New town

As I watched the countryside pass by from the car window, a heaviness settled in my chest. My father's recent passing left a void that seemed impossible to fill. My mother, always the strong one, decided it was best for us to start anew in a small town where she found a job. 

The town appeared charming at first glance, with quaint houses lining the streets and a peaceful aura hanging in the air. But beneath the surface, I sensed something off. The townspeople's furtive glances and whispered conversations as we passed by made me uneasy. It was as if they knew something about us that we didn't.

I turned to my mother, who was focused on navigating the unfamiliar roads. "Mom, do you feel that?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

She glanced at me, her expression unreadable. "Feel what, sweetheart?"

I hesitated, unsure how to articulate the unease gnawing at me. "It's just... everyone seems to be staring at us. Like they know something."

A flicker of concern crossed my mother's face before she masked it with a reassuring smile. "It's probably just because we're new in town. People are curious, that's all."

But I couldn't shake the feeling of being scrutinized, as if the entire town was sizing us up. I turned my gaze back to the passing scenery, trying to push aside my unease.

Eventually, we arrived at our new home—a cozy cottage nestled among tall trees. The sight of it brought a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness of grief. Maybe, just maybe, we could find solace here.

As we unpacked our belongings, I couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy settle over me. Each item held memories of my father, a painful reminder of his absence. But I pushed through the ache, determined to make this new chapter of our lives a positive one.

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the town in a warm glow, my mother suggested we take a walk to explore our new surroundings. Eager for a distraction, I agreed, slipping on my jacket before heading out the door.

The streets were quiet, the only sounds the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. We passed by a few locals, who nodded politely as we walked by, but I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

Suddenly, a wolf's howl pierced the night air, sending a shiver down my spine. I glanced at my mother, expecting to see fear mirrored in her eyes, but instead, she seemed unfazed.

"Is that... normal?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

My mother's lips curved into a small smile. "In these parts, it is."

But her answer only fueled my growing unease. What kind of town did we move to, where wolves roamed freely and people seemed to know more than they let on?

As we continued our walk, I couldn't shake the feeling that we had stepped into a world far stranger than I could have ever imagined. And little did I know, this small town held secrets that would soon turn my world upside down.

"Clara!" my mom called to me and added. "why don't you continue without me? I have somethings I have to do." 

"ok!" I replied as my mom left. Just then I sighted a nice coffee shop from across the road and I decided to get some coffee. 

As I entered the cozy coffee shop, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped me, comforting me like a warm embrace. I found a table near the window and settled into the plush chair, eager to take a moment of respite from the whirlwind of moving to a new town.

But as I waited, no waiter came to take my order. Instead, I noticed the waitresses whispering to each other, their eyes darting in my direction. Unease prickled at the back of my neck as I tried to ignore their stares.

Just as I was about to get up and leave, a girl about my age approached my table, a hesitant smile on her lips. "Hi there, sorry for the wait," she said, her voice tinged with nervousness. "I'll be your server today. What can I get for you?"

Relief flooded through me as I returned her smile. "Just a black coffee, please," I replied, trying to mask my own uncertainty.

As she scurried off to fetch my order, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Why had everyone been avoiding me? And why did the waitresses seem so reluctant to serve me?

When the girl—whom I later learned was named Lara—returned with my coffee, I decided to seize the opportunity to address the elephant in the room. "Hey, Lara," I began, trying to keep my tone light despite the unease gnawing at me. "I couldn't help but notice that everyone seems to be avoiding me. Is there something I should know?"

Lara's cheeks flushed slightly, her gaze flickering with discomfort. "Oh, it's nothing, really," she replied, her voice faltering. "Just... you know, small towns can be a bit... insular."

I furrowed my brow, sensing there was more to her explanation than she was letting on. "Insular, huh? That's one way to put it."

Lara let out a nervous laugh, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah, sorry about that. It's just that, well, you're the first new face we've seen around here in a long time."

I blinked in surprise. "Really? But why?"

Lara hesitated for a moment before replying, her expression guarded. "Well, it's not every day we get a transfer student, especially not in our small town. Everyone's been talking about you, you know. It's like you're... special."

Special. The word hung in the air, leaving me feeling both intrigued and apprehensive. What was it about me that made me stand out so much?

But before I could dwell on it further, Lara continued, her voice tinged with genuine warmth. "Anyway, don't worry about it too much. You'll fit right in, I'm sure. And besides, you've got me to show you the ropes."

I managed a weak smile, grateful for her attempt to ease my concerns. "Thanks, Lara. I appreciate it."

As we chatted, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this town—and its residents—than met the eye. But for now, I pushed aside my doubts, focusing instead on the warmth of the coffee cup in my hands and the friendly face across from me. Only time would tell what secrets this town held.

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