Elara had always loved to travel, even though her blindness made it a bit more difficult. She had gotten used to the uncertainty, the fear of getting lost, and the awkwardness of asking for help in unfamiliar places. But strangely enough, she always managed to make it through. Tonight, however, was different. She had taken a taxi in Russia, planning to go to a restaurant she had found online called Pechora's. It was late, and she was ready to relax after a long day of sightseeing. Little did she know, her journey was about to take an unexpected turn.
The taxi ride had been uneventful, and when the car stopped, Elara assumed she had arrived at her destination. She paid the fare and stepped out of the car, feeling for the door handle and walking into what she thought was Pechora's. As soon as she entered, she immediately sensed something was wrong. The air felt heavy with tension, and the usual sounds of a busy restaurant were strangely absent. The silence, thick and unsettling, made her heart race.
She moved cautiously, her hands grazing the backs of chairs and tables as she made her way deeper into the room. The silence and oppressive atmosphere were suffocating, and she could feel the eyes of the men on her—eyes filled with tension and unease that itched at her skin. She quickly found a seat, hoping to blend in, but the heavy, dangerous vibe of the place made her feel like a target. They knew she didn't belong, but they couldn't figure out why.
It wasn't long before one of the men who had been watching her silently stood up and broke the silence, speaking to her in a blunt tone.
"What are you doing here, kid?"
Elara froze for a moment, not expecting such a direct confrontation. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves, and said:
"I... I was just here for dinner. I think there's been some mistake. They dropped me off here, and I was expecting to be somewhere else."
The man's gaze sharpened. "Kid, you're lost? This is a mafia meeting. How the hell did a taxi driver bring you here?"
Her heart skipped a beat. The weight of his words hit her like a punch to the stomach. She had accidentally stumbled into something far more dangerous than just a restaurant. But she wasn't about to back down. Not yet. She tried to stay calm.
"I... I didn't know. I thought I was going to a restaurant. Maybe the driver made a mistake or something. I have nothing to do with anything here. I'm just... a tourist trying to find my way."
The men exchanged glances, their suspicions starting to ease just a little. They studied her, trying to figure out whether she was telling the truth or just playing a game. After a moment of silence, the man who had asked the question earlier leaned back slightly, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Kid, what's your name?"
Elara took a deep breath, trying to sound calm despite the situation.
"My name's Elara. I swear I'm just a tourist who got lost. I didn't mean to cause any trouble."
"No last name, huh? Just Elara?"
The man asked.
Elara swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice steady, even though she could feel her hands trembling.
"Rivers... is my last name. I just... I don't usually use it."
She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her nerves getting the best of her. Despite trying to sound confident, she was on edge.
The man studied her for a moment, still uncertain. Before he could say anything else, he repeated her name, a slight hint of disbelief in his voice.
"El...a... Rivers..."
He paused for a moment, then asked, "And where are you from, Elara Rivers? You don't seem like you're from here."
Elara's mind raced, but she knew she had to remain calm. "I'm from New York, America. I usually travel around, you know? I just... didn't expect to be here, but I've gotten used to unexpected situations."
She leaned back slightly, trying to project confidence. Even though fear gripped her, she had learned that sometimes the best way to get out of situations like this was to show confidence.
"I'm blind. I can't see where I am. I just told the taxi driver to take me to a well-known restaurant, thinking he'd drop me off at the right place. I'm not trying to cause any trouble. It's just a mistake. I just want to get back to my hotel."
She hoped that would make it clear that she wasn't involved in anything and had simply made a mistake.
The men looked at her, still skeptical, but now more curious than hostile. They could see she wasn't lying, at least not in a way they could detect. That was enough for now.
The man who had asked earlier leaned back, and his gaze softened just a fraction.
"Well, Elara... lucky for you, we don't think you've caused trouble. But next time, maybe check where you're going before you end up in the wrong place."
Elara exhaled, her heart still racing, but grateful that she had made it through this tense moment. She had gotten lucky. And though she hadn't expected to end up here, she had a feeling her adventures in Russia weren't over yet.