Chapter 1
Chapter 1
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I bring my hands to my face, letting out a long huff of warm breath to heat them before shoving them back into the sleeves of my sweater. The snowfall had stopped before my shift ended, but the chill in the air lingers.
The snow ever so lightly dusts the sidewalks and buildings, similar to that of powdered sugar. A grumble emits from my stomach; I guess skipping lunch earlier wasn’t the best idea.
The sun has already set, this makes me doubtful of much being open after eight. I could check my phone for the time, but this would mean taking my hands out of my otherwise warm and cozy sweater and exposing them to the cold, and I simply am not doing that.
Eventually I stopped at the sight of light that illuminated the ground. Looking up to see where it is emitting from I see an open sign and a decal that read
“ Aura’s,coffee, tea and pastries” Under that it read awaken your soul with every sip .
“Still open huh, guess it wouldn’t hurt to step in and warm up with a treat and some coffee “. I take myself inside hearing a bell jingle as I open the door and let it close behind me .
The shop was fairly small, a light wooden counter with a case full of pre-made treats nearly empty now . To the side was some spiritual brand of tarot cards and incense.
Across from the counter were 3 small round dark brown tables each with 3 yellow stool like seats . They remind me of Sunflowers.
Behind the counter was a girl in a green apron and a brown hat with the coffee shop logo on it , that had her black and red hair sticking out the back in a ponytail .
“ Welcome to Aura’s coffee just so you know we close at 10. Can I help you?” She sounded like she had a long day. I peaked at the clock that hangs above her as she said the closing time. It was only 8:45 so I had time to sit here . “uh yes could I have one of any of the pastry’s you have left and “ I pause to read the black boards on either side of the clock. The right one had food , the left had a few coffee and tea options.
“ and the hazelnut latte “ .
“ alright just so you know sense we are gonna close we do discount on the pastry I can give you 3 for 1 . Do you just want one of each of these “
She pointed to the Left side of the display case which housed a few raspberry danishes , about 3 blueberry muffins and 1 little biscoff cake looking thing. I certainly didn’t need all three. But I could eat one in the morning for breakfast I guess.
“ Sure, “ I say after reviewing the items . She rings up my order which was $8.15. I take the bag of treats and sit by the window while I wait for my coffee, I take out the muffin taking a bite . It was good for not being fresh .
I was about half way finished with It when the barista walked over with my cup. thanking her. I take it . Blowing on it I took a sip ,the warmth of it was relaxing and I could feel the exhaustion beginning to move from my legs to my eyes. I’ll leave when my cup is empty or coffee cold whichever happens first.
*thud* “ What the hell ?” I turn My head in all directions confused. Did I fall asleep?
“ don’t go airing your lungs , when you’re the one sleeping at my tables like it’s a damn hotel “. my head finally settles in the direction of the yelling voice. A woman , older than i her presence as commanding as the landscape itself. She wears a long denim skirt, faded and a plaid top with red and blue hues with the sleeves rolled up and the cleanest thing on her is probably the silver buckle attached to her belt.
She looks like she is out of a cowboy novel. She certainly wasn’t the young lady that was standing by me moments ago .
“ yanno girl you and that fella cause plenty of trouble you think the last thing a girl like you would want is more trouble, and here you are causing it now stand up and get out of my tavern. “
I wanted to argue back but my head was hurting and frankly I didn’t even know where I was. I was just in a coffee shop. Now I’m at a bar out of a bad western story.
I felt the hardwood floor under my hands and saw men sitting at tables around me looking at me as I am at center stage for all their attention.
I argue no further than I have and I take my leave wiping my hands on the back of my thighs on the way out.
Past the wooden doors to the tavern I was greeted by the blinding light of the sun and its heat which was so intense the Trees would be looking for shade if they could. Taking A few steps as my eyes adjusted I found myself on a
dirt road surrounded by wood and brick buildings.
