Between shadows and hopes: The quest for truth

Rivemarine, a small southern coastal town swept by salted winds, always seemed to be asleep in twilight. The cobbled streets and the white facades of the houses alleviated with a golden shade, a reflection of the setting sun which died slowly on the horizon. For Élise Sunshine, this apparent serenity was only a veil covering painful memories.

It has been a year now that his world had collapsed. A year that Thomas Jordans, his fiancé, had disappeared at sea during this fateful night, when the boat on which he worked had sunk for unexplained reasons. At each sunrise, Élise hoped that she would find an answer or, at least, a appeasement. But neither had ever come.

That evening, Élise stood on the old wooden pier, her hands deeply sunk in the pockets of her light coat. The chilly wind agitated her brown hair, and her eyes, staring at the horizon, seemed to look for a silhouette that would never come back.

She released a pendant from her pocket, a small silver star that she hugged so hard in her hand that her joints whiten. Thomas had given him this pendant the day before his disappearance. He had said, with a mischievous smile: "No matter where I am, Élise, as long as you wear this star, I will stay with you. »»

"Lies," she whispered, her voice swept away by the sound of the waves. A tear rolled along her cheek, which she wiped quickly, as if she wanted to keep her pain for herself.

She was immersed in her thoughts when steps of steps pulled her from her torpor. A man was approaching. Élise looked up and saw an unknown, large and thin, dressed in a worn black coat, which was walking nonchalantly towards the edge. He seemed lost in his own reflections, and yet, when he met his gaze, a fugitive moment of recognition seemed to cross his eyes.

The next morning, Élise tried to break the monotony by going to her favorite cafe, the blue sailor. It was a modest place, with light wooden walls and tables covered with checkered tablecloths. The owner, an old man named Victor, sent her a warm smile when she entered.

- Your usual jasmine tea? he asked, wiping his hands on his apron.

-Yes, thank you, she replied, smiling weakly.

She moved to her usual table, near the window on the port. She liked to observe the boats enter and go out, even if it always reminded her Thomas. But that day, something else drew his attention.

A notebook was placed on the neighboring chair. Its leather cover was worn out, as if it had been handled hundreds of times. Intrigued, Élise took it and opened it on a random page. What she discovered there left her speechless.

Detailed drawings, handwritten notes, and a coarsely drawn map occupied the pages. But what struck it the most was a precise sketch of the boat on which Thomas had disappeared. At the bottom of the page, a sentence caught his gaze: "The boat never sank by accident. »»

Her heart got carried away. Who had written this? Was it a coincidence or a sign?

As she turned the pages, Élise discovered other enigmatic details. Series of figures, annotations on the sidelines, and cryptic sentences like "They knew everything. "Or" don't trust anyone. »»

A waitress approached her tea and noticed Elise's troubled expression.

- All is well, Élise? she asked, putting the cup.

- This notebook ... was he left here? Elise asked, unable to hide her agitation.

The waitress shrugged. - I guess yes. A client may have forgotten it this morning.

Élise thanked the young woman and closed the notebook, her boiling spirit. Should she try to find out more or return it to its owner? What if this notebook really contained answers on the accident? She had never believed in the official version - a simple storm that would have surprised the boat.

As she left coffee, the notebook tight against her, a familiar silhouette entered her field of vision. The man of the pier. His heart missed a beat. Was it a simple coincidence or the fate that gathered them again?

She rushed to him without thinking. - You are waiting! she called.

The man turned, surprised, and frowned by recognizing her.

-You're still there, he said. What do you want?

"This notebook," she said, brandishing it. It's yours, right?

He stayed silent for a moment, his eyes staring at the notebook as if he contained a secret that he wanted to protect at all costs.

-Where did you find it? He finally asked, his voice tinged with a certain nervousness.

"It doesn't matter," said Élise with challenge. What I want to know is what these notes mean. This sketch, this sentence ... Why does this notebook talk about Thomas' boat?

