VICTORIA’S POV

“Dear diary, today is the last day of me being here. It’s been exactly a year since the incident happened. I have been told that all my decisions are always impulsive and rash. But I am moving out of here to further my studies and maybe for a break too. Mom and dad would’ve wanted that, right? For me to live my life happily. ​​

I know I’ll miss here, but I think I need a change of life and place, otherwise, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get over the fact that both of them left me to fight in this world alone.

I am moving with my aunt Marla in her town Pearly canines. The name’s weird, right? But it is the closest to the university I once liked and will also help her look after me. She is great and super cool, I had always thought about living with her and having fun, but I never pegged that I would be doing that under these circumstances, I just hope I won’t implicate too much on her.

Need to pack now.

Love.

Vic.”

Writing the last entry of the diary, I quickly placed it inside the hidden compartment of my room, which was behind my wardrobe.

Just like today, even the entry I wrote on the diary was last, because it was the last page. Looks like I need to buy a new one as soon as I get there.

New life, new entries, new memories. That was my plan for the future, nothing too complicated.

I just hope things work out like I am expecting.

Checking one last time that everything was placed perfectly, I zipped my duffle bag and picked my suitcase. I had decided to only take few things, like my favourite clothes, necessities like my mom dad’s photo album and all other small things that’ll keep me happy and will make me feel at home.

Rest of the things, I just made sure was placed neatly and were not at danger of falling out of place.

Though I was moving out of this place, I don’t intend to sell this property for now. It has memories of mom and dad with me. Maybe after the university will be over, I might come back and live here.

Making sure all the taps and windows were locked, I took one last look at the house before smiling sadly and locking the door.

“You’re going Victory?” My neighbour aunt who was in police asked.

“Yes, aunty. I’ll have to trouble you to look after the house.” I said politely.

“That’s not an issue dear. I am ready to take you under my wings and discard that useless son of mine if you agree.” She joked.

“Hey!! I heard that mom!” A voice came from inside her house.

“It was meant to be heard.” She yelled back to her son, before laughing politely at me.

I smiled sadly at the mother-son interaction. I just miss mom and dad too much, even though they were not my real parents, I never loved them any less.

Nodding one last time at her, I went around the house where a cab was already waiting for me.

Carrying the duffle bag and a suitcase, one in a hand each, I was off to the airport.

The town was at a three hours distance from the airport. And my flight would take around 4 hours, so all in all, I had to suffer almost 9 hours of travelling now.

Just great!

Plugging in my headphones, I quickly downloaded a few more songs, 3 audiobooks to listen when I will be on the flight. I know they have turned off phone policy everywhere, but I can always listen to downloaded songs in aeroplane mode.

Feeling greatly satisfied with my idea, I embraced the idea of gruesome travelling.

___________After 9 hours__________

I asked the driver of the cab to stop in front of the address that I remembered and took out my luggage before giving him the fair.

I don’t know why but I was feeling a weird kind of vibe from the moment I have entered the city.

As if something is attracting me.

And it didn’t help much when the driver looked at me like I was some weird personality when I said I wanted to go to Pearly canines.

He obviously charged me double the fair, which made me roll my eyes at his tactics. Way to go with new people in the area.

Not minding much I accepted his offer because no other person was even ready to come here.

Standing in front of a house, I contemplated if this was the same address or not? I have been here only once when I was a kid, where I had almost fought with a kid and since then, mom and dad never allowed me here.

The house that I remembered from around 9 years back wasn’t like this. But from what I remember this should be the exact place.

Also, the window chime hanging at the balcony of the room on the first floor was too hard to ignore, because it was personally made by me.

I looked at the exceptionally well-built house and rang the bell two times, however, no one opened the door.

Taking out my phone, I scrolled through my contact list and saw a few numbers, under a single name. I called aunt Marla with a number she had used to call me last time. I just hope it is the same one as before, because she has a habit of keeping different numbers and which one is working when, no one can predict.

“Hello? Am I talking to Miss Marla Gibberson? Huh, thank god. Marla, I am in front of your house. Can you please come and open the door, if you’re home.”

“Hey sweetie, I am soo sorry. I am at a nearby supermarket buying groceries for you, I’ll be there in half an hour. Can I please trouble you to sit in the cafe nearby till then?” Marla asked awkwardly.

Knowing her habits, she was probably busy buying the last minute, groceries, snacks and chocolates for me and was contemplating if I would like them or not.

“No worries, take your time. And don’t bother yourself too much. I like everything you choose.” With that, I ended up the call.

Did she say a nearby café? I looked to my left and right to check if there was one, and soon enough, I found one. The sign of the cafe was too hard to ignore.

Placing my luggage behind the main gate, I took out my wallet, before moving towards the café.

This café looked good. From outside it might not look that great, but the inside was a whole different story. It was both homey and elegant.

“Hey, what can I get you?” The lady behind the counter asked.

“Mm a cold coffee with extra chocolate syrup and choco chips for beverage and can I have those two sandwiches along with them? Thank-You.” I ordered politely.

