~Aria's POV
I stared at the lady. A little too long.
She noticed.
"Can I help you?" she asked, voice smooth, curious.
I blinked, suddenly aware of myself again. "Uh. Yes. Sorry. I'm looking for something for catarrh. I… I was caught in the rain last night."
She studied me then. Really studied me. Her gaze narrowed just slightly, head tilting.
"…You're new," she said slowly.
My stomach still dipped anyway. It was reflex. I had thought that she wanted to say that she knew me; the plagiarism stuff and all, but I was wrong.
"I…what?" I let out a small, nervous laugh. "Sorry?"
She crossed her arms, studying me, not unkindly but curious. "I haven't seen you around before. Nill Creek is small. Faces don't stay unfamiliar for long."
Oh.
Relief came late, awkward. "Right. No. I'm… I'm not from here," I said quickly. "I just arrived."
Her lips curved, this time into a real smile. "Thought so. You have that look."
"What look?"
"Like you landed before you decided where you were going," she said. Then, lighter, "I was just asking if you were new. That's all."
I felt my shoulders loosen, embarrassment creeping in now instead of panic. "Yeah," I admitted. "I am. Very new."
She nodded once, as if that explained everything. "Welcome, then."
I hesitated, then added softly, "I thought for a second you recognized me."
She raised a brow. "Should I?"
"No," I said quickly. "No. Just… my mind running ahead of me."
"Hmm," she murmured, unconvinced but letting it go. "So. What can I help you with?"
"Catarrh," I said. "I was caught in the rain last night, and I know how this goes with me."
She turned toward the shelves, already moving, already comfortable in her space. "You're smart to come early. We'll stop it before it settles in."
As she reached for a jar, she glanced back at me. "And don't worry. Around here, we don't interrogate people just for being new."
I managed a small smile. "That's… good to hear."
"Trust me," she said lightly. "Nill Creek has enough secrets already."
"Sit," the lady said gently, gesturing to a small wooden chair near the counter. "I'll brew you something to help."
I nodded, sliding onto the chair. The wood was smooth, worn in all the right places, and the small cushions cradled me just enough to feel a little comfort. My eyes drifted around the apothecary. Shelves were stacked with jars of dried herbs, bottles of strange liquids catching the sunlight filtering through the tall windows. The air smelled faintly of lavender, rosemary, and something earthy, almost like rain-soaked soil. A quiet hum of peace seemed to fill the room.
A few minutes later, she returned, carrying a small clay cup. Steam curled from it, twisting in the soft morning light.
I blinked at her. "Your eyes… and your hair. They're, wow. They're striking," I said, unable to hide my curiosity.
She glanced at me, expression calm. "Really?"
"Yes," I nodded, letting my gaze linger. "It's rare. Very… pretty." I lifted the cup and took a careful sip. The warmth spread through me, soft and soothing, and a subtle herbal bitterness lingered at the back of my throat.
She smiled faintly, almost shyly. "I'm glad you like it."
When I finished, she handed me a small glass jar. "You'll need another batch later," she said, voice low and even. "Brew this, take it, and it should help with the congestion."
I took it carefully. "How much?"
"Ten dollars," she replied.
I handed it over without hesitation. She nodded, already moving to prepare the next one.
I couldn't help myself, I leaned back slightly, looking around. "I like this place. The ambiance… the quiet. The city is… calm. Peaceful."
She glanced at me and smiled softly. "That's one of the best things here. Everyone minds their business. It's easy to breathe."
I let her words sink in, and my mind wandered, thinking of last night. Maybe that was why Ethan had helped me and left so quietly. Maybe he was used to this kind of calm, this quiet patience, minding his business.
A gentle cough pulled me back. She looked at me expectantly. "Are you enjoying yourself?"
I smiled. "Yes… I just got in last night, and from what I've seen so far… I'm enjoying it. I might even stay a while."
Her smile deepened, faintly amused. "Where are you staying?"
I hesitated, then nodded. "At the hotel close by. The big one… just near the main street."
"Hmm," she said thoughtfully. "Isn't that expensive for a longer stay?" She leaned closer, voice lower, conspiratorial. "There's a place here that's cheap; safe, clean… You could rent for as long as you like, not far from here."
I blinked, curious. "Really? That would make life easier."
She nodded once. "Yes. Nill Creek isn't about extravagance. Just comfort, and people who let you live."
I hesitated, then asked, "Where exactly is this place?"
Her lips curved into a gentle smile. "I can take you there now, if you like."
I blinked, a warmth spreading through me. "That… would be great. But you are at work," I said, nodding toward the counter and the jars around her. "Could I… maybe get your number? Just in case?"
She raised an eyebrow, amused but obliging. "Sure. Here," she said, handing me a small slip of paper with her number written neatly.
"And your name?" I asked, still smiling.
"Karina," she replied simply.
I paused, letting the name settle. "Karina… I like that. It's beautiful." I tucked the paper into my bag carefully, then grinned. "I'll save it."
She tilted her head, curious. "And you are?"
"Aria," I said, and our smiles met. There was a quiet comfort in it, something easy and natural.
"You're a nice person," Karina said after a beat, her voice soft. "We hit it off quickly, don't you think?"
I laughed quietly. "I think so."
"And… um," I added hesitantly, "is there a place nearby where they sell phone chargers? I forgot mine at home."
Karina's eyes sparkled with amusement. "What kind do you use?"
I pulled out my phone and showed it. "One of these."
She nodded and disappeared behind the shelves for a moment. I watched her move with ease, confident, as she owned this little haven of herbs and remedies. When she returned, she held a brand-new charger in her hands. "I had an extra one," she said, handing it to me.
"Thank you!" I said, taking it carefully. "How much do I owe you?"
Karina rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "On the house," she said with a small laugh. "Consider it a welcome gift to Nill Creek."
I smiled, genuinely touched. "You're too kind."
She shrugged, tucking the charger into a small bag for me. "It's nothing. You'll need it more than I. And besides," she added, her voice light, "we can't have new friends wandering around powerless, can we?"
I chuckled, feeling a flicker of relief and warmth.