One Last Lie

Chapter 3

Just find Viktor, get some supplies, and we can get to Groztough. Hopefully not by train. Groztough is close right? I came back into the town. Norgien was exactly how I remembered it. Cold and gray. Homes made of stone, each almost identical to the next. And I thought sadly, Groztough must look somewhat similar to this place.

Fog was always settled over the large town, and sun hardly ever touched this part of Ominiski, even in the summer. Norgien was also pretty empty, it was the least populated town of Ominiski, yeah, who could blame anyone for not wanting to live here? Even the dirt and grass had a whitish tint giving the sign winter was well on its way.

I saw a small group of adults sitting around a low table in front of a home. I mean, should I? What if they saw me or Viktor being chased? They'd probably turn us in. So instead, I turned and kept walking. I did my best to disguise any panic or worry I had, if it shown, people might be able to tell I was in trouble.

As I pressed on, scanning the depressing town for any signs of Viktor, I heard a small, quiet voice behind me. "Excuse me?" I whirled around to face a young lady. She was slender, slightly tall, with dark hair long, that hung in loose curls. I looked into her enlonged almond shaped eyes the color of chocolate. "Are you lost?" She asked.

"Oh, umm, a little," I admitted taking my eyes away from hers.

"Do you need help?" 

"Yeah, that would be nice," I said a bit hesitantly. Does she know me? What if she starts asking questions? I need to come up with an alias, now.

"What's your name?" She asked. Damn, you've gotta be kidding, I thought. Come on, think! Think! Think!

"Me? Oh, uh, you can call me Alex," Really? I couldn't come up with anything better? She smiled pleasently.

"Pleased to meet you Alex, I'm Yara," she said extending her hand to shake.

"Nice to meet you, Yara. And thank you for helping me out here." She shook her head.

"Don't worry about it. So, are you new here? We don't get many new people in Norgien," so she doesn't know who I am? Wait, she could be lying.

"No, I'm not moving here, I'm just here for...a little bit," I said. Ugh, not even going to try to make up a lie. Unless she asks.

"Oh, so just a vacation? Surprised you picked this part of Ominiski." Right, just go with it.

I laughed half-heartily, "actually it's more like I'm waiting for someone, then it'll be a vacation," yes that's right, make a stop here. "Until he calls, do you think you can show me around a little?" Maybe if I'm with someone, I'll be less likely to be flagged down by a witness.

She laughed, "that makes more sense. And sure, I can show you around." She began to walk ahead. Either I'm lucky or something wierd is going on. She didn't see us being chased around town? Well, it's only a matter of time before she does hear about us. Word couldn't have gotten too far yet, right? "So what do you think of Norgien?" She asked.

"Well, it's...depressing. How do you live here?" She laughed a bit.

"Given that I was born and raised here, I can't really imagine life outside of Norgien."

"I sort of wonder why the president doesn't at least try to make it more appealing."

"It would be too hard to take down all the homes. If that's what you're talking about."

"That's exactly what I mean. The place is already freezing, why not try to design warmer homes? You know, I don't think the president is doing so well of a job," she laughed into her hands, and nodded in agreement. "So, have you seen the better parts of Ominiski?"

"Well not really," she admitted. "Only some places, like Crozinay, Jeishin, Groztough-" my head shot up as soon as I heard her say Groztough.

"Wait, Groztough?" She looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Yeah, why?"

"I just need to know, is Groztough far from here?"

"Maybe a few hours away. Why?"

"Oh, I just wanted to know how long of a train ride it would be," dammit, there's no way we can get there on foot, way too far away. This sort of a thing would only happen to me.

"Is that a bad thing?" She asked.

"Well kind of. I hate trains," I lied. "And I just wanted to get over with it sooner, but that all depends on when my friend gets here," I needed to avoid talking like I arrived with someone.

"Where does he expect to find you? The station?"

"Yeah, we planned to just meet at the train station, but I've been there for a while, and I'm pretty tired of just waiting around there."

"Well Alex, If you're tired, you're welcome to join me for lunch," I flinched before remembering I was Alex. 

"That's so kind of you. Thank you. Where do you live?" I asked slowly. Can't risk anything I could get in huge trouble if she's faking this.

"Near the woods," she replied, gesturing around the area which I'd come back to town from.

"The woods," I repeated. She nodded. Well, she does live pretty far from the train station, and she genuinely looks like she just wants to help. I grinned at her, "that would be great, thanks."