I woke up to the soft sounds of birds singing outside my window at the thought of the sun being just about to rise. I stretched my arms above my head in the warm light. The whole world was waking up with me, it felt so peaceful. It creaked in the morning — the old house I'd moved into — started to give a little. I smiled inwardly and trooped to the kitchen. Air was filled with the smell of freshly brewed coffee and I got a little excited. It all seemed to be lining up.The coffee maker I had set up the night before was in its slot, and I held a warm cup in my hands. I sipped the warmth trying to absorb it through my veins. I was happy and calm for the first time in quite a while. I thought about the night before, about Asher the strange man I'd met. How had he left that note on my counter? Even how did he come into my house? I thought about him a bit, and my heart raced a little; how was he really?Before I even thought it a little more I spotted something on the kitchen counter. That had been a small piece of paper, folded neatly. As my stomach fluttered, I saw that it was a note from Asher."Welcome to Raven's Peak, Emilia." We are hoping you are settling in well. Please feel free to contact you should you require anything. - Asher"
My heart skipped a beat. I wondered how he'd gotten in. He hadn't even come up until I hadn't even heard him. I stuck the note into my pocket and found myself curious and confused. When the doorbell rang just as I was ready to reseat myself and consider more about the note further, It took me a second, and I quickly went to answer it, hoping it would take my mind off of Asher for once.It was a woman I wouldn't have met if I hadn't been standing at the door. Her face had a friendly smile and she carried a tray of warm pastries."Good morning, dear!" she said cheerfully. I brought you some welcome treats. I heard you're new in town."I blinked because I was surprised by the kindness. "Oh, thank you so much! That's so thoughtful of you."I smiled, taking the tray, and didn't know where to begin to find the words to express how nice everyone here was. The tray was full of pastries that were all kinds of delicious looking, my stomach groaned.
Her bright eyes said 'Lila' to me. "I own the bakery that's down the street." I just wanted to stop by and make sure you were settling ok."I asked her in and away we went with conversation. I was quick to learn that Lila wasn't only a good baker, she was also a gossip. All sorts of stories about Raven's Peak, her quirky people, and the Blackwood family…she told me all about it.Lila's voice lowered; she said, 'Asher's a good guy.' "But be careful around him. He's got secrets."Her words turned me into a crystal ball frozen up the spine. "What kind of secrets?" But it was almost a whisper I mumbled.Her eyes shone, and whatever it was she was going to say, she leaned in closer. "The Blackwoods are... different.' Well," All they'll sometimes say is that they're cursed, and others that they're blessed. They're not like the rest of us in Raven's Peak, "but one thing's for sure."Asher and his family could be hiding secrets, what kind of secrets I tried to imagine. What was she talking about, was it cursed or blessed? I wanted to ask more questions when Lila quickly changed the subject.
She said to me, 'There's someone else you should meet.' "His name's Liam. He's an artist from here in town. He's been searching for someone to form his life with, I think."I felt my heart skip a beat. Another guy? Honestly, I wasn't sure if I was ready to contemplate that yet, all things considered. Lila stood up to leave, before I could say anything.She winked, and said, I gotta run, but you'll see Liam around. And naturally—Asher be careful. "He's got his way.".I watched Lila exit and walk across the road before going back over to where I held the tray full of pastries that I was more confused than ever. Everything was spinning out of control—it seemed that now, things really were about to spiral out of control. I knew one thing for sure: Raven's Peak wasn't at all what I had put together.So that night I decided to go for walk around the town. I took my camera, ready to capture what I could find on the quiet streets. There was a full moon, a soft light casting over everything. It was almost magical like I was walking through a dream. I strolled down Main Street, it was cool at night. An air like shops were closing and streets empty, but it was peaceful.I turned a corner and something caught my eye. Between two shops was a little art studio. That sign above the door said "Liam's Art Haven." My heart jumped in my chest. This is the same Liam Lila they'd been talking about.
I was feeling nervous and I stood there for a moment. I got nothing, so I pushed open the door. I stepped into a small, cozy studio with a bell above my head that rang. I could hear music playing softly in the background, but it seemed to be coming only from the TV; the air was full of the smell of paint and wood.Liam was on a canvas, painting very carefully on the surface. He saw me, his eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a little breathless.His voice was calm, welcoming, "Hi." "Welcome to my studio."It made me smile a little more relaxed. "Hi. I'm Emilia."His eyes crinkled at the corners, and he smiled back. "I know. I've heard a lot about you. "You're the new girl in town, right?"I laughed a little embarrassed and nodded. "Yeah, that's me."It took me no time to realize Liam was not only a great artist but a nice one as well. He was kind and funny and too funny and I had to laugh. He was someone easy to talk to and was easy to be around. He made me feel no different in Raven Peak—I belonged.
As we chatted I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being pulled in two directions. There was Asher, his own mysterious self, full of secrets. On the other end of the line was Liam, warm and kind and easy to talk to. I felt I was standing in a crossroads and not quite sure where to go.When I came out of Liam's studio that night I was more confused then ever. Both I couldn't stop thinking about. I could sense something in me was telling me this wasn't the end. I hadn't expected Raven's Peak would be full of surprises, but I had a feeling this was going to make things complicated.