The Journey to Duskwood

Chapter 3

  As I pull up to the motel, another wave of nerves settles over me. It's hard to believe that I am actually in Duskwood. After everything that has happened, it feels almost surreal.

  A high-pitched squeal echoes through the air and pulls me from my thoughts. When I look up, I see Jessy running towards me. 

"Flora! Oh my goodness, I am so excited to finally see you!"

  We nearly collide as we both rush to hug each other. An overwhelming sense of emotion hits me. Although I cannot quite pinpoint what it is – a mix of anxiety, confusion, and relief all at once, maybe. Tears spring to my eyes as these feelings take over.

Jessy pulls back from the hug, concern etched on her face. "What is it, Flora?"

"Oh, you know," I shrug. "I guess finally being here in person and seeing you made everything seem so real, and the severity of the situation just now fully hit me." I quickly wipe the tears from my eyes as I say, "But I'm really okay. I'm just so happy to see you and that everyone is safe now."

  She hugs me again. Everyone is so great, but Jessy has especially been such an amazing friend to me. Honestly, she is one of the best friends I'd ever had and I'm glad to have her.

  Jessy and I gather my things from the car and bring them into the motel where Dan is waiting for us sitting in his wheelchair near the front desk chatting with who I assume to be Ms. Walter. She greets me with a smile before pulling up my reservation on the computer.

"I've heard a lot about you, Miss Flora. Everyone in Duskwood really appreciates the help you contributed to finding Hannah," Ms. Walter tells me as she hands me my room key. "I have you in room three, just down the hallway. Breakfast is at 8."

"Hey, boo," Dan's voice startles me. It occurs to me that I haven't really ever heard his voice all that much. I chuckle at his nickname. That's the third time he's called me that. "You gonna say hi or what?"

"Hey, Dan," I lean down and give him an awkward hug. To be honest, I wasn't sure how to act around him. He'd asked me out and I didn't really say yes or no, and I can't tell how he feels about it. Maybe I'm just reading too much into things. He only asked me to the movies. "It's really good to see you. I would've thought you'd be back in the hospital by now though."

"Pff, nonsense. There's no reason for me to go back there. I'm perfectly fine." I make a pointed look at his wheelchair and Jessy rolls her eyes.

"He's just being difficult for no reason!" Jessy exclaims as she takes one of my two suitcases and then walks down the hall. I quickly grab my other bag and follow her, Dan coming up behind me.

"If you think for one second that I'm going back to that place just for them to make me lay in bed all day, you're dead wrong. I'm recovering just the same, maybe even better." 

"Whatever you say, Dan," I open the door to my new home for the week. It's a quaint little room with a bed, chair, and desk. The walls are painted a pale blue color with white trim at the ceiling. There is a picture of what looks to be historic Duskwood over the desk. But the view from the window is one that I'm not so sure I was ready to see.

  The forest.

  The motel itself is located a little further down the road from the rest of the town. Normally, this would be fine. But given the recent circumstances, it puts me on edge a little.

Jessy's voice breaks my thoughts, "So, Flora, Dan and I are going to leave you to get settled in and freshen up. If you're up for it tonight, everyone except Thomas and Hannah are planning on going to the Aurora around 7."

I smile and nod my head. "Yes, that would be great. I'll see you all then." 

  Soon enough, I find myself seated at the bar of the Aurora talking to Phil. Apparently, he had been released from prison after Hannah was found, which I was glad to hear. He seems nice enough.

"I see you've finally come here for that drink I offered you," He sets my drink down with a wink.

"Thank you, Phil, it's great." I smile softly and take another sip. 

  I got her a little earlier than 7, so no one from the group has arrived yet. I look around at the bar. The room is dim, and the vibe is old-fashioned. A fancy wooden theme plays throughout, and overall, the aura screams 1920s ritz. I'd only ever seen pictures of Duskwood, courtesy of mostly Jessy. But it's a cozy town - if you take away the creepy Man Without a Face legend, that is. 

  The bar isn't too busy at this time. Perhaps for a Tuesday evening, it doesn't get much busier than this. There are only a few other people here, scattered throughout the room, minding their own. Phil comes back in front of me after finishing up with a paying customer. He's got an interesting look on his face, as though he's studying me.

"Is there something you're wanting to ask me, Phil?" I ask, guessing that he is trying to figure me out.

"I suppose I'm just a little curious about you," he begins, setting the glass he was cleaning down on the bar. "Everything happened so quickly, and then you come along and figure everything out. It's quite impressive." He gives me a skeptical look.

"So, you find me suspicious?"

"Maybe somewhat. I mean, can you blame me?"

"I suppose not. I would be weary of myself if I were you," I finish my drink before continuing. "If I'm being honest, I don't know why exactly I got wrapped up in all this. I assume Jessy has told you how everything happened?" He nods. "It honestly seems so coincidental to me. Hannah disappears and then Thomas receives a text message with only my number. I have no idea who she is, but it turns out I only live an hour and a half's drive away from here.

Jake tells everyone I am the key in this situation, yet no one actually knows what he means. I was wanting to ask Hannah, at some point while I'm here, why she sent my number. You know-" The sound of the door opening interrupts me. 

  I turn to find Jessy, Cleo, Dan, and Lilly walking in. Everyone meets me at the bar and says hello. After a round of hugs and in-person introductions, we all settle at a table opposite the bar. Phil brings us our drinks and the night begins. 

~*~

A/N:

So sorry to keep everyone waiting! I've been super busy with midterms (I'm taking 8-week college courses & they're kicking my ass lmao). This chapter is obviously more of a filler chapter. I promise the next one should be more interesting! It always takes a while to get a story rolling.

By the way, in the next chapter I plan for some questions & answers about Richy. And there may or may not be a slight, and I mean SLIGHT,  touch of Jake? Who knows? ;)

I would also like to point out that on top of school, I also work the night shift at the hospital, so it takes some time to get writing done. But I'm hoping to have the next part out at some point this week.