Chapter 15
Elina
Gasping for breath, I open the door to my cabin.
Did he see me?
"It doesn't matter," I admonish myself because that's just how it is.
I kick off my ballerinas and march straight into the kitchen, where I place my groceries on the dining table. My hand reaches to my shoulder, where the shopping bag handles have dug deep into my skin. I massage the spot, emitting a contented sigh.
It's the only sound in the silence of this cabin. I need to change that. I reach for the phone, but immediately let it drop again.
Maya is probably on the plane. And even if she has already arrived in Barcelona, she definitely doesn't have time to chat. Besides, what would I even tell her?
That she was right?
Again?
For a moment, I consider calling my mother. But I still haven't received the confirmation for the therapy spot I'm fighting for on Aaron's behalf. And as long as that's the case, she won’t want to talk to me anyway.
Feeling dejected, I put the phone away and instead turn on some music. The live album from Rammstein is just perfect for my mood. Seconds later, I hear the ecstatic screams of thousands of people. A poundingbass kicks in, making the audience shriek with excitement.
I can't help but close my eyes. To feel a little more like I'm there myself amid the electrified crowd, laughing and whistling. My head moves to the rhythm of the music. I raise a hand up high and sing along loudly.
That's how life should be.
Thrilling. Loud. Breathtaking.
I jump up and down, over and over again, consumed by the energy. I feel better. Much better.
When the song ends, I'm ready to open my eyes again even though I know exactly what awaits me.
That eerie silence. And the loneliness.
In time with the next song, I unpack the groceries and store them in the cabinets.
Where is my favorite chocolate? The one with the cookie layer and the gooey caramel center that I was so looking forward to? Puzzled, I turn the shopping bag upside down, but it's clearly empty. I must have lost the chocolate somewhere on the way from the village shop to here. With my gaze fixed on the ground, I stroll into the hallway toward the entrance door.
It's not here. I step outside. The stone slabs that surround the cabin are empty. I gaze along the gravel path that leads through the small forest to Hanna's garden.
Where Noah is doing something, whatever it may be. I definitely don't want to run into him, so I only venture as far as I can remain unseen within the shelter of the firs. Suddenly, a flock of sparrows flies up noisily beside me. In the next second, I hear footsteps. A silhouette emerges among the tree trunks.
Quickly, I turn around. The chocolate isn't that important after all.
"Elina!" That's Hanna's voice.
Relieved, I stop and turn to her with a smile. "Hey."
A woven wicker basket dangles from her arm. Colorful flower heads protrude from the opening. They glow almost as intensely as Hanna's face. "I was just about to distribute these at the cabins," she says, lifting the basket a little.
What a nice idea! "Can I help you with that?" I ask, liking the thought of bringing joy to the other tenants.
"That would be lovely." She signals for me to follow her, which I gladly do. "Have you settled in well?" she asks me when we reach a cabin that looks exactly like mine. Only the patio furniture is different, but they seem to be lovingly handmade pieces like mine.
"It's very..." How can I express it? "Peaceful." I raise my shoulders somewhat shyly. After all, this is her home, and I don't want to offend her.
The smirk she gives as she places the flower basket on one of the wooden chairs tells me that she's anything but offended. "Does the peace scare you?" Something tells me she already knows the answer. Maybe it's the way she looks at me. So penetratingly. As if she knows what lies deep within my soul. "A little," I admit.
