Sunset and Sunrise

She opened the journal, its black leather cover roughened by age, pages worn and thin. She skimmed through it once more, desperately looking for its secrets.

She trekked deeper into the amber forest; twigs grasping at her arms, leaves crunching at her feet. The sun had vanished under the tree line, leaving only the occasional ray to surprise her. Her phone was long dead, old headphones wrapped around it protectively in her pocket. She only had the sounds of birds and foreign, tiny footsteps to accompany her.

Taking a breath, she read through the last page once more, trying to see its hidden meaning.

Going to the City this week. Can’t stand the stuffy buildings, but it must be done; don’t forget to mention Wilbur, won’t you?

Left at her doorstep on a rainy night, this little journal had gently pried away at her defences. It’s inconspicuous tale of a man that hates his job shouldn’t have been this fascinating, yet it consumed her every thought. There was no introduction to it; she knew his friend’s names yet not his own, but she felt close to the stranger.

Which is why she was wondering through this forest, convinced that it was here she’d find the author.

A chill brushed past her hair, tickling her neck. She scowled, lifting up the frayed jacket to her ears. It fell back down when she let go, earning a sigh from the young girl. She then tried to smooth her brown hair against her neck to fight against the cold, still clutching her notebook – his notebook – in one hand.

Her footsteps became heavier as seconds rolled into minutes, the sun dipping lower and lower, until vanishing in the abyss. Darkness overtook her surroundings, making each of her steps less sure.

She looked down at the little notebook, whose string no longer held it bound, and her mistake dawned upon her.

She was stuck in a forest, at night, without a functioning phone.

She paused, holding a hand to the bridge of her nose. She was an idiot, through and through. She turned, trying to mentally plan her route home, but all she saw was trees and trees and shadows of trees. Tall and small, full of vibrant leaves and decaying next to rocks. She’d long strayed from the path, leaving escape treacherous at best.

She stared down at her – his? – book.

“Well, you tell me. What do I do?” Her voice was slightly hoarse, deep with fatigue. It said nothing, lazily staying silent in her hands. She could imagine its owner laughing and shrugging at her, never on to make a decision at another’s place. She wondered what he looked like; would he be a middle man living his early retirement in bliss, still living out his days as if he were young? Or perhaps a young dashing gentleman, out to bother some unsuspecting Londoner?

“Fine!” She couldn’t stand her own curiosity, spinning on her heels and leaving deeper into the forest. She could’ve sworn the notebook would be grinning at her triumphantly as she marched to her own doom.

Her worn down shoes folded to every bump and rock, but she refused to let this notebook bother her any longer. She brushed past new trees, scanning the area every so often. Time lost its meaning, trees and stars the only rhythm she now followed.

New light trickled through the trees to her right, making her pause. She squinted, yawning loudly. Rubbing her eyes and looking again, the light remained, staining the floor with warm gold. She ducked under a large branch sloppily, making her way there. It had to be, no one would else was crazy enough to live here, let alone have the permission to build a house in the middle of nature.

Taken by the light, by the promise of human interaction and freedom from the forest, she continued with renewed fervour. The trees thinned, leading into a fenced clearing, the gate creaking and open. She hesitated, staring at the cottage in a bed of flowers. Vines hung off its sides, creeping onto the roof, and its windows were circular and beaming with light. She took a step forward, face to face with the oak door and round handle. A silver bee door knocker reflected the light from the nearby window.

She knocked. Once. Twice. Then waited. The house was silent; the buzzing of wildlife rung in her ears.

Seconds ticked by, before she heard shuffles, a curse, and a crash. She jumped, hands grasping the notebook.

“Hello there!” The door swung open, banging against a nearby coat rack. A woman opened the door, dressed in a long burgundy dress, carrying a radiant smile.

“Hi!” She squeaked back, inwardly cursing how her voice cracked, she held the book closer for comfort. The woman’s smile remained intact.

“Come in come in! You are…?”

“Niki, it’s nice to meet you.” She timidly shook hands with the bubbly woman,

“Wonderful! My name is Lucy, it’s a pleasure.” She glided through her home, footsteps silent and graceful against lacquered wood. Niki stood at the doorway, painfully aware of the dirt clinging to her. “Take off your shoes and join me!” Niki jumped to action, leaving the holed mess at the door and following Lucy.

“So, what brings you here?” Lucy stared at Niki through the living room, carrying a metal teapot, already pouring a second cup.

“Oh, me?” The book felt fragile in her hands, “I was trying to return this.” She held out the black notebook, showing it’s intricate and worn design. Lucy took a single look at it for confirmation, before gesturing that she sit on the couch.

“I knew it, no one would come here unannounced like that.” She had a knowing smile, as if she’d been waiting all week for her. Niki blinked in confusion, looking up at her.

“What do you- “

“I’m so glad I found you. Did you like my little puzzle?”

“Huh?” She stared down at the book, then into Lucy’s sky-blue eyes.

“Well who do you think the author is?” Lucy giggled, putting down Niki’s cup and holding her own with two hands, curled up on the couch.

“Well I thought… it was a guy, on that worked in the city of London with a close knit group of friends and… is this your life?”

“No don’t be silly, the city isn’t for me. I wrote it based on my brother’s life. I thought it would be fun to give it away to someone, I’m glad it’s made a full circle.” Fairy lights bounced off every corner of the quaint room, the fire place crackling with more warm light. Niki struggled to understand that her chase, however real and tiring it had been to her, was utterly fictious.

“So, the meetings never happened? And the bakery in Brighton?” she leaned forward.

“Oh they did, but not in such a romantic way, my brother can’t string a pretty sentence together, let alone an entire book.” The woman jittered with joy, “Oh I’m so happy you came with this! You have to get a reward, wait here.”

“Reward –hold on– it’s fine I’m just glad I gave it back to you,” Niki stuttered, standing, and struggling to keep up with Lucy.

“Wait here.” She gently commanded, before rushing up the stairs, holding onto the round railing. Niki awkwardly stood in the entry way shifting her weight from foot to foot.

Seconds later, she came back down, holding a check book and a fountain pen.

“No no no I can’t accept any money. I mean –thank you for offering but– “

“Nonsense. I sent you on a goose chase for my amusement, I have to give you something for your time.” Niki’s eyes widened at the number she was writing. $20,000.

“That’s far too much you can’t- and why dollars? “

“Would you prefer euros?” She laughed. “Now, stop being humble. Take it as a gift. Oh and- “ Lucy took another sheet of paper, wrote a number and gave it into her shaking hands, “-give me a call sometime won’t you? And stay for dinner I’m almost done.”

“A-Alright.” She stayed, looking at the check in her hands. It was an absurd amount, life changing. She could finally go to university with it, or take a vacation, or buy herself a new wardrobe. Maybe she’d be able to visit her mysterious brother. Niki let out a light giggle, then dissolving into laughter as her worries melted away.

She heard Lucy join her from the kitchen, cackling like a pair of witches.

They laughed and laughed and laughed, until Lucy came back with dinner giggling.

“I hope you like soup.”

“My favourite.” Lucy grinned, looking out of the window, and gasping.

“It’s sunrise. Quick! Come have a look!” The woman all but dragged Niki to her feet, to the East window.

“Oh wow… I wouldn’t mind this view every morning.”

“Me too, it’s why I wake up this early.” Lucy sighed, leaning against the window sill, Niki did the same to the opposite side.

With the sky bathed in a calming pink light, for the first time in years, Niki couldn’t wait to see what day would bring.