Part I

I am lonely, feeling so lonely here on my own. My loud singing cry hasn't been heard for a while. I wished I could move, so then I would go somewhere where it would be easier to find me. All I could count on was luck or rather someone’s bad luck, depending on how to interpret it. I just want to be loved… After decades it would be nice to breathe some fresher air and see the sun or moon clearly or overall outside that stupid pit I was lying in, partially buried in the ground. I heard some noise, but without much hope it would bring something good to me.

However when that started to sound more like frightened screams, I thought that there might be a chance, still not giving myself much hope. Being an item only taught me that the best is just to wait, because frustration instead of attracting rather repelling people. So manifesting peace and someone who would love me. Please, please, please, I am so desperate. I don’t want to be here anymore! I would angrily swing my legs and arms, if it were possible.

The steps were getting closer, I was almost sure that they would miss my cage, when someone fell into it. As I noticed it was a young, beautiful woman, but she covered herself with ivy. A moment later I understood why, there were few angry voices coming from nearby, they belonged to a group of men, probably looking for her, who definitely didn’t want to be found. The fear she was feeling made me nervous as well, I saw a chance for me. As long as she would be safe, the higher the possibility she would look around or find me by accident, and what’s more important, take me with her. I heard not once or twice that I was really pretty, so my looks were on my side.

For the whole night I was listening to her cries, then a calm breath which stopped every time any noise was heard. She barely moved, too scared to be discovered, but I had a feeling that the ones who were looking for her had already given up. People didn’t like to stay on this island, they came only to look for treasures, but there were things that took care of not letting them find it. They must have assumed she would die anyway, so there was no reason for them to catch her at any price.

As soon as the sun rose she tried her luck with getting out of the pitch, but it didn’t seem like she would even look around. I am here! Look here! Take me with you! Done with my resolutions, I was screaming at the top of my lungs. I didn’t have any powers of any kind, but she slipped and fell down again, this time perfectly over me, so we could look each other in the eyes. I saw my reflection there and she seemed intrigued and picked me up. Finally!

For items like me, there was something special about human touch, some kind of addicting, magnetising warmth that gave us will to live and extra strength too. There was no more plausible sound than human heartbeat. All I needed was their love and attention, if they became the most important thing in my life, I just expected the same.

“What are you doing here?” She whispered and that sound was sweet and delicate. If I had a heart, I would give it all to her. Her small palms were turning me around, to look closer. As expected I was too pretty to leave me in such an obscure place like that pit. “I will take you with me. I am afraid to be alone.”

How nice! She could be the type who likes to talk with items. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was. In my head there were already pictures of our bright future, as long as she would care about me. I was hoping for many, many years together, so that young woman better not let me down. There was something worrying me about her looks, her dress was dirty and tattered, hair in disarray and silhouette like she hadn't had a proper meal in a long time. Being properly fed she would be even more beautiful, who would say no to the red-haired beauty with amathistine eyes. Rara avis. That would explain everything. The people could be treasures too, and she was one of them. Probably kidnapped by the men who were looking for her the day before, to become someone’s very rich slave or wife. I guessed, no difference for her. So men were treasure hunters. Good for her to be able to escape, as thanks for ending my despair I decided to help her.

Treasure! I knew that my ability to feel valuables was visible through the grey rocks, which were my eyes. They shined brighter the closer to them I was. This way! I just hoped that she would also be smart enough to understand it quickly. Fortunately she was and she had nothing to lose, as she was on an uninhabited island without confidence that the chase wouldn't start again. I was really proud when I led her to the first treasure, but she needed a moment to realise that it could be buried or hidden somewhere. As long as she was happy I was happy too, and that was the result of our cooperation.

“I heard about magical figurines, which could lead to treasure, but I didn’t believe it.“ She burst into joyful laughter. Of course, I deserved to be a legend! “I am so happy to find you.”

The beauty hugged me tightly, so I realised I had nothing to worry about. Our journey just started, but I would rather look for other treasures in different places, as the island wouldn’t be too happy if one person would find them all. They let it slide because of me, but it couldn't go on forever.

I have found perfection in human form. Not only was she beautiful, smart but also not greedy. Most people who held me in their hands, who recognised my abilities, were just collecting things, using me to steal if they were too lazy to go on a treasure hunt. But she knew that all of this won’t be any useful for her if she would die from inanition. Well that wouldn’t be a nice ending for me either, because I would be stuck here again for a long time again. Oh no, not on my watch! I believe in you girl! You have to survive! She detached part of the dress to make a sack from it and put the treasure in it. I felt her eyes on me.

“You can’t show me where I could find water and food right?” The question was asked with a sigh, which meant ‘I am not sure if I want, but I have to do something’.

No, I can’t, but I will be rooting for you! You have to make it through! And she did, however we spent another week on the island. It was tough for her, and she wanted to give up many times, but every time she looked at me and asked if I was going to help her change her life. I was ready to with all my might, as long as I would be loved. We couldn’t have a conversation, but she was talking to me a lot. Her name was Eveline. My assumptions were right, the kidnapping actually happened and what’s more she came from a poor family, so no one would be sorry after she disappeared. She even suspected that her family could gain something from the hunters for making it easier for them.

The legend of the island was also helpful, because the next ship that got there had on the deck the crew of very superstitious treasure hunters. So when she approached them at night, pale and in a tattered dress, whispering something to herself with madness in her eyes, they were sure that she was some kind of demon. And for them it would be better to follow her every wish if they don’t want to die. In the end we were traveling in quite luxurious conditions, while she was still keeping an act. For a moment I thought Eveline lost her mind for real, but as soon as we stepped on the continent and the crew stopped watching us, she just laughed.

“That was a genius move, right?”

Oh yeah it was. I wished I had a mouth to smile, we would make a perfect team, and the world would belong to us.