He didn't believe in magic or all that woo-woo stuff. Astrology and the cards and all the things he heard people talking about in high school didn't make sense to him. Howcould something like the universe decide your fate? And if it did, why the hell did it hate him?
He adjusted his bags so they would be more comfortable to carry and then left the station. When he walked down the large steps and pushed open the door, it revealed even more beauty than he'd seen on the platform. The trees were still as vast here, but it was also quaint. The town was beautiful and rustic, a mix of small homes and businesses dotting the landscape. The street was winding and he could see a bit of everything from his viewpoint.
Archer took in a deep breath, sighing when he released it and felt free. So what if he was needy and clingy? So what if he was somewhat codependent?
He didn't need Robert.
He didn't need the people who he was supposed to consider family.
All he needed was himself. He would find a way. He would find a new life, hopefully here in San Noctis.
He wound through the streets, noting all the different houses and businesses he passed. He didn't see any signs labeling anything available to rent or looking for job help. It was as if the town sustained itself somehow. They weren't pushing people away, but they also weren't welcoming anyone new. It was a strange juxtaposition and Archer didn't quite understand. It didn't upset him. It was more amusing, like some hidden secret he'd stumbled upon.
His stomach grumbled at one point, and he took it as a sign he needed to eat something. When a lone diner came into view in a thick section of trees, he trudged ahead. The place was small on the inside, so he dropped his bags at the table near the door and then went in to place an order.
Every eye turned to him when he walked in. He felt a bit like a deer in headlights, or maybe a piece of art in a museum, with theway they inspected him. Not enjoying the idea of confrontation, he shuffled over to the counter where a young girl stood in baggy overalls and a paint-splattered shirt. She had a paintbrush tucked in a bun at the top of her head, and her eyes sparkled. Like,literallysparkled. Archer blinked and rubbed his eyes, not sure what to make of everything going on around him. Was he still asleep on the train? Was this all a dream?
"Hi," he said, waving a hand. "I’m looking to get some food."
The girl smiled. "Well, then you're in the right place. What can I get for you?"
He looked past her to a wooden chalkboard menu. On it were specials along with some basics. Knowing his wallet was thinning by the second, he settled on a burger and fries with water. The girl took down his order, yelled it out to the cook, and then rang him up.
"I'm gonna go sit outside if that's okay. I can come back in and check when it's done."
The girl waved her hand at him. "No problem, hun. I'll bring it out to you. My name is Leah, by the way."
"Nice to meet you, Leah," he said. "I'm Archer. You wouldn't happen to know of any places for rent around here, would you?"
Leah's body froze at the question, and it was as if the room had stopped as well, like everyone was startled that he had even suggested such an idea. After a moment, Leah cleared her throat and said, "There's not really any place to rent. I could ask around, though."
Archer shook his head, giving her a sad smile. "No, that's fine. I'll figure it out. Thanks."
He scurried outside and then took a seat by his bags. He put his face in his hands and wondered what the hell he was going to do. How did he navigate this? What kind of plan could he formulate?
Running had been the only option he saw fit, and now he was stuck in a predicament that didn't seem to have any answers. He could go sleep at the train station maybe, but would he get arrested for that? And he knew no one in town, so it wasn't like he could ask to crash on someone's couch.
As he sat there contemplating what to do next, he heard a wind chime in the breeze. He raised his head because the melody was so moving. It felt like the sound itself was stroking over his skin, down his spine and wrapping around him. He was mesmerized, transfixed. His gaze settled across the street in the thicket of trees, and it was as if they were waving at him, drawing him in and calling him closer.
"What the fuck is in the air in this town?" he mumbled to himself.
The door opened beside him and out came Leah with a to-go bag of his food. She handed it over and then shuffled her feet. "I'm sorry about the whole renting-a-place thing. The town is kind of protective, and everyone's really closed off." She rambled as if trying to cover up for people.
Archer shook his head and smiled at her. "It's no big deal. I might just make it into a fun little camping trip or something, you know?" He motioned to his bags. "I've got plenty of stuff. I'll be fine."
Leah bit her lip, her gaze going from him to the forest and back. "Be careful, okay? There are animals out here and I don't want to see you get hurt."
Archer gulped at the idea of running into something wild. He wasn't particularly strong. In fact, most people would call him frail. He had enough meat on his bones to survive, but nothing extra. So if he came in contact with an animal who wanted to eat him, he would be more like a toothpick than an actual entrée.
"I'll keep that in mind," he told her.
She walked back inside and Archer settled in for his meal. He ate slowly, nodding and waving to the people as they came and left the diner. Everyone stopped and stared at him, curious as to who he was and why he was seated outside with bags, but they didn't stop and talk. He wasn't invisible, not like he had been the rest of his life. He was just different. And different was okay. Archer could accept that. Different didn't hurt him. Different didn't make him feel worthless.
When he finished, he threw his trash away, picked up his bags, and started toward the tree line across the road. There hadn't been many cars that had passed, so he knew this wasn't a busy area. And with the diner having normal business hours — it wasn't one of those twenty-four-hour spots — he knew it wouldn't be too noisy either.
As he stepped past the tree line and into the woods, it was as if everything adjusted around him, like he'd moved into an alternate universe. The trees were thick and it was hard to see. Beams of sunlight came through, illuminating his steps like they were guiding him. When he reached a clearing, he set his bags down and spun in a circle.
"This will have to do," he said to himself.
