濃濃的霧氣包裹著山腰間的小屋，讓本就老舊的它又多了幾分神秘感。斑駁的鐵製簍空招牌在鹹濕的海風中來回擺動，向到訪的顧客說明這是一間二手商店。傍晚時分的陽光在空氣的散射下把世界燒得艷紅，溫暖得雪莉想要打個小盹。不經意間她在扶手椅上走了神，沒注意到一個少見的客人拜訪。儘管他走過了吱嘎作響的木製地板，雪莉依然舒服地點著頭。
hruo75zs2EkMed6RCiUPWqTG1BNwbLy9S0VgOHAQ
「不好意思，女士。」一個年輕的聲音在他艱難地攀上了櫃檯後響起。
pSxHr3eYLyOv2UXD1RzC5liKJhEGWMZoc4Fkujsb
清澈的聲音在裝潢典雅的室內迴盪著，但昏昏沉沉的雪莉依舊沒有回應。
QBZ8Dx6oeJqb0PRHOIyN9CzfK1lEuFUj7TsmAd53
「不好意思……」再次堅定地呼喚，並按下了放在桌面的鈴。
hOi8BsuHmanIeEFygDblJr5pxST6KCdN2YwWPXUA
「是的！不好意思沒注意到，我沒想到會有客人」雪莉回神後看著眼神深邃的男孩說著「歡迎，歡迎。有什麼需要的嗎，年輕的男士。」
AWuTrm0Dti9UganhX1KwpPYFC3klys5fb8o7cSId
「我有個東西想脫手。」男孩問著是否能在這裡交易。
5KVZmuIhMtWoRdANw4rXS70EL1gOl8G2nYU9cB3a
「當然可以，親愛的。何不來些茶然後跟我談談呢？」年邁的女士笑著邀請了男孩「我是雪莉，很高興你能來。」
p52AmNQ49WLF3fskEBlHVbacCt6XRgDiIzdZ8ywM
「洛克。」他想了一下然後走了過去。
iUj2bnFHWYvTrKPdQ80efsmtNxO41MR36DoEgLlp
Q6cbXxsy7du9MeOqtmT1YfnUlIHBaVZFvizpA5P4
洛克摸索著鼓脹後背包中的東西，而雪莉熟稔地沖著茶。不久後溫柔的香草氣味便滿溢在空中，讓睡意和疲勞融化在舒適的秋日裡。
afCTQAcNbZhMqdSeP3F0rXGREK1WplBoD2UyLj7I
「喜歡甜的嗎？」她想知道洛克是否喜歡司康或是在茶中加糖。
9P1RH2cEBuUeZFMwQpiTonG67LNjOsaCbtmA38rV
「不，謝了！我不想忘記苦的感覺。」洛克聽聞馬上搖了搖頭，神情肅穆地拒絕了雪莉。
YrG5ZaWtTnjdecXuPo0qJsfh1wMDRKbFACEI2kHQ
「你喜歡苦的嗎？」雪莉有些詫異地看著如此發言的十多歲男孩，不願去多猜想其背後的理由。
BGtIwRdOlyXP15ECpiJg2Ae7sZTYuhn0fMaqrvLk
「我想大概不喜歡，但他必須要是苦的。」男孩雙手拿起了小小茶杯，啜飲著夏天所遺留的薰衣草茶。
5VOdBfJxjXQsq3GIm6vpi7bgaElD2e0uATco18tF
「很好喝。」如夢似幻的顏色和氣味之中，卻滿溢著情愛散去的苦澀。
6qWEjmSeTgd7BskufiIPvrH3w8K9AXcUYhORNnMD
「您喜歡就好。」雪莉回答「我們來談談你要賣的東西吧，好嗎。」
lgC3A6yhI4raEvSdnitcFLGkP2ONB7xQ85zVu9Jb
洛克拿出了一個包裝泛黃的黑膠唱片向雪莉展示，上面標註著《蕭邦鋼琴曲集 第七輯》。雪莉小心翼翼地拿出唱片檢查，意外地幾乎沒有刮痕而狀況良好。
n2pJ53OxlmTLb0AteySRsYuU8fDqXQhcWgaHvZ16
「無論如何請拿走吧，價錢無所謂。」不知怎麼地他似乎很焦慮，不想再拿著唱片任何一秒。
0XF4Odmjyb6BcphP1CJrieNSRgx8TqafA2n97DWo
「不喜歡嗎？」
IsUrMz8Y7w9F2KfkSJjivCn1qoGaETdPWymp0Hct
「不，我很喜歡，所我不該拿著它」男孩帶著悲傷冷靜地說著「它非常珍貴，所以我找遍了整個美麗灣，尋覓著適合它的地方。」
dQ7VSRJ4McgOfDqu5aiTjBYAINhEGUzntKp3WxZH
「所以你找到了這裡？」
f85g7jO24sLEe1NpBUXm0cVMD3oQrZibnGHR6PFI
「是的。」
5BnbvY6wNiKWxEdLfXyZRsAqImrhDuJlaMt74PTV
「以前沒見過你呢！」雪莉搓著下巴思索著居民的記憶，完全不記得洛克的存在。
Jtd5rDQyxuI4kANRX9weMZnLTW1v6mjpKcFUs7lC
「我剛搬來，應該說我常常在搬家。」洛克說明著「所以不能拿著它，傷著它可就不好了。你也看到了，我的後背幾乎裝不下。說到底，我連撥放器都沒有啊！」
