in the sky. I was so grateful Aroura took the time to stop and help me. Maybe I can have a better life now.

We walk till the sun is starting to set in the sky. Aroura tells me it's time to stop, and set up camp for the night. I am pretty sure she stopped because of me, she did not seem to be tired at all. She got the fire started, and then sat down, and offered me some jerky. I accepted with a smile.

"We should be a day or two away from the next town. I know this is not very comfortable, but I love being in nature." She told me, as she stirred the fire.

"This is the most comfortable I have been in a long time. I don't mind sleeping on the ground, as long as I have a friend with me, who treats me like a person." I replied to her, settling in under the blanket she had given me.

"I am glad to be able to help you, and to be your friend." She responded with a warm smile. "so, how did you end up out here traveling alone? Why have you not settled somewhere?" I asked her, curious about why she travels.

She explained her story carefully. "My family was not like other families. My mother grew tired of us, especially me, and left. My father hated me since birth. When I was born, I was the second twin born. He was strong and seemed healthy. I was tiny, and bluish due to lack of oxygen. The doctors told our parents I had little chance of survival. They placed us in a crib together, but our parents refused to hold me. They fussed over him. We were taken to the nursery, and while there, he suddenly stopped breathing. They could not revive him. My father believes I stole his life force. When it finally became to much, I ran away. They never bothered to look for me. One night while running from my family, I stumbled upon a witch, she cursed me for trespassing. So here I am, on a journey to find my destiny." Aroura's story was as sad as mine.

I laid down, and began to drift off as I saw her add more wood to the fire. She was so kind for someone, who had suffered so much.

Jax's POV

We sit at the edge of the forest, watching as they make camp. The oracle was right about them being here. I knew who I was sent to talk to, from the oracles description. But I was not prepared for how mesmerizing she would be. Her beauty was suited for a legendary creature like herself. I had read the legend fore tailing her birth, and journey, but I did not realize. Her long brown hair fell to her waist, and her brilliant green eyes could be seen from here. The moon light kissed her golden tan skin with love. Once they seemed to be sleeping, we slowly made our approach. We did not want to disturb the other girl. The oracle sent us to speak with Aroura, the legendary traveler. As we draw near, I see Aroura sat up cautiously. She gets to her feet quickly, ready to protect herself and her friend. I am in the present of the legend that I was taught about as a child.

"Ma'am, please pardon our intrusion, but we need to speak with you." I spoke carefully as I approached her.

"How do you know you need to talk to me? I am just a stranger traveling through here. And why do you need to talk to me in the middle of the night?" She questioned us, very wary of our sudden presence.

"That will take a few minutes to explain." Kal began. "But if you will give us a few minutes to sit and talk, we can explain."

"We mean you no harm." I tried to reassure her. "It's very important you hear what we have to say."

"Alright." She agreed reluctantly." Let's sit by the fire, so we don't disturb Summer."

"My name is Jax, we are from Crestwater pack. This is Kal." I began. "You are Aroura."

I watched as her eyes widened with shock, when I say her name. "Yes, but how do you know my name?"

"We were sent by the pack oracle to speak with you." Kal explained. "She had a vision from the moon goddess, that you needed guidance to get Summer to where she is meant to be."

"What does that mean?" She asked in confusion.

"It means you were meant to find her and help her. You were meant to guide her to start her destine future. Summer is meant to do important things." Kal explained carefully. We were told to be careful that we only spoke what the oracle told us to.

"And you were sent by the moon goddess to help her because you are special. We know what you are, the truth." I continued. "We know about the curse, and why you were given it. There are things you must learn along your journey, but you were always meant to be here in this moment."

She is stunned, and it takes a moment for her to speak. "So, what is it, I need to know to help Summer?"

"There is a town about a day travel from here. Summer must make her life there." Kal told her. "She will meet her destiny there, and will go from there to achieve great things."

I hand her the pack prepared by the oracle. "This contains some extra money and supplies to help her get settled. It will be a few months for everything to fall into place, but it will happen."

Kal's face gets serious. "The future of Crestwater pack depends on you getting her to Waterfall Crest safely. The moon goddess has so many things for you to do, but this must be achieved by sunrise day after tomorrow."

"So, this town is a days travel? So by sunset tomorrow, we should be there?" She asked.

"Yes, if you would stay with her a few days to help her get comfortable, and get to know people there, it would be great. She will find people who will accept her there." I explained to her.

"Also, may I see your map?" Kal asked her.

"My map? How do you know about it?" She looked at Kal in shock.

"I was told to add our location to your map." Kal answered. "It will be important for you in the future."

She handed Kal the map cautiously. I watched as he added our pack map.

"This location is only for your use when time comes that you know you must returned." Kal tells her as he hands her map back.

"We are going to let you rest, no one will bother you while you rest. Guards will be watching over you." I informed her as we prepared to leave.

"Travel in peace, Aroura." We both bid her farewell.

Kal and I returned to the forest, where we could keep watch over Aroura and Summer. When I was told by the oracle that I would be meeting with the legendary traveler, I had expected an older person. What I found to my shock was a child.

Summer's POV

Aroura woke me up this morning and gave me a fresh sandwich. I am not sure where she got it from, but it sure tasted good after months of going hungry. After we finish eating. we pack up to get started traveling again. As we start out, I noticed Aroura looking off into the forest as if she is looking for something. As the sun started to set in the sky, we are settling into a cabin in a town called Waterfall Crest. Aroura paid to rent the cabin for three months, and gave me a pack with money for food and clothing. She would not tell how, she could afford to help me like this. She just kept saying the moon goddess had provided for me. We went to a diner in town to get some dinner. The waitress told us they needed help, if I needed a job. I gladly told her, I would take any work I could get. The people here are so different than those at Crestwood. People smile, and greet me, I feel almost at home here.

When we got back to the cabin, Aroura told me she would stay with me a couple of days to make sure I adjusted to life here. I wish she could stay here with me, but she explained that she has to continue her journey. Deep inside I knew she is meant for bigger things.

Over the next two days, Aroura helps me get everything I need to start my life here. People greeted us everywhere we went, and treated us like they knew us. I got the feeling they knew something that we didn't. I felt so welcome here. The next morning, Aroura was packed to leave. I hugged her with tears in my eyes.

"This is not good-bye, Summer. This is until we meet again, my friend." When she finished, she turned and set out on her journey once. The traveler will always have a place in my heart.