𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬

Seven

"Do you always look this nervous?" Rox asks me as we take the steps out of the plane.

Our flight was fifteen hours of pure torture and no room to move since I sat in the middle of Rox and an old lady who was snoozing almost the whole time—which is quiet concerning considering how long we were on the plane.

"I'm not nervous," I insist and look around me. The sky is pure blue with no clouds in sight and the high and intricate buildings of Lille stand out in the distance behind the airport. There are people boarding other planes and air traffic controllers directing them dressed in yellow and orange vests with black pants.

Okay, maybe I'm a little nervous.

I don't say that to Rox, though, as she leads me towards the airport and through security to reach outside.

The buildings are clearer now as we walk towards them—clock towers are much more intimidating in person and the street shops are decorated in bright banners with their company logos printed on them and white lights drooping from the front and sides, right under the customer's heads.

We pass through several bakeries and cafes with their doors wide open and the sweet smell of chocolate and fresh baked bread wafts through the streets. There are street performers either playing an instrument or dancing in a circle with strangers who are passing by or buying from the outside shops.

One girl who looks my age, 15, is sitting at an easel next to a face painting outlet, in the middle of painting some type of flower with different shades of yellow, red, and orange. Her ginger hair is styled in a crown braid, she's wearing a poofy green dress and white sandals. I want to go up and see what she's painting but Rox drags me along an isolated cobblestone path and away from all the cheers and music.

"What is this place?" I whisper, feeling like I need to be quiet for some reason as we reach a hedge gate. The area is completely silent besides the sound of chirping birds and the soothing sound of water.

"This," she opens the gate and smiles, "is Moineau."

The scenery is beautiful. Two lakes are on either side of a small wooden bridge and the hedges stretch out so much farther than you would think from the front gate and the building in front of us looks like it came straight out of a Victorian movie. It reminds me of Zelaya's house.

Several white windows poke out of the dark red structure and two turrets on either side stick out with black roofs and what looks like window seats. The double doors are wide and tall with tangled designs throughout the doors. I can tell there's more buildings behind this one.

"So this is Hansen?" I tilt my head.

Rox smiles and takes my hand. "Come on—I'll show you the rest later. Odette is waiting."