I stood on my porch with hot coffee in my hand, watching the sunrise. Sun rays were almost blinding in the company of white, snowy land before me. Spruce trees and hemlocks’ branches were curving underneath the heavy snow, their surface sparkling as if thousands of little diamonds were embedded in them.

I always preferred mornings, since they were peaceful and somewhat less menacing than nights.

The sun was rising behind the misty mountain, coloring the puffy, low hanging clouds with the mixture of orange and pink shade.

The sunlight reflected on now already frozen lake, causing the glassy surface to shine. The view was so ethereal it took my breath away. Everything was so peaceful like we were frozen in time. Even animals were nowhere in sight.

Yesterday was the first time in my life I heard wolves howling. Their melancholic song tugged at the strings of my heart, luring me into the woods to join them. To just tear apart the heavy chains around my heart and be completely free of them. Almost like I was part of them. Like it was me they cried for.

I stood there on my porch until my feet started to seriously freeze. According to my thermometer, it was below four degrees today and it was still slowly dropping. I already woke early in the morning and worked my ass off. My plan was to finish as fast as I possibly could and enjoy that cocoa Alasie had promised me.

My at all times asocial nature took an odd turn as I started to crave human contact. It wasn’t enough for me to just bury myself in work and lock myself down behind the four walls. And even though that made me scared and surprised, for once, it felt good.

***

I seriously considered replacing my useless car with a snowmobile as I threaded down the road. Today I had clothed accordingly, wearing my insulated ski pants.

The bell above the doors jingled as I stepped into the Northern Lights cafe, shaking the snow off my boots.

I was pleasantly surprised how homey the insides looked. It was like stepping inside of the lodge, with big open windows and a black stove positioned against the far side of the wall. There was an elk antler chandelier hanging from the wooden ceiling. The spacious room was filled with small rounded tables, covered with full drop length scarlet tablecloths.

I heard the soft music playing in the background, its voice mixing with the crackling of the fire.

The place was almost empty, mainly because it was before two o’clock and everybody was still at work.

I edged towards the polished counter, sitting on one of the bar stools. When I looked around, I noticed mounted moose and elk heads hanging on the walls with engraved inscriptions of the hunters right below them. There were also black and white photographs beside them, depicting the hunt.

My head jerked forward as I heard the small noise behind the counter.

“You came,” Alasie’s pretty face softened as her eyes landed on me.

“I simply couldn’t resist the free cocoa,” I teased, looking into her sparkling eyes.

“There’s a reason why it’s free,” she grimaced as she headed off to heat some milk. I watched as she put two tablespoons of cocoa powder in the cup, before she handed it to me.

I put my hands around the hot drink, moaning how good the warmth felt against my cold skin. I suspiciously watched her amused face when I took the first sip.

By the delicious smell, I expected it to be heavenly, boy was I wrong. My stomach twisted with nausea and I tried hard not to show the distaste on my face.

“That good, ha?” She laughed, pulling the mug away from me “I’ll make you something else.”

“How can it be this vile? It’s only a cocoa!” I said with outrage.

“Well, the owner likes this particular powder mixture so ….” Her face scrunched up as she turned around to make me a hot chocolate.

“Who owns this place anyway?”

“Betty’s husband, Tonraq and my grandfather’s oldest friend.” She pointed at the wall covered with photos “The photos you were looking at, they are of my grandfather and him.”

“Who is the little child with them? Was he even old enough to hunt?”

“That’s my dad. He was five at the time when he already wanted to learn of their hunting ways.” Alasie said with a soft smile.

My head instantly turned to her saddened expression “I heard about the accident. I am so sorry,” I said honestly.

“I was a child when it happened,” she shrugged sadly “But I still miss them you know.”

“My dad died a few years ago, so I know how it feels.” I nodded sympathetically.

After a moment of quiet I turned back to her “So, did he learn how to hunt?”

She giggled quietly “Yeah, he was the worst. They couldn’t drag him back home. He tried it with me, but

…” She shook her head, releasing her breath “I am not much of a hunter.”

“Well,” I dismissively waved my hand “It’s 2020, not the 19th century, so there’s no need to hunt for survival anymore.”

“I know, but the old ways and culture is sacred to my grandfather. You’ll meet him soon.” She laughed at my eager face.

“Do you think he’ll let me write a novel about it?”

“I think he will be more than delighted. No one listens to him anymore. Kids think all he talks is rubbish and they are more interested in computer games than our culture or our ancestors. You’ll be Godsend.” She put the hot chocolate in front of me “Now this is a masterpiece.”

I rolled my eyes at the rich taste that lingered on my tongue “Josh has told me about the legends.” I pretended like I wasn’t dying to know all of them.

