THE WARD

As it turns out Ava is not the only one in desperate need of a vacation. Considering that almost at the age of twenty one I'm experiencing a symptom most know as midlife crisis.

That's right. I guess it was a long time coming. The sudden onset kind of shifted the tectonic plates of my little universe. As much as I hate to admit it, I can't spend the rest of my life cooped up in some dusty old room while life happens.

It just does, wether I wish to participate or not. We take risks everyday. Nothing is guaranteed, that much I know.

I'm aware that I'm a well of contradictions and I overrationalse everything around me. Hiperfocus on insignificant details, that most people would just look past it.

It has been my desire to experience the world, and the world has delivered a heap of challenges, and dissonant teachings.

Navigating the outside world is difficult, for me personally. But sometimes it is a necessary evil, and somehow I can't and I don't want to do away with it. Considering that the clock is ticking louder and louder every day.

With a deep breath I rise from the bed and look around the cave where I resided for almost six months in the company of Shay and Graham.

Wether I like or not they are a part of my life, and I better learn to forgive and forget. And I better do that quick.

Standing in front the wall, I heave a sigh and begin to carve the path back to Morston. This is my way of defying the laws of physics. Shay uses electrical pathways, I warp reality with the flick of my fingers.

It takes a little getting used to it, but I suppose it is something I can live with, rather contently. For as long as I have to, anyways.

The scenery in front of changes, very much like a mirage, switching from forested hills, to cities I have yet to see, to the bright red sand of Helej Norun. Its just a glimpse of it, a little bit like a live picture that you can just step into.

Magical indeed.

Eventually, I find my target, which is just outside the boundaries of the Quarter.

On a rocky cliff washed by the turbulent waves of the South Sea, surrounded by verdant mounds, and lush shrubs, sits the place I fell in love with even before I got to see it in person.

A house bathed in the salty breeze, carved from stone that has defied the ages, but yet still stubbornly standing, barely though.

I'm early because I need a moment to inspect it before the estate agent gets here and begins to talk my ear off.

She doesn't need to, I have already made my decison. It is a bit secluded, quite far off from the teeming Morston but close to the Quarter. Perfect location for my next endeavour or fos as long as I'll still walk among humans before I take a really long nap.

Walking around the property, I catch sight of the veranda that extends past the edge of the cliff, the open front of the house offers a panoramic view of the sea in all its glory.

From where I'm standing, I can see the marina, although from this vantage point it looks rather small, and insignificant.

The rumble of an engine interrupts my perusal, and I turn around to look at the woman climbing from the car, holding a thick folder.

Just like her peers, she is dressed professionally. The standard suit jacket and slacks, and pair of fuchsia pumps.

She is young. Younger than I expected her to be but I guess when you're trying to build an empire you better start early. She is the owner of the agency, and I can't help but feel a little ashamed of my own lacklustre accomplishments in her presence.

Smiling she steps onto the veranda with an outstretched hand, " We spoke on the phone. I'm Lavinia. Nice to meet you," She is far too cheery considering the shoddy state of the house I'm about to buy.

Since she already knows my name, I take a deep breath, and get on woth it in spite of all the jittery nerves vibrating through me.

It is a mix of everything's, excitement, anxiety, doubt. It's a painful step for me, one that I didn't think I would have to take alone but here we are.

" So, tell me about the house," I take in her tired expression, the dark bags under her eyes and somehow I get a glimpse of my fure self in Lavinia.

" Oh yes. It has a lovely history," She opens the folder and begins riffling through it to the corresponding page.

" It was built circa two hundred and fifty years ago. It has been unoccupied for about a hundred of those," She waves at the thick layer of salt deposit on the stone, the moss growning in the cracks of the foundation, and the opaque windows that do not allow a glimpse of what's inside.

" The current owner is a distant relative of the former owner. It has been on the market several times but without any luck. Would you like to have a look inside," She asks eagerly looking for the key in her bag.

" Of course," I already know what I'll find, but I'm ready to get my hands dirty. Everything will be outdated, and in a poor state. It will cost a small fortune to bring this beauty back to its former glory but I'm ready.

Once she is retrieved the key, she begins walking on the wooden slabs that make up the flooring of the veranda. Considering it's extensive age, it's looking rather precarious, and each creak the wood gives under our weight, Lavinia jumps a little.

She fumbles with the lock for a few good minutes, until, with great effort on her part it finally pries open.

The ominous creak of the hinges has Lavinia, flinch and shiver while I find myself absolutely entranced by the sight of the interior.

The front room it's huge. It contains what I think it used be a kitchen, and a generously sized pantry. The rest of the room is empty, but the embossed whimsical wallpaper on the walls has captivated my attention. It depicts the moon rising over the sea, spilling its silvery light, almost looking as if its liquid. On the background the star spangled sky completes the scene unfolding seamlessly over the walls encompassing the room.

Lavinia heaves a sigh at my side," I can't believe it has survived for so long. It is so beautiful, it would be a shame to dispose of it," She says wistfully as she looks around the room. Wouldn't dream of it. I love it. Like I knew I would love this house.

" Should we have a look around, " She begins to walk to the corner of the room, but because of the wallpaper it's quite difficult to see that there is a hallway in the corner.