First Night In Rome

The weather grew harsher, the wind howling as the rain came down harder. Emma pushed the door open. It was old and squeaked loudly as she stepped inside. Ezra followed closely behind, their bags heavy in his hands. They were already soaked through.

“Welcome…” a woman drawled from behind a wooden counter.

She looked to be in her seventies, small but broad, with hair as white as ash. An eye patch covered one eye, and deep wrinkles lined her face from old age. When she smiled, it was slow and unsettling. Some teeth were missing, others discolored with age, while a few remained strong. The smile lingered a little too long, sending a chill down Emma’s and Ezra’s spine.

“I don’t think this is a good idea,” Ezra murmured under his breath, leaning slightly toward Emma.

“We don’t have a choice,” Emma whispered back, her arms tightening around herself. “The rain is getting worse.”

The cabin was small and dimly lit. The air smelled faintly of old wood and dampness. A single bulb hung from the ce