“Of course he has, he heard them hundred times by now.”

“So, do you think there is any of truth in them?” I inquired with my eyes wide, like an enthusiastic little child.

“Those stories were passed down by elders and they mainly served to enlighten younger people. They are some kind of guidance in every day’s situations, entertaining and instructive. This way people got a general idea of what is good and bad.” Alasie finally sat behind the counter, placing her hands on the surface “So if you’re asking if I believe in spirits and mythological beings, then no. I don’t.” She combed her long hair with her fingers, twisting them into a messy bun atop of her head.

Suddenly a bell rang and a new customer entered.

“Excuse me.” She placed her hand on mine, casting me an apologetic look. Her expression suddenly changed as she noticed who entered “Tonraq!”

“Haluuġikpiñ, Alasie!” Hello Alasie! The rounded dark-haired man, with wrinkles around the corners of his eyes, gently smiled at her. “Oh, you brought iglaak, a stranger!” His eyes went wide as he spotted me.

“Hello, Sir.” I said politely “You must be the owner of Northern Lights cafe.” I offered him my hand but instead of taking it he smacked me on the back, laughing.

“Your accent is thick,” he commented, intently studying me.

Surprised how welcoming he was I almost stuttered “Well, Slavic languages are quite different compared to English, somewhat edgier. It’s harder to pronounce words.”

“You speak just fine, it’s just the accent.” He gave me a lopsided smile “You’re Russian, so you must be used to the snow.”

“Well I am not exactly from Siberia, but yes, I am used to cold during winters.”

The laughter bubbled out of his chest “I like this one! You should bring her around sometime, show her our association, Alasie.”

“I will, I will. She is already eager to hear out my grandpa.” Alasie said, winking at me.

“Is she now?” The huge man turned back towards me; approval written all over his eyes “You’ll be guest of honor then.”

I blushed under his scrutinizing look “Than you, Sir.”

“Tonraq.” He corrected me “Tomorrow night is our usual gathering and since it’s Friday, all the kids will attend too. Amaruq will be talking about culture and legends. If you’re interested, you should come.”

“Thank you, I will most definitely be there!” My eyes lit up like a Christmas tree when I heard his invitation.

I looked up at Alasie who nodded at me, smiling from ear to ear.

“He must really like you,” she whispered when he disappeared into the back “He never invites people to our gatherings. That’s usually my grandfather.”

“Well, I’m glad to be liked,” I sighed “It would be nice to fit in somewhere for a change.”

She frowned in confusion “You lived in Moscow, didn’t you fit there?”

“No, the pace of living is frantic there. It’s not like here, where you can stop and take a breather, just stare at the flawless beauty of the nature.”

“Oh, how right you are, girl!” Tonraq appeared again with boxes of beer “I only wish young ones would appreciate it too.”

“You can’t appreciate something that you take for granted, for it’s never enough.”

He stared at me for a while, then slowly bobbed his head in agreement “I guess you’re right.” He said.

“So, Faina. How was at Eveline’s house?” Alasie asked curiously, tucking a strand of her dark lock behind her ear.

“Wonderful, I really enjoyed myself. They seem to hold you in high regard, especially Josh,” I leaned over the counter, nudging her in the shoulder. “How long are you two together?”

“Only for a year or so.” She said with her cheeks flushed.

“How so?”

“We were best friends through the high school and after that … well, we thought the attraction originated from the fact that we were the only two people of the same age left in the town. Counting off Barney of course,” she handed a cup of hot tea to Tonraq who kissed her forehead, thanking her.

“But it didn’t.” I guessed.

“No, we genuinely loved each other.” She admitted, “But I still wonder how would it be if I wasn’t the only girl in town.” There was a glint of concern in her eyes.

“Well, considering I’ve lived amongst millions of boys and I’ve never found the right one, it doesn’t really matter how many are there. At the end of the day, it’s the love that counts.”

“Well said.” Tonraq patted my shoulder as he walked by “You should listen to her Alasie and stop worrying.”

“Grandpa will adore you,” she chuckled “You’d better ready yourself.”

“Will you be there?” I stood up, ready to leave since I bothered them long enough.

“I will see you there,” she smiled gently.

“It was really nice to meet you Tonraq,” I nodded at his slouched figure in the back, laughing as he mumbled something incomprehensible in return.

“Alasie?” I suddenly turned around back to face her “I am glad we’ve met.”

I noticed how her lips widened into a pleased smile “Likewise Faina!” She called after me.

It was only a few days since I moved to Atsanik and my heart already brimmed with hope and happiness. It was the first time I had any friends and it was the first time things were looking up for me.