Myk7auJKW5efpsV9ZvdxRI3mojTqwrOFtc8DEBgP
「我了解了，但你是怎麼會擁有它的呢？」雪莉擱置著對男孩身分的疑惑問著。
J0qvXPlEpWVARmoag1Li75h6GfMINFQnZUyt93Hx
「這是份禮物，一份給我的餞別禮。」洛克帶著進門後第一個微笑回答，但它一瞬間就消失了。
KlRcpsbj0VdEJhGrBMCuiD239mIZoQNtW6FO8gHa
rV2mPIXTMEH4sg1ZylDbUpzoeuLhnKJBx7Siw0Wd
雪莉再一次在茶壺中注入了熱水，茶葉隨著熱水的翻滾起舞並再次釋放色澤。
yg1J7GFkXaZKvHhmEc2R6fx8CBrPSUeowq590Qtb
「您曾經聽過精靈的傳說嗎？」雪莉岔開了話題問著。
oYMCFc1prUl9tEKejqxZ2WTNsH57zb83ivm6a4nw
「比如神燈裡面，可以實現三個願望的精靈？」
JtveAW0qyfzhPNl4gFmRpMCn2awIHV9cXELjixZb
「雖然並不能實現願望，但精靈確確實實存在喔！即便是現在，在這裡。」
eOltUsSvT3IWC4KR5QV9aZyDc67wizrdBjH8op2n
「童話故事嗎？」洛克思考著自己現在的歲數的確還滿適合聽些童話故事的，搖晃著手中的茶杯打散最底的沉澱物。
mWt78hjJv6kin1ydYgNZ0Ixq5SMG2ROVUAPLT3DE
「不管是不是童話故事，精靈啊帶著人類的思念住在物品之中。」雪莉用歷經滄桑的口吻說著「所以啊，為了對精靈好，每件每件物品我都會好好對待的。」
YImTbkhVgW2CFRst3wQ1o9DfXPOHq0K7aydr5pji
這是雪莉在退休之後回到家鄉開設二手商店的部分緣由，關乎那個小時後以來一直深信的傳說。
FJA0L219YqBGugK5zbHpR6WNM8rcDjPOoeQCmiX4
「在我看來，這唱片待在這是不好的。把它賣給沒什麼客人的我的話，只會和我一起老去的。它還是應該由你拿著的好，雖然看不到精靈但我很肯定。」
qoAIEMa0KigUYQhB9OS5X7R81NskPVjzuvdGt2Hm
雪莉悠悠地說著飄渺又古老的傳說，儘管洛克並不能理解那些鬼靈精怪的存在。但他依然理解了一件事，這次為唱片找家的行動依然不怎麼成功。
yotJzp8GVamHPfQ2DFi1T4xMO6YrEjs0BwvuIWN7
「看來是說再見的時候了，謝謝你的茶。」洛克不動聲色地站了起來準備離開「我會再去找找的。」
EJlduWOpMoVjx3R4FSqGzAfD67v8byU1gLaKnZC0
「如果是撥放器的話我能借給你的，如果不嫌棄的話還請您再次拜訪。」雪莉慷慨地邀請洛克，這看起來有些難言之隱的男孩。
kvSHzIFJhqR7O2ZQbV3nAldtCUDXLse9GfcKgyru
「那麼我可能會常來的吧。」洛克放下了空空如也的茶杯，轉身離開「今天非常開心。」
KnxodP8LJHIgS1wA0RfNODk5jhG3lieqWVtrUBCY
「不客氣。」雪莉在太陽下山後點亮了燈，在洛克離開前最後一次跟他對話「你確定你不想吃司康嗎，很好吃的喔！」
th3HviDsFALGNg7w4oWY6uXRJ0STpmcQrKedbPBj
「我相信那很好吃，但總歸太晚了」洛克在風的呼號中拉上了外套的拉鍊說「下次再見吧。」
9mOfgDzUNlPoV5C8BAyc2hS1eWrki7wY0FGXvpHQ
gfqwObk0F7dop3vU1yARHtx9Yz5uThZjCrWm2LlS
通往山腳的蜿蜒道路相當漫長，若不是恰巧瞥見了招牌洛克大概也不可能拜訪雪莉。
lgZUB5jLcv7hDQeAtwruNz9aPSGyq3KT0nobYFXO
「好吧。」洛克開始啟程走回市中心街角的暫居處，僅有黯淡的大地陪伴孤單的自己。林木在夜裡微微顫抖著，但洛克似乎相當習慣這種情況。他又檢查了一次軍帽是否戴緊了，然後又將圍巾纏得緊了一些。目前是晚間八點，對學生來說還沒回家不太正常，那些玩過頭忘記回去的也該擔心被父母責罵了。不過，很顯然洛克並不是這樣。他平靜安穩地走在空曠的道路上，如同美麗灣的浪潮以低沉的聲音啜泣著。很快地他來到了美麗灣的居住區，家就在幾個街區之後了。在主幹大街上可以看見在白天閃耀的海景，圓環的中心還有建有一個巨大的噴水池寫著「歡迎來到美麗灣！」。儘管坐擁相當美麗的景緻，不知怎麼這裡並不被觀光客所熟知。還在奔馳的車輛寥寥可數，洛克似乎是此地唯一的行人了。商店也全部都打烊了，讓普通人根本不敢獨自行走。洛克轉進了停放廢棄舊公車的不知名小巷，徒手打開了早已沒有電力的車門。
