After Leaving

The bus was crowded and chaotic. Worried about pickpockets, Eulalia dared not close her eyes to rest. After a jarring 24-hour ride, she arrived in a small town. After briefly resting for a day, she continued her journey, hopping from place to place like a rabbit from one burrow to another. Two weeks later, she reached a village that was barely discernible on the map and rented an apartment near a school.

The place had its pros and cons. The downside was the inconvenient transportation and the local dialect, which made communication difficult. However, Eulalia was adaptable and soon got used to these issues.

The advantages were more significant: low cost of living, a mix of people that made it difficult to be found, and the fact that no identification was required to get things done. After paying her rent, Eulalia returned to her modest bedroom, which had only a wooden plank for a bed; she needed to buy a mattress and bedding.

The house was not luxurious, but it was clean and not damp.