Abby


    I sink into the warm, fragrant bath, the spa items Karl left for me creating a soothing oasis in the spacious bathroom.


    As | rx into the water, | let out a contented sigh. It’s been a while since I''ve had a moment like this, away from the constant


    buzz of the city. Already, my body feels more at ease. All | can hear through the open window are the sounds of the countryside;


    no sirens, no people, nothing. Just birds and the breeze.


    For a moment, it feels just like it did all those years ago. | used to spend hours in this bathroom, soaking in the w foot tub,


    reading and doing skincare. It was how | coped with my stress, most of which came from our marriage.


    But | won''t think about that right now.


    With the murder mystery book propped up on a small stand nearby, | lose myself in its pages, the tension of the storyline pulling


    me in. It’s a wee escape from the chaos of the past week, and before | know it I’m not thinking about anything else at all.


    Time seems to slip away as | read, the warm water and calming scents of thevender and lc bath salts lulling me into a state


    of tranquility. Eventually, | emerge from the bath, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.


    | wrap myself in a plush robe and make my way back to the bedroom. | dig through my bag in search of an outfit, but quickly


    realize that everything I’ve packed is loungewear. | guess, in my frenzied state this morning, | wasn’t thinking clearly.


    With a sigh, | head over to the closet where some of my old clothes still reside. | find a zippered case on the floor with some old


    clothes and grab afortable dress and a sweater since it’s chilly out. It still suits me, but not as much as it used to.


    “Maybe I''ll do some shopping,” | mutter to myself as | turn back and forth in the mirror, looking at how the modest dress falls on


    my frame.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Deciding to venture outside for a change of scenery, | make my way downstairs and through the grand foyer. The mansion is


    vast, and it takes me a moment to remember my way around. It’s quiet, and | can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia as | explore


    the familiar hallways.


    As | reach the front door, | pause to check my reflection in a nearby mirror, adjusting my blue surgical mask to make sure that it''s


    securely in ce.


    It''s ufortable, but necessary in the city right now. For a moment, | almost consider not wearing it; | don’t want to be too


    confident that I’m safe here, though, so | decide to keep it on just in case.


    With a sense of determination, | open the door and step outside. The scent of pine trees and earth fills my nostrils, and with a


    deep breath, | adjust my purse on my shoulder and begin my walk to town.


    As | walk into town, I’m met with the quaint storefronts and vibrant scenery that | almost forgot about. Nothing has changed,


    really. The main market street is lined with cute shops, restaurants, and cafes.


    There are some new shops that | don’t recognize, and there are more people now than there used to be, but | like it. Bringing


    more tourism and residents to the pack was always one of Kar!’s priorities, and after all these years, it finally seems to be paying


    off.


    My first stop is a local coffee shop, where the scent of freshly brewed coffee draws me in. | step inside and ce my order, and


    the barista doesn’t bat an eye at my presence. The mask must be working, even in this small down.