Mosa

  Chapter 29

  Peace

  Duck sleeps under the sun, catches the fish in the pond and walks around on the ground, quacking. People throw bread at him in delight. He got his wife and they live in a house. He has foods for him and his wife and also for their children. I envy them, hoping that I will live like that someday. They sure are greedy when I threw the bread; wife just ditched her husband to eat the bread. But nevertheless, they were free.

  – The Riddle Man’s Diary

  Sharine opened her eyes. Her clothes were drying on a line across the room. The sunlight shone, there were stain of water on the floor. She didn’t want to visit the hunters’ club in pajamas, so she stayed for the day to do the laundry and read magazines which she took from the counter. Sharine still needed to fix her pistol. It was making a sound as if some parts are wandering inside the body. Hopefully, she had enough money on her to fix it. She did not want to change her pistol.

  She was curious about the riddle man, Ricky Guido, who built this strangely peaceful village. The hunters’ club seemed exciting enough. She could pay back Glock for everything he has done for her. She was glad that her left arm got shot instead of the right; she could still lift her gun. Her stomach grumbled. She stood up, and walked down the hallway to grab something to eat.

  There was an engraved wooden frame which hung on the wall, it was written,

  “The place where the birds with a broken wing hide and rest.”

  Sharine felt relaxed, feeling all her senses come to life.

  “I put that on there since the birth of this village,” said the voice from her back. Sharine turned around and saw the middle age man cleaning the glass with the white handkerchief.

  “Didn’t know you were there,” said Sharine.

  “Good day, traveler. I didn’t expect any customers. They don’t usually come here around this time, especially with that kind of wound,” said the man, smiling kindly.

  “I’m Sharine, thank you for letting me stay here,” said Sharine.

  “Call me Rove. Glock left some of the herbs for you,” The man pushed a wooden box toward her. Sharine was actually uncomfortable at this because it was too different from Cassandra. She was actually thanking Glock and Rove for not raping her.

  “When there are festivals, this place will be packed. If you are around, you’re welcome to visit our party. Last year, they brought bunch of fireworks, I had to stop them from burning this place down,” Rove chuckled.

  “Sounds nice,” said Sharine, glimpsed at the coffee mug, white vapor formed the whirlwind into the air.

  “So, the merchant ship is gone, it will come back after six month. Hmm… hopefully you stay here, love to keep the company,” said Rove.

  “Thank you very much. Actually, I was looking for some place to earn wages,” said Sharine.

  “Oh? What are you good at my dear?” said Rove. Sharine didn’t want to say she was an assassin. She thought for a moment.

  “Hunting, sir,” said Sharine.

  “I see… that wound you got there. It wasn’t a coincidence,” his eyes sparkled.

  “Yes, but I still don’t get it why is it dangerous to walk around outside of village,” said Sharine. Rove put the glass on the shelves and took another from the sink to wipe it off. The drop water dripped to the floor. The glass squeaked in his palm.

  “It is because that good old Ricky spent all the money to build this village, but as the village is hardly visible from outside, people thought he just hid the money in the island. After they’ve found out that Ricky vanished in this island, gravediggers, pirates, bandits and other curious adventurers came to this island just to find where the treasure lies. Ricky’s business was related to mining precious metals, although he doesn’t care much now… He goes fishing with his neighbors in his little boat. You’ll see him walking around if you are here for a while.” said Rove.

  “How long did it take to build this village?” asked Sharine.

  “Guess,” said Rove.

  “It does look like he built it within a month,” said Sharine, looking over the window and shabby houses. Rove chuckled.

  “It took more than twenty years. It might not look like it but, yes, it took twenty years… So, are you off hunting for a treasure?” said Rove.

  “I’m not interested in treasures,” said Sharine with a shadowy look, as it reminded of her past.

  “Hmm… I see, but how about the riddles my dear?” Rove grinned.

  “Riddles?” said Sharine.

  “Ricky is referred in this town as the Riddle Man. When you go around his maze, it will be an exciting adventure. There are so many stories in this island that is hidden from outside. I’ve heard from Glock that you can take care of yourself, he told me he had a quite an interesting encounter with you,” Rove chuckled. “But when you ever go outside of this town, check the town hall first and bring someone with you to watch your back.”

  “I’ll do that,” said Sharine, little unsure what was he talking about.

