Wrong shadow

The full moon was the only source of light in the pitch-black darkness. It seemed to symbolize that “hope” did not vanish, even in endless night. The occasional sound of owls sent chills down one's spine. The stars were lined up like soldiers in the blue sky. Crickets and night birds had filled the surroundings with their sounds. A cool breeze embraced the night from all directions.

“Lemira, we can't go on anymore. Without a lantern, we won’t find anything. I can barely even see my own feet. Maybe we should go back? We can continue tomorrow.”

Adrian spoke in a calm and tired voice, trying to persuade her. His feet ached from walking this stony path, and his breath felt like it was about to abandon him.

“They’ve already seen us,” Lemira stopped and took a deep breath. “The ones who attacked us were the same people from the laboratory. If we don’t get there in time, they’ll take my father.” Her voice was filled with anxiety, fear, and deep concern.

“I can’t let that happen again, Adrian! I can’t bear to lose him again. We must keep in mind that if Leon’s men get there before us, they’ll also take the serums and medicines my father was forced to create,” Lemira’s voice trembled with fury. “We can’t be late, Adrian!”

“There’s no way we can get rid of the serums. It’ll be impossible for just the two of us. Besides, we have to find your father first. We’ll lose a lot of time. But now… there is no time left.”

“So what do we do? If they reach the serums before we do, it’ll be a disaster for humanity.”

Suddenly, footsteps began to echo from behind. Adrian lowered his voice:

“Find your father and get him out quickly,” even though Adrian’s face wasn’t fully visible in the dark, his voice carried unwavering certainty. “There’s no other choice, Lemira. We have to blow that place up.”

Summer had just arrived in Ventyeqa. The gentle breeze, singing birds, proud sun, whispering green leaves, and the mystical sea merging with the blue sky filled one’s heart with the joy of living.

Ventyeqa felt like a place where dreams and reality intertwined. In this town, where every step was accompanied by nature’s melody, a strange sense of peace would settle inside a person.

It wasn’t a noisy place, but occasionally, the sound of speeding cars, children’s joyful laughter, and neighbors chatting in their yards would pull you out of your dream world.

Its air and water had such a positive effect on people that those who came here never wanted to leave.

Full of greenery, Ventyeqa was usually known as the land of flowers. The roadsides were adorned with chamomile, evening primrose, wild lavender, borage, passionflower, daisies, saffron blossoms, and many other natural beauties.

But it didn’t stop there—people here never ignored the beauty of nature. In every yard, you’d find a variety of roses, jasmines, tulips, and trees.

Here, flowers bloomed not only in the soil but also in people’s memories. In this land, flowers were not merely decorations—they were also memories.

Each flower reminded one of the past and held a magical story within.

But there was one flower—according to legend, only the pure-hearted could see it.

This flower was known as the Queen of Flowers—Isfitanya.

“According to some beliefs, this place was once a fairy’s city. That’s why it’s so beautiful.

In ancient books written about Ventyeqa, it’s said that the one who ruled this land was a fairy queen named Denya. She built it with love.

Some believe that in the distant past, Ventyeqa was a haven for hearts that were broken and souls that had lost their way in life. When Denya returned from a long journey, she couldn’t find her way back home. Lost and disoriented, she ended up here. The sorrow of this place pulled her in completely.

But Denya wasn’t sad by nature, and for that reason, the people living here didn’t want to accept her. Seeing no other option, Denya realized she had to pretend. She decided to stay and act sorrowful until she found a way back to her homeland.

Over time, she grew fond of the place. The people accepted her.

Then Denya realized that deep inside every person was a longing to embrace happiness again.

Everyone wanted to let a spark of joy back into their hearts.

Gradually, she won their love, removed the burdens that caused their sadness.

Even though she was a fairy, she didn’t look different from humans.

And with her magical powers, she turned their sorrow into happiness.

Sometimes, though, magic wasn’t even needed to make someone happy.

A single kind word could mend a broken heart.

Years passed, and Denya was chosen as the leader of Ventyeqa. Everyone loved and respected her.

One day, Denya saw a girl. A girl whose eyes were filled with sorrow, whose smile had faded.

She enchanted Denya with her beauty. Her crystal eyes, long lashes, sharp brows, crimson lips like drops of blood, and her radiant, star-like face were unforgettable.

Denya wanted to make the girl happy.

But the girl said she didn’t know why she was sad.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t find a reason to be happy.

Denya and the girl fell deeply in love. Their bond grew stronger with time, their love took root in their hearts.

Still, the girl couldn’t find happiness.

So Denya, with all her magic, made the town more and more beautiful.

She painted every corner the girl looked at with mystical beauty.

That girl’s name was Ventyeqa.

And now, this town is filled with the kind of beauty that pulls a person away from reality...”

“Did you like the story, my dear?”

Liana was unusually excited today. She had finally managed to pull Samir away from his dull office desk. They had planned to spend some time together, to relax and enjoy the day by the sea.

“Of course I liked it, my love. Do you think I even have the option not to like it?”

Samir replied with a playful smile.

