Page 34 of Monsters and Beauties

There was the living room and kitchenette, which were combined into one area, and the single bedroom and bathroom were down the hall.

There was only one entrance and exit, the door in front of me leading out the back of the house where there was a deck and hot tub. And then that led off to the stairs that descended to the street. And all around the B&B was a thick, lush, green forest.

I walked over to my first bag, and crouched to open it up. I only pulled out what I’d need for tonight and tomorrow morning because first thing in the morning, I was heading to the cabin, anyway.

Then I went to the rest of my bags—three in total—and double and triple checked the contents inside before zipping it all back up.

One bag alone held all the food I’d need for my time at the cabin, the other one had camping gear like battery operated lanterns, flashlights, and a radio. I also got an outside shower to hang up since there was no running water. Because a cold shower was better than nothing.

I’d been told there were pots and pans at the cabin, as well as a wood-burning stove, and a few bundles of firewood. But I wouldn’t worry over the fact I’d never tried to light a fire in my life.

I ended up bringing non-perishable foods with me. But for the fresh things like fruits and vegetables, milk and eggs and all that, I planned on stopping at the small grocery store I’d seen on the way to the B&B.

Although I was solo on this trip, I packed a hell of a lot, far more than I probably needed, but I’d rather be prepared than screwed.

I rested for a bit and walked into town, where a small restaurant was located. I wasn’t much of a fish person, but I figured when in Rome and all that. So I ordered the local fish and chips and a glass of red wine.

After that, I walked around for a couple of hours, looking at the little gift shops. There was a lot of Russian influence on many of the items I came across, as well as handmade pieces of art being sold.

I made a mental note that when I came back from the cabin in five days, I’d get my souvenirs then.

After wandering around a bit and stopping by the cruise ship that was docked, I headed to the grocery store and started making my way down the aisles. I only got enough food that fit in the basket. But I grabbed two bottles of wine, because… wine.

I checked out, but wasn’t in a hurry to get back to the B&B. Although I was exhausted and my feet hurt from all the walking I’d done today—not just since I’d been in Ketchikan, but also while traveling—I enjoyed the peaceful surroundings.

Everything here was so easy-going, peaceful, and clean. No smog, no cars honking, no people screaming at each other. There was no chaos, which was something I dealt with daily living in an overpopulated area.

I made my way over the main bridge in town and saw two elderly men leaning against the railing with fishing poles in their hands. They were bickering with each other about the weather, one saying it was perfect for fishing, the other complaining it was too cold for them to bite.

I passed a woman who walked leisurely, her baby wrapped up against her chest as she carried a shopping bag in each hand.

Maybe one day, when I didn’t have bills to worry about, when I felt more stable in my life, that’s when I could make this place my home.

Because for the first time in a long time, I actually felt like I belonged somewhere.

ChapterFour

Marcella

Iclutched either side of the tiny boat, my nails digging into the icy metal as I was being taken to the isolated cabin.

I was pretty sure the boat wasn’t made for choppy ass ocean water like this, but when I had voiced my concerns to Harmond, the older gentleman who was taking me, he just grumbled that it was fine and left it at that.

Of course, the day I took this trip it was a shit day with frigid rain that felt like little needles as it contacted my bare skin.

The waters were almost violent, and the boat was out in the middle of nowhere, bouncing aggressively. I was two-seconds away from having to lean over the edge and throw up my breakfast.

The rain jacket I wore kept me mostly dry, but it didn’t keep out the icy chill that even in August seemed to surround me.

My three large waterproof bags sat on the inside of the boat, the rain pelting the rubbery coating that covered them.

A wave of nausea rose in me as we went over a large crest, the boat bouncing up and down so hard my ass ached.

I started shivering, my teeth chattering as the wind and rain whipped all around me. My fingers were numb because I hadn’t let go of the sides of the boat since sitting down.

I stared at Harmond. He had a perpetual scowl on his face, but I was pretty sure that’s just how he looked.

Deep lines and grooves etched his face, he had white whiskers all over his cheeks and chin, was missing a few teeth, and although I knew he wasn’t smoking right now given the rain, he kept his pipe wedged in the corner of his mouth.

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