dgsS5jAaHh6bMFIGtKrU8BJnY9pQ3EOmCLclDTvx
「你可總算現身了，真沒想到。」在車廂內等候的嚴重黑眼圈女子說著「哪去了？」
mqwBcDor7WihFTLsUGvzZdn1jYPp4ab30O5ECRIy
「晚安，媽媽。」洛克沒有直接回答，將背包放在其中一個空位上。
JwLHlD9i7kUjQm4IZa02c3dufoYFWyeOqNgRPsSr
「哼！快點吃飯啦！」她接著拿出一包很久以前購買的油膩速食給她的獨子。
qzav3cL5H4Ek6MKslt8wGmDORWbp7yYCfeSx0Vg2
「謝謝媽媽。」他打開了包裝，找到一個軟爛的漢堡、幾塊冷掉的雞塊還有一杯不冰的可樂。
qW3agnrYRuhNXfSHxvlzkTK5i6QGbZ2M7pw0Pd9D
雖然一點也稱不上新鮮或美味，拿來打打牙祭總歸是可以的。
5OlSWTGMeqPfan2Bty9kDCNoJUg4iKL3sA0Ez6pw
「明天要校外教學。」洛克胡亂地說著今天校園生活的片段，也許是想稍微聯繫一下僅有的親屬。
IzdeQT2lxwhWyKBDJ6AkEOM78YtSGCq3Ng4j90p1
「隨便啦！我去工作了。」女人翻了個白眼對他的隻字片語都不感興趣，快速地抓著東西就往車外跑。
NGTnP2iIts94MV5cFhdAlu3BzHXawopQWJS8qkEe
「葛雷絲，快啊！」又一個不認識的人催處著洛克的母親離開。
aCuidADNcwhgPrWRmbsOBeYF98ZXJI3QoUG4jpLE
「來啦！」回應隨著腳步聲逐漸消散，寂靜又成了洛克最好的陪伴。
EI2vH6KlewxCimaBuJp9Y8Dgyf4cO0N5PXzbAktF
2QMYCZD9lkPi6mqbjHE57vxTRoaWLVtI4rdgGFnw
黯淡的陽光穿越陰鬱的天空，又是忙碌的一天在沒有窗外鳥鳴之下開始了。人行道上的水窪說明著昨夜的大雨，今天絕對是個不宜遠行的日子。葛雷斯還沒回來，但已經到了該要去上學的時間了。一般來說小孩都會為校外教學感到興奮，但是洛克並沒有在醒來之後立刻跑去學校。他在噴水池廣場看鴿子打發了好一段時間之後，才刻意地遲些前往學校。
8omSwgCtUO4qeNF5TR7l2rhAIPMsazvD39ELZKcy
「早安！洛克！你正好來了呢！」老師親切地問候洛克，詢問著為何他遲到了。
9QFWcrwEkI6ZKdbzgUG3nAVHoaY7es8CLPyvNi14
「不好意思睡過頭了，貝克老師。」洛克說著，但心底不帶一絲一毫的歉意。
CJ3WQfgkHLK8eA2tNbwDUvEzPasZ6nXS5mquhT4V
「沒關係啦！快上車吧！我們快要出發了。」老師向著洛克微笑，想著他也許只是需要些時間適應新環境。
jt8WBp51AHe0PEDvs2ySaIuCLgiKZMbXdqwf6k3U
其他學生早已坐定開心地聊天聊地，他就能跟計劃一樣在最後一排享受一個人的安寧。今天是每月例行的淨灘日，公車穿越了數個隧道後來到了附近的海灘。
UpO5ewzXGnSMlbPqdrKkiuQCvZR3VoY06FEysNgW
「現在請兩人一組來找我領工具吧！」貝克老師宣布。
C1myA3kIubOQtcfBLdwHgYJq0EUrozvXhpKZjD2P
不久後孩子們便四散開來互相呼喊對方的名字，抓著夾子跟垃圾袋衝向海灘找尋遺留的垃圾和殘渣。
hMTFWZzuXp4C2qObLrI3xiBcVeEyG7H0UmSQnwfA
「別走太遠，保持安全啊。」貝克老師一一教導著孩子確認他們的平安，很快地她看見了隊伍最後的男孩。
fIpkAimL02Ecth3GSbN8VYur5wjBMColZPyqDdO1
「又見面了，您好。」
OCEFH1RIuy0UMaD2Wkrmb6BvVpwfPgohzZYSAnNJ
「不好意思我們的人數是偶數，你想要跟我一起淨灘嗎？」
zJ1BLPup8xDFEd6scOGSaAYKIflUHM507QkhwtTn
「不用了，你得要看著他們。海灘可是相當危險的，我在報紙上看到許多的案例。」
7cjfIT0tduG5mVxKbClNY9FRhMr23sXeaHiPZQ8k
「你確定一個人可以嗎？我還是可以讓你三個人一組喔！」
8PZMRlGJhbKajpY2HCWFXN93Ovcwkd4QgLAEmftn
「不了，打擾他們可就不好了。」他拿起了工具然後在貝克老師能追問之前離開了。
gjG7u4EfABT8eHOMxkcCoVL3K0iF6N5zDtypsYrb
「自己小心點啊，好嗎？」她猶豫了一會兒然後向著已經走遠的洛克喊著。
