AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Stew sounds good,” I reply, deciding to ignore his lack of courtesy.
“Take a seat,” he orders.
“Thank you,” I smile, as unexpected rebellion stirs inside of me. The more impolite they are to me, I want to reciprocate exactly the opposite.
I take a seat at one of the worn wooden tables, and the innkeeper disappears somewhere in the back. The other people in the inn continue their hushed conversations, their eyes still on me.
After what seems to be a whole eternity, the innkeeper returns with a steaming bowl of stew. He places it before me without a word, the clatter of the bowl on the table breaking the uneasy silence that hangs in the air around us. He still refuses to acknowledge me in any other way, but the stew smells so delicious that I forget all about it.
I start eating as soon as he turns his back to me, and only now do I realize how hungry I’ve been for a hearty meal. I finish relatively quickly, placing the spoon onto the table. When I lift my gaze, I notice that two men have approached my table, their expressions unreadable. I wonder if that bear mace would work on men as well. I lower my hand to my pocket, feeling the outlines of the small, metal bottle. Its presence comforts me, but only a little.
Suddenly, the two men take their seats at my table, without an invitation. One of the men, his features beaten by the harshness of the wilderness that surrounds this place, clears his throat before speaking.
“You’re not from around here, are you?” he asks, his tone neutral, but probing.
“No,” I reply confidently. “Just passing through.”
“Through Pinehaven?” the other one whistles. “There’s nothing to see here, girlie. You should have just continued on your merry way.”
I can sense an undercurrent of suspicion in those comments, but I choose to respond politely, just like with the innkeeper.
“I plan to,” I assure him. “But a girl’s gotta eat, no?”
The men exchange a glance, as if a silent conversation passes between them. The atmosphere becomes even more charged, and my entire body shudders. I’ve eaten, now I can get out of here. That would be the smartest thing to do.
I lift my hand at the innkeeper and do a scribbling gesture in the air, to signal for the bill. He frowns, showing me to go to him.
“Where are you staying, girl?” the first one asks, just as I’m standing up.
I know it’s not a good idea to tell him that I’m camping out alone just outside of Pinehaven. You never know what otherpeople have in mind for you. And these two men are anything but trustworthy.
“Like you said, I’m continuing on my merry way,” I remind him, pushing the chair against the table which made it scratch against the floor loudly.
“Best thing to do,” he nods, clicking his lips in a satisfied manner. “It’s not always wise to wander into places you don’t know. Pinehaven isn’t as welcoming as it used to be.”
“I’ve noticed,” I say, biting my tongue as soon as I did so, but it was too late. The look on his face was one of displeasure, as if only they were allowed such snarky remarks, but not me. “If you’ll excuse me…” I tell them, turning around and walking over to the innkeeper.
I settle the bill with him, and he receives his payment without a word. However, as I turn to leave, he calls after me.
“Girl!” I turn around, still within earshot of him. “You’d best be on your way. Pinehaven ain’t a place for strangers, especially not at night.”
“Why?” I ask, meeting his stern gaze.
His eyes narrow at me. “We don’t need outsiders stirring trouble around here. It’s not safe for a young girl like you, all alone. Best you leave before things take a turn.”
I can feel a chill down my spine, but I know better than to argue with such words. I don’t press any further, realizing that lingering in Pinehaven might really not be the wisest choice.
I leave the inn and hasten my pace through the village, back where I came from, but a growing sense of unease lingers with me. I feel like I’m being watched, which makes me repeatedly glance over my shoulder. The second time, my suspicions are confirmed. The two men who approached me in the inn are following me. They are still at a safe distance, so I quicken my step even more. But they do the same.
Desperation grips me as I navigate the labyrinthine paths of a village I don’t know, in an effort to escape them. I don’t want to run back to my camp. The last thing I should do is lead them there. So, I keep leading them in circles, hoping to lose them, but the winding alleys lead me to a dead end, a small, secluded space with no way out. I turn around, my heart racing.
“Well, well,” one of the men sneers, with a sinister note to his voice. “What do we have here?”
“I’d say she needs our help, Charlie boy,” the other one replies.
“I’m fine,” I tell them as confidently as I can, but my entire body is shivering with fear.
“Seems like you got lost, little bird,” the first one says again. “We already told you that Pinehaven isn’t a place for outsiders, especially ones who don’t know how to behave.”
