Valen is not your typical small outskirt town. Granted, my arrival, like any other close-knit community, is noticed immediately and the not so subtle looks, comments and glares were to be expected. You would think people would be a bit less...rude about it. When it’s a small town - village more like it - I guess everyone will know anyway so what’s the point of them hiding their curiosity. I see their logic, but I still don’t like it.

Walking into this quaint town, and passing the thick forest barrier that secluded it from the outside world; you can almost see the insecurity and apprehension mingle in their limited air space. What seems to be miles of tall redwoods as far as the eye can see is the natural barrier enshrouding the town and suddenly a clearing leading you down a lane towards the inhabitants of this area. The other side of the village is met by equally austere yet breathtaking landscapes: East yields high, sharp cliffs formed by the rough breaks constant pummeling against the hard Conglomerate, forming jagged tooth-like structures; A rapid river lays north wrapping around the cliffside and spilling into the open ocean where the rip tides can pull you beyond the horizon faster than help can arrive. South with its sparse forest and various caverns and tunnels that can open up beneath your step, suddenly and dangerous jutting layers of rocks eager to meet you on your descent. All around dangerous terrain.

After an hour of exploring and surveying the area, I head back to the village and everything is at a stand still yet again upon my arrival. I can’t help but look over my shoulder and find more nosey bystanders not too far speaking about me as though I’m not there! Really, people? You could have some decorum and wait until I’m gone or at least out of earshot.

Not letting their actions affect me, I hold my head up high and throw my shoulders back, straighten my spine and look pointedly and those that are the loudest. Why should I care what they think?! Luckily, one look shuts them up only long enough for me to get out of range. That’ll teach them!

“Damn. I need a beer.”

Once the majority of the crowd thins, I see a pub at the edge of this seemingly-stuck-in-time-old village of cobblestone roads and crude brick and stone buildings. I pushed open the creaky, heavy oak door and looked into the dank dreary bar and watched as those that look my way cringes from the outside light like creatures of the night. I don’t blame ‘em. I would cringe from outside of the bar too, if I lived here for so long and hole myself in this joint just to keep everyone else out. These men seemed like they’ve seen better days in their life and can now only relive the glory days at the bottom of their glasses. They give me a glance as I’m sure they hardly ever see a young woman come into the bar but once they’ve had their fill they went back to their amber liquid dreams.

“One ale.”

The old, burly bartender eyed my up and down before he briskly reached for a large glazed mug and hobbled to the large oak kegs. He then brought it back towards me but before handing it to me, asked, “You sure you should be drinking this?” he asked more as a command than a question.

“I probably shouldn’t, but how else am I supposed to face them out there?” I said squarely, pointing behind me.

The barkeep cracked a smile and I heard a few chuckles around the house before he slid my drink to me. I raised the ale up in thanks and took a long swing enjoying the cool, refreshing liquid quench a thirst I wasn’t away I really had. Granted, it’s been a long day so far and I’ve only spent about 2 hours in the village, but it was enough to work up a thirst or at least crave something that can erase my dealings with the locals thus far. The ale instantly cooled my insides and I already felt a lot more relaxed compared to when I first walked in. I polished off the rest of the ale in no time and set down the mug with a dull thud.

“Where can I find a motel or a place to stay?”

“Yonder, down the street, on the right side. Burrow’s Inn.”

Picking up my backpack, I head on out but when I reached the door, I head the barkeep call out, “Hey, girl...”

I turn back to him and watch as he didn’t look up from his task of wiping his mugs.

“Don’t wander around after the sun goes down.” He looks up from his task, his face set in a serious expression. “Villagers have gone missing as of late. Girls. Be careful.”

Not really know what to say after a comment like that, I tip my head at him accepting his advice and said, “Thanks.”

Well, that was odd. Not quite the way to greet a traveler but I guess I should be grateful for the heads up yet it’s still rather...odd.

It was hard to miss the in with a moniker of a burrow’s hind quarters facing you and a side view of it’s head looking back at you almost in a lackadaisical manner. I couldn’t help but smile upon looking at that and pushed the door into the inn. I heard a bell ring from the doorway but when I looked immediately to my left I shrieked as I was greeted by a donkey that proceeded to greet me with a loudly at me and slammed the door in fright!

“Holy-!” I startle at the sound

“Sal!” The shop keep admonishes the mule, “quiet down!”

I looked up the staircase on the right and saw an older gentleman slowly make his way towards “Sal” and pet the donkey to which the donkey nudged back and accepted the greeting.

“She don’t bite...hard. You can pet her if you like.”

Not wanting to offend, I reached out a hand and pet Sal as if I were petting a dog, and in all honesty it was like being around a really huge dog.

“Why do you have your donkey inside?” I asked curious by his choice of greeters at his door.

“My hearing’s gone bad, so on the rare occasion that I get a new customer, I can usually tell when they’ve met Sal as she doesn’t bray with people she’s met before.”

“What if they are just your neighbors just coming by to say ‘hi’ or something?”

“Oh, everyone in the village knows about my hearing so they know just to yell, ‘Jed’ up the stairs.”

“Fair enough.”

“So what brings a young lady like you over to this neck of the woods?”

“Just traveling by. I was wondering if you have a room available for a few day?”

“Sure do. I gots me one bed just through that door.” The Innkeeper said pointing behind and towards the right.”

Hmm. I’d technically be sleeping next to the burrow...

“Sold!”

“Go ahead and make yourself at home. If you need me, just holler!”

I watched as Jed slowly made his way upstairs, the floorboards beneath him groaning with each step. Once he was out of sight, I turned to Sal and the donkey just stared at me curiously, flicking flies off with its tail, and shook her head almost in an I-don’t-know-fashion.

“...I don’t know what I was thinking, either...”

I gave Sal one last pat on the head before pushing my door open and plopping myself on my stale musty bed for a snooze. It’s been quite the journey and I’ve only been here less than a day!