Everlasting Roses

You've heard the story of the Tucks. But they weren't the first people to discover the spring; on the contrary, far from it. Zakinerose Witherman was born into a life of privilege. Her father gave her anything she ever wanted. Sadly at the age of 16, she was left to her whiles and wondered the shores of England when pirates took her captive, leaving behind her basket and wrap.

After many years, she escaped and wandered, lost and confused in a foreign land to her. Loss and tragedy followed her, and she was finally at her end. Zakinerose decided to lean against a tree and wait for death to take her. Death didn't come, for she heard a trickle of water, and upon looking down, she discovered a small spring, and her thirst overcame her, and she instantly cupped her hands and began drinking some of the glorious liquid. As soon as the water touched her lips, she knew something had changed.

**********************************************************************

Roughly ten years had passed since the last time Kina had been in Treegap. Though it hadn't been that long, Kina could see all the changes that had occurred, and it made her smile. As the red haired woman walked through town, she smiled, greeting people as she walked along. She was carrying a basket of wildflowers and was quite happy with how the last ten years had gone. Kina had met so many people in the previous ten years and been to so many different places.

When she decided to return to Treegap, she wondered about the Tucks and how they were fairing with what they were. Suppose they realized what was happening or if they didnt see it—walking through the town, she noticed that the flower cart she used to work at was now a shop, and it appeared that the owner's daughter was now running it. That brought a smile to the female's lips as she knew it had been his dream to open a shop. Rarely did she return in the same lifetime, but the curiosity that she felt toward the Tucks prompted her to visit sooner than expected.

Wandering through town, she gave a flower to a couple passing by, and she was pleased they had taken it. As she continued, she came across some little children playing. Stopping, she smiled as the children noticed her and ran up to Kina, being curious about what was in her basket. "Hello, little ones." Kina smiled as she looked down at them. "What you got in the basket?" The little girl asked, trying to get on her tiptoes to see in the basket. Zakina tilted her head; the immortal was pleased as she watched them all try to look in the basket she was holding. "I have some flowers in my garden." The little ones oohed and awed. Kina watched the little ones as they looked into the basket the immortal had lowered so they could see the pretty flowers inside.

One of the little girls looked up at Kina with bright eyes. "Can I have one for my mommy?" Kina smiled at her and thought for a moment. "Of course, my sweet. You each may take a flower for your mothers. But pick the one you think she will like best." Kina lowered her basket so each child could take a flower. Once each child had taken one, they each ran off presumably in the direction of their mothers. Kina smiled and moved her basket to her hand and swung it gently to and fro as she walked along. Her eyes wandered, and she could see each child meeting with one or both of their assumed parents.

It made the immortal smile to watch the happy families, though, in a way, it was slightly bittersweet as her little ones had passed on. But the mourning mother was delighted to see little ones running around like they were. The days were much happier than when she first arrived in the New World. Kina had to correct herself as she knew this country as the New World, but it was now America. In the time she had been alive, so much history had occurred; she couldn't believe how much she had witnessed.

As she walked along, her eye caught on the little girl that had initially asked for a flower. Kina smiled as she could see how much she loved her mother. Stepping to the side, Kina watched the mother and daughter interaction, and before she knew it, she heard the little girl call out to her father. The female immortal was slightly jealous of the family, but there wasn't much she could do. She preferred being alone, and since she first came to this land, Kina has avoided a majority of human contact. As the memories rolled around, the female immortal brought her attention back to the family in front of her.

When her gaze landed on the father as he picked up the little girl, and Kina's eyes grew. Shock fell on her face, and Kina was shocked to see Miles Tuck standing there holding the small girl. Kina couldn't believe what she was seeing in front of her. Her eyes moved to the female, and Zakina quickly recognized her as the female Miles was courting eleven years ago. The immortal female continued watching the little family, and she noticed the female seemed to be pregnant. Heart sunk to her stomach as she watched the small family go around the main street of town. Kina felt jealousy consume her and had to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. It wasn't fair. She wanted that, and he was getting it. Kina had lost her babies, and here he was. He was married with one child and another on the way.

Tightening her grip on the basket, she tensed and closed her eyes. Before long, she took a quick and calming breath. As she slowly let it out, she opened her eyes. Kina's curiosity got the better of her, and so she followed the small family. Questions filled her head, and she wondered what the answers were. Did she know what he and his family were? Had she drunk from the spring as well? The immortal female needed to see if he had shared the secret with his wife and children. If they shared the secret with people, everyone would want it, and it wouldn't be special anymore. It wouldn't be a secret anymore. No, they couldn't share the secret with others!

As Kina watched the family, the days continued, she realized that the wife and child of the elder Tuck brother did not know about his immortal youth. Kina was in shock to find this out, but she was pleased as that meant the secret wouldn't spread. The only part that bothered her was things like this, as in the seemingly charmed life they were gifted, was sometimes seen as witchcraft, and she had witnessed the Salem trials. It was one of the many reasons she had decided not to talk about her immortality with people. Zakina agreed it was within her best interest to stay in Treegap to monitor the Tuck family's situation.

Little did she know that her decision would be the best thing she could ever do. It would save their future and the future of everyone involved.