Nana's smile softened as she began to narrate the story to Blake.
"Long ago, before our island was plagued by the vampires, there were two lovers whose story became the stuff of legend. Their names were Artemis and Duncan Salvador."
Blake leaned in, his curiosity piqued by the mention of their names. "Artemis and Duncan Salvador?" he repeated, the names rolling off his tongue like a melody.
"Yes, they were lovers," Nana said smiling warmly. Blake could tell she was most fond of this story or love in general.
Blake listened intently, captivated by the tale of forbidden love and untold sacrifice. "How did they meet?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Nana's eyes sparkled, excited to tell the story passed down generations to her.
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The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow upon the restless waves as they lapped against the battered raft. Duncan Salvador and Artemis clung to each other, their clothes soaked through, their faces streaked with saltwater and exhaustion. But despite the hardships of their journey, a glimmer of hope sparkled in their eyes as they gazed up at the land ahead of them.
For days, they had both floated across the ocean, hand in hand. These young lovers were experiencing anything far from a honeymoon. No, they had both ran away from home.
Both born into poverty, they had forged a bond that transcended their meager circumstances. Artemis, with her fiery spirit and unwavering determination, had captured his heart from the moment they first met.
Artemis was born into a poor family, her father a struggling fisherman who eked out a meager living from the sea. Despite their hardships, Artemis's parents instilled in her a sense of resilience and independence. She grew up watching her father toil tirelessly to provide for their family, and it was from him that she inherited her strong will and unwavering determination.
Duncan, on the other hand, was the son of a humble blacksmith, his childhood spent amidst the clang of metal and the heat of the forge. His father's skilled craftsmanship and dedication to his trade inspired Duncan to pursue his own passions with equal fervor.
From a young age, he dreamed of exploring the world beyond their small village, yearning for adventure and excitement beyond the confines of his simple upbringing.
Artemis who was burdened by her father's incessant demands and stifling expectations of changing their famiky situation by getting married sought solace along the shoreline near her village.
Their laughter mingled with the sound of the waves crashing around them. For weeks, they had battled fierce storms and treacherous currents, their determination to escape the clutches of their past driving them forward.
"I never doubted us for a moment," Duncan declared, his voice filled with conviction as he reached out to brush a strand of hair from Artemis's face.
Artemis chuckled softly, a hint of amusement dancing in her tired eyes. "Oh, really? Not even when we were clinging to that broken mast for dear life?" she teased, her laughter mingling with the gentle rhythm of the sea.
Duncan grinned, his heart swelling with affection for the woman who had stolen his heart. "Okay, maybe I had a moment or two of doubt," he admitted, his tone sheepish.
"But look where we are now," Artemis said, her gaze sweeping across the vast expanse of ocean stretching out before them. "On our way to a new beginning, far from the troubles of our past," she said, nestling herself in Duncan's embrace as they fell asleep.
As the first light of dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and gold, Duncan and Artemis found themselves waking to a new day on the tranquil shores of an island.
But as the initial rush of excitement and relief began to wane, the harsh reality of their situation set in. Days of exposure to the elements and meager rations had taken a toll on their bodies, leaving them weak and vulnerable.
Artemis winced as she tried to sit up, her muscles protesting with every movement. "I feel like I've been run over by a herd of elephants," she joked weakly, attempting to lighten the somber mood that hung over them like a dark cloud.
Duncan chuckled softly, though the sound was tinged with concern. "I know what you mean," he replied, his voice hoarse from days of dehydration. "But at least we're alive, and we're together."
Artemis managed a small smile, though her eyes betrayed the pain she was trying to conceal. "Yes, that's all that matters," she agreed, reaching out to grasp Duncan's hand in hers. "As long as we have each other, we can face whatever comes our way."
But deep down, they both knew that their situation was dire. The island held many mysteries and dangers, and their chances of survival were uncertain at best.
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*Author's note*
I'll be narrating this story from Nana's picture perspective so instead of an actual back and forth dialogue going on between her and Blake, I thought this was a more in-depth approach and painted a better picture.
I hope you all approve.