COUKtM2lVopJn0zIrsYxTDqbwgFyLE6dNB71PveX
PsLbZUi6lwyYXAmKEkuW5Mrfz9g7e3jRQnc2GVSv
洛克找了個遠離塵囂的角落，有著涼爽的庇蔭以及海風帶來的新鮮空氣。
LoFZUgabGi19JywBVKqfENMReQvCP28pIrOsY63u
他接著將膝蓋靠近了自己的身體休息，嘆了口氣。
JDpG7HITQU8W9f2arm3yNCgwi4x5AZqeSFBRYd0h
「回家真好。」他稍微伸展了一下然後將軍帽放到了臉上，遮蔽來自世間的叨擾。
PKkuVI7sgeC1jbl40WQDvNf839RZOTq2aJxiSpzc
現在他開始盤算還能賴著多久直到回去當個好學生，聽著洋海的浪濤以舒心的節奏沖刷著岸灣。即便他不怎麼喜愛海潮帶來的濕氣，他卻不怎麼怨恨大海本身。
oGWj5qHQpgLah7tYMCi9fylnAmRc1kUzVvE80KdN
透露著清澈的湛藍，想事情的時候很適合盯著看。
uSL42hJwG9IUtRmFyc6pvMKX7CnqToaz5sYQe1jH
「哎呀，差點就忘了。」他突然想起他得要找些東西證明他曾經為了淨灘做了一些努力。
HLFWsrUEb1YC4M30htJpe8BRXTqN2kKZVaAQOwDS
他挺起身子瞥過一圈找尋適當的物件編撰故事，但肉眼所及之處盡無理想，也許幾波環保團體的掃蕩下已經蕩然無存了。
3ys5uOlibNHpmZer2BU8Cthzck1G9K7IDSQW4dL6
「這裡的人還真熱愛海洋啊！」他不開心地抱怨著，考慮要不要起身去尋找。
JMEe3VPBAmdto8hzgHQy7bkKGs01q2CDFLjvYWT4
但也就在這個瞬間，一個未曾期待的邂逅發生了。從蔚藍的遠洋，一個棕色的半透明瓶子散發著帶著螢光的金色緩緩飄了過來。
YfrP70OVinMaXgcezkULFxyK4SlsZWqAGj8ERTv6
「什麼……」洛克吃了一驚接著聚焦在了瓶子上，瞇起了眼睛集中視線。
gU7GfKT9QFq4aPhc5YNmBIbSDJ6rsE2iCzMXxyvZ
「那是……一個人嗎？」他差點不敢相信自己的眼睛，一抹模糊的人影確實存在著。
UsaWIwKt9VyzGL5gvkACB1eZJcb243u0QHqhSFmR
他小心翼翼地拿起了夾子伸向瓶子，在幾個清脆的碰撞聲之後緊緊地夾住了。
lKtkA2ZgzjMxmEiHhJ0X9weBaTpONurcDLYG3oFC
「這是個什麼東西啊？」洛克帶著疑惑檢視著。
IZlAbtsH90U13CoBjJmXOqFVirDWyecE7pRTgahw
「還真是粗魯啊你，怎麼用『東西』稱呼一位女士呢？」嫌事情還不夠離奇一般，一個冷淡的女生從洛克手中的瓶子說著。
chU2EjxWV8O7t53XR1PvlwZi9qIGgACBS0MzDaoH
dSVaPYxqcoCGAvDzXkrnLej37RtfMsWB0KJgZwy2
「老師，請問我能留著這個嗎？」當孩子們集合回去之時，洛克為了紀念品央求著老師。
b7hK6Y5izWBpZMfL8Vc1S3Uur0eRtInDNxkEQwya
「當然可以啦！不過為什麼呢？」盯著一個除了有些陳舊以外沒特殊之處的空瓶看著。
SohRCjD3sMLlgZ17p8Wn0VJAUQKqPiaGzrcwNvdT
「我第一次跟大家一起淨灘嘛！我想留著當紀念！」洛克刻意帶著泛著愛火的眼神說著。
jtezI1k6M40lr3oLGcEU8Ds5nF7gZpuKOYm2TNWf
「哇！你好有心啊！我們上車然後回家好嗎？」
muV2jC8sB1XOcN4d3noxybYA0GtQeEvMPKlqZLg6
洛克向老師道了謝，再次走去了最後一排的座位。
E8mliarTOgyANque4FV5jYZW7nK03GctzIwksRhx
「還真是個甜蜜的謊啊！你沒有作為魔鬼誕生真是太可惜了。」先前的聲音嗤笑著。
QHafpdoDYNjiqlzZ0TMCVeJsbnvhB1kOcrGKU72x
「至少我沒被卡在小的可憐的隔間裡，是吧？」洛克氣憤地回答。
SvGTQ0XOZBNFyecxiswoRPaYL8Abqgt5rChV4Hf1
「還真粗魯啊！」帶著假惺惺的哭泣聲，她回應。
aRSI01p9BHYC5AdEwVreX3tN7kgMWuxFqUDinGLP
...........................................................................................................
