Black Sun and I stood there, looking at the place where Virginia disappeared. I wanted to help her, but there was no way that I would tell everyone about Roanoke. I knew that they would flock towards this island, and even drive off the Croatan Indians. I covered my face with my hands, and slumped to the ground.

"White Star?" Black Sun asked me, putting a hand on my shoulder. "What's the matter?"

"I wanted to help her," I replied, my voice breaking out in sobs. "She's so helpless. Without her spirit at rest, she'll have to wander this island forever. She has to know that if I bring other people here, your village will no longer exist. They'll drive you out of your home just like...just like...what the Americans did years before."

Black Sun looked at me as I stood up, and removed my cloak, necklace, and feather crown. I gave the items to Black Sun for him to hold.

"Bring these back to your village and give them to your father," I told Black Sun, still crying. "I'm a pale skin." I rose my hand to my cheek and began to wipe away the ashen star. "I don't belong."

Black Star dropped the items, and grabbed my wrist. I watched as he picked up the necklace, and carefully placed it back around my neck. He then took the cloak, and slowly fastened of around my neck. He picked up the feather crown, and placed it back on my head.

"You are different than the other pale skins," Black Sun said. He took out a bag of ash from his pocket, and wiped away the smudge I made on my cheek. He then took some of the ash from his bag, and redrew the ashen star on my cheek. His hand then rose to my eye, and wiped away my tears. "You're heart is bigger than theirs." Black Sun smiled softly at me. "You do belong."

I smiled back at him, and hugged him. He hugged me back.

"Brother! White Star!"

A familiar voice made us break our embrace and we turned to see Blooming Blossom running towards us, terror in her eyes.

"Sister!" Black Sun cried out, noticing the terror in his sister's eyes. "What's the matter?"

"It's father," Blooming Blossom replied, her eyes welling up with tears. "There's something wrong with him!"

Look at each other, Black Sun and I ran after Blooming Blossom, to the village.

***

"Father!" Black Sun yelled, pulling aside the deerskin door.

Blooming Blossom and I stood in the doorway as Black Sun stared at his father. Askuwheteau was sitting on the floor, his legs crossed,  his head down, and his hands folded in his lap. 

"F-Father?" Blooming Blossom asked softly.

"Askuwhetaeu?" I asked, just as softly as Blooming Blossom.

Our hearts sank when there was no reply, but they rose again when Askuwheteau's head rose. His eyes were filled with sadness, and he sighed.

"I was listening to your conversation with the spirit of little Virginia Dare," Askuwheteau said, adverting his gaze to me. "You must give her soul peace."

"But I don't want you all to die!" I told him, tears filling my eyes. "I can't let your village perish! You're the last of the Croatan tribe!" 

"My child," Askuwheteau said, smiling sadly. "We will be fine. Just let Virginia be at peace."

I backed up to the doorway, tears falling down my face, and I looked at the chief and his family. I didn't want them to die. I couldn't let them die. I ran out of the hut, Black Sun calling my name. I ran passed confused villagers, my tears blurring my vision. 

There must be another way to help Virginia, I thought as I ran. I can't let this village be wiped off the map.

I kept running until I arrived at the palisade that was still standing. I leaned against one of the walls and clutched my chest as I gasped for breath. My hand rose to wipe my eyes, and it hit something. Something that felt familiar. I looked down to see my hand clutching my locket. I smiled sadly as I opened up my locket. Inside was a small picture of my family and I. My mother. My father. My little brother. My smile began to fade as I remembered my family disappear. One by one. My brother to a car accident. My father to a shark attack. My mother to cancer. My eyes scrunched up and I held my locket closer to my face. More tears began to fall as I remembered the last conversation my mother and I had before she died.

"Aria, can you keep a promise?"

"Of course I can."

"If someone always asks for your help, you will help them. Promise?"

"Of course, mother."

"You will keep this promise?"

"Of course I will, mother."

But I didn't, I thought, sliding to the ground. I didn't keep my promise.

"You know, it's actually very nice here. I can see that you don't want this village to perish."

I looked up through my water-soaked eyes to see Virginia standing there, her back turned towards me.

"I did want to help you, Virginia," I mumbled, wiping my eyes. "I just didn't want this tribe to perish."

"There is another way, Aria," Virginia said, turning towards me. "You have to find out who let the disease spread on the island."

She pointed to the palisade, and I noticed a tree that seemed to have appeared from out of nowhere. 

"What does that tree have to do with anythi-" I began to ask, before I turned to face her and saw that she was gone.

Letting go of my locket, I stood up, and carefully made my way to the tree. Carved into the tree was the word Death with an arrow that pointed to the ground. Looking down, I saw a wooden trapdoor, and I pulled it open. A rotting, wooden ladder led down into a dimly lit hole, and I drew in a sharp breath. 

"I'm going to do this," I said out loud to no one in particular.

"And I'm coming with you."

I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder, and I looked up to see Black Sun smiling at me. I smiled back at him, and put my hand on his. 

"Then let's go."