Zubie strolled behind him, following him on the path that he said will lead to the nearest town.
"You don't know how many times I've walked this path but it never gets small," Aurelius spoke, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his coat. Zubie can see the outline of the town, finally, she was tired of walking for so long.
"There is a small grocery store in this town, run by a family for generations. You can find whatever you need, food and cleaning supplies."
"Alright, lead the way."
(--------------------------)
"Hello, dear, you seem to be new here?" the woman in her fifties asked, she was short and had a kind smile on her wrinkled face.
"Yes, I just moved here."
"You look like you moved here from the city. Mind me but most of the town folks migrate to the city and settle there. It's quite rare sight for anyone to move here." The woman told her, putting the goods in plastic bags.
"Yeah, I'm here for work." Zubie lied, picking up the plastic bags, but it was proving to be a difficult task. Aurelius, who has been standing silently by her side snickered at her failed attempts.
"Oh dear, I don't think you town folks are made for such a task..." Zubie wanted to reply with a snarky comment of her own, but instead decided to curse at the heavy bags, "Abram, boy! come here!"
The lady called out to someone named 'Abram' whoever that was, A man not much older than her, came from the back, "yes, ma, what is it?"
"Help this young lady with groceries," the man tilted his neck to look at her. He had dirty blonde hair, stubble on his chin and he was garbed into what Zubie assumed were his working clothes along with an apron.
"Alright, ma," he answered, his hands grabbing the grocery bags.
"There is no need for this, Mam---"
The lady cut her off, waving her hand, "it's quite alright, dear." the lady started checking on other customers, leaving Zubie with who she assumed was her soon.
"Just tell me when you'll like to leave." the man named Abram asked, pulling her shopping bags in his arms.
"I was just about to, just follow me." the man nods, following her out. Aurelius was behind the pair, shadowing them.
"So, what do you do?" the man asked, trying to start a small talk. Zubie looked at Aurelius, tilting her head a little. He wasn't paying any mind to them from what she could see from over Abram's shoulder.
"I'm a pharmacist," she answered.
Nice, so you are well-educated. If it's not a bother, can you tell me what a young pharmacist is doing in this small town of Mashville?"
Zubie contemplated her answer, stating the words with fake enthusiasm, "I am on a vacation!" after these words were out of her mouth she realized what she told his mother. She bit her tongue, what if they talked about her and figure out she has lied and thought she was a liar?
"That is wonderful! But I dont think this town has much to offer in the tourist attraction department."
"It's quite alright, I'm sure they'll be stuff for me to see."
Abram's eyes sparkled, he said, "I know a terrific place you can visit and I can take you there! If you dont mind that is..."
"I'll think about it," she answered brushing off his offer.
"Yeah, but how far is your house? We've been walking for quite some time now." Abram inquired shifting the bags he was holding from one hand to another.
Zubie smiled, she felt guilty for putting a stranger through such hassle for her groceries; she said, "it's not that far from here, but it's okay if you want to leave. I can take the bags there myself."
"Nah, I'll accompany you all the way there just as my ma told me to." Abram returned her smile with a little one of his own.
(------------------------------)
"hey, isn't this place like... Haunted?" Abram asked Zubie when they entered the premises of the old manor.
"I would have believed you a few days ago," Zubie whispered to herself.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing, I mean they must be based on baseless rumors," she spoke, "this isn't a bad place to live."
"My ma used to tell me a bedtime story regarding this manor." Abram was looking closely at the state of the manor.
"What tale?"
"She used to tell about the rich lord who lived here with his wife and twin sons." that captured Zubie's attention immediately.
"What happened to the family?" Aurelius was standing right there, watching them.
"The Lord and the lady died while they were out on a cruise or something," he whispered, "that left the two sons, rumor has it that they were murdered by the manor's ghosts."
Zubie was shaking her head in amusement, the story did not have much to offer. The information was irrelevant, "and then?"
"You probably think I'm trying to scare you, but my mother saw the twins! She says that she was a small lass back then!" Zubie raised a brow, how old exactly were these brothers?
"The story is kinda hard to believe, so many plot holes." Zubie laughed, bringing Abram into what she thought was the kitchen. It was in a better state than the rest of the house.
"You must've spent a lot of money to buy this place!" Abram looked like a child in an amusement park, "are you thinking of renovating this place? If so just ask me, I know one of the best Carpenter of this town."
Zubie did not buy this place but she has been sure it costs a large amount of money, more than She will ever be able to afford, "I will remember to ask you if I ever decide to start repairs."
"Sure, I'll be waiting," Abram smiled, tussling his hair, "I should be on my way back to the town, just stop by the grocery if you need anything else." with that Abram took his leave. Now she had to figure out how to cook over a wood fire stove, cleaning can wait for a few more hours.