chapter 3

Tessa wakes up as the bus stopped. She look outside and see it's still dark outside. They just made a short stop before continuing to Astoria. She stands up, sore from sitting in the same position so long. Her body not accustomed to being confined in such a small space. Heading out of the bus she's met with a crisp cold air. Shuddering she remindes herself that she need to buy herself some winter clothes. She went to the bathroom and freshened up and bought something to read and some more snacks. Her stomach screaming for a proper meal but it had to wait.

Heading back to the bus she waits for it to move again. After about 10 minutes they were back on the road. Leaning agains the window she watches cars flying by. Suddenly a flash of memory came back.

They were driving at night, light rain outside, suddenly she hears her mother scream and her father swerved. It was darkness for a while but then she woke up with a voice, talking softly trying to keep her calm. She felt a sharp pain in her leg and her head felt like it was exploding. The voice kept saying, "dont worry sweetheart, I'm here. I'll help you get out. I wont let anything happened to you." she smelt something musky on him. She felt his heart racing. Heat radiating off of his soaked shirt. Leaning into him everything went black again.

Tessa's head jolted straight. Who was that guy? Why was it so comforting to be near him? Why can't she remember his face? Why was she found alone next to the road if he said he wouldn't let anything happen to her?

More confused than ever she shook her head. Her whole life is like a puzzle and none of the pieces fit together. She feels like she has been set up on a wild goose chase to find the missing pieces even though she doesn't even know what the picture look like.

She let out a heavy sigh looking around seeing all the other passengers were asleep. She knows after that memory flash she won't be able to sleep, she took out the book she bought and tried to read but her thoughts kept going back to that awfull night.

Somewhere between the trying to remember more she fell asleep again. And woke up with the call from the bus driver that they arrived at her destination. She stood up gathered everthing she had en walked out. Her leg painfull from the long drive. Outside she took a deep breath of crisp clean are. The start of winter showing everywhere

She saw beautiful mountains and forest on the one side and a huge river on the other. Best of both worlds she thought.

. She need to find a place to stay and and then a place to eat. It is still early morning and the whole town is still asleep.. She looked around and saw an advertisement for lodging. She slowly started to walked in that direction.

Once she arrived she booked a room for 2 weeks. She will extend the stay depending on whatever curveball is thrown at her.

She entered the small room. It isn't much but it is clean and well kept and the lady at the reception was very friendly. Just too curious.

She sat down on the bed. Letting out a sigh. The loneliness in the room is overwhelming. She misses her mom and dad so much. They should have been here with her. Her mom would have loved this place. She would have gone into the forest the moment she could. Her mother loved being out and about in a forest. She would lose herself in there for hours at a time. Her father would have been out fishing. They could have had a peacefull life here.

The sudden rumble of her stomach shook her from her thoughts and with a chuckle she picked up her bag starting her venture for something to eat..

As she slowly walked through the silent streets. Daily life starting to emerge and shops starting to open. After she turbed into yet another sleeping street the smell of freshly baked treats filled her nose. She turns and follows the smell and stumbles onto a bakery. She walks in and was met with mouthwatering treats in the display. There is a young woman begin the counter with friendly smile welcoming her. After a few minutes of indecisiveness she settled on the breakfast croissants. She took a few and went on her way to sit in the park enjoying the fresh morning while eating. But as she ate she got a feeling that she was being watched. Nervously she glanced around but saw nothing suspicious. Nervously she finished her meal and started to walk back into town. Suddenly she saw a shadow, only briefly before it was gone again. She walked into that direction and caught a small whiff of the mysterious musky scent.

"thats odd" she thought to herself but didnt try to put too much thought into it as it could only be a coincidence or even her imagination looking for something familiar.

Shrugging her shoulders she went on looking for shops so she could get herself much needed winter clothes and shoes and personal items. Maybe even a guide so she can do some exploring to keep herself from going crazy. Her parents specifically said to not get a job so she willjust have to play low key tourist. Maybe even get a time consuming hobby.

While shopping the time flew by and before she knew it it was lunch time and she could feel she over did it as her body is still healing. She got some food and headed to her room. She put the food in the small fridge and fell onto the bed instantly falling into a deep sleep.