The man turns slightly. "You should forget what you saw," he said, reaching out to recover the notebook.

But Élise feles, the notebook always firmly in her hand. - Not before you explain to me what you know. If you are involved in what happened to Thomas, you tell me, whether you want it or not.

The man sighed, visibly annoyed, but also resigned. -Very well, he said finally. Let's meet tonight, here. I will tell you what I can. But be aware that certain truths are dangerous. Élise nodded, determined. She was ready to face any truth, as dark as it was, if that meant understanding what had really happened to Thomas.

While Elise went back to his return to her apartment, the notebook always tightened against her, blurred images of Thomas invaded her mind. She still remembered the night when everything had changed. It was raining that evening, a fine rain that burst in the windows. Thomas had entered, his dipped jacket, but his radiant smile illuminated the whole room.

"I accepted a final mission, Élise. I'm going tomorrow, but it will be fast. I will come back before you realize it. »»

She hadn't liked this news, but she knew Thomas' passion for the sea and travel. "The sea is my domain," he said often, as a secret promise made to the waves.

His smile, his voice, even his sea scent still seemed present in the air. However, all she had today was this notebook and the mysteries he contained.

That night, Élise barely slept. She leafed through the notebook again under the sifted light of her office. She noted every detail that seemed important: vaguely noted coordinates on a corner of the object, drawings of objects that she did not recognize and this famous sentence which returned as a litany: "They knew everything. »»

She wanted to believe that there was a meaning behind it. But another, darker feeling began to be born in it. What if this notebook only added to its torment? What if, instead of answers, he only raised new endless questions?

But basically, she knew she had no choice. If she did not continue this track, she would never forgive herself. The next day, Élise returned to the pier, as agreed with Samuel. The marine breeze played with her scarf as she was waiting for her, the notebook hidden under her coat. She was not sure he would come. Perhaps he had changed his mind.

But Samuel arrived, his heavy steps resonating on the boards. He seemed more tense than during their first meeting.

-You are there, he said simply.

"I couldn't leave without understanding," replied Élise, arms crossed.

Samuel sighed and glanced around him, as if they were alone.

- Listen, this notebook ... You should never have read it. It contains dangerous things, things that you cannot understand.

-So explain to me, retorted Élise, defying her gaze. I lost Thomas, and if this notebook can help me understand why, I'm ready to take the risk.

Samuel hesitated, but he ended up nodding.

- Very well, I'm going to tell you what I know. But know one thing: what you will discover could change everything. They sit on a bench, a little away. Samuel seemed nervous, constantly looking over his shoulder.

-The boat on which Thomas worked, the seawater was not just a simple fishing boat, he began. He was carrying something ... something precious for very powerful people.

- What, exactly? asked Élise, her hands trembling.

- I'm not sure. But this notebook contains clues. My role was to write everything I learned on behalf of ... let's say, interested people. But things went wrong.

Élise was stunned. She had always believed that Thomas was the victim of a simple accident. But now everything seemed to indicate a larger plot.

- And Thomas? What was he doing on this boat? He was not involved, if?

Samuel looked down, as if he hesitated to answer.

"I can't answer you with certainty," he admitted. But it may have seen something that he shouldn't have seen.

Élise felt a mixture of anger, fear and determination boil in her. If Thomas had been the victim of a plot, then she would do everything to discover the truth.

-Very well, she said, getting up. If this notebook can help me understand what happened, then I will continue to search, with or without your help.

Samuel looked at her for a moment, then got up in turn.

"You are more courageous than I thought," he said with a slight smile. But be careful, Élise. Those who seek answers do not always find what they hope.

He walked away, leaving Élise alone on the pier, the notebook always tightened against her. But this time, she didn't feel alone. For the first time in a long time, she had a goal, a direction to follow.

And even if the stars seemed lost, Élise knew that she would one day find their light.