“Honey! You heard her. Two sandwiches and a cold coffee with extra chocolate and choco chips.” The lady yelled back.

“Honey, you look new. Are you visiting someone here? I am sure, I have never seen you around.” The lady asked.

“Umm yeah…I will be staying here for some time. I am here at my aunt’s and will pursue university from here.” I replied.

There was nothing wrong with answering a few questions, I thought. Plus this lady looked harmless and welcoming.

I sat in a booth near the window after I ordered my things.

Looking outside, I noticed a bunch of teenagers around my age, laughing and joking around. It was an exquisite view for me. I used to have fun with my friends like this before my parents left me.

Shaking my head to get myself out of the sad memories I stared back at the group and noticed something.

Not only the boys in the group were extremely well built and handsome, but the girls were also too, exceptionally beautiful.

‘Is this the place from where future models and people for entertainment businesses are picked up?’

My gaze followed one of the males that looked my type, or my type before last year. I saw them entering the café and so, the commotion that was happening outside was heard in the café too.

“Guys, stop shouting. You are ruining the first impression of this town in front of our guest.” The counter lady said, motioning her gaze towards me.

As if her words triggered something, in them, everyone quietened down immediately and started looking my way.

So, peeps, this is how you become the centre of unwanted attention.

I wanted to roll my eyes at this. Does this town don’t get that many outsiders?

“Hey, you new here?” The guy that I said was my type came to me and asked politely.

‘Thanks for asking the obvious, Mr obvious.’ I wanted to say.

“Yeah. I’ll be attending Uni here.” I said and thanked the waiter who brought my servings.

The food on the flight wasn’t too good, and I was feeling terribly hungry.

“Wow..that sounds good. We all are going to attend uni this year. Hey guys, we have a new classmate here. Come and say hello.” He shouted towards his friends.

“Oh, I forgot, my name is Daniel. You can call me Dan or Niel or Daniel. Anything. I don’t really mind.” He said showing me his perfect teeth.

“Victoria,” I said.

“Hey, hurry up. I want to introduce myself to that chick.” I heard a distant chatter, that made me a bit awkward. It’s been soo long since I’ve been called a chick like this. Otherwise, I was just used to sympathy gazes from my friends and anybody who knew me.

I just smiled at Daniel’s friendly attitude.

He was good-looking and great, but I still wasn’t comfortable with soo many people around me. Before everyone could come to me after placing their orders, I took mine in my hand before rushing out of the café.

I know, I chickened out and I did say I was going for a change, but I just couldn’t bring myself to fake smile for too long. It will take me some time to adjust here, especially with these surrounding forests.

Reaching aunt’s house, I noticed my luggage wasn’t there. Probably aunt Marla already took it inside.

Huh! Looking at the house, I took a deep breath before putting on the best smile natural I could muster and went inside.

‘Here I come new life.’

Entering the house, I greeted Marla with a sweet hug, which was reciprocated by a bone-crushing one.

Even though she was my aunt, she never liked being called one.

According to her being called aunt makes her feel old, and I think she was right about it. If someone doesn’t know her, then he or she probably would think she is just turning 22 or 23 even though she was turning 34 this year.

“Hey, Victory. So finally we get to live together uhh? I know you must be sad and feeling solemn about what happened, but you are not allowed to stay sad here. Promise me you’ll forget about the bad memories and will move forward, cherishing the good ones.” She said.

“I promise,” I replied. This was exactly why I was here. To forget about the bad memories and move forward while cherishing the good ones.

“Ohh, I forgot to tell you. I have a boyfriend named Markus. Most of the time I live with him, but don’t worry I’ll come daily to give you company for some time.” She said as she moved around the kitchen to place the groceries in the cabinets.

“Are you guys like serious?” I asked curiously. I have never heard of her having a boyfriend, for all I know, she always said that she was waiting for the right one.

“Of course, he is my mate.” She said.

“Mate? As in soulmate?” I asked. I never pegged someone as cool as Marla to believe in this mate shit.

All I know is, people nowadays are soo greedy that they won’t approach anybody without an ulterior motive. And even if someone is in a relationship, it doesn’t guarantee that they’ll remain together for the eternity of their life.

“Uhuh… Soulmate. Well, this topic is to be discussed some other day. I have placed all the groceries and snacks that you’ll be needing. I know you have always loved being alone, don’t you dare think that I don’t know, how much of a shitty life you were living this past year.” She reprimanded again.

I on the other side just nibbled on the candy she brought for me while listening to her.

“What I want to say is, it’s time for you to move on Vic. There are still people who care about you. And you’ll find out soon. I’ll be leaving now. Remember to close doors and windows at night. Many wolves come out of the forest at night to take away young girls.” She joked looking all serious.

“Yeah yeah….and it just happens that I am the new flesh of meat here.” I continued.

“Well, at least you got the point.” She chuckled before hugging me and leaving with her handbag that contained some unmentionable stuff that I don’t wanna even talk about.

‘Looks like they are too much serious with their relationship, given the number of protective measures Marla bought. Are they planning to not come out of the room for a whole year?’ I thought in my mind.