By noon we could see the wooden gate in the distance, and I was glad to see it, for the road had worn me out. It was exhausting to walk for a day in the heat, to spend the night in the woods, and to walk again without rest.
Behind the gate there were different houses, but mostly also wooden, with the occasional stone house. Along the road there were old plank sidewalks. Almost everything here was wooden.
This town was located in a tsunami hazard zone. During earthquakes, a huge wave came from the sea.
We came to the market. There were vendors selling things in the rows. The many smells began to make me dizzy. Unwashed bodies, different spices, fresh fish from the coast that had been delivered the day before yesterday, pork offal and cheap wine all combined to create something sticky and unpleasant. Oh, no, I didnt like those places. We struggled to find where they sold herbs, teas, and bought what my grandmother instructed.
Ty haggled, picking and choosing. I didnt know how to do that at all, I could only take the first thing I could find, Id never haggled before.
Ill wait for you at the exit, I told Ty. I never liked pushing in crowds, so I tried to get out where there was more air. I made my way through the crowd and waited. Ty soon appeared with a puppy in his arms. the little white fluffy dog looked trusting.
Where did you get him? I asked.
Yes, some bad, very angry man sold. I felt sorry for him.
How cute! Come with me.
We walked through the town, the dog sat mostly in Tys arms. Fluffy little lump. We gave our new friend something to eat, the pooch loved the scones from Tys bag. On the way home we walked along the shore, looking at the surf. When we went through the forest, Ty was suddenly alert.
What are you doing? I asked softly.
Shh! Ty pressed his finger to his lips and tugged my hand gently, and we hid behind a large bush. After a while, two guys in long light-colored shirts with red embroidery on the chest and black belts walked by.
Who are they? Why are we hiding? I whispered in Tys ear.
Lets just say were not friends, he looked at the boys with distaste, but without fear.
Thats no reason to hide, is it? I wondered.
I dont want you and the dog to get hurt. By the way, what shall we call our friend? Ty was gazing fondly at the baby.
Barking, I answered.
Barking, I answered. Why?
I like it. Do you like it?
Yeah, me, too, Tys lips stretched into a smile.
We couldnt avoid meeting Tys enemies. After a while, they came towards us from behind tall trees, probably camping there.
Ty warned me to stay behind him and not talk to any of the guys coming toward us. I wasnt very sociable with strangers, so I didnt need to be warned.
The strangers were trying to provoke Ty with rude words, pushing him into a fight.
Hey, Ty, dont you want to talk? said one.
He doesnt have the guts, his comrade replied.
And I stood up for Ty before he could answer.
We didnt touch you, go about your business, I said, looking at them defiantly and pulling my head into my shoulders as if I wanted to hide from their gaze.
One of them stared at me.
Whos that with you? The tall blond guy hissed angrily, turning to Ty.
The cocky guy looked me over from head to toe. The sight of him sent shivers down my spine. He had a nice face, and he was good-looking, but there was something slippery about him, and I could tell he was a big fan of women, and people usually liked handsome men like that, but not me. Sometimes there was something predatory about him, and he looked like the fire that attracts moths.
None of your business. Come on, Lisa, Ty took my hand, and we walked without looking back.
Ty, who are they? I asked when we were far enough away.
Glens. Actually, theyre Calshire. And the blond one is Glen, the son of the chief, or rather one of the sons, the eldest. His father is the chief of their village.
It was a long walk. The sun burned mercilessly. Clothes were soaked, trickles of sweat rolled down the back, temples, neck. At least it wasnt raining, it was not very pleasant to walk on wet grass in wet clothes.
We spent the night in the woods near a stream, we often met them here. We ate by ourselves, fed the dog and talked.
***
Granny was excited about the shopping.
We were glad to finally be in the cabin by the creek. We ate quickly and ran to the lake for a swim.
Ty, catch up! I shouted cheerfully.
He ran after me, pretending to tell me that this was no way to treat a tired man.
So am I, weve been together this whole time! I did not stay in debt, But now how great would be!
The cool water was pleasantly cooling my skin. We washed off sticky sweat. We swam and dived.
Freshened up and came ashore. Skin was instantly covered with goosebumps. Hurriedly pulled on a clean T-shirt and jeans that I had brought with me. The skirt and blouse needed washing.
Ty, lets do the laundry, I suggested.
What am I going back in? he looked at me in surprise.
I brought you a clean shirt and pants, too. Grandma gave them to me.
We did a good wash and rinse of our dusty clothes. Ty was good at laundry. Then we sat for a long time in the thick shade of the trees until the heat of the day was gone.
From Ty I learned the history of his village.
Years ago it was a small town. Several mines were operating in the vicinity, and in those days people rode down the main street in horse-drawn baby carriages. It was a long time ago that the mines were exhausted. The main street was overgrown with grass. Most of the houses were ruined, rotten, and the forest came very close to them. Now houses were built next to the forest, where the outskirts of the town used to be. The village was sinking further and further into the forest. And so it turned out that it was now located behind the old ruined city.
The sun was already setting, and we went to my grandmothers cottage. She was waiting for us with freshly brewed tea and sorrel and strawberry tarts.
Soon, at my request, we went to the old town. There wasnt much to do anyway, at least I could see the area where I found myself.
The scene before us was depressing. There was an unpleasant smell of neglect and decay in the air. Next to one of the dilapidated buildings stood a cracked old wooden table. Vines overlaid its legs. There was a crumbling cement pile beside it, and the platform itself was cracked and overgrown with grass through the many gaps. The empty windows against the background of old half-destroyed walls looked eerily. It was a sad sight.
Chapter 6. Kidnapping
Three versts away from the lodge on a bend of the river there is another lake, deeper and larger. On one sunny, warm day I went there. As I approached the shore, a slightly cool breeze began to caress the skin of my naked, heated hands, and the green leaves of the willows murmured softly somewhere in the height. I desperately wanted to dive into the lake, to feel the refreshing coolness. Pulling off my T-shirt and jeans, I walked down to the bottom, where there were fewer trees. When the locals couldnt see me, I wore my own clothes; I was more comfortable in jeans than in a long skirt.
A marvelous view appeared before my eyes. The blue of the water in the distance and the clarity of the water in front of me reflected the white clouds floating in the sky, which looked like cotton candy. My mouth filled with saliva. Slowly, enjoying the shallow, warm water, I stepped into the beautiful lake. Green low shrubs and tall willows grew on all sides of the shore. The farther I went, the colder and darker the water became. The white lilies that came my way gave off a subtle scent. I swam and swam and dived until I felt cold. The thick trunks of trees and small bushes near the water hid me from uninvited glances, though there was no one to see in this quiet, deserted place. I got out, dried off a little, and pulled on my clothes.