“Whoa” I take a few unsteady steps back as a person on a horse rides by almost stepping on me. As I steady myself I found my foot In a warm substance “ah! horse shit, literally “. I shook my foot a few times making my way to the grass by the tavern I was just in.
I look around wondering if there’s anyway to rid my shoe of the filth.
“E. What in God’s Name are you doing.”
A gentleman walked up to me. He was tall , fairly well built wearing a plain dark blue button up and trousers both covered in more than their fair share of dirt and dust .
“Uhhh”
He smirks as he looks at my situation “
“ Cat got ya tongue , I know you always get ya self in shitty situations but this takes the pudding. “
Unamused, I assume I know this person or at least they know me.
“ yeah ,yeah you gonna help me out or what “ .
“ help ya out. Just go wash it off by one of the tethering spots, horses Always got water , get ya paint well you over there too”
“Paint?”
He looks at me smirk dropping into a half frown
“ Your horse, that short stallion of yours, “ there was a short pause before he spoke again and I made my way a few feet over towards the horse water where i would splash some onto my feet washing away the shit.
“ GOD DAMMIT E. Don’t go telling me you lost another, how you even lost an animal like that”.
“ uhh sorry?”
“ ah whatever stay here well I get mine we can ride over to Patrick’s stable get ya another ,but next time it comes out your pocket “.
“ sure sure”
I gave him a smile as he walked off.
Seems like a real piece of work .
Shortly after, he rode up on a dark brown horse whose coat seemingly absorbed the light. It towered over me,with a main that was the same shade of black as my own hair and a shade of black running half way up all four legs.
The man extends his hand out.
“Get on up here and hold on“
I take his hand And hop up struggling to get my leg over at first. By the third try I’m behind him, hands wrapping around right above his waist across his stomach.
This was my first time on a horse and As he took off in a trot I felt a slight joy take over me . The Light breeze from The movement was a refreshing coolness that eased the weight of the heat.
It was blissful , that was until the trot turned into quicker pacing as we left the town.
I found my head buried in his back between his shoulders and my hand gripped tighter to his clothing as if I’d be flown off like sweat from my brow .
Eventually the pace starts to slow and as my muscles relax, I can feel my body sway awkwardly from the rhythmic movements . As if my body was off beat to music.
It wasn’t long that we came to a complete halt.
“ well this is us “
Hopping Off the horse I straightened the skirt I was wearing as the man grabbed the reins of the horse.
we walked to the front of the half open barn doors “ PAT! You’re here aren’t ya “ he yelled into the barn as he grabbed and pulled open the Left most door , reigns still in his hands.
“ Where else would ya catch me “ a voice yells back. We walked deeper inside, stopping at the second stall; it was empty; the last two on each side housed 4 different horses.
A man comes out of the last stall on the right , illuminated by the dusty light that shows through the cracks in the wood.
His face weathered by the year’s ,deep wrinkles lined his face and he wore a cowboy hat that looked worn thin from years of use. Probably the only thing that gave him shade when out in the sun. A full beard graying framed his face.
He wore a plaid Shirt that’s colors long faded , over it he wore a leather vest that has surely seen better days, its surface cracked and creased. He also wore denim jeans that had a few patched marks On it in places that once were torn, they were tucked at the ankle into well worn boots.
“ what can I do for ya Ames “ he paused for a second and turned to my direction tilting his head in a sorta bow
“.Eyota”.
Ames Must be the gentleman’s name . Eyota must be mine then , he did call me E.
“ Well the little lady here needs A new critter. “
“Another well I do value a returning customer “ the man lets out a low belly chuckled . It seems Eyota had a habit of losing her horse.
Well take ya pick .
I decided to take my time looking at the horses . Not That I knew anything about them or have even ever ridden one.
The two on the left were both pretty tall, a Bit taller than Ames’s horse. One was white the other black with dark brown around its nose .
The first of the two on the other side was fairly smaller than the rest and was a dusty white i was unsure if it was just sorta dirty or if it was its true shade. He had brown ears and brown spots that covered its body and part of its face.
