Harper

The village felt like I had stepped into and open world RPG. The scent of freshly baked bread wrapped around me, mingling with the floral perfume of blossoms spilling from window boxes. The warmth of the setting sun cast long, golden streaks across the worn stones, making everything feel eerily picturesque.

I should’ve been admiring the beauty of it, but my thoughts were a tangled mess. My mind was still racing from the events that had led me here, thinking through the possibilities of what could happen next. I needed a moment to breathe, to think, to figure out what my next steps should be before paranoia consumed me completely.

A wooden sign creaked in the light evening breeze, drawing my gaze. “Old Lantern Inn.” I paused, watching as the sign swayed, almost beckoning me inside. Maybe I could find information here, something useful. At the very least, I could get a drink to take the edge off my fraying nerves.

I pushed open the heavy wooden door, and the warmth of flickering candlelight greeted me. The smell of aged wood, fire-roasted meat, and spiced ale filled the air. Low conversation hummed around the room, some voices lilting with laughter, others steeped in quiet murmurs. The inn’s interior was a hodgepodge of mismatched tables and chairs. It gave off a very cozy vibe. A large stone fireplace crackled in the corner, radiating a heat that I hadn’t realized I desperately needed.

Carefully, I surveyed the room. A mix of patrons dotted the space, some lost in their own drinks, others deep in animated discussions. A few met my gaze before quickly looking away, and I couldn’t tell if their expressions were ones of curiosity, recognition, or something else. As I moved toward a small table in the corner, my heart thudded. I recognized a few of the faces. People I had passed when entering the village earlier with Teeny. I’m sure I looked out of place, I’m just glad I was at least clothed.

I set my sack down with a sigh, the weight on my shoulders feeling marginally lighter. But as I sat, a prickling sensation crawled up my spine. I was being watched.

The barkeep approached with a broad, easy smile. “Welcome, traveler! What can I get for you? Food or drink?”

I hesitated. “What do you have?”

He laughed, a deep, genuine sound. “Nobody ever asks! We’ve got stout ale and a thick, hearty stew tonight. Good for the road-weary.”

A genuine meal sounded like a luxury. I smiled slightly. “I’ll have that, then.”

The barkeep nodded, disappearing behind the counter. I removed the coins from the pocket of my dress and stared at them. I have never seen this currency before. I have no idea if what I have will cover the food I just ordered. What do they even call their money here?

My mind drifted back to the fact that this is a part of the simulation. It would be great if I had some sort of game menu. See an information screen or inventory. I lift my fingers and press towards an imaginary screen, hopeful that something like that would appear. Nothing happened. I let out a sigh and tried to think of what else I could do, but the whispering at a nearby table made it impossible. My gaze flicked toward the group of men huddled together, their eyes darting toward me before quickly turning back to each other. Their hushed voices and furtive gestures made the hairs on the back of my neck rise.

Trouble. I could feel it.

The barkeep returned, setting a frothy mug of ale in front of me. I wrapped my fingers around the handle and brought it to my lips, wincing slightly at the bitter aftertaste. I wasn’t much of a beer drinker, but right now, anything that could calm my nerves was welcome.

Then, just as I’d feared, one of the men shot to his feet. His chair scraped harshly against the floorboards as he pointed a trembling finger at me.

“She must be a witch! You all saw the lights!” His voice boomed through the inn, cutting through the warm atmosphere like a knife.

A ripple of unease spread across the room. Another man stood beside him, his eyes wide with alarm. “Who knows what kind of curse she’s put on our town?”

My breath hitched. My pulse roared in my ears.

“Why on Earth would you say that? I am none of those things!” I shot to my feet, fists clenching. “I’m simply lost!”

“Lies!” Another voice joined the frenzy. “She’s a witch!”

The men lunged toward me, their hands outstretched as if they meant to seize me right then and there. My body went rigid, my mind trying to calculate the odds of making it to the door before they overpowered me.

But before I could act, a new voice rang out.

“Gentlemen, please! Unhand her!”

A man stepped forward, his posture calm yet authoritative. His eyes flicked to mine, steady, assessing.

The first accuser scoffed. “Why should we let this witch go?”

The stranger didn’t flinch. “Because she’s not a witch,” he said smoothly. “She’s my sister.”

I blinked. What? Sister? Who is this man? The man turned toward me, his eyes locked with mine, almost to say, to play along.

“She’s been traveling with me to see a relative who is unwell in Belham. I left her at camp thinking she would stay. But she is…” He hesitated, then sighed with a bemused shake of his head. “A bit confused.”

I bit back a scoff. Confused? Really? I shook my head and bit back my urge to respond. The first man narrowed his eyes, clearly skeptical, but after a tense pause, he grunted and backed down.

The stranger extended a hand to me. “Come along, sister.”

Every instinct in me screamed to run, to question this man’s intentions. But the eyes still watching me, the ones filled with distrust and malice, made the decision for me. I didn’t have a choice. Swallowing my pride, I placed my hand in his. The inn’s murmurs followed us as we stepped into the cool night air, the heavy door creaking shut behind us.

The moment we were clear of listening ears, I yanked my hand away and turned to him. “Who the hell are you?”

The man smirked, his eyes glinting in the dim lantern light. “You’re welcome.”

I crossed my arms, my heart still pounding. “Why would tell them that I am your dumb sister?”

“Would you have preferred ‘witch’?” he countered easily.

I exhaled sharply. Maybe this person is meant to be my guide or companion. I mean the story line seems like hey ripped off a tale of a street rat and a beautiful princess. Oh, maybe I am the princess in this story.

The man clapped. Waking up from my unstoppable train of thoughts.

“We should probably make some distance from here.” He says look back at the door to the inn.

I’ve always been hesitant to trust others, but for some reason I feel like this is my only option right now, to stick with this man, but that didn’t mean I trusted him.

I gave a small nod, he grabbed my hand then led me away from the inn.