Chapter 1
I took a deep breath and shuddered as the olfactory region of my brain detected an unusual scent. Unusual for me, at least. I had spent a large part of my life in a city and had never set foot in an area similar to this before. It was the scent of pine trees and mud. There was nothing but pine on both sides of the pathway that I was now stranded upon. I put my hand above my eyes, trying to see some sign of urbanization. However, I found none. And to top it off, the sun had begun going down for the day. Soon I will lose the little light that I have left.
It’s not easy being lost in a country other than your own. This all began about a month ago, when I received my grandmother’s call. She insisted that I visit her. I had just completed my master's in English literature and was working part-time as a waitress in a little restaurant. But all I wanted to do was write a book. Several books. I lost my mother to cancer when I was three. After that, he, brought me up by himself. I used to live with my dad, but when I started college, I moved away from home. I was close to him as it was just me and him for quite some time, but before I moved away for college, he started dating this woman called Susan. He soon got married to her. She was both nice and sweet, and she too had a daughter and a son, both younger than me. So now that he had another family, I decided to take on this offer. Also, my grandmother insisted that she would pay for everything. And there was no better place to write a book than a quiet, peaceful town several thousand miles away. This was a chance I could not miss. Stupid of me for I did not think this through. My father hugged me tightly at the airport before my flight. He had insisted on driving me to the airport himself.
"If there is any problem at all, Ruby, you come back straight home," he said gruffly.
"Dad, do not worry; I am going to be fine," I told him.
"I know. "But remember, I will always be here for you," he said. I knew felt a little guilty for not spending as much time with me as before because of his new family.
"Dad, I love you," I told him.
"I love you too, sweetie," he replied a little thickly.
"Now before I forget, here is a little parting present for you," he said as he pulled a bright blue box out of his pocket. Inside was a most beautiful gold bracelet adorned with little rubies that were as red as blood. I held my breath as I touched it delicately.
"Dad, you shouldn’t have. "This must have cost you a fortune," I whispered. He just shrugged. "It's really lovely, Dad."
"Not as lovely as my daughter," he replied, smiling.
"Thanks, Dad," I said.
"Don’t mention it. Let me see you put it on," he said.
I unclasped the bracelet and put it on my right wrist. It was a beautiful, delicate little thing. It was certainly the most beautiful and precious thing that I owned at the moment.
"It’s lovely, Dad." I smiled, and so did he. Just then, there was an announcement about my flight. I hurriedly hugged him one last time and moved forward.