  “Well then, good luck my dear. You can always come back here,” he said. Sharine went upstairs, seeing that her clothes dried. She threw the pajamas on the bed and put on her clothes. She went out the hotel. She was trying to remember where the hunters’ club was. But first, she needed a gun. She was heading toward the weaponry shop.

  Under the sun, the children giggled run around in the field. There was young couple tanning their skin. The man fetched the ball, and some dog caught it. The dog ran around, dripping saliva. The town wasn’t big at all, smaller than the usual town. She went passed by the pond but she didn’t see anyone fishing there. The land beyond the village seemed dark and mysterious. For now Sharine did not wish to get out of this peaceful village.

  As she was walking past the café, she heard the familiar voice.

  “Sharine!” it was Glock, waving from the café, talking with the waitress who looked at Sharine curiously. The café was mainly built in woods, with unknown artists paintings on the wall. In the outdoor, it had a silver aluminum chairs and tables, covered by white and dark green parasols.

  “She just likes to open when the sun comes out. Often times when it rains, she just closes the shop without telling us,” said Glock, laughing good heartedly.

  “I love that, I’m Sharine,” Sharine laughed.

  “Nice to meet you, I’m Molly,” said the waitress, smiling, handing her the menu. “We have coffee, tea, fruity drinks and ice sundae. It is all local, by the way. From cow’s milk to everything! All the way!”

  Sharine saw Glock’s plate and saw the half eaten ugly chocolate chip cookie.

  “I’ll get that,” Sharine pointed at the cookie and glimpsed at the menu, “and the green tea.”

  “Right away!” shouted waitress cheerfully and went into the shop.

  “So, what’re you doing here Glock?” said Sharine, grinning.

  “What? I always come here, you are the newcomer,” chuckled Glock, drinking a beverage with a scent of a honey and pumpkin.

  “So what did you do for a living before you came here?” asked Glock, biting a cookie. It was far from the quiet café, there were loud conversations heard from other table, even a song. Molly was now busily walking around with roast mutton and the honeycomb salad.

  “I… did politics,” murmured Sharine.

  “Oh… Did you work for the government?” said Glock, little surprised at the unexpected answer.

  “No,” Sharine smiled charmingly. “I piss some of them off, and others happen to love that.”

  Glock stared at her for a moment and burst into laughter.

  “Must been nice,” said Glock, grinning, grabbing his mug gulped in his drink.

  “You have no idea,” said Sharine. “So, how about you? Do you just trade once in six month and that is it?”

  “I’m a gate keeper,” Glock grinned. “Some of the hunters help me take a break but mostly it is my work.”

  “Explains a lot about your axes, is your village under attack by
bunch of tribes?” Sharine laughed.

  “No, not tribes, it’s not human,” muttered Glock. Sharine stopped laughing.

  “What?” said Sharine, frowning.

  “Well, it is not human, at least they don’t look like one,” repeated Glock, drinking juice again.

  “I came here because I was on the ship that was attacked by some creatures;” said Sharine, with a little harsh voice. “Is this anything to do with what is happening here?”

  “Now now, calm down Sharine,” said Glock, with an apprehensive look. “Look, village is safe, alright? And there is no rush, you’ll find out soon enough.”

  “…” Sharine silenced, little cautious.

  “Relax, will ya?” Glock tapped Sharine’s shoulder. “I’ll tell you when the time comes, alright? There is nothing you can do even if I tell you now.”

  “I’m sorry,” said Sharine, seeing Glock’s concerned face. Molly came with the chocolate chip cookies and the tangerine tea. She stopped right next to Sharine.

  “Oh, long time no see,” said Molly, half jokingly toward Sharine, and said, “Here’s your orders ma’am!” and she went away.

  Sharine drank the tea, still awkward about this peaceful atmosphere in the town.

  “Well, this is peaceful, almost ridiculous,” she murmured.

  “What? You never had this on your neighborhood?” said Glock.

  “Yeah, it’s a lot fancier, full of businessmen with sunglasses, a wine and steak, sure,” said Sharine.

  “Then, it’s the same?” asked Glock.

  “If your guard is down, they shoot you and take your wallet,” murmured Sharine.

  “Huh…” Glock chuckled. “I see I see, but you are still young, apparently got some guts. So you want to explore some more in this world?”

  “No, I’m good. I had enough of that shit,” Sharine muttered, gulping her drink. She smiled and looked at the sky. Glock drank all of his juice, its sweet smell of pumpkin spice spread. The sparrow dived, flying across the chairs.