lBVWrjiMFJ72SuzZGhHN3C0PogX1xnT94aecyb6A
The heavy fog surrounded it located by the mountainside, let the cabin already worn became even more mysterious. The rusty sculpted sign swinging back and forth within the salty wind, tells the customer visited it’s a store of second handed stuff. Sunlight during dawn burns the world with a unreal scarlet through the scatter of atmosphere, as it warm to make Sherry sleepy. She settle herself in the armchair without conscious, didn’t notice a rare customer visits. Even as he walks through the noisy cracking wooden floor, Sherry still nods safe and soundly.
LRwDhyon3NXY7M5cG8i4IqsBQ0JdVzpl69ev2aOb
‘’Excuse me, ma’am.” A young voice appears after its owner hardly reaches the counter in front.
PiAChJ0Y9UNbLcpZK7DuSoGqsR5vk6OVnHeydrjX
The clear voice hovers in the room with elegant furniture, but still Sherry has no respond.
1PsSBDZaUW4bHIVxNKu792OXAolTdFRzry6giw5Y
“Excuse me……” repeated with strong certain than ring the bell on the desk.
T7yLW6kAHCYJDFaOucRnsVBzmtGQd8x4pXeKIMbj
“ Ah! Yes! Sorry that I did not notice, I don’t expect a customer. ” She looked at the boy with insightful eyes after recover and said “Welcome! Welcome! Anything I may help, my young gentleman?”
vkTrcs8y15hRnSDIF7LdjmitYxXauO4UWb0ZoA2g
“I had something to sell.”The boy asked about if he can make a deal.
rlOBPmRbcYZSkinsg1NHqz2f8Co6T7Qd0w3LjuVI
“Sure thing, my dear. Why not having a tea while you tell me about it.”The old lady grinned and invites the boy” I’m Sherry, nice to have you here. ”
TWdO3AfzUej5q7KtZrYiwsuBmECplJ4cFyMnNPRo
“Rock.” He walks forward after thinking a few while.
4ouwPgs9ZvbLcOrFzlJUtyS3qxMaBp02fWj7RNC8
Rock search for the thing in stuffed backpack, while sherry prepares the tea. Soon the smooth aroma of herb is full of the air, let sleepiness and tire eased in the comfortable day in autumn.
y48Jd7iEU0rhpBCvbL6NPoZz23fDxKqTXMSeYtjH
“A fan of sweet?”She wonders if Rock likes scones or wants any sugar in tea.
eAbZCtWqXuPS3hgc5R0sQliMHGkdINmp8zn617Ea
“No ,thanks! I don’t want to forget the feeling of bitterness.”Rock shakes his head soon after listening, refuses with a serious look.
b7FyNTc4zf6HhpZg3E0DlA2BLn19twisXkJUS5Cx
“A fan of bitter?”Sherry looks at the ten years or so boy with astonish, unwilling to guess the reason behind.
rhNTZ6Fd1civaG3mLnK9gbjuUVD5BEfIkpWsP7lS
“Probably not, but it must be bitter. ”He pick the tiny teacup up with both hands, sipping the lavender tea left by summer.
HytUERs5p3oiTrFeBG4xaJjwOShZWNkL2K6dg0PX
“It’s good” dreamy color and flavor within, but full of bitterness of faded love.
ZxAUyPSKpNi12q9tBdkXG3w0FI8QfsC6vo4W75az
“As you pleased.”Sherry answered ”Let’s talk about the stuff you are going to sell, shall we?”
0EavDtq8bArdF3ZWhkN5nMIo92lYpzBuPGxiQwes
Rock brings out a vinyl record with a torn package and shows to sherry, labeled Chopin Piano Collection Vol.XII. Sherry takes out the record and checked, surprisingly with no significant scratch and in a good condition.
HpjdArIl9b0u5Cy8LKPFtSDfh7iEUXYvnc3J4Tqw
“Please take it anyway, it doesn’t matter about the price.” Somehow he seems despaired, like does not want to possess the record any longer.
OJVbF0LwzKCUnuAt2IXHM7f3mv1krEWgo6ZcGjdS
“Don’t you like it?”
0eBn7XFtCjrgalImZq2UfKTRy41Su8cdMHExbJwW
“Yes, I like it very much. So I shouldn’t keep it. ” The boy says gently with sorrow within, “It’s very precious, so I search through the whole Beautybay to find a proper spot to hold it.”
kome8u5NcYTElQR9hFarnUqfiISPtv6pVzs7wCj1
“That’s why you’re here.”
