Page 6 of Little Darling

As I walked through the narrow streets toward where I'd be staying, I could feel the weight of the journey behind me as if it was truly the last journey of my life. I thought about the cities I’d seen and the trains I’d been on, and the constant movement of it all landed deep within me.

All of that—plus all of what I’d experienced in my life—led me to being here, in this place that felt like… home. This was a quiet, hidden place where I could be in my own little world, and I was going to embrace it fully.

The little stalls and stores—with their fresh fruits and veggies, trinkets and handmade crafts—distracted me, but it was welcome. I picked up a few food items along the way to tide me over tonight and tomorrow morning. My plan was to really take in the area after that and memorize the streets and buildings. I’d stock up on groceries then.

There was undeniable beauty in the town’s simplicity and how it clearly tried to stay true and authentic to its tradition.

I’d contacted the rental owner about my new estimated arrival time before I left, to make sure there would be vacancy. She’d laughed at the worry in my question when she finally understood what I was asking, which made me grin, because she then did her best to explain in broken English that I was the first person to rent the place in four whole months. When I got there, she was already waiting for me with a smile. While Ana-Marie spoke little English and I only knew a few Romanian words, we didn’t need to be fluent in each other’s language to communicate as she showed me the home.

It was a small cottage on the outskirts of the village with one bedroom, a bathroom, and a little kitchen that looked out at the base of the mountains. It had a gorgeous little flower garden in the back and a weathered wooden bench right outside the back door.

There were a few panels of lattice decorating the edges of the garden, creeping ivy rising along the wooden slates.

Right before Ana-Marie left, it was clear she remembered something as she bustled toward the tiny fridge in the kitchen. She opened the door and pointed to a covered dish, spoke swiftly in Romanian, and I realized she’d prepared me a welcome meal.

I felt this swell of disbelief and a weight on my chest that someone had done something nice for me. This wasn’t simply a bottle of cheap wine kept stockpiled for each guest’s arrival. This was a home-cooked meal, seeing as there were no fast-food joints to be seen for miles and miles.

Before I knew what I was doing, I took her hand in mine and smiled.

“Mul?umesc.”Thank you.I hoped my pronunciation was on point, and when she smiled back, I exhaled in relief.

“Cu placere.”You’re welcome.She replied in a warm voice and gave my hand a squeeze then let herself out.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was waiting for me here, something that would drive me to plant my roots and grow. Tomorrow wasn’t just about stocking up the kitchen and sightseeing. I’d also look for a job because I knew—now that I was here—without a doubt I wasn’t leaving.

This was where I was meant to be.

6

DOLLY

Iwoke up early the following morning and started walking around right away. It was so early by the time I made the trek that most places weren’t open yet, but I got a much needed cup of coffee and a cheese and meat breakfast sandwich.

My path had led me around the little town. I took in a few aged monuments, peered into shops, and walked through the park before taking a seat on the bench and gazing up at the mountains. They were breathtaking, with their jagged peaks that rose to the sky.

A deep inhale brought crisp, chilly morning air into my lungs. The scent of pine and earth and the sound of distant birds chirping and singing went straight to my soul.

“God, so beautiful.” After finishing my coffee and sandwich, I took the trail that wound its way through the forest. It was so serene out here, with the stunning views and the sense of peace that seemed to permeate everything around me.

The longer I followed the trail, the deeper I trekked into the woods. The branches overhead blocked out much of the morning sunlight, so everything around me became more ominous. It was in this atmosphere that my deepest worries and thoughts rose.

Even with all the beauty, I couldn’t shake this uneasy feeling that had settled deep inside me, one I’d been trying to ignore since I woke up the day I left Paris. It was a gnawing sensation that something wasn’t quite right. It was a feeling that was instinctual, one that was primal and was all about survival.

I tried to ignore it even telling myself all these worries were nothing but paranoia, a result of traveling alone and being in new, strange places.

But no matter how much I tried to ignore it and push it to the back of my mind, it refused to leave.

A long exhale left me, but it wasn’t calming nor did it cleared my head.

As I continued along the trail, I kept glancing over my shoulder, this tickling on the back of my neck strong, as if warning bells were incessantly ringing throughout my body.

But there was nothing behind me, no one following me. The forest was quiet, and the only sounds were those of the rustling leaves from the small animals scurrying about and the trickle of a stream close by.

Yet… I felt like I was being watched.

I came to a spot where the view was so pretty that it made me stop for a moment, and I just absorbed everything around me. However, I still discreetly scanned my surroundings. Nothing stood out except my rising pulse, and I felt this tingling sensation encompass my arms and legs.

I rubbed my hands over my arms, chasing away the chill, and after a few moments, I felt that tension and nervousness fade. I smiled and giggled at my paranoia, and with one more look around, I started heading back down the trail and toward town.

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