Chapter 2

My legs tread along a long dirt path rounding a large hill and I take short breaks to catch my breath. I had no idea how out of shape I was until I decided to come out to the countryside. If I had known I needed to walk everywhere, I'd have talked myself into staying in the city.

I grow closer to the peak of the hill and rest against a dilapidated sign. A soft breeze passes through the valley causing the weeds beneath me to sway and tickle my calves. I catch my breath and step out of the tall plants and face the ruined sign. The paint has corroded away from weather and age. This has to be the sign to my grandfather's farm. Starlight Farm was what this place used to be called.

I step around the sign and up an even smaller dirt path to find what was left of my grandfather's farm. The house still stands but half the roof is missing, the beams supporting the porch are slanted, the windows broken or boarded up, and the wooden planks are either missing or peeling off the side of the house. The barn and coop aren't anything better. The grass has overgrown across the entire yard and taken over where I remember the fields used to be.

"Cain wasn't kidding when he said this place a dump," I mumble. Suddenly the realization of the task I've taken on hits me. Was moving out of the city for this really worth it? How could I afford to fix all of this by myself? There was no way I could repair the house, coop, and barn as well as remove all the weeds alone. I hardly had enough money for a hotel room let alone rebuild a house.

Unable to look at this place any longer, I turn back around and continue down the path. My mind fills with ways of getting back home. This was too much for me. I was out of my mind if I thought I could do this.

I somehow managed to enter the main town and book a room for the night. I decide to wander the town while I'm here. Pastel buildings line the main walkways, each holding a uniquely decorated sign. I finish the main part of town and climb a stretch of stairs up to a large plaza that houses a tall chapel. The first thing I notice as I reach the area is how beautiful the sunset is over the ocean. I lean against the railing and gaze out at the sherbet colored sky.

"You don't see a sunset like this in the city. I just wish I could stay to see it every day," I say. I rest my chin on my arms and sigh. "My grandpa's farm is a lost cause."

A cough startles me and I lift my head to see a young man backing away from the railing and glaring at me. "I didn't know someone else was here," I say.

"I was just enjoying the quiet until it was interrupted when someone decided to come up here and complain about their pathetic life," he says. I blink at his rude words and find myself speechless of a response. I stare at him blankly. His light hair is a soft pink in the sunlight and silver pins hold his bangs off to the side and out of his face. A dark apron wraps around his neck protecting a white, long sleeved shirt.

He ends up walking away and I suddenly snap out of my trance. What a rude thing to say. Was this town full of rude people? That was the second person I've met today who's given me attitude.

Disgruntled from all the events today, I wind up at a dark blue building labeled "Blue Brass Bar" and step inside. I slide into a stool at the front counter and order a cherry cocktail. A perky blonde sets down my drink and I suck it down in one gulp and ask for another.

"Tough day, hun?" the blonde says while mixing the ingredients. She refills my glass and slides it over to me.

"You have no idea," I say and take a swig of my drink. A customer calls her over and I'm left alone sipping at my drink. She returns and offers me another drink. "It's on the house," she says with a wink.

"Thanks, I appreciate it," I say and gulp it down.

"Ya know, we may have just met but I'm willing to lend an ear if you want to vent. You look like you could let out some steam," she says.

I wasn't sure if it was the alcohol in my system or the urge to make a friend that led me to spilling everything to this girl. She laughs at my story about the boy in the woods and is shocked when I tell her I'm the granddaughter of the old man who owned the ruined farm. When I told her I planned on returning to the city and giving up on farm life she insisted I stayed.

"We haven't had a new face here in a long time. Not to mention everyone here would love to see that old farm up and runnin' again. Not to mention my daddy. He's always saying your old man's hops were the best for ale. Nothing ever compared to them. Plus you seem like a great gal and could use a friend. I'm Kathy by the way," she says grabbing my hand and shaking it.

I can't help but smile at her bubbly personality. "I'm Akari," I reply.

"Well, Akari, you got a place to stay tonight?" Kathy asks while leaning against the counter.

"I managed to get a room at the Ocarina Inn tonight. It's all I could afford," I say quietly.

Kathy looks as though she's going to say something when a customer calls for her again. She holds up her finger for me to wait but I feel like I'm only bothering her with my problems. I slide out of my seat and leave a nice tip under my glass and sneak out of the bar.

I make my way back to the inn and into my room. I collapse onto the bed, the alcohol causing my body to grow tired. My eyes slowly start to close and I let myself lose consciousness and today's events disappear.