CDT9BZ1qMXVIpeHkPcwEfOR7h4i50mNsQJxvdjyt
“Exactly. ”
eUu0tHjKG1aID3znkvWLlhBEVJgdXwNY4c5ATsPC
“Never meet you before isn’t it?”Sherry recalls the memories of villagers, with no flashback of Rock.
7xVvk8simOKJPylBNIgo6hGXc3afQd4CEtDHZpFA
“I’ve just moved, I move often precisely. ”Rock stated, ”So I can’t hold it, it’s not good to make scratch on. As you saw, my backpack barely fits. Whatsoever, I don’t even have a vinyl player.”
rTxzdDmtnARyjC5EY29Uge03IlMZVGvN486hKpqi
“Understood, but why you have it in the first place?”Sherry holds the question about the boy himself and asked.
oJKfga10dbqM8UB97yVZAeFuIv6hQNSpXnLx3lkR
“It’s a gift, a farewell gift for me.”Rock reply with the first smile on face after stepping in, but it disappears in no time.
XDoByWJEZeKrT2HNRP4MuqngGQc0pSm3sAj7Fl9d
Once again sherry puts hot water in the pot, leaves dances with the rolling water and release the pigment even more.
XkN1pCWxP53Qoqbur6meESvfJlsMYy0OVjdAGTHK
“Have you ever learned the legends of genies?” Sherry changes the subject and asked.
VmO02rTszDdNPkw3C9o7f6WMjbgYSIQvLyFUpBXR
“Like something inside the magic lamp with three wishes can be granted? ”
pa5BodNRqk9iQ0jYG42KPfHbyDETIesZhrt1ngmC
“Magic is not real, but genies are truly real, even here and now.”
E69cU40AeXoWa7kG2fsrOnFSIVDpRNQKJi8HZLB3
“A fairytale?”Rock thinks about that he is certainly in the age for it, shakes the cup to merge the sediment below.
gM8mVale2jZ5Y4OrPBfQFTHuqznLDcRhJN3oK6Sx
“Fairytale or not, genie lives in objects with thoughts and memories of human kind. ” Sherry speaks with the voice through rain and storms “So in the sake of genie, I treat nice and finely to every item.”
OJAS7PVidwpX1lC0MvNh4BoZuYIkTjqznxLQm8Kf
This is one of the reason why Sherry opens up the store back in hometown after retired, because the myth she had faith in science childhood.
DBKTS9acRux4zG0vjMFqnLQkIsC7mgdWwhr8EVY2
“In my opinion, it’s not a good thing to rest it here. Surly it would age with me with few customers if you give it to me. It should keep by you, I’m pretty sure even not able to spot a single genie. ”
2uATbqyx4o9aSQRZ3WgdCm0YDOik5V7vnKBMLjcX
Sherry softly tells the ancient tales of wonder, even if Rock can’t understand little. But he understands one thing for sure; it’s another failure in search of place for the record.
DqEOXSh8fBoK5vZaP7dRJNVWCijpLH1u3zeQsn6c
“Then it must be the time for goodbye, thanks for the tea anyway.” Rock stands up with no intense emotion and prepares to leave.”I’ll find somewhere else.”
6SzMeFk3vpaJErjN1x9HhDO8cGQdR75yBVfYgmlI
“I still can lend you the player, please come again next time.”Sherry kindly invites Rock, the boy seems to have stories behind .
DmiNVZdBfPT7l1nFbwKu8rjt2heCAg6R0M4oczIE
“Than I might visit frequently.” Rock sits again after listening, finish rest of the tea ”It has been a pleasure. ”
aCeMiW7PQzjqHcwnDSBVsbYf6KGJtT1ulORmIXrE
“You’re welcomed.”Sherry lids the light up the light due to the fall of sun, talks with Rock the very last time before he go” Sure you don’t want any scones? They’re good.”
LxNSqjVBADnF3zJWpsIZ8a47PhlimfX0G6OoCyMY
“They’re good I believe, but it is too late after all.” Rock zips up his coat in the howl of wind and says” Until next time .”
KCwNu1xQAZhLU905lO2t7VHyBczjMadmSv6JXDsR
“Take Care.” After a slight sign, Sherry says.
aneYSxPNMrbUfhKsji4Cv21pJTIcmBWkAHGE3RgQ
The winding road down hill is very long, if not happened to spot the sign down below Rock might never visit Sherry.
retAn6JYhoxuzvIXaQ9T8kCRgjlBPyUSp1fWcEqM
“Well then.”Rock starts to walk back to his temporally place downtown street side, along with himself and the surroundings in dark. Woods are shivering within the night, but Rock seems to be quite used to situation like this. He checks his military hat firm or not again, and circles his scarf even tighter. Now it’s around eight in the night, kind of abnormal for school kids not home yet. Even for those playing too long forgot to back to home are supposes to worried be scold by parents, yet again this is not the case of Rock apparently. Peace and quite as he scroll through the empty road, waves of Beautybay weeps with a deep sound. Soon he arrives the resident area of Beautybay, home is right behind a few blocks only. Ocean view shines in morning can be seen by the main street of the village, with a big fountain with “Welcome to Beautybay ! ” instructed in the center of the roundabout. Somehow even as picturesque as it, the site isn’t know very well by tourist. Few vehicles still running, Rock seems to be the only single pedestrian here. Also all of the stores are closed, let general people afraid to walk themselves. After passes the main street, Rock turns into a insignificant avenue where a old abandoned bus left at, then opens its door with hands while electricity has already off.
