CHAPTER 1: WELCOME TO SILVERHOOD.

The sunset looked beautiful over the horizon and the cool breeze swept some strands of hair to my face as we drove past I silently tucked them to the back of my hair and continued staring outside the window, a bright smile on my face. Leaving Denton was a dream come true for me, I had enough bad memories there though but the few good memories I had were with my family. The worst was when my father’s dead body was found bound in chains in a farm after disappearing from home one Sunday evening, the trauma was unbearable 

My hand reached for the necklace on my neck and I smiled as I played with it. It was my mother’s farewell gift before I left home.

“Emily, dear. Take care of yourself and remember to call”, my mother said as she caressed my cheeks in worry before she hugged me and dropped a kiss on my forehead. I closed my eyes to relish in the softness of my mother’s kiss on my forehead as warmth spread through my body. I would miss her so much including my two annoying younger brothers. I was all grown up now and could take care of myself, besides I couldn’t possibly turn down the tempting job offer I had gotten from Silverhood.

“We are here already ma’am”, the voice of the driver stirred me back to reality.

“Oh, okay”, I said and unbuckled my seat belt and took my luggage out of the vehicle.

I palmed him off some change and he ignited his engine.

“Thank you”, I said.

“You’re welcome beautiful”, he said and winked at me and drove away.

“And welcome to Silverhood. I hope you love it here”, he yelled.

“I will”, I replied and waved at him and watched the vehicle slowly disappear.

I sighed and look at the banner that stood over my head.

WELCOME TO SILVERHOOD.

I picked up my luggage and sighed, with determined steps I walked in Silverhood, hopes rising but feeling a bit nervous. I was on my own now and I had better make most of it.

From afar I could hear loud music and cheers, then I remembered……The masquerade festival. Ma’am Theresa had told me before hand and I could bet they were all on mask. As I neared, I could see them a bit clearer. They were all on colorful attires with masks on their faces, dancing and drinking. Strange tradition isn’t it ?

Unfortunately, I would have to walk through the large crowd and I have no idea how that is going to pan out. As I got there, the strong stench of alcohol filled my nose and I could see some people drunk already, laughing hysterically, blabbing some otherworldly words. I chuckled and found a safe spot to stay and think about how I was going to maneuver my way through the crazy dancers.

“Miss”, I heard a little voice from down below. I looked and saw a little boy with a little mask on his face, he had dark raven hair and doe-like eyes. I smiled warmly and squatted to his level.

“Hey, little buddy”, I said as I ruffled his hair and he chuckled.

“Please can you help me knot my shoe lace ? It’s loose”, he said with pleading eyes.

“Of course”, I replied and helped him out.

“There you go”, I said and patted his head.

“Thank you, miss” he said and moved his feet shyly in the ground.

“You’re welcome dear”, I said and smiled as he pulled some rumpled yellow dandelions out of his pocket and gave me.

“Here, to a beautiful miss. I picked them on my way to this festival and stuffed them in my pocket. They’re so beautiful, he said and giggled.

“Oh honey”, I said quite moved.

“This is so beautiful”, I said and opened my arms for a hug and he wrapped his little arms around me.

“Do you like them ?”, he asked as I released him from my embrace.

“Of course I do. I love dandelions. You’re the sweetest kid ever”, I said and pulled him in for a hug.

“Jayden!!”, I heard a child’s voice call.

“Oh that’s my sister, she must be looking for me. Bye”, he said and dropped a kiss on my cheek and ran off. My mouth fell open in surprise. I shook my head and laughed. This child was something. I straightened up admiring the little dandelions when some men surrounded me all drunk and they were without masks. The stench of alcohol was so severe it was hard to breathe, I knew I had to be careful.

“Hey….b… beautiful”, one of them said staggering towards me.

“Stay away”, I glared at them and grabbed my luggage when one of them grabbed me by the shoulder and pressed me hard on a nearby wall and the ground around that area felt swampy and for a moment I almost believed it was but it wasn’t. The dandelions fell out of my hand and i felt my body boil with anger. I tried to kick him but he was too powerful and his body was pressed on mine.

“Let go of me, you punk”, I said as I struggled and the other men behind me laughed.

“Don’t struggle, I won’t hurt you”, he said his face close to mine and his mouth was stinking with the added smell of alcohol. I wanted to throw up so bad and he smiled showing some rotten brown teeth.

Now that’s one sight I don’t pray to see again.

 The men behind continued blabbing, laughing and staggering. When I realized I was helpless, I called for help all to no avail.

He was leaning closer to me and my eyes widened with horror, That’s suppose to be a kiss ?

“Help me!!!”, I screamed for help all to no avail .

