The one thing that especially helped to heal me from that fiasco at the 'doll' house, was sleeping to the sound of nearby waves and water, maybe some seagulls that some would consider annoying but to me was fine, and oddly enough, the sound of people, the sound of presence, the opposite of that loneliness.

The benefits to renting out a room at a lighthouse inn for cheap, is the comforting vibes of sleeping in a lighthouse. Not as creepy as most would describe, just pretty nice, if you close the windows at night, curtains and all, the silhouettes tap on the glass at night, but I could ignore it. Most people would pay more just for a lake or beach house, no wonder lighthouse inns are a thing, not to mention last night, the job of making sure all the equipment worked, was actually getting easier. Just check all the mechanics, make sure the huge light and the glass surrounding it is clean and clear, then I'm done, next it's just the random errands they may need once in a while.

I have long lost the ability to sleep for long, five hours at max average and I'm up and at it, scrubbing my face hard, and nitpicking around the eyes, before putting on one of my button ups and dress pants. It was going to be warmer today or so the weather on my phone said, so I ditched my jacket piece for today. Annie was up early too by the time I got out, so I asked her if she needed me to do any errands for the morning before I left for work which started at 9.

If sleep refused to come aid me, then as long as I kept my mind busy, I'll be fine.

I had two hours to spare... Ended up going to bed a little late after making sure my windows and doors were locked, hiding my laptop and folding my laundry. Annie went into this room again and just took my dirty clothes without telling me, maybe she wanted to stay occupied too, but at least warn me... Oh well, nothing new.

"If you could go buy some things on this list, and bring back the receipt, I'll cut the expenses from your rent." She handed her a piece of small paper torn from a small handbook, her curly and cursive handwriting made the paper look older and more expensive if it weren't for the green, modern ink.

"Alright." Dove said without much argument, having no energy for that.

It would take her a moment to find the place, she couldn't hook her phone up to the dashboard of her car, only able to listen to the directions while driving whilst keeping her eyes peeled for the nearest pet store.

Maine is cheaper than Vermont, and I've always loved this place. My mom always preferred the states more in-land and wanted to move to some place like Arkansas or Wyoming, while my dad actually used to talk about plans to move to a state further down South, preferably South Carolina. I hope both of them got their wishes, I hope they're both doing better now.

'Dog beds, cat beds, chew toys (preferably the ropes, avoid the squeaky ones), a scratching post'

Along with accommodating for guests, it seems they were preparing to do the same for guests with pets, which is a very lovely idea! Especially for the hikers with huskies, or the book readers and writers here on vacation with their cats.

At seven in the morning, you don't expect to see a lot of people.

At an hour as early as 7, when the effect of the sunrise is still strong, there are no nightmares, save for any potential monsters disguised as humans.

The closest store had all the efficient supplies, so she ignored the map, turning it off on her phone as she parked and went inside, no need to be wary of any spirits near the doors, or predators' unseen by humans nearby.

It was a 24/7, large store, the poor cashier was bored out of her mind, almost falling asleep from the air-conditioning.

Dove didn't like using a shopping cart, it doesn't go straight on its own unless you use your own strength to make it do so, it can make noise, and depending on the material, it's heavy to push. All these factors, she was too tired to consider and simply walked past them, not caring about not having a full plan to carry everything in her arms.

In this early hour, you don't expect to see many people, especially those you are familiar with, the stranger Dove nearly bumped into in the pet supplies isle was someone she definitely didn't know, but surprisingly, the lady knew her.

"Oh! The intern from the 4th floor!" The beautiful lady exclaimed, standing up straight and smoothing out her long black summer dress.

Dove was nearly baffled as thinking fast in the morning wasn't her forte, but she could still talk fine after a few seconds.

"Oh, umm, you're, the woman from the Magic Store?"

She smiled at the young woman and nodded, putting away some chew toys into her cart.

"Yes! I'm Lucia, and I've already familiar with you."

She shuffled in the spot she was standing, feeling awkward and guilty.

"Really? That's, so nice of you. I'm sorry, I never paid much attention to be familiar with you."

The beautiful lady simply chuckled.

"Don't be sorry, I'm not actually seen a lot, I'm Lucia, the mysterious lady that the customers usually meet in-between the isles. You probably assumed I was Liora, the one typically at the desk."

She was right, and that is what Dove assumed at first, since they honestly almost looked alike, what with their long hair.

"Well, either way, it's nice to finally say hello to you. I'm Dove, which you likely already knew.

Alright aside from remembering the moment I wanted to go outside and walk into the road, upon sifting through my few memories of the ladies- or at least- Liora, when I was passing through each morning for the past week, this lady was more of a dress person. Liora usually wore pants or long sleeves, things she can sit around and do arts and crafts in, and usually smells like paint. This lady didn't have any smell, but they do both have this incredible, long hair. Liora had long dark hair with a shine of blue. This lady had lighter, thinner looking hair. Actually, I would later notice that one side of her scalp is stylishly shaved.

Dove touched her own hair, measuring the length as she brushed her hand down to the tips.

"Do you have a pet? Why are you in this isle Dove?" Lucia asked.

"Oh, I just have some errands to run. Get a bunch of pet beds and toys."

Lucia ended up helping Dove without her permission, not like Dove could say anything because she missed a lot of good opportunities throughout her life each time she said no.

