The whole drive to the cabin was silent but I could feel the fleeting gaze of Claire on me as well as Kate and Sally who were in the backseat. They joined us after I marched out of the diner. The gloomy sky added to the strained and solemn mood between us.
Throughout the ride, all I wanted was to go home and lock myself in the room and reflect on what I am doing. Do all of that and if possible, book a ticket back to my original life which was across another country.
What the hell is wrong with me? I had questioned that phrase over and over again to myself.
We eventually drove up in front of my cabin, and I braced the door and was ready to open it when Claire spoke.
"Jaidyn"
I faced her, waiting for her to continue even though I have an idea of what it is about.
"I'm sorry"
Uncertain of how I was feeling, I bit my bottom lip. "Because you told him, right?"
She stared deeply into my eyes, and I could see the anguish and remorse in her eyes. She nodded, "Yes, I'm sorry"
“It's okay,” I said with a small smile as I unlocked the door and went to the cabin.
I heard the two shouting my name, but I couldn't bring myself to turn around as I knew I couldn't fake a smile once again. I leaned against the door as I shut it. My legs swayed causing me to sit on the floor, staring at the space. My mind was set to leave. But as soon as Traian begged me to stay with him, I felt as though my determination to leave had crumbled. There was just this unexplainable feeling that tugged at my heart that wanted to follow his desire, his wish. To make him happy. Everything seemed absurd. And the way my body reacted to each of his touches was too pleasurable and addictive for me.
My mind keeps going back to his last words when he promised to explain things. I don't have any time to think about it earlier.
What did he mean by that? Why does he know that I am drawn to him? What secret does he have?
My mind began to swirl with questions, yet they were all left unanswered. A nagging sense of curiosity plagues me.
My thoughts were interrupted as my phone rang loudly and resounded throughout the space. I pulled out my phone from my purse and answered the call from my sister. I take a deep breath before putting the phone behind my ear.
I greeted, doing my best to mask the distress in my voice, "Hey, sis."
"Hey, Jai"
But I instantly frowned at her tone's fragility and unease.
I said hastily, "Is there something wrong?"
There is a stretch of silence behind the line. There was such a long pause that I had to check my phone again to see whether it was still connected. I ran through several unfavorable situations in my mind while my heart raced anxiously. Since my sister is generally cheery and bright, seeing her express uncertainty made me worried since I knew she was struggling with something.
"Jane? Is there something wrong? Why are you not speaking? Are you okay?" I rumbled, thinking of calling our parents if there is one.
"Nothing," she eventually said, her voice quivering.
My frown deepen because her voice clearly betrayed her, “Are you crying? Jane, what's wrong?”
“Hormones, don't mind me” she sniffed, “So, how are you there?”
Despite the lingering unease in my chest, I answered because I knew that a diversion in the topic would help Jane forget whatever her sister could have been thinking. "I'm good. Possibly tomorrow, I'm leaving.”
“Why?”
Strangely, she didn't seem shocked, which surprised me. “I just felt like it”
“Jaidyn”
The grave and stern voice of my sister made me grip my phone tighter, “What is it?”
“Tell me the truth, what do you think of the Grevis Town?”
I shake my head, tired of thinking and talking about the town, “A beautiful town”
"Do you want to leave? Does your heart desire to leave the town? ”
“Jane, I'm not sure where this is going. Why are you asking me this? ”
“It's just….” she paused. “Be honest with me, Jaidyn. Share what's on your mind”
I say as I cast a blank glance down at my boots. “I…..I don't know, Jane. I was honestly confused. Even though I had only been here a few days, I felt like I had lived in this town for a long time. It has this attachment on me” I chuckled dryly, “It sounded ridiculous, I know”
"No, not when you truly belong there,"
“What do you mean?”
“Stay there for one week, Jaidyn. Wait for us there. I and our parents will go there” There was a firmness in my sister's voice as she declared, "I and our parents will travel there.”
“For what? I don't understand, Jane. What the hell is going on?” My voice was tinged with uneasiness and confusion.
“You will know very soon”
“Jane—”
“I love you, Sis and….I’m sorry”
“What—” She hung up the phone before I could complete my sentence. Minutes after the call, I found myself staring at my phone. My grip tightened as I hugged my knees. Raindrops pelting the cabin's roof could be heard repeatedly.
It makes me feel foolish that I was ignorant of something important. It seems like Traian was keeping a secret, just as the residents of this village were. I simply don't want to ponder that concept, which was buried deep within me. But Traian's words continued to ring in my head. Why do I feel such a strong pull toward him? Why do I feel so connected in this town? In the people?
And my sister's words just served to stoke the fire. I don't know what to think anymore.
My phone vibrated out of the blue, and when I picked it up, I noticed Anna's text.
‘You're far superior to your replacement in chemistry.’
The message seems to have given me a fresh outlook and motivation. I wasn't going to mope around and overthink everything. When there is something I don't understand, I make sure to research it until I can solve the problem and draw a conclusion. I should prove to myself that they are hiding something rather than just assuming that they are. I need to know what was going on in this town.
With that thought, I made a decision.
My gaze landed on the duffle bag I prepared earlier. I will stay here and uncover whatever the people here are hiding from me on my own.