“So, this is the place?”

Two mysterious people had just arrived in Summerville, Karin’s hometown. They were speaking in a strange language unknown to man.

“Yes, dear brother, that is what mother told us. Remember?” A teenage girl with black pigtails stepped out of the car. She appeared to be around Karin’s age.

Her older brother, a tall young man with a long, black ponytail, stepped out of the front seat and looked around. “It looks so… mundane,” he complained. “Nothing like back home at all. This world so far honestly seems rather boring to me.”

His sister started laughing. “Brother, that’s just because we’re used to a high-class life. Outside of our circles it honestly doesn’t seem much different, just with more magic.”

“But there are no unicorns or satyrs!” her brother exclaimed. “I have yet to see a single one. On top of that, even the higher society seems to have less class than it ever did back home. What a rip-off!” He sighed deeply. “Do we really have to live like this for the time being?”

The sister was playing with her pigtails. “I’m afraid we’re gonna have to, big bro,” she answered. “There’s no time to complain. We have a mission, remember? A very important one to boot. We have to find her.”

“You’re absolutely correct,” the brother replied. “This is important not just for our family, but for our entire world.”

“Let’s look around for a place to sleep,” the sister pointed out. “I think tomorrow will be a good time to look for a rental space.”

The brother let out a small groan. “Great… renting…”

“Gee, how come you’re so much more spoiled than I am? Straighten yourself up and be a proper big brother.” His younger sister had gotten audibly impatient. “Besides, we don’t want to attract too much attention to ourselves. Remember that our parents aren’t with us — in normal circumstances, it would be highly unlikely that a young man and his teenage sister would have more than enough money for a big house, no?”

The brother sighed once more. “I guess you’re right… Thankfully, due to the fact we’re actually not poor, we have more than enough money for a proper hotel.” He got back into his car, telling his sister to do the same.

As she hopped back in, they drove further into the town, looking for a place to stay — as well as whoever they were trying to find.

🌸🌸🌸

“I’m home.”

Rashida walked through the back door and threw her schoolbag on the sofa.

“Good afternoon hun,” her mother, Meredith, replied with a kind smile on her face. “How was school today?” She was at the kitchen table, enjoying a cup of tea.

“Pretty alright,” Rashida replied, sounding slightly exhausted. “I was mostly thinking about tonight… I’m admittedly a little nervous.”

Tonight was the night of the swimming tournament. Rashida had been training intensely for this moment for the past few weeks and she was almost certain she would win. Even then, she couldn’t entirely calm her nerves.

“Well hun,” Meredith replied calmly, “you’ll always be my swimming star, y’know? And remember, you haven’t gotten it from a stranger either.” The talent for swimming was in Rashida’s family — both of her parents had a talent for it, but never pursued it as strongly as Rashida did. Secretly, she had always wondered why, but had never bothered to ask.

“Dinner’s ready soon,” Meredith continued. “You gotta eat well for your big night!” She walked up to her daughter and gave her an affectionate yet firm pinch in the cheek.

“Ow!” Rashida exclaimed while rubbing the spot. “What are we having?”

“Grilled salmon, your favorite!” Meredith replied. “To give you some extra power for tonight. I’m so proud of you, hun.” She gave her daughter a big hug. “You’re gonna kill it, tiger!”

“Thank you mom,” Rashida responded. “I’ll do my best.”

The door opened. Rashida’s father, Adrian, had come home.

“How’s my sweetheart doing? Are you ready for tonight?” He walked up to his daughter and gave her a big smooch on the cheek.

“I am, dad,” Rashida replied. Her cheek saw fully red from her parents’ affection.

Her family’s support had calmed her nerves a little bit. Maybe there was nothing to worry about after all.

Not long after that, the family enjoyed a nice salmon dinner.

🌸🌸🌸

“Hi Rashida! How are you doing? I just called to check up on you before tonight.”

It was Karin on the phone.

“Thanks, Freckles,” Rashida replied. “My nerves have calmed down by quite a bit, but they’re still not fully gone. I guess that’s pretty normal though.”

“Aww, well good luck!” Karin responded excitedly. “You got this in the bag. I just know it. Please know that I’ll definitely be cheering you on from the sidelines.”

“You’re such a great friend, Freckles. I think I would’ve been even more nervous without you.” Rashida could always count on Karin to cheer her on.

She quickly glanced at the clock. “Oh, I’m so sorry Freckles, I gotta pack my bags and get ready — I’ll see you at the pool.”

Before Karin could respond, Rashida had already ended the call.

She quickly put up her long braids into a bun, grabbed her swimming bag and rushed back downstairs.

“The car’s already outside for our swimming star!” Adrian hummed happily. “Come on, let’s go.”

Even though Rashida had already won many swimming tournaments in her life, her parents were always equally excited when there was another one. One might think after all these tournaments Rashida would become less and less nervous — but tonight… Tonight, somehow it felt different.

Something was not right, and Rashida didn’t know what.

Nothing remarkable had happened on that day so far, and maybe her gut feeling was wrong, but after all the recent happenings with mythical creatures appearing in town…

Rashida tried not to think about it anymore. It would probably just be yet another swimming tournament that wouldn’t be that different from the last.

Hopefully.