His expression sobered as he stared at me, and for a second I felt this heavy weight pressing down on me, his focus was that powerful. A shiver caused goose bumps to pop out along my arms, and I cleared my throat, shifting on my feet and otherwise acting as if I couldn’t stand still. Because I couldn’t. I suddenly felt very aware. I just didn’t know what I was aware of.
I felt confusion settle in me again when he said he purchased the inn and not his father. But once again I pushed the nagging, weird feeling to the back of my mind. I was overly tired, in a new country, and it was clear he was from another country as well. Lost in translation is a very real thing, I told myself and kept looking around the room to focus on other stuff.
There was an antique looking dresser across from the bed, and when I said antique, I mean from the ’70s. A small TV sat atop the wood and looked just as “modern” as the computer downstairs.
“The closet is there.” He went over and opened it, then went about telling me the other amenities in the room.
He showed me the bathroom, one of the nicest I'd ever seen, and he even boasted and was very proud that it’d just been installed the year prior. I was thankful for at least that. Last thing I wanted to do was share a communal shower with strangers.
He made his way to the window and pulled open the curtain with the same paisley pattern that graced the bedspread. I could see genuine pride in his face as he showed me the village that was revealed. Although all I wanted to do was sleep, I walked over and marveled at the view. He hadn’t been lying. It was pretty incredible.
I could see so much greenery that stretched far behind the town. The rolling hills were lush and abundant on either side of the forest, and I could even see the tiny tip of what I assumed was a lake. Or maybe a massive pond. But I didn’t ask him about it. Because that meant more talking, and right now the bed was calling to me.
“Well, that’s about it,” he said, his accent seeming a little thicker. “If you need anything, let me know, and I’ll bring the tourist information and pamphlets later.”
“Thanks again, Christo. I really appreciate it.”
He stood there, hands clasped in front of him, a smile stretching his face.
And the longer he stood there, the more antsy I got. Should I tip him? Was that what he was waiting for?
“I’ll leave you to it,” he finally murmured and turned, shutting the door softly behind him.
Confusion filled me again, and as if my legs had a mind of their own, they took me to the door, where I reached out and clicked the lock into place. And then I turned, eyed my two bags, then the bed, and said fuck unpacking.
I kicked off my shoes, pulled off my hoodie, and face-planted on the mattress, where I was pretty sure I’d dream about my beast chasing me through the woods once more.
Or maybe I was hoping I’d dream of it.
4
Darragh
The next day
“How long are you supposed to feel like ass from the jet lag?” I adjusted my phone so it was propped up on the pillow. The video chat with Evelyn was a little delayed and fuzzy, sometimes freezing up, but at least the B and B had Wi-Fi, so I couldn’t complain.
“You’re asking the wrong chick. I haven’t left the city, let alone been on a plane.”
I grabbed my shoes and moved to the bed to sit on the edge. “It was rhetorical,” I said and laughed when Evelyn rolled her eyes.
“You’ve only been there twenty-four hours. I’m sure it’ll take a few days for your body to get acclimated.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. I crashed as soon as I got here and woke up twelve hours later to it being pitch-black in the room and a heinous cramp in my lower back from not moving position for hours upon hours.”
“Did you at least feel better?”
“No. I felt like crap and am so groggy. Then couldn’t sleep until the sun started to rise, at which point I went back asleep and woke up with only enough time to spend like an hour at the public records office before the old lady working the front desk kicked me out.” Once my shoes were on, I twisted so I could see the phone. Evelyn was propped up on her bed, her phone resting on her chest. “So it wasn’t the most productive day, but I did find out a little bit, which is exciting and better than nothing.”
“That’s fantastic!” Evelyn sounded animated and genuine. “So what did you dig up?”