“But no matter how beautiful or unique it was, it still couldn’t match the beauty of your eyes or the purity of your heart.”

“So tell me then, if you were in Denya’s place, would you do everything for me?”

“There’s no need for magic to make you happy—because you are happiness itself.

But if there were such a thing, I wouldn’t just beautify Ventyeqa, I’d beautify the whole world for you.”

“And do you think Ventyeqa ever found happiness?”

“I believe it did. Because if she hadn’t, this magical place that bears her name could never have become so beautiful.”

Liana looked at Samir with a hopeful, sincere smile, holding his hands tightly in hers.

Ventyeqa held deep meaning for this young couple.

It was here they met, fell in love, and decided to build a life together.

Liana had come to Ventyeqa for work. She was captivated by its nature—she had never seen a place so breathtaking. It felt like a world woven from magic.

She had applied for a job at Samir’s company, though they hadn’t met at the time.

Their first encounter happened in an old library. Both of them loved books deeply, especially those dedicated to Ventyeqa.

“Samir often left the office just to come to the library. It was quieter here—much easier to concentrate. And all the books he wanted to read were here.

If it were up to him, he would’ve spent his whole life in that library.

Liana, on the other hand, had come upon hearing that a book she’d been searching for forever was finally available here.

Suddenly, she noticed a book with an intriguing title. She reached for it, but it was heavy and slipped from her hands, falling to the floor.

‘Looks like you’re into these kinds of books too,’ Samir said, picking it up and handing it to her.

‘Thank you. Actually, I’m looking for another book. I heard it’s here somewhere.’

‘Maybe I can help you. I’ve read a lot of books here. It’s a great place—whether for researchers or for those who simply enjoy reading.’

‘Wait… don’t you work at the company across the street? I think I’ve seen you there.’

‘Yes, I do. In fact, I own that company. But I don’t think I’ve seen you before.’

‘Oh! You’re Mr. Samir, aren’t you?’ Liana asked with surprise and a touch of nervousness.

‘Nice to meet you—I’m Liana. I applied to your company two days ago. You really liked my designs. But I didn’t get the chance to meet you in person.’”

And so, their sweet conversations had blossomed into a deep love.

Liana had captivated Samir not only with her beauty, but also with her talent.

As the wind played with her golden hair, Liana felt completely free.

Samir loved this most about her—how she embraced every moment and connected with nature with her whole being.

Today, as a married couple, they were celebrating the anniversary of the day they first met.

Liana had prepared everything in advance.

She imagined them sitting by the sea, sharing meaningful conversations, enjoying the snacks she had lovingly prepared, maybe even diving into the water. She thought of the photos she’d take, how she’d later frame them.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t notice she had left Samir behind.

Samir had stopped for a moment—his shoelace had come undone.

Just as he looked up, he saw a car speeding straight toward Liana. Even if the driver tried to stop, it was too late.

Samir jumped to his feet and sprinted toward her. His heart was pounding like it would burst out of his chest. Panic and fear overwhelmed him.

For a moment, he thought he had lost the woman he loved.

The Liana who had just been beside him now felt impossibly far away.

Liana, seeing the car coming toward her, froze. The world spun around her. She stood in the middle of the road, paralyzed.

She wanted to move, to scream—but her body wouldn’t respond.

It was as if time had stopped. The sounds around her disappeared, her mind blurred with confusion.

Suddenly, a woman pulled Liana back.

No one knew where she had come from or how she had appeared so quickly—

but if she had been even a second late, it would have been too late.

Samir, tears in his eyes from the shock, ran up and hugged her tightly.

When Liana heard Samir’s heartbeat, she realized she was alive—and she took a deep, shaky breath.

Once she had collected herself, Liana turned to the woman who had saved her:

“Thank you for saving my life. I was almost hit by that car. I don’t even know what happened… I completely froze.

Sometimes I get lost in daydreams a little too much,” she added with a smile.

The woman had her hair neatly tied back, wore a long skirt, and had a birthmark-like mark on her forehead.

There was something unusual in her eyes—like she was trying to say something unspoken.

“Your carelessness nearly cost you everything. You can’t even imagine how scared I was,”

Samir said, his voice filled with fear, worry, and a touch of frustration.

The woman, staring at Liana as if she could see both her past and her future, said:

“You must be more careful, dear. After all, you also have a baby to think about.”

The woman held a strange doll tightly to her chest.

The doll was dressed like a real child—even had a bottle full of milk clipped to it.

Liana looked at her in surprise.

“I… I don’t have a baby… ma’am.”

“Maybe that’s just what you think,”

the woman replied and walked away.

But her behavior was odd—her eyes, her gestures, almost childlike.

And yet her face carried a gentle kindness and a shadow of deep sorrow.

Suddenly, another woman approached Liana—this one older.

She smiled apologetically and said:

“Please forgive us. I hope my sister didn’t say anything inappropriate. She has some psychological issues. I’m terribly sorry if she upset you.”

“No, not at all, ma’am. On the contrary—she saved my wife’s life. We’re grateful to her.”

The woman smiled and hurried after her sister.