"It took some time, but I finally arrived at the cabin" I said into the phone as I grabbed the keys. The voice in the other line wasn't as pleased about it as I was. "I really don't think this is a smart idea Willow" she said with a skeptical tone.
I sighed as I let my gaze fall over the cabin. It seemed cozy in a good way.
As always I decided to talk back to my friend "It's just a temporary thing. I had to get away from Amsterdam. All those noises, all the people, it was driving me insane" I'd want to say that I was exaggerating, but I really wasn't.
I could hear my friend huff irritated "Oh come on Willow, don't be such a drama queen.. Amsterdam is where you belong. With your family, your friends, me for god sake!".
I unlocked the door of the cabin, staying quiet for a moment. As I knew I couldn't win this argument. Once inside I set the phone on speaker. Laying it on the table. Turning away to the door.
"I'm not gonna keep talking about this with you, if all you do is complain. I needed to get out, so I did. What could go wrong" I said it a bit louder as I grabbed my bags by the door.
The voice from the phone getting louder as I walked back "What could go wrong? Willow, are you hearing yourself? Seriously, you're not even nineteen, a female and all by yourself in some random place. Specifically nearby wolves" I rolled my eyes.
How can she even call me a drama queen when she's the one complaining so much.
I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding in. "Those wolves aren't interested in humans. I should be more concerned about the bears"
I almost laughed as I said that. On purpose mentioning bears to get my friend riled up even more. I walked back to the door to get the last bag, hearing my friend shouting nonsense from my phone. I locked the door and went back to the table.
"I haven't seen any warnings about bears, no worries. I have a gun with me at all times in case something does attack. I will be fine" I said into the phone as I picked it up, quickly adding "Now I'm going to unpack, might text you later or tomorrow. Byee" I quickly hung up the phone before she could complain further.
The first thing I did after hanging up was setting my phone on airplane mode.
Nobody I knew personally thought this was a good idea. Even I had begun to hesitate at some point. Getting unsure because of everyone's disapproval. The uncertainty wasn't enough to stop me though. I had been planning this trip for months if not years.
I looked around me. Only now really looking at the interior of the place. It had an old vibe to it. In a way it reminded me of a hunters cabin. At least the ones I'd seen in documentaries online. I hadn't actually been in a hunters cabin ever.
After a moment of appreciating the build I grabbed my bags. I had already inspected the pictures online beforehand, but seeing it with my own eyes felt way different.
It was my first time actually going away from home alone. So far it was going well.
After opening a few different doors I finally found the bedroom. It was bigger than I had expected. Almost as big as the lounge.
The closet had enough space for my baggage four times over. The bed was big enough for three.
I set my bags in the closet. Letting myself fall onto the bed. The mattress was softer than the one I had at home. My eyes went to the walls and then to the curtains, it was only now that I realised one of the walls was made out of glass. Which was a bit scary in a way. No other room had a window as big as this one, which was wall sized.
I got up from the bed to inspect it. A slide door it seemed. I sighed. "that's pretty damn scary" I said with a slight laugh to myself. Checking the lock on it to be sure it was closed.
I closed the curtains and went back to the lounge. Even with the weird window I felt strangely calm. Almost at home.
Once back in the lounge I decided to check the note the owners left me. Sitting on the sofa as I grabbed the paper.
Basic instructions
- keep the windows closed when not in sight
- Keep the curtains closed at night
- Turn off the lights when sleeping
- Don't make too many loud noises as it could disturb wildlife
The instructions seemed normal and basic. Even though I couldn't really be sure. I barely ever left Amsterdam, or well, the Netherlands. I did travel in the country, but that was usually travels with friends. This was going to an unfamiliar, different place, all alone, without anyone that I knew nearby.
Realising that gave me a sense of relief. I really did it. I went somewhere away from everything I knew. Somewhere I could explore, somewhere I could perhaps find myself.