With these words, she stepped into the well! But instead of falling, she slowly dissolved in air, turning into thousands of glowing sparks! The sparks rose to the stars and vanished, leaving only a warm breeze and the scent of wildflowers! The well darkened! The bluish glow disappeared, and no sounds came from the depths anymore! Only ordinary night silence surrounded them!
Lily approached the well’s edge and looked down! «Dad, will Aunt Charlotte find peace???» She asked quietly! «I think yes, sunshine! She finally could release her pain!!!»
«I feel sorry for her! She was very lonely!!!» Robert hugged his daughter! Lily was again an ordinary child — warm, alive, with clear eyes!
«And know what I realized?» he said! «Loneliness isn’t always bad! Sometimes need to be alone to understand what’s really important! Like us?»
«Like us! Mom left, and at first it seemed end of the world! But then I realized I have you! And that’s most important!!!»
They went back to the house, holding hands! Warm light burned in the windows! And the house no longer seemed alien or hostile! This was their home, their shelter!
«Dad, will we stay here???» Lily asked! «Do you want to?» «Very much! It’s good here! And clean air, kind people! And also… Also I think Aunt Charlotte would be glad if we stayed! So happy people live in the house!!!»
Robert smiled! His little daughter was wiser than many adults! In the house awaited a surprise! On the kitchen table stood a bouquet of wildflowers, the ones growing by the well! They were fresh, as if just picked, though no one entered the house at night!
«This from Aunt Charlotte???» Lily asked! «Probably from her! Last gift!!!» They put the flowers in a vase, and the house filled with summer aroma! Robert understood this was a sign of forgiveness, sign that Charlotte finally found peace!
Lily went to bed, and Robert went out to the yard and approached the well! «Thank you, Charlotte,» he whispered into the darkness! «Thank you for letting us stay!!!» In response was only wind, but in this wind Robert felt warmth! As if someone’s hand touched his shoulder, softly and soothingly!
In the morning, they woke to birdsong! Lily looked better than ever, her cheeks rosy, eyes shining! «Dad, today such a good day!!!» she exclaimed! And Robert agreed! The day was really good! First of many good days awaiting them!
Robert sat by the well long, listening to night silence! For the first time in a week, no sounds from the depths! Only ordinary rural night — rustle of leaves, distant dog bark, quiet wind breath!
When he returned to Aunt Mabel, she met him at the door! «Well???» the old woman asked anxiously! «Seems it’s over,» Robert answered tiredly! They entered the house where Lily slept! The girl looked calm, her cheeks pink, breathing even and deep!
Robert gently placed hand on daughter’s forehead; skin warm, normal temperature! «Dad?» Lily opened eyes and smiled! For the first time in days, her gaze clear and lively! «I’m here, sunshine!!!»
«I had a strange dream! Aunt Charlotte came to say goodbye! Said she won’t bother me anymore and apologized! And also said you’re a very good dad!!!»
Robert felt his throat tighten! So Charlotte kept her word! «Dad, can we not fear the well now???» Lily asked! «I think no one’s there anymore! Yes, daughter! Nothing to fear anymore!!!»
They returned home early morning! The yard looked different — brighter, happier! Even the old house seemed less gloomy! And the well! Robert approached and looked inside! Ordinary deep pit, nothing mystical! At the bottom, water gleamed — clean, clear!
In the following days, life began to improve! Lily fully recovered, her cough gone, and she became active and cheerful again… Together they worked in the garden they started behind the house, repaired the fence, painted walls! Neighbors gradually got used to them! Aunt Mabel came almost every day, brought milk and vegetables, sometimes treats for Lily!
Other town residents started communicating too, and Robert realized they finally became part of this small community! A month passed since that night meeting at the well! Robert still sometimes woke at night and listened, but no more sounds! Only silence and peace!
Lily went to the local school! Few kids in class, only six, but the teacher kind and understanding! The girl quickly made friends with classmates and returned home daily with new stories! Robert found work in the nearby town, helping a local farmer repair equipment! Money small, but enough for modest life!