Page 7 of These Rough Waters

My name.

Such a simple answer.

But I couldn’t give it. Not when it would be put into a database. Not when databases can be hacked, locations traced.

Ruthie softens, dark eyes going back to the messed up side of my face. “Oh sweetheart, okay.” She nods, “I understand.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No,” Ruthie waves a hand, “Don’t be.”

“I can pay,” I rush, “In cash. I have money.”

“N–”

“I insist!” I blurt before she can refuse and drop to the bag at my feet, grabbing a wad from the top. I haven’t counted how much I have with me and I’m not entirely sure how much I just gave her, but her eyes widen at the thick set of bills I’ve just handed over.

“Okay,” She takes some and places it down, before handing the rest back, “This covers you for a week.”

I sag, “Okay. A week.”

“Our rooms aren’t really big enough for children,” Ruthie tells me, “We get mostly couples and teenagers, but the beds are big if you don’t mind sharing.”

“Oh no, that’s perfect,” I assure, “It’s perfect.”

“Well, I’ll show you up then.”

I follow behind the woman, Harper’s hand in mine, the corridors long and quiet but I listen to her talk, telling us when breakfast is served, that they had their own chickens out back and it was likely we’d be woken by the rooster in the morning.

It was a load of information to take in but there were a few snippets I caught, like how the bay was only five minutes from here if I followed the gravel path from the back gardens and that most businesses would be closing soon for the winter months.

Ravenpeak Bay was busy during spring and summer, avid hikers and nature enthusiasts flocking to the small island for its rocky hill climbs that could take you to the peak where this town got its namesake.

I didn’t see it when we came in by boat but according to Ruthie, the cliff side as you come in the mouth of the bay was shaped like a Raven’s head, what would be the beak of the bird stabbing out over the water at about five hundred feet.

But winter was harsh here, Ruthie had said and had clucked her tongue at me as she perused our luggage and the clothes we were wearing. I guess she had correctly assumed we were not prepared for the coming plunging temperatures.

We’d manage. I would make sure of it.

“Housekeeping comes around at eleven,” Ruthie hovers in the door, “If you don’t want your room cleaned just let her know when she knocks.”

But then when she turns to leave, I leap forward abruptly, my unending gratitude seeming to loosen my tongue.

So much kindness and to a stranger, nonetheless.

From Imogen first, now Ruthie…

Even the man from the boat, as reluctant and aggressive as he was, still helped a stranger.

“Maya,” I say, “My name is Maya, and this is Harper.”

She sighs.

“Please don’t put it in the system or anything, but I wanted you to know.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you Maya, and you too, Harper. I truly hope you find some peace here in Ravenpeak.”

When she shuts the door behind herself, I find myself whispering, “Me too.”

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