Ne4ADK7u1QrLYCdSIZvasJ3tH5fMmql2kXhVxowB
“So you decide to show up eventually, what a surprise!”A female with two deep dark circle under waited in says” Where have you been?”
84cZIrO7UuAzHyaofEWRFG6Q10hiPpSTKxwDClVq
She the exhale a breath with smoke of sweet sugary cigarette, and runs her thin fingers through her copper wavy hair as Rock.
Ze8Y6vqpPjudTNstyz2xmCOQgUAcwHVlJrfi51SW
“Good evening, mother.”Rock greets with no direct answer, puts his backpacks on one of the empty seat.
TkSRwIup4ej1KflCgiDbtxOXWEyv0anJmcP9oHNd
“Humph! Get your dinner here already.” She than delivers a oily bag of fast food bought quite a long ago to his only son.
orRNj592ipmzlWUJwkhaDqsxSnuMYLQ4tZHfT7EF
“Thank you, mother. ”He then opens the bag, finds a soggy burger, few piece of cold nugget and a cup of warm coke.
5FuJUK9cYpkRdZLBWhfSNPqAOMtTml834Vj1iwa0
It might not be healthy or fresh, but still it’s good enough to cease the hunger. He starts to nibble the meal he got, slowly bites by bites he does.
eYghvCr2J0DwtNVoWHIUSi6Py1zZpE4RjQsf5KmO
“”There will be a field trip tomorrow. ”Rock randomly speaks some of his school life today, maybe as a try to find connection with his only parent.
HYoDE4i7hd0pFscyGRlSTqwr3A5LJ9xVKt2juPvN
“Whatever, I’m leaving for work now.” the woman is not interested by any of his words while rolling her eyes, quickly grabs her belongings and steps out the bus.
vK2t76BouUiX9zgLNRVdce5FfDaQlTGOxn4jZMyp
“Grace! Hurry!” another stranger to Rock calls his mother for faster leaving.
VYj6icqKxv2y1uBnZkOCXS4hG5eP9LWp7JUlMEof
“Coming.”As the answer fade with the footstep, once again silence and solitary finds Rock as companion.
FVhiLpeX7I0GbdoAnxfMNRkTHZ583vPjYsyCQlJa
As the thin light of sun passing through the cloudy moody sky, another day of busy life stats with nearly no chirp of the outside. Puddles on the sidewalk show the heavy rain last night, it’s not a good day for any trip. Grace hasn’t been back yet, but it’s time for school now. Normally kids should be excited about field trip, but Rock didn’t rush for the school at the very first time after he wakes. Instead, he hangs out a long while by watching pigeons at the fountain plaza, than slowly goes to the school at the time he planned.
VMnKExvQqNU4dyOWg8zu5welX23bGpkRs0j9BCiA
“Morning! Rock! You’ve just made in time.” The teacher greets with rock kindly, and asks the reason why being late.
DTGHz5Z3r9eNYus1IdoU2yBbEgp4MPiSK0wlJhVk
“Excuse me for sleeping overtime, Mrs. Baker” Says Rock, but actually not even a slight of sorry he has.
oUQbNcl3VRg0XB8SAwOuEWKxta2pPi5q9rLjH7ve
“It’s okay! Just hop in! We’re just about to leave. ”the teacher smile to Rock, the boy who still needs time for the new environment.
JEoG7btnRZX8USvq64ymxCjMBcLsHdiAzaYDwglk
The others have already sat and chatting with laughter, just as planned Rock can enjoy himself at the very last row of seat preventing interact with them. It’s the monthly beach cleaning today, the bus travels through tunnels and arrives at the shore nearby.
41aANBhuipxSTEfzGXJ0tI2scm6vrKqbg9D7dQMH
“Now find your partner in teams of two and get utensils here, please.”Announces Mrs. Baker.
NK2FksRSIfCBq5DmPpMlj0ber9tawxy46VGATHZ8
Soon after kids scatters and shouts each others’ name and grab clips and trash bag then rush for finding trash and wreckage lays on the bay.
9G1M0vIBLcmRYhDbwFVXJNlCWpS4iQTAxrgeuq5d
“Please stay in the area and be safe!” Mrs. Baker tells the kids one by one to make sure to safety, and soon she finds the last boy in line.
tgpRiUzTbwMAdr3Z17BOEvJWkunSya9L0GDmfQX5
“Hello, again. ”
Zfhir7VXD2oB8FRK5YdsnCO0tbNkSjUTu4qg3MPc
“Sorry that the number of students is odd, would you like to clean with me.”
SdoKlmw61FgbCztxUZ7IvcpBr2TqenXYQ4PMNL3R
“It okay, you should be watching them. The beach is extremely dangerous, I’ve saw a number of accidents occur on paper.”
