2.2

✦

Sometimes taking a relaxing soak in a hot bath is one of the most effective ways to calm one's mind. Winter stayed in the bath for almost an hour. After that, she made her way upstairs and into her bedroom to retire for the night. She hops on her bed, and gazes up at the ceiling, thinking of some reasonable stuff.

She was wondering about Cait's offer. Why, out of everyone, was she picked? Winter was certain that this was all just a joke but her curious mind begs to differ. Also, the gentleman seems to have come from a wealthy background because of the way he looks and dresses. But Winter shakes the idea because it was just her eyes and likings for beautiful things that were blinding her judgment.

Winter did not come from a wealthy background, to say the least. The amount of money that she earned was just sufficient for her and Matilda's everyday expenses. Cait wouldn't be wasting his time if he didn't want anything from her.

It was completely baffling.

The presence of Matilda hovering over her jolted Winter out of her daydream. "Matilda, you've scared the life out of me," Winter muttered through a sigh.

Winter had the impression that she was overreacting too much. She combed Matilda's fur as she mewed in response. Curiously, there was a piece of paper hanging from her collar.

"What's this?" Matilda just stares at her with unknowing eyes. She grabbed the piece of paper and read it out loud.

Dearest Winter,

The world appears wonderful in the eyes of a wonderful person. Life is full of unexpected things. Don't fight it, embrace it. - C.S.

She exhaled a sigh of contentment. She then turns to Matilda and asks, "Do you think we should check this out?"

Winter is not the type of person who typically believes in paranormal activities. Let's just say that her natural curiosity got the best of her and that this sort of thing was causing her adrenaline to rise. There's this growing feeling inside her that says to check this out. Well, there's nothing wrong if she's just going to peek, right?

✦

If she had to choose a phrase to better describe the morning night, it'd be 'exquisitely tranquil.'

How marvelous. She thought.

"Matilda!" She exclaimed in a hushed and playful tone as she ventured onto the pavement of the town hall with her shabby bike. "It's so peaceful!" Winter felt ecstatic. It's been ages since she roamed around at night.

Matilda mewed in an agitated manner, burying herself in the blanket inside her bicycle basket. In situations like this one, she never failed to notice that Matilda sometimes shows human characteristics. Although she is unable to fathom the reason why. She is aware that Matilda is significantly more intelligent than the other normal cats.

She was lying on the floor and on the brink of death the first time they met. She remembered that memory of Matilda when she brought a pouch full of wild berries for her to eat. The cat might have sensed that she was hungry. Winter never questioned how Matilda had managed to gather wild berries and put them in a pouch. She was too young at the time and was in the middle of hallucinating. She wasn't exactly sure if what she'd witnessed was true or just a product of her imagination. It was intriguing, much to her confusion. And she'd like to think that the wood faeries sent Matilda to save her from her unfortunate fate.

She got off her bike and parked it on the corner. She grabs Matilda and places her on the ground. From this point forward, she can't ride her bike since the pathway would be very cramped. They started to enter a narrow way, a shortcut to Calle 19.

After passing through the small alley, they met a view of a weeping willow tree surrounded by dominoes of houses. It was quite new. Winter couldn't seem to recall if she'd ever seen such a big tree in this alley before. If she had, she probably would have remembered such a magnificent view.

Winter felt as though she owned the night as she twirled around the lone pavements. Slowly, but surely, she tip-toed on the empty pavements in a cautious but steady manner, as though every step sent out a ripple everywhere.

The moon bestowed upon her its illuminating glory, lighting a pathway. A pathway to where there might be something... magical that awaits her.

Her brunette hair moves in rhythm with the midnight summer breeze, and she can smell the ocean just around the corner, a sign that they are almost there.

Sensing a tingling feeling — a tingling sensation that she might recognize as excitement creeping up on her. Remarking that a new beginning is coming and that she had to prepare to welcome it with open arms.

A narrow intersection came across her, a sign that indeed they were now in the dim alley of Calle 19.

"Matilda is this," Winter says, staring at her in complete astonishment. There was a railroad in the dim place of Calle 19. Her eyes follow where the railroad ends.

The ocean.

Changes can be very dreadful. There are instances when the responsible choices you make can lead to outcomes that you are unable to even imagine.

Coincidences won't happen without a reason. After meeting Cait Sith, Winter knew that changes were already happening around her. Everything would not be the same as it was before.

His letter awakened her adventurous side. There is a part of her that, deep down, still has the desire to know everything there is to know about this wonderful, mystical world. But she would be lying if she said it didn't scare her.

It is utterly terrifying.

Changes will always be unsettling, and adapting to change is much more tiresome.

A sudden sound distracted her from her thoughts. A dull sound, made by a locomotive vehicle, was rumbling towards her. The dim alley of Calle 19 was brightened by a sharp light coming from the chugging train. She suddenly closed her eyes, blinded by the lights.

Winter felt the chugging transportation halt. Slowly, she opened her eyes, surprised to see that Calle 19 was now glowing in vivid lights, coming from the train.