The last was just Slightly taller than the previous horse but still smaller looking than the two on the left.
This one was the Color of the desert sand with patches Of white along its back like a cotton blanket.
I decided on the brown And white horse.
“ this one “
Ames walks over away from his conversation with Patrick, his shoulders back with confidence in his posture .
“ alright pat the girl spoke, how much for this one”
Pat opened the gate to the horse and patted the horse’s neck.
“ 108 but i’ll give yeah a deal of 70$ and throw in a new saddle”.
“ alright you got ya self a deal pat”
Patrick takes His leave to grab the saddle From the shed that’s not too far off from the barn . Leaving Me and Ames and my new horse who I stood beside .
“ so What you gonna name him “ .
I looked over my shoulder away from the horse and over at ames who was leaning on the nearby door.
“ I haven’t gotten a chance to think of a name yet “
He just nods silently and looks me in the eyes. There’s a darkness in them but perhaps that’s the lack of proper lighting.
Nonetheless I feel the need to turn my attention quickly back to the horse. A sudden tightness came over my chest as if my ribs had a rubber band wrapped around them trying to tighten till they snap, and my breathing catches in my throat .
What if He realize I am not really her . Even if he doesn’t know ,what happens when he does. “ need to get home “
“ What was that E? “
“Oh” I snap my head back towards Ames .
“ oh . Uhh I was just talking to the new horse , tryna come up with a name that’s all“ .
He nods slightly again.
As Pat comes back with the saddle I let out all the air that was stuck in my chest moments ago .
The saddle was gently worn As if recently just broken in . Its leather was still a dark shade of brown undamaged by the sun. However a few wrinkles in it and small scuff marks show that it is no stranger to being used.
Pat and Ames saddle up Lady . Which is what I have decided her name will be .
“ Lady, what kind of name is that for a horse? “ . Ames had not taken a liking to this name
“good thing she’s mine then and not yours huh “.
Once they had finished ames had hopped on his and started making his way out the barn , looking at me he motion his head towards outside the barn.
“ You coming “.
I climb onto lady I Thought Nerves would stiffen my body from the unfamiliarity of riding a horse. I worried that I would cue her to trot as ames did earlier and would unavoidable fall and in falling so too would this facade I have un fortunately Became .
But this wasn’t the case at all , when I grabbed the reigns it was as if being in her body I was intune to Eyotas muscles memory.
It wasn’t long before I caught up with him riding just Slightly behind leaving room for him to lead me.
“ soo where are we headed “ I hope the breeze carries my voice for him to hear as I was unsure how louder I should of spoken admist the sound of hooves on the dirt road ,and the evening animals starting to make there way out of morning slumber .
“ back to camp, we got that big plan soon and still need More money and supplies to pull it off. So gonna have to take up some small jobs “
“ like what?”
“ We’ll Go over it when we are at the camp, have some dinner “.
“ alright “ I say this in More of a whisper to myself than to him .
We ride to the east, the sun starting to set below the skyline behind us taking its warmth with it as we reach the camp.
I can see a dancing glow in the distance and can hear chatter amongst people who are already occupying the area .
As we tether up the horses I can feel the chill of night creeping across my skin .
There isn’t much to look around at as the only light currently is the fire Burning nearby and a few oil lanterns scattered across various tent like structures.
An aroma of earthy vegetables and meat was in the air. The smell was inviting. It caused my stomach to curdle in pain and I couldn’t help but follow it.
“ seems like we made it in time for dinner “ Aimes has walked past me closer to the fire and the smell.
There was a large pot with a handful of people sat nearby . I tried counting one.. two..three but my mind would turn quickly to the smell of the food before I could finish .
“ Here “ a lady hands me a bowl of stew.
“ thank you “ I grabbed the utensils and took a bite. It was delicious, the meat wasn’t too tough and I could taste rosemary amongst other flavors.
I let out a noise that could only be interpreted As gratitude And pleasure.