P9QZqHaVgMIbNlWXS4YmCLU6vxriBcjhA1EoKyte
“Sure you don’t want to be with others? I can still make you in a team of three though.”
LHyPTmqhc8uO9JxXY5B0gsRE2pU6lC7IQznMZkK1
“No, let’s not interrupt them.”He takes the tools and walks away before Mrs. Bake can ask even further.
ovUEHPK6ClTc3VyQeuN81GFL2pd0xbsXhJMwStBa
“Just be safe, okay?”She hesitates for awhile and shouts in distance while Rock already gone.
MnQ4kp6ZiHjVXDANLr7tGb3gETWOh5mP12JsFdCS
Rocks find a corner aside the noise, with the cool shades of stones and fresh air of wind. He then bends his knees toward himself to rest, makes a sigh of relief.
ZnUFIRKkjs1a0thGorQJMdEANi58l9pOLHqB2eyV
“It’s good to be back.” He stretches a bit then puts his military cap on his face, blocking all the exterior information.
hmIHawcoskX8eSW35QP7pCq0tVi9TRDxNfYyjEzF
He now starts to think how long should he stay before back to the role of good student, while ways of ocean washing the shore in a smoothing tempo. Even though he doesn’t like the humid in the area nearby the sea, he does not hate the sea itself. With a perfect blue of clean, it is a good thing to watch when thinking.
1eBQiAhtYjc0pkZWMw6fCqdJTz94XgxONnR3EFm8
“Ah! I almost forget!”He then notices he must find something back to tell he has puts an effort in beach cleaning.
sneL3DA2lOhcQGKy5FqMNwv8ZYt6Ek9oBPSbfax1
He sits up and scans through around whether a proper object available tells a good story, but the view as he can seen within has no ideal pieces since several groups of environmental protection has checked maybe.
CBJWMw4yQ9ofOZauADH0pUEgnmjk2T7z1VcS6Xrl
“What a place with love of sea.”He grumbles reluctant and starts to think about walking around to search.
Htlr73uiqKPBbGdajTR0UDXACYkEzNMsvOgVIS4p
But in this very moment, something happens without any expectation. Far away from the deep blue ocean, a brown translucent bottle shows with a luminance of gold slowly floats toward.
0GwQZMJqxrhz1vgibf2EPY5O4yUlatATL9FBIkSm
“What the…...” Rock astonishes and takes a closer look of the mysterious bottle, squint his eyes for a better view.
TFbzOxQ36GWjRM8wKZhfiknNtcqyAuJ9pelPIS1a
“Is that…… a human being?”He almost can’t believe his very own eyes, a blurry shade of man actually exists.
VDZ1nEWo7A8S5YlcIBjKeyuOr6XqbxzL3akw9fUv
He carefully takes the clip and carefully reaches it for the bottle, after a few clinking sound he firmly clenches the end on the bottle.
oh0fW89FwBKbrQctz2UDqgNIHGkPLAeu1lSZamxj
“What is this thing?” Rock examines with doubt in mind.
wlZNA6V4gBi8brp0aQq2vTEousxfD1ReOKG3CyPF
“How rude could you call ‘this’ towards a lady like me, sir?” Like a situation can be further, a cold voice of women speaks from the bottle in Rock’s hand.
OQT9ZcmsutH1vD5N0UXRVKrB8eSbwg23qdAFGoIE
“Miss, may I keep this please?” At the time children gather form leave, Rock asks the teacher for a souvenir.
ZLM0VqlUITpbvKx5zcBed3Ew6JPHgFu8aoirCGXn
“Yes, you may. But why even? ” Stares at a normal empty bottle only a bit old but nothing special.
WgkjiA0PcJ7haCIMZeBnOGR5zXrNwu8pbtLoHsF1
“It’s the first time I go beach cleaning with everyone here, I would like to keep for memory.” Says Rock with a sight full of love and cherish in purpose.
XqBjcVyFCA1WuKPRpIonbLZSe72GtsTQvMU8EDfx
“That’s very sweet of you, let get on the bus and heading back shall we?”
Laub4ZigtdzmKjxnFO5p3WkwlD0BAI2rPUScHhv1
Rock thanks Mrs. Baker, and heads for the last row of seat again.
KIQdWBxa0o8CROAtiyeDqg94lJPZruTYkcSbNfw7
“What a sweet lair you are! It’s a pity that you’re not been born as a demon.”Giggles the voice earlier.
sQV9uMtq6IUXcwlOmvoESYaHxNne1FCZLD72ifKr
“At least I’m not been born to stuck in a narrow cell, aren’t I?”Rock replies grumpily.
1oRc3jCau5LeEgT7nrBhiFOQys6wNkJGlbqHYdzP
“How rude! ” With a hypocritical sound of wee
ORIw9XQgJcztpLH7164hZ5niCo0SumPrqlkB2AsM
xzODLrSVAQgkK9v6s3TCmPcEXaGwUf1jN5ydH2ZW
9SVk3MiLf7P0np6zZ52FcdgxKJoIRTQuDbEqhGHl
