DESOLATION

21

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Day 10 in Garristown

INEZ

More than a week has passed since I came here, and life has been nothing but peaceful. Yup, there are difficulties, but the privilege of having a breath of fresh air outweighs everything. Compared to what I have endured in the last year, this is nothing. Initially, I thought I would never be able to settle here, but now I believe life has finally started to be on track. I would always prefer this life a million times over the one where I am stuck in a mansion with nothing to do except fear what I would have to bear next.

In these ten days, Lorcan has become a distant memory. I am glad I am away from him now. If I had not been connected to him in more ways than I could count, then I bet I would have never even thought about him.

I take a sip of my steaming hot coffee and look outside towards the far-stretched land. It is the perfect place for a picnic. I remember I often used to go on a picnic with my parents and Evelyn. Evelyn, the thought of her makes me sad. I hope I can live with her one day again. For now, I can just pray that she is fine and happy wherever she is.

My eyes fell on the thin bracelet in my hand, and a smile appeared on my face on its own. I had the best day of my life yesterday. It felt good to be happy after the months of despair. I had forgotten to be happy in all the months I have spent with Lorcan, but George made me smile a lot. It would not be wrong to tell me George and have become good friends.

At first, I had planned not to accept George's offer, but then I didn't know what came to my mind, so I decided to accept it. I could not wait to tell him about it, so the next day around noon, I went to the same bookshop and just as I had expected, I found him there.

When I told him about my decision, I felt a strange peace inside me. Maybe because it was my first step towards being independent. George was happy to know my decision, and we decided to meet each day around noon in that bookshop.

I have not started any work yet because, as per his words, I need a little bit of training, but he has promised to give me proper work today. I am so excited about it.

Yesterday, when we met, he told me that he wanted to show me the other manuscripts. Therefore, he invited me to his home. I was afraid to go with him, but then something in my heart told me not to be afraid of anything anymore. Lorcan is not here, and he cannot know what I am doing.

I felt like I could and should trust him because he seemed harmless. I went with him to his home, and he showed me all the work he has pending. We talked for quite some time, and I got to know more about him. He is not from Garristown but has been living here for a year and a half now. The house is not his, and he has rented it from a kind lady.

I even met his landlady because she brought freshly baked bread for him. She is a widow and lives alone. After meeting her, I realized there are good and nice people here as well.

Then we had coffee, and he walked me home. It felt so good to have a friend. It was my best day here in Garristown.

I am excited to meet George today. Today, I will begin my work and will start earning my money. Soon, I will be able to free myself from Lorcan's clutches.

After washing the mug, I pick up my purse and put on my shoes. The weather has turned a lot colder as winter is approaching. I will have to buy a few things as well before winter starts. I have heard that winter is quite harsh here, so I should be prepared. Just as I opened the door, I found Maeve standing with her hand raised. She was about to knock when I opened the door.

"Maeve, you are back!" I exclaimed happily and went forward to hug her. She returned the hug warmly. She was out of town for three days and I missed her a lot. If George were not here, then I would have died of loneliness and boredom.