Chapter Twenty-Nine

The train that I caught dropped me off in the big city of Los Aniegos, but I'd had enough of cities for a lifetime. Too many memories. As soon as the train let me off I hopped on a bus that took me hours away to a tiny fishing town called Pounawea. I wandered the main street for a moment before heading over to the nearest house I could see.

I halted at the front steps, there was a truck parked in the grass so someone was home. It sent a pang into my heart, reminding me of Blu. Shaking away my doubts I marched up to the front door and knocked on the wood.

I waited patiently. Right before I turned away I detected the clicking of heels from the inside. The door swung open and a beautiful young woman stepped out. She brushed her dark curls out of her face, tucking them behind her ear.

"Can I help you?" She asked, her voice was quiet and soothing. Her eyes gazed over my hair for half a second.

"I'm a bit...new to the town. Is anyone here renting out a room? Or is there an inn?" I wrung my hands together nervously. She tapped her chin with her finger for a moment, thinking.
"Well, we don't have any inn's per-say," My heart sunk. I didn't have enough money to make it to a new town.

 "Oh! The Peterson sisters are renting out a room in their house." She said suddenly.
"Really? Where do they live?" I asked eagerly.
"Go down to the beach and follow the waterline north. You'll know it when you see it."

"Thank you." I sighed, picking up my backpack.
"Good luck," She called as she disappeared into her home. As I retreated down the steps I heard a man's voice and her giggles. I picked up the pace, wiping my eyes on my sleeve.

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The house was huge compared to the others I had seen, it reached far into the water. With a deep breath I walked up the steps and made my way to the front door. The quiet rang in my ears, I was so used to the hustle and bustle of the city, not the quiet countryside. Gathering my courage I knocked on the door.
"I got it!" A feminine voice called. The door swung open.

 

 "Hey there." She said breathlessly, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes. Something about her struck me as familiar, but I couldn't tell if it was her looks or her outfit.

"Um hi, I heard you were renting out a room. Are you one of the Peterson sisters?"

"That'd be me." She smiled. "Yeah, we're offering up a room."

"I'd take it off your hands but...I don't have any money." I sighed. She looked me up and down.

"Here, come inside."

"Please, I'll do anything just to have a place to sleep." I pleaded. "I don't have anywhere else to go."

"Alright, you can have the room. But I won't charge you." She said.
"Oh thank you!"
"Why don't you drop your bag in your new room and meet me in the living room." She suggested, pointing to the spiral staircase.
"Up there and all the way at the end on the left." She said, spinning on her heel and heading to a different part of the house.

I found the door easily enough. The doors clicked when I pressed against them, swinging open. I gasped. This one bedroom was nearly the size of my old house. My old house. Lauri.

It was lovely, warm browns and a pretty green on the walls. I walked over and dropped my backpack on my bed. Brushing my hair back I hurried out of the room and down the stairs, retracing her path.

I came into the living room and kitchen, a second woman was on the couch. Probably the other sister. The girl I met first looked up, she turned off the TV.
"Find the room okay?" Her sister righted herself. I sat down on the couch.
"Yeah."

"Well, I'm Scarlett and this is my twin."
"Edalyn." The brunette said.
"I'm Vinnie."
"Just Vinnie? No last name?" Scarlett asked, a sly smile. My throat tightened. Would I really go on using the name Matthews? It wasn't even my last name. My mind quickly traveled to right before I left Bridgeport. And what Blu said.
"Oh, Vinnie Matthews." I blurted out. I internally kicked myself. It was just habit.
"Dang, how long does it take to get that hair dyed." Edalyn asked. The same urge that appeared at the train station came back, but I repressed it.
"I don't dye it, it's natural." I said. Both girls eyes widened.
"Well, where are you from?" Scarlett said.
"Bridgeport."
"So are you a runaway, parents didn't understand you?" Edalyn said, a hint of a mocking tone.

 "My parents are dead." I said. All I could think was Lauri, Lauri's dead!
"I...I'm so sorry." Edalyn sputtered. I shrugged. I glanced out the window at the darkening sky. Scarlett yawned.
"I bet you're tired, we'll let you go up and rest." She said. I stood up and turned to exit the room.
"There's some clothes in the dresser if you need anything." Scarlett said.

Heading upstairs I found an over-sized shirt and pulled it on. I unclasped my necklace, holding the clock pendant in my hand for a moment.
VINNIE! A pained voice screamed. I jumped and glanced around the room, it was empty but the voice seemed so clear. I dropped the necklace on the dresser and hurried over to the bed, collapsing on top of the blankets.

It had been a long, terrible day. I was just thankful to be alive and in a safe place.

At least I hoped it was safe.