Rumors and Ghosts

iv. a new land

The ship Anya was on docked.

A young brunet was fixing a boat and watched as passengers departed the ship.

A red-haired girl, no, a girl with strawberry blonde hair, caught his eye.

He set down his tool and walked up to her. "Never seen you before. Welcome to New York."

The woman looked at him with a quizzical expression. "Anya."

"Your name is Anya?"

She seemed to recognize her name and hesitatingly nodded.

"I'm Bucky." Anya stifled a laugh. "It's a nickname."

Anya's brow furrowed as she slowly said, "I need to get to Paris."

Bucky let out a relieved sigh. "You speak English. Good. Why Paris?"

She shook her head. "I don't know. I think someone is waiting for me there."

"So then why are you here?"

Her expression contorted to one of annoyance. "I couldn't get to Paris. But I'll go from here to there."

"Whatever I can do to help-"

"Thank you. But I can get by on my own."

"Anya, it's a dangerous time. You shouldn't be alone."

A seemingly terrified expression crossed her face and she looked around frightfully.

"Anya? Are you all right?"

Anya shook her head as though she was searching for a memory. "I don't remember. All I hear is echoing screams and see flashes of fire. I need to purchase a ticket to Paris."

Bucky noticed some of the other dock workers staring at her and moved closer to Anya. "You're shaking."

She stepped back. "I'm fine. I must get to Paris."

"Anya, that might be difficult."

Her eyes flashed as she snapped, "You don't understand. I must get to Paris! "

"Who are you meeting?"

"I... I don't know. But they're important to me. I know that."

He sighed. "Okay, let me take you back to my place and we'll figure this out. Okay?"

Anya nodded slowly. "Okay."