Aarmau: Remember Me, Remember Us, Just Remember

Chapter 124

Hyria leads them toward the back of the cottage to show them her garden. Aph is pleased to see it's much like the one back at the house but larger and with a few extra things like zucchini, squash, watermelon, several different types of berries, and even corn.

The perimeter of the garden houses a small orchard with a few different types of fruit trees like apples, pears, oranges, cherries, peaches, and nectarines. She can even see the hint of a small line of grapes hidden behind them.

Aph giggles and glances at Aaron, "It'll make grocery shopping fun."

Hyria smiles while Aaron shakes his head at her. They continue to a set of double doors leaning against the base of the cottage much like a storm shelter.

Aaron reaches down to pull the doors open and then grabs Aph's hand as they start down the small set of stairs leading into a dimly lit room. The walls and floor appear to be smooth stone and while you'd think it would smell dank because of the darkness the air has a sweet earthy smell that Aph finds pleasant.

To the right is a large open space with shelves, crates, and barrels filled with what appears to be a recent harvest from the garden. Each item is carefully labeled so there's no mistaking what it is.

Aph is impressed by how organized it is and smiles. There's even a shelving section for the tools needed to tend the garden as well as mud boots, coats, gloves, and hats.

To the left is a wall that's recessed in roughly four feet with a metal single-windowed door located in the center. As usual, the window is just high enough that Aph can't tell what's behind the door.

As if reading her mind Hyria pulls on the door handle and they watch the door swing open to reveal a meat locker. Inside are grated metal shelves holding almost anything you could imagine including beef, chicken, pork, lamb, and fish.

The room is so cold not only could they see each breath that was exhaled but Aph noticed it actually hurt to breathe too deep. Glancing back at the door she relaxes when she sees a handle on the inside so no one would accidentally get locked in. Getting locked in here could be a fatal mistake.

Looking back at the shelves she sees that each type of meat is sealed in special air-tight containers to keep one from contaminating the other. She giggles again, "We'll never have to leave this place."

A deep shiver rolls through her and she instinctively steps closer to Aaron. A sudden memory from the lodge pops into her mind reminding her of the last time they got caught out in the cold.

She feels Aaron's hands close around her shoulders and start rubbing her skin. She shivers again as Hyria leads them back out into what she now realizes is a root cellar and instinctively grabs the handle on the inside of the meat locker as she passes it.

She could swear she felt it wiggle a little in her hand but since no one else noticed it she figured she was simply imagining it. The warmer air in the root cellar washes over her and another deep shiver rolls through her and goosebumps breakout along her skin. Perhaps it would be best if they just stuck to fruits and vegetables while they're here.

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I just watched Jess's post for today and realized I've been spelling Sylvanna wrong... :(