Chapter 1:

The Beginning... ?

In The Middle Of Winter... Miracles Can Happen


Life is writing different scenario for each of us. It’s not always fair, but we have to live with that. Naturally, there are individuals that want to do something with their life, make it less miserable than it already is, or just moaning at how sucky their luck is, as I do. It’s not that I’m not doing anything, but every single thought of every aspect of adulthood gives me a headache.

I can’t complain about my childhood, because it was ok. Nothing special has happened during that time, but I was able to be a normal kid going after imaginative flying creatures made of cotton candy. Now that I think of it it sounds so silly. Cotton candy of all things...

Things were starting to bad when I was about to go to middle school. There was one in my town, but my parents didn’t want me to go there. “Educational standards are not high there”, my mom told me, “and I think that it’ll be better if you’ll go to school in Canterbury”. Canterbury was a city located around 20 minutes by car from my town, Ildeford. I’ve never really been there since I didn’t have a reason to go. Well, now I had...

This city should be a sort of gate for possibilites. It’s a big city after all. Prestigious high schools, universities, workplaces – plenty of opportunities to grow. Nah, not for me. I hated every single day spent there. I had a feeling that everything in there was against me. I felt so uncomfortable. I just wished to go back home on weekdays.

I had to go to high school there too. Which meant another 3 years of hell. Actually, I met some people that made those 3 years a bit easier to go through it.

To this day, I don’t know what was causing this obnoxious feeling.

Anyway, right after high school I made sure to get out of this cursed city as soon as possible, as far as possible. I didn’t want to stay at my parents' place. I already saved up some money from my job that I took while still being in high school.

I got really into editing, so I was an editor for few people I knew from community I was part of. At first, it was a hobby, then I got enough good to be paid for my work. Now it’s my source of income.

I was able to rent a nice place few hours from my hometown. As a freelancer I can work from home and don’t have to worry about getting to work, as I can do it anywhere as long as I have my laptop with me. After few years spent in my cave I started to think about going abroad. I had some savings, so why not? The problem was that I didn’t have a passport. Without that one thing I can only dream about chilling on beach with my drink in hand.

Here comes the worst part. With some minor issues I filled the form for passport, but...

I need to collect it from branch in Canterbury. In person. Are. They. Mad.

Christmas was round the corner, also my parents mentioned that it would be nice to spend Christmas together. They moved to Canterbury not long ago, so I wasn’t very pleased, but they agreed to have a dinner at grandparents' place, which was in Ildeford.

And here I am, in already white Ildeford waiting for a bus to Hell.

In this part of country it starts to snow very quickly, like mid November, so seeing fully covered in snow ground in December is nothing special here. I already got used to see less snow, but any amount of snow is always welcomed. I like snow. But I don’t like the cold.

I already was waiting some time for bus. So far, none has appeared. What time was already? Almost 4pm... The place is supposed to be open till 5, but I already doubted that I’d make it on time.

The bus stop was located in interesting place. Behind me I had residential area, in front of me – fields. There was so much snow in there. It was already dark outside, but because of the snow I was kinda able to see the horizon. Or rather neverending white plague. Dammit, there was so much of it.

Now that I looked on road, I might understand the reason behind this delay. It wasn’t very safe to drive. At least fast.

I was thinking of going back and trying again after weekend. I won’t make it on time, plus, ugh, I was freezing. Soon I’ll turn to penguin.

Suddenly, I noticed lights coming from my left. It gave me a glimpse of hope. But hope is a mother of fools.

It was just a car.

I sighed. I gave 5 minutes more for bus. If it won’t appear, then well...

Some vehicle showed up on road again. I was blindly hoping that it was this damn bus.

It wasn’t a bus. It was a car again, but I had a feeling that it could be the same one that I just saw passing. Or maybe it was just my imagination?

It stopped on the bus stop. The car's window went down and I’ve heard a voice from inside.

„Deborah?”

It was a man's voice. It sounded very familiar. Very, very familiar. I had a guess in my mind already, but I had a peek inside to see the owner. My prediction was very correct. I knew the owner very well.

„Gilbert?” I was surprised as I’d never expect to see him at all.

„Long time no see!” he was as much surprised as I was. „What are you doing here? Are you waiting for somebody?”

„Actually I was waiting for a bus.”

„To Canterbury? I’m going there anyway, so you can jump in.”

„Uhh, I don’t want to make a problem...”

„I’m going there anyway, so it’s not a problem. Besides, I don’t think bus will come soon. Road is pretty bad, so it may have huge delay.”

He was a godsend to me, but I felt really awkward. Most likely because I used to like him back in high school, but that’s just a guess. Plus, it was so long ago, we’re adults right now.

After a moment's thought I decided to take his offer. I jumped in and we went on the road. 

Supersession
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