They arrive at the house where they are greeted by Margaret who was surprise to see the presence of the young girl.

For the first time of what seems to be a long time, Stine ate happily in which Edmund and Margaret was overjoyed. They didn’t have to start the conversation, Stine would have Laina engage in the most light-hearted conversation even if her responses were as plain as they could be.

After dinner, Marget shows her to her room. Across the door is a bed with sheets that have just been replaced. A closet full of clothes but nothing that fits perfectly for the lass.

“Tomorrow we’ll head to Cynthia to get you some outfit” Margaret remarks.

Unable to fall asleep, Laina walks towards the veranda holding a candlestick. She blows on it and the full glory of the moon shines on her. The wind encircles her and she hum to a tune in her memory.

Stine notices her and stand right beside her and gazed upon the village in the cold night. The village is lit with lanterns from every street. No one in sight, just the cold breeze rustling through the trees that surrounds the place.

“This feels very nice.” She utters.

Stine smiles as he looks at the distance, then he notices Laina looking down as if in deep thought. She plays with her fingers and the uneasiness is felt by Stine.

“Is something wrong?” He asks.

“Earlier when we talked… I just learned that I know nothing about myself.”

Stine looks upon the weeping lass. He gave her a small hug and said to her.

“It will be alright. I’ll help you know who you are, after we sell those hearts. I promise.”

The night pass while Stine comforts the girl. Promising her that she could stay as long as she wants and he will help her find out anything about her alongside helping her sell the hearts.

The next morning, when Stine had woken up, she looks for Laina which seems to be not around. Margaret told him that after they went to get her some clothes, she wanted to stay and sell some hearts. Stine chuckles at the thought because that is how Laina usually acts.

Stine went to the village to join her but she was nowhere to be found. He asks around and was told that the girl was last seen heading east where the cemetery is. Beyond the cemetery is a cliff overlooking the vast ocean.

He saw her gazing towards the stretching horizon lost in thought. He was used to it by now, seeing Laina looking randomly at wondrous sight while her minds wander off to a distant world. He sat next to Laina who is still unaware of his presence.

When she came to herself, she finally notices Stine who is looking at a distance.

“Laina” He utters. “How is it that the heart that you gave me brought me happiness.”

“I’m not sure myself but I can see the ones that actually needs it. When I saw you, your heart has this lingering sorrow.”

Stine didn’t believe her, but he did entertain the thought the she could actually see the state of someone’s heart. He wanted to believe for when he first saw her, his heart was truly in disarray but for him it’s impossible to know someone else’s thoughts.

They went back to the house where Margaret prepares their lunch. She calls to them from the garden as they were approaching the house. She also mentions that the food prepared came from the villagers.

“The people here really love giving you food” Laina asks enthusiastically.

“That’s because they adore the Doctor, dear” Margaret says with a smile

Stine just replies with a gentle nod. Halfway through the meal a gentle gust of breeze flowed through them where Laina followed the leaves that went by leaving them again in her mind-wandering state, where they smiled pleasantly.

“The cemetery here is a beautiful place, far beautiful than any place that I have seen” Laina said when she came to herself.

“Just because they’re dead doesn’t mean they don’t belong to a special place in our hearts” Edmund smiles while giving her a gentle wink.

“There were these two prominent tombs that I saw, covered in pearls.”

The gentle feeling that surrounds them became weak by the second. Laina was not aware of the question that she asks, Edmund and Margaret turn silent and sip from their cup. Stine fell silent as well. A disconcerting feeling now grabs hold of Laina and she tries to change the subject.

Stine stops her and said that it was fine. He wipes the tears were that were welling up in his eyes and with a sniff and cough, he tells the story that has been burdening him.

“They belong to my wife and my daughter. 3 months ago, I lost my daughter to an illness, my wife has been very feeble and the sorrow took toll on her body, she followed soon after.”

“I’m sorry”

The unpleasant feeling that filled the air was now gone, but was replace with sadness and pity for the man. A sad countenance can be seen on Stine’s face when he tells the story, fighting back the tears from every word the he uttered.

Laina walks towards him and gave him a hug. While she caresses the hair of the mourning man she hum a tune from her memories. The man’s tears began to flow. It has been a long time since he have mourn, he felt hopeless but having someone to share his burden made his life much easier.

The day went by without anything much happening. Night came and they finishing up. Margaret cleans table with Edmund while Stine and Laina are in the study. Stine asks again what the heart are and where she got them.

Laina explains again like she did earlier that somehow, she knows who needs the hearts. That she can see through them, when asked how she could see them she said that those people that have a shadowy heart are the one she talks to. But she does offer it to anyone who may want it.

Stine ponders about Laina’s story, her identity became more mysterious to him. Her innocent stature shows that she really doesn’t know much about herself and that she really wants to know who she is.