Chapter 4

I wipe my forehead with my sleeve, stopping for a second.

“Come on, Soph, the lady said it wasn’t too far.’’ Nick encourages me. I continue pulling my suitcase on the bumpy road that seems to lead to nowhere.

The sun was hitting hard and I was still wearing a hoodie and an old pair of joggers, and my lack of breakfast made everything more painful. The thirty-five passengers of the bus were all walking on the side of the road, pulling all of their luggage behind them and grunting profusely.

The owner of the beat-up restaurant had told the driver there was a small town a little way down what looked like a private road. And a little way was beginning to become an hour-long walk under the scorching sun. I was all for a little exercise, but this didn’t cut it for me.

“Oh, my god, we’re here!’’ Alice exclaims, pointing to a large sign on the side of the road. “Moonstone Fall’’ she reads with a suspicious look on her face.

I see a couple of building ahead and let out a relieved sigh. We walk onto a cute plaza with lots of benches and a beautiful fountain. As everyone sets down their bags, the driver hangs up his cell phone and tries to get everyone’s attention.

“Alright, the company has arranged for another bus to come pick up most of you tomorrow morning. We will all be staying at a hotel for the night.’’ He yells so that everyone hears.

“So we’re delayed for a whole day?’’ Another passenger asks. “What about the other busses some of us have to take? What’s the company going to do to compensate us? And what do you mean ‘most of’ us?’’ A general uproar starts to grow and Grant struggles to speak over them.

“You will all be getting an email tonight to tell you what can be done. As for the ‘most of us’ part, the bus that is passing near us tomorrow is already partially occupied. Those of you who choose to wait for the next bus will be compensated more generously. This will all be further explained in the email.’’

Many people continue complaining to the driver as I look around the plaza. It is surrounded by small stores and cafes. I then notice the people around our group: many of them are staring at us with strange looks. A little weirded out, I figure they must not get many visitors in such a small, recluse town.

Grant directs us to the hotel and, after talking with the man at the desk, distributes room keys to us. We all have individual rooms, but I’m relieved to see Alice, Nick and I are all next to one another. I open the door to my room to find a small, but cozy space.

I sit down on comfortable double bed and look around: two nightstands, a desk, a chair and a small TV occupy the room. There’s also a small bathroom, in which I left my purse. I look out the window and onto the street. I can even see the tip of the plaza fountain. Maybe I’ll go take a walk until we all get the promised email.

A couple minutes later, I hear a small knock at the door and open it to find Grant, awkwardly standing there.

“The company just informed me that lunch and dinner will be on them and will be delivered to your room. If you wish to eat something else, be sure to tell me before eleven so we can cancel your order.’’ He then just stays in place, seemingly waiting for more than my appreciative nod and smile.

“Alright, thanks.’’ I say, hoping he’ll just leave.

He has a weird look for a second, but ultimately just goes onto the next door, which I know to be Nick’s room. I close my door and pick out a simple blouse with jeans to change in. I contemplate also putting on my leather jacket, but decide it is too hot out to do so.

As I look through my purse for my phone, I notice aunt Aria’s unopened letter and decide to read it.

I laugh at the intricacy of the envelope, which is supposed to ensure it hasn’t been opened. I basically have to rip it apart to get to the letter. It says:

Dear Sophie,

As you know, I am currently exploring the North of South America for work, and have recently been successful in my search. I will probably be going back to HQ within the next month, which means I can probably be home by late July. To think we’ve been apart for seven months now! Now that you are 18, maybe you can come on a few trips with me. Who knows, maybe you’ll like it and be hired to work by my side!

Anyway, I hope everything is good on your side and that that Nick guy is treating you well. It’s been so long, is he even still your boyfriend? If not, I do hope you kicked his ass. And how about that red-head you thought didn’t like you? Did you girls become friends? Or did you also kick her ass?

As for my next trip (on which you might be invited), I have word that it might be closer to home than I had originally thought. Be safe until I come back.

Lots of love,

Your favorite aunt,

Aria.