She liked the tranquil moment anyway. Someone noticed and willingly decided to give her a hand, Dove craved moments like this but tended to be shy at times. Some near stranger and her both having a quiet morning, deciding to help each other after some peaceful shopping.

Out in the parking lot, Dove didn't notice any other cars around, and turned around to Lucia, slightly confused, after closing the trunk to her car, the beds and toys stuffed inside. The scratching post however, what with its big size and being packaged in a box, she put into the passenger seat, buckling it in like it was a person.

I used to like doing that to the groceries when I was younger, a little whimsy that I thought was funny. My mom didn't think so, but my siblings were entertained."

"How did you get here without a car?"

The lady winked at her and chuckled, holding her own bag of bought items with both hands as she leaned in, whispering in the young woman's ear.

"I'm sure you're already familiar with magic, or so I've heard from Bence. You take a guess." She said before pulling her face back from her, stepping back slowly with a smirk as her body then started to fade.

Dove quickly looked around for any other people in the area before looking back on the woman, who faded away slowly like a fog rolling out of town, only seeing the silhouette of her hand waving at her.

".... I... don't even know enough about poltergeists or ghosts to take a guess?"

It was almost time to leave for work, so she brushed it off like she did most things she used to question and got in her car, driving back to the motel to give the items to the old couple, along with the receipt.

The couple were all hale and hearty each time she saw them, Joel coming out all bright eyes and sunshine as soon as Dove was just opening up her trunk.

"I brought the beds and stuff, let me pass these to you first." Dove said as she was carefully taking the cat beds out first, noticing Joel waving her off and going for the scratching post.

"Agh, a skinny thing like you should carry those, I need some exercise."

"But-" She interjected, gently trying to pass him the stacks of beds, vacuum sealed and easier to carry.

He took one, weighed it-and by that, I mean- lifted up and down in his hands a few times before putting it back on the stack in her hands.

"Sir- wait!-"

"Oh, don't go treating me like I'm all dust and bones! I used to lift oil tanks twice your weight." He told her as he took the big box with ease, despite it not having any good handles to grip onto.

It likely helped that he just had bigger arms than her.

"I'll show you where to put these, give the receipt to Annie and sit with her, she's in the kitchen."

"... Ok." Dove nodded her head, a little defeated but not lowering her head as she watched with a bit of pride, as Joel walked inside first. She watched his strong back, a feature that even underneath his layers of clothes, was visible and showed his strength even for his age, before quickly following behind him.

Past the lobby was an office, one with a filing cabinet likely filled with printed paper or sketch paper, or photos, and a computer to book the clients and do accounting work on supplies. Joel told me to cut open the vacuum-sealed beds so he could put one in each of the rooms, ten rooms wasn't a lot, and the other half of the negotiating part was me asking to put the beds up in the rooms on the second floor.... So, I ended up losing that negotiation, and he just kinda pushed me to the room where Annie was. I cringed at the noises the chew toys made in the plastic bag, and oh, it certainly got her attention.

"Ah, I timed my cooking just right! Score another point for me!" Annie lightly cheered for herself, which Dove grinned at.

They were inside a room that served as little kitchen of sorts for the place, for both staff and guests with permission. The old couple considered it healthier to let the tenants be able to cook some food, even at an inn, especially if they may be homesick.

It was so cottage core vibes, I thought Joel made me time travel into the kitchen of some beautiful winter cabin he and Annie probably went to. Walls that looked like they were made out of logs of wood, a stove that clearly has a modern electric heating inside but designed to look like an old-fashioned furnace with a stovetop. I mean, you can't fool anyone with the way the inside of the oven looked.

Annie quickly took the bag of chew toys from her, finding the receipt inside. She, was also quite strong, or perhaps Dove just had a lack of strength due to timidness, as the old woman shoved her into one of the little cute wooden seats of the dining table.

"Now, I made breakfast, and so help me if you run off to be a grown up again without eating, I'll watch you like a hawk until you eat everything."

"Yes, ma'am." Dove said defeatedly again, yet still couldn't really be upset by it, as she let some strands of hair fall out of her ponytail and cover the blushing of her face.

"Good, now I'm off to win a debate with my dear about where to place the scratching post, don't mind the noise." Annie smiled as she removed her stern hands from her hips, and left the public kitchen area, the smell of warmth and fresh fabric left where she stood.

She gave me a whole plate of steamed halibut! Did she want me to be late for work? I'll just eat quickly and then leave her a review on the napkin. Seeing as I live with them, I can't write too honestly, but if I just let them serve their dishes to the guests and they potentially hear mean comments from them, I'd feel guilty. Besides, more people could use fish.

Dove made it to work on time, she just almost choked from eating too fast. Should really start adding an extra hour needed for breakfast every morning.

I never usually ate in the mornings; it wasted time and I'm not hungry when I wake up, or during any part of the day. I ate with the three other interns yesterday because they invited me, and I wanted to hang out with them. I ate all of the halibut and left a note because Annie is testing her dishes, Joel may be too biased because he's her husband, and she may have different taste buds from others.

She drove to the building that surprisingly always had some parking spots that she could easily park in, almost seemed like not a lot of staff here used cars, or perhaps some didn't typically drive at all.

Passing through the magic store to get to the elevator, Dove waved hello to the nice lady at the front desk, Liora, while subconsciously looking around for the fog woman, Lucia.