The streets of Everbrook felt different now. The record store's warmth still sat within my soul, like a parasite unwilling to leave its owner, lingering inside of me until every waking second. I could hear my footsteps echo as I stepped forward. The town felt too quiet now, too still.
I don't know why I'm constantly on the run or why I can't escape my own emotions. All I know is to pull the trigger when the moment strikes and let the past rot, something time can't change. An emotional baggage that I leave intertwined within myself, like a ship with no anchor. A sinking idea of empty promises. I walked toward the bus stop, feeling troubled. My emotions were all over the place, and I wondered if I was meant to stay.
Red stripes of anger, blue stripes of sadness, anxiety through the roof. I shouted into the distance but heard no reply, like a maniac waiting to be heard again, as if I was ever heard to begin with. I stopped and kept my breathing in check, old memories passing through my mind like a sad song at the end of a movie. You might as well roll the credits. I can't help my mind anymore.
I heard the memories of the trauma I'd felt, the cries for help, the anguish, and the twists that always turned. Something I couldn't stop nor control. Funny, I can control emotional impact and see others' emotions but can't help my own. What an emotional wreck. I should've stayed in that record store; that was where home was, even if home was a thirty-minute stay in a place unfamiliar.
I sat on the bench, looking lost as if I'd lost a long-time friend. That was until I felt a sense of emotion nearby, a sense of confusion, as if this person was concerned. And how right I was. A nearby townsperson appeared and sat on the bench beside me.
"I could feel your sense of worry from across the town!" Amelia said, her voice laced with genuine concern.
"Well, your senses didn't fail you this time," I said, my eyes scanning the streets, avoiding hers. "Maybe they were right."
Her smile flickered, a hint of understanding in her eyes. "You're not really from around here, are you? My name's Amelia, by the way!" She said, her voice softer now, tinged with curiosity. "It's okay to let the walls down a little. No one's going to bite."
"Clara," I replied, my gaze still shifting. "But it doesn't matter. I'll be gone when the bus arrives at 12 PM." I checked my phone, the time flashing back at me.
"Why leave so soon?" she asked, her tone playful but with an edge of genuine curiosity. "You came all this way. Just going to leave us high and dry?"
I quickly pulled my hand away when she reached for it. "Too soon. But hey, we can reminisce about this another time," I said, hoping my sarcasm would put distance between us.
Amelia's smile didn't fade, but there was a thoughtful pause before she spoke again. "If that's what you want. But try and stay a bit, okay? You just got here. There's plenty more to explore."
With that, she stood up and walked away, leaving me to stew in the growing silence. Maybe that's where I'm supposed to be. Left to dwindle in my emotions for all eternity. But maybe she was right, did I really just get here? It's so easy to dismiss something that feels too good to be true. It's like I've forgotten how to trust myself... and maybe everyone else too.
I headed back into the heart of Everbrook, trying to avoid the record store, even if just for a little while. It had left an impact on my emotions, and it was the first store in town I'd stopped by. Maybe I've grown too sensitive to things that seem too good to be true. My past home was the same way, a big blur with good energy. But I had my reasons, and now I still feel those reasons.
I steadily walked up to the Blackheart Bar, such a catchy name for a bar. This seemed to be the place the townspeople went to unwind and settle in. Even if it weren't alcohol related. They talked to each other so nicely, and it seemed the bartender wasn't so bad either. I felt nothing but good emotions in this place, the threads in each person intertwined perfectly. Like genuine fluidity, not something you always catch onto.
I felt the calm atmosphere around me, the sound of glass chatter and the R&B music that I wasn't into, but it sure swayed me into the right direction. The old-time stools, with the arcades to complete it. The booths seemed like something you'd set your eyes on in the '80s. The perfect sense of nostalgia. I got a seat at one of the front stools and talked to the bar owner. He had just finished shining off a glass and was all up in arms to come over to me.
"You seem new here! How are you doing this afternoon?" His smile was wide, but there was something else in his eyes, something that made me wonder if he'd seen people like me before. Was he just being kind for kindness' sake, or was there something more to his welcome? Maybe I was reading too much into it. I wasn't used to this kind of easy warmth.
"I am new. I'm glad you noticed that. I'm sure you knew it already, though," I said with a curious tone.
"Oh, of course. Just striking up a little conversation! What can I get you, Ms... What's your name?" He said in a questioning manner.
"My name? Oh, it's Clara. Sorry, that slipped my mind! I'd like a shot of whiskey, please." I said as he tended to it immediately after, a very fast-with-his-hands type of guy.
"Well, I'm glad to meet you, Clara. I'm sure you'll meet many kind-hearted folks around here. What brings you to Everbrook?" He asked while he poured the glass of whiskey and placed it gently on the table.
"I was just visiting, but I was hoping for a new home, a new place to stay. To belong somewhere, to simply put it." I said, the overwhelming burden on my shoulders making it hard to hide. I hoped he wouldn't sense that, though.
"I see, I see. Well, I'm sure you'll find that hope here in this town. It's very history-driven, and it's been through many changes." He expressed thoroughly.
"I know too well about many changes, something we already relate on." I said with a slight awkward laugh as I took the shot.
"I'd hope those changes were for the better, just like this town. Just let me know if you need anything more." He said as he patted my shoulder before moving on to another townsperson. I felt the sense of inclusion in his words. I felt threads of happiness for a brief moment as we talked, something I'd been unfamiliar with and couldn't unlock for quite a while now.
I slowly got to my feet and saw things in a new way, even if just for a brief moment. It felt nice to feel comforted by someone you barely knew, someone who didn't even know you. It's the small things that could make my day sometimes. With so many emotions to look after, and for my own, it was a sense of letting go for that moment and pursuing a lighthearted conversation that let the mind wander and dwell in the moment. I walked around to explore a little more about this place, including the many little things to wrap my head around. To gain a sense of familiarity. I assured myself things were getting a little better, even if I didn't feel up to that challenge just yet. The people who genuinely enjoy this place put me in awe of the brighter side of things.
Then I saw Amelia again, but this time she didn't look as happy when she glimpsed me. She quickly put on a bright smile and started to greet the townspeople. I felt a sharp emotion from her, something unexplained. Then her emotion shifted quickly to that of a kind-hearted townsperson. Was this just me, or was it her? I couldn't tell for a second. But as I got closer, I could feel the winds shift, and everything seemed to stop. She wasn't grinning from cheek to cheek anymore. It seemed, at least to me, like there was more to explore.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kxNxMIfbK
