CHAPTER TWO : MOVING

Looking around my old fairly moderate sized apartment, l was overwhelmed with peace. Most people would feel some sort of emotion, mostly sadness, to saying goodbye to a home that has housed them for the past ground breaking three years of their lives. But not l, quite on the contray l felt overjoyed and at peace as l thought of the new journey l am about to embark on. 

The butterflied wallpapered walls of my living room stared at me with sadness in their eyes as they marveled at the emptiness of the once was living room. The walls that provided comfort on emotionally scarring days, that cried with me whenever we watched emotion producing movies, the walls that recorded with their pitiful stare the cringe worthy dances of the one man performances l had. 

Looking to the corner of the living room, the door to what was once my dream catcher opened wide revealing the small balcony that overlooked the busy streets of Parli. Decorated with different flower pots, ranging from daffodils to sunflowers, a perfect reminder of my favourite season, spring. My sanctuary of peace, well as much peace as one could get with cars driving by at all hours of the day and night. The best part of the balcony was that it allowed me to watch my first ever meteor shower and wish upon more than a dozen stars.

A knock sounding from the main door broke me from my little walk down memory lane.

"Ma'am, the car is loaded up. We can take our leave" one of the men who were transporting my belongings and l to our new home,whose name l missed spoke. 

"l will be right out" l said taking one last look around my what was about to become my former life. Making my way to my car, l drove out of the parking lot to the front of the apartment building and signalled for the movers to follow me.

As l was about to embark on a eight hour drive to the unknown. 

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With two more hours left to spare, l decided to make a pit stop at the gas station before my bladder decided to rebel against me and relieve itself of the six hour worth of stored up pee l enthusiastically ignored because l wanted to make it to my new home on time.

The gas station was deserted with just one petrol attendant working. Making my way into the convinient store, the sign leading to the bathrooms was on my far right and l didn't hesitate for a second before making my way there. It looked as the gas station looked on the outside, dirty. There were spider webs on the walls and the toilet didn't flush revealing unflushed junk. Using the basin as a toilet, l sanitised my hands and made my to the food Isles. I began the search for hunger satisfying snacks because hunger was gnawing itself out of my belly. The store had very little to nothing so l settled on a packet of crisps and aloe juice. The man attending the cash register looked bored out of his mind and didn't even bother faking a smile as he attended to my purchase. 

Just as he was about say what my total is, a little girl with pigtails tied in two glittery pink ribbons skipped into the store from a door inside the store. She couldn't have been older than six.

"Daddy, mommy says the Alpha is on his way" she spoke in a soft angelic voice.

"Tell her l will be right with her. I'm just finishing up with this customer" said the man with a small smile playing on his lips.

As if only noticing my presence, the little girl looks at me wide eyes before bolting back through the doors she came from. 

"Your total is 9.99" grabbing a ten bond note. I took my things and made my way to my car only to feel the unwavering stare of the man on my retreating figure. 

Waving it off as nothing, l got back on the road and endured the last hours of torture. I hate with a passion driving to long distance destinations especially if l dont have a travel companion who will take turns driving with me. Listening to my favourite song on repeat, the forest surrounding me was jam packed with trees of different kinds, making a mental reminder to go sight seeing. Upong closer inspection, l could see shadows moving in between the trees at inhumane speed. Brushing it off as my hunger produced imagination l made it to the town. 

It was just after noon, and the sun was setting casting a beautiful glow over the little town making it seem angelic. Kids were playing on the streets, splashing each other with water, enjoying the last days of summer before the autumn/winter season. Parents were sitting relaxed on their patios, silently watching their kids play while others were gathered over a grill, carelessly chatting about. 

Finding my house was easy, as it was the last house on the street, a beautiful one story creme walled house, with a potentially filled garden, that had a dozen weeds growing out due to lack of maintenance. The house is surrounded by a wooden fence and has a small gate, fit for a petite individual. 

As if there was a change in the air, the whole neighbourhood stopped what they were busy with to stare in my direction. I could see a few of them smelling the air before turning back to their previous activities, l guess realising that l did not pose a threat to their little sanctuary. 

The next thirty minutes were spent with the movers, moving my furniture into the house. The great thing about the movers was the fact that they had come free of charge, when l purchased the house. Members of the little community here in Purpintine. 

Deciding on unpacking my belongings once l had fed the beast of a stomach l have, l drove off into the town, looking for fast food joints but coming up short. This town only housed family style diners and a few food stands. 

I decided on the hotdog stand because l was not in the mood to sit by myself in a huge diner surrounded by people l don't know, which is funny considering l dont know anyone in Purpintine except for the movers.