The Suitcase II

Image Conjured by Me and Copilot

The Atlas of Aroha- Kaia’s hands trembled as she read his words, it was unmistakably her father’s handwriting as she remembered the looping pitch of his script from the few letters he’d sent her as a child- but The Atlas of Aroha- she had no idea what that was, but it had to be connected to the stories her father used to tell- if the atlas truly existed, it could explain why her father had been betrayed, and why he had died trying to protect it. 

She turned her attention back to the cryptic map, lines crisscrossed its surface, converging on a point marked not with words but with the silhouette of a mountain- it was Tongariro- the sacred mountain of her ancestors, Kaia had visited it once as a child, standing at its base while her father spoke of its spiritual significance, “The mountain is alive,” he had told her, his voice filled with awe. “It watches over us, guarding secrets only the worthy can uncover.” 

Her father’s words now seemed less metaphorical and more literal- the suitcase, the journal, the maps- they weren’t just artifacts of his expeditions, they were a breadcrumb trail, leading her to the truth about his life and the choices that had torn their family apart- she needed to go to Tongariro- if her father was right and the final clue was hidden up there, it was up to her to find it. 

But she couldn’t do it alone, as much as she hated to admit it, she needed help- someone who understood both the academic and spiritual dimensions of the journey she was about to undertake. 

Her first thought was Dr. Aroha Tamati, a renowned archaeologist and cultural historian who had mentored her during her university years, he had always emphasized the importance of respecting the stories and traditions of their people, blending scholarship with reverence for the past- if anyone could help her decipher the riddles her father had left behind, it was Aroha. 

Kaia stood, clutching the suitcase with renewed resolve- the morning rush was thinning now, the platform quieter but still alive with possibility, so she slipped the journal back into the suitcase and secured the brass clasp- this was no longer just her father’s story; it was hers as well and she would uncover the truth, no matter where it led. 

This is my contribution to this week’s Six Sentence Story. It is a continuation of last week’s installment entitled: The Suitcase

Tune in next week for the startling conclusion of- The Suitcase.

36 thoughts on “The Suitcase II”

  4. Loving the “ tune in next week “ Violet, … and of course now holding my breath for the conclusion after that extra tasting, …(and I love that suitcase, that design’s gorgeous, I know you conjured it, but I want one, 😉)…💫

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  12. compliment on expert world-building and (an) engaging character? my Reader-self went all ‘this Professor guy is gonna turn out to be an asshole’

    lol

    (though, Spoiler Alert! I saw you reply to one of the first comments to the effect that there would be only one more installment. our loss)

    good Six, yo

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    • I am just not well versed on Maori culture or legend enough to continue it. The first prompt word built New Zealand into the plot and I just wouldn’t be able to do the topic justice to continue. Thank you though Clark

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  17. Pingback: The Suitcase III | Thru Violet's Lentz ~

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