The memory slipped away as I tried to grasp it. I want to remember more.

I need to remember more.

Something happened at the beach that day. I met someone before I drowned.

Her.

She pushed me into the water after warning me. Why?

All I know is that I have a lead now. The answers I need are on that piece of paper.

I looked out into the distance. 

I need to find it. It's important. I just know it.

"Summer..."

I turned around to see my friends in front of me.

"Guys..."

They bowed awkwardly, unsure of what to do.

"Come on guys, you're my friends, and I'm still me!"

Hailey got up and pulled me into a hug.

"Oh Summer, we were so worried about you," said Hailey.

The rest of my friends joined in and hugged me.

"You're not mad at my mother?" I asked as I stepped back.

"You're the keeper of Summer, it's important that you're safe," said Liam as he smiled at me.

"She had to protect you," said Raven as she smiled reassuringly.

Wren elbowed me and grinned, "Besides, if we were never sent here with our memories wiped out in the first place, we wouldn't have been friends,".

"Henry!"

We looked over to see Ingrid running towards Henry.

"Dad!" exclaimed Hailey as she ran to join them.

I looked out at the shore once again. My next clue is out there, wherever it is.

"People of Penumbra, it is time we return," said Nature.

Henry, Ingrid, and Hailey jogged over to us.

"Summer, pack what you need. We will be leaving for Penumbra in a few minutes," said Henry.

Before I could reply, Hailey grabbed my arm and ran towards her house.

"Come on, Summer. I can't leave without all of my clothes!" said Hailey.

Ah Hailey, never change.

I guess that explains why she looks absolutely flawless and knows all about fashion. I can't exactly blame her for behaving that way when that's her ability.

"Hey, Hailey. I have a question," I asked as we were on our way to the house.

"what is it?" she asked.

"Henry says you and Ingrid have beauty abilities. Do you remember what they are?"

She stopped abruptly.

"Well like you, I was also six when my memories were wiped out. I don't recall knowing any spells about beauty."

She turned to me with a grin.

"Perhaps I could try it now."

Oh no. I know that look. She's up to something.

"Hailey, what are you thinking?"

She looked at my outfit thoughtfully before rubbing her hands together.

Should I be worried?

I looked down at my clothes. I'm wearing the yellow hoodie and denim shorts I wore when I first left Corium. My uggs were covered in sand. I couldn't be bothered to dress up for this occasion. What's the point?

"Here goes..." she said after taking a deep breath.

She pointed at me and waved her hand in a zig-zag motion from top to bottom, leaving a trail of light that shimmers.

"Hailey, I swear-"

We were blinded by a flash of light before I could complete my sentence.

I looked down as the light faded. I'm wearing an off-shoulder ruffled top in coral and a light blue denim skirt. As I looked closer, I see gold buttons in the shape of little suns run down the middle of the skirt. I'm wearing tan sandals with a golden sun on each of the ankle straps as well.

Hailey nodded in approval, "It's exactly what I pictured,".

"Hailey, that spell could've gone wrong! You're still new to all this."

"But it didn't," she grinned.

She inspected my messy hair.

"Summer, did you even comb your hair this morning?" she asked in disgust.

"Look, we need to go pack before we run out of time."

"Do you trust me, Summer?"

"No."

Hailey slapped my arm playfully. A smile formed on my face.

Of course I trust her, we've been inseparable since we were six.

I do love the outfit though. It's simple, casual, and she kept my style and comfort into consideration. 

But I'm not telling her that.

She raised her index finger and twirled it around several times.

My hair started braiding into a side braid with tiny daisies in them. It cascaded down my shoulder, resting on the ruffles of my coral top.

"Now can we go pack our things?" I asked, impatient.

"Yes, we may proceed," she said as she smiled.

I tried to hide my smile as we continued walking.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hailey and I got back to the shore after we have packed our things.

This is it. People are crossing the bridge back to Penumbra.

I looked back at Corium once more.

I have to find a way to get back here. I can't look for the piece of paper now, it's too risky. That means I'll have to get back here. Somehow.

I sidled up next to Nature at the foot of the bridge.

"What happens to Corium, mother?" I asked.

"Corium will always be a safe place for us in case we need to leave penumbra," she said.

"How will we get here then, if there ever was an emergency?" I asked.

She raised an eyebrow and said, "You needn't worry about that, Summer. Corium is protected with an enchanted barrier that only the keepers of the seasons and I can get through,".

"What about everyone crossing the bridge right now?"

"They can get through because I allowed them to."

"So as long as we allow others to get through the protective barrier, they can? Is that why Henry and I could leave Corium and get to Penumbra?"

"Yes, no one can leave or enter Corium otherwise. Why are you asking, Summer?"

Oh no. I thought I was sneaky enough. I just wanted to know how to get back here to find the paper on the beach. 

What do I say now? I can't exactly say, "Oh mother, I'm just curious on how to sneak back here to find a clue I may have remembered from a vague memory of being pushed into the water before I drowned. Considering you wouldn't let me go back into Winter's room to investigate, I'll have no choice but to sneak around behind your back," can I? It's ridiculous when I put it like that.

"Summer! I see you've been listening to what I said," Henry said as he walked up to us.

"What?" I asked.

Henry gave me a look.

Oh. He must've read my mind when I was panicking.

I cleared my throat and said, "Yes, Henry was just telling me about how safe Corium is, and that made me curious, that's all,".

"You don't need to worry, dear. Penumbra is your home now," she smiled warmly and gestured towards the bridge, "Shall we?".

Henry gave me a suspicious look before following behind Nature. I breathed a sigh of relief and stepped onto the bridge with a thought in my mind.

This won't be the last time I step foot onto Corium.