I’m so in for this.

He was getting close and the smell was getting stronger and I didn’t know how to fight.

“Someone!!”, I yelled but my voice was drowned my the cheers and merriment. I kept on struggling but he was stronger. I turned away my face and held my breath.

Then I suddenly felt free and open my eyes. I saw the chiseled back of a young man pushing away the men. They rained cursed on him and backed off. 

“Relax man. Is she your girlfriend or something?”, one of them said with his palms raised in surrender.

“Oh, I’ll show you she is”, he said and started folding his sleeves.

“Chill man”, one of them said and finally backed off.

He turned to me and removed his mask, my breath hitched.

Looking back at me was a pair of ocean-blue eyes and rich blonde hair that brushed his sides. He had a sharp nose and jawline with thick brows and long lashes, he was tall and handsome.

This was the same man that said I was his girlfriend to defend me, how would that feel if it were true ?

“Are you okay ?”, he asked me.

“Yeah, thanks”, I said and he stretched out his hands and I took it shyly and he helped me out.

“Sorry about that. You new here ?”, he said. I nodded and averted his gaze. I could feel my cheeks heat up. Some drunk men came staggering again past us and I moved closer to him. He chuckled.

“Come on let’s leave here”, he said and was about leading me away when I told him I had to take my luggage. He helped me with it and we went to somewhere safer.

“Thank you, for helping me out earlier”, I said shyly .

He chuckled. “You’re welcome, although you looked so horrified that he was going to kiss you. Anyways who wouldn’t. What a breath!”, He said and we laughed. His dimple fit him perfectly.

“I’m Isaiah, you ?”, he said and held out his hand for a handshake.

“Emily”, I replied and shook his hand.

“A beautiful name though. Mind if I call you Emilia ?”, he asked.

“No, it’s fine”, I said and chuckled.

“Ok then. Emilia where are you headed ?”, he asked me.

“Brent’s street”, I replied.

“Oh, I can give you a ride….. Problem is the crowd”, he said with his hands on his hips as the looked at the crazy dancers.

“We’ll just have to maneuver our way through”, he said and I nodded in agreement. He helped me with my luggage and stretched his hand towards me which I shyly took.

“Stay close”, he said and I nodded. He smiled handsomely at me making my cheeks heat up. We stepped into the crowd. There was enough pushing and pulling and it was annoying, at a point I was carried away by the fiery dancers but he drew me back to him. I could feel his tough abdominal muscles as my head rested on his chest. I tried to straighten my thoughts but it was so hard.

“You okay ?”, he asked worriedly as he looked down at me. Some few strands of his hair brushing against my face and I got a clearer view of his blue eyes. I had to resist the urge to tuck it back behind his ear.

“Yeah”, I replied unable to tear my gaze away this time.

He put his arm around me and led me away. I was a bit nervous and shy, I had never gotten this close to any other guy except my brothers. His fragrance filled my nostrils and I subconsciously leaned on him and tried to straighten my derailed thought.

With one arm around me he led me away from the crowd and I was so glad when we finally got out.

****

The road was tarred and immaculate. Every neighborhood was beautiful and quiet with only a very few people some little children were playing with their masks on while other had theirs off. I guess everyone is still at the festival. Isaiah’s car was screaming wealth and it’s making me a little uneasy. I was used to living a modest life but seeing this made me quite uncomfortable.

“Silverhood is a beautiful town, Emilia. The people here are good and know one another. About the riff raffs that you met back there, they’re just some nuisance that need to be taken care of and you won’t need to see them again, they came solely for the festival….the drinks and they will go back to where they had pulled out from”, he said with one hand on the stirring wheel.

“It’s more beautiful and lively than Denton and I can see brighter days ahead for me here”, I said and looked outside.

“Of course, you will”, he said and smiled. I smiled back and after a while I was gawking at him. I tore my gaze away and tightened my eyes shut. My head was in a mess right now.

He finally pulled over at a junction.

“Here we are, Brent’s street, laurel junction”, he said.

“Thank you so much, Isaiah”, I said with smiles as I unbuckled the seat belt. He helped me with my luggage and even offered an assistance to help me with it to my house which I declined politely.

“Ok, then”

“Thanks for the ride, bye”, I said waved, he waved back and drove away. Meeting such a kindhearted person like Isaiah was definitely a good luck.

I turned towards the junction covered with dries leaves and large trees at each side blocking the sunlight and casting faded shadows on the ground. I picked up my luggage and continued down the road as the wind blew my hair. Oh it was beautiful.

Just then I heard a twig break, I looked around but saw nobody, a strange scent hit my nostrils. I was quite puzzled.