-MEAL PREP-

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The drive back home from the bookstore was serene. My impromptu encounter with Joseph had a strange  energy to it. The setting sun bathed the landscape in a warm, golden hue, and the worries of the day seemed to fade away with each passing mile.

As I pulled into the driveway of my family home, a sense of calm settled over me. I looked forward to some much-needed rest and reflection after the unexpected events of the day. However, when I walked through the front door, I was met with an unexpected surprise.

"Mom, Dad, I'm home!" I called out, expecting to hear their familiar voices in response. Instead, there was silence.

I wandered through the house, noticing a text  on my phone. My heart sank as I read it. My parents had decided to extend their trip, citing the need for more time to explore and unwind. They apologized for not being able to let me know sooner.

Mixed emotions swirled within me—loneliness, understanding, and a touch of frustration. While I was proud of them for taking the opportunity to enjoy their vacation, I couldn't help but feel a sense of solitude settling in.

Nonetheless, I decided to make the most of the situation. The serene drive home had left me with a sense of inner peace, and I realized that this unexpected solitude might just be the perfect opportunity for me to delve deeper into the mysteries that had been unfolding in my life.

I think I'll definitely be leaving the house early in the morning tomorrow. Maybe around 2 am or 3 am. I just really want to make sure I get there on time. The only thing is that I'd have to pack some food for myself. I wanna make steak and some salmon it's just that they would do best in salad or something like that. I also had some fruits so I'd make smoothies with that.

I'm so eager to leave my home to go see if this place that I've been seeing in my dream is real or if it's fake

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I'm so eager to leave my home to go see if this place that I've been seeing in my dream is real or if it's fake. I mean it couldn't really be fake if three people have confirmed that it isn't. I also feel this sense of guilt for wanting to leave and focus on a new life. I sigh to myself feeling so conflicted.  I know that my parents would most likely be returning home very soon.

And if I do leave tomorrow or sometimes soon, I know they'll wonder where I am. I also know that if I don't leave a letter or some form of information on my where about they'd have a search team out and running Within the next week of my departure to Louisiana. The least I'll do is write a short letter to them. I just need some difference in my boring and very mundane life.

With determination in my heart and a sense of anticipation for the journey ahead, I decided to start my meal preparations for the early morning departure. It was essential to have nourishing food ready for the road and for when I arrived at my destination in Louisiana.

The first thing I did was marinate the steak and salmon, much like I had prepared the steak salad earlier that day. I let the flavors infuse, knowing they would be perfectly tender and flavorful when it was time to cook them.

While the meats marinated, I focused on preparing a batch of fresh smoothies. I had a bounty of ripe fruits—bananas, strawberries, blueberries, and even some tangy oranges. The blender whirred to life as I combined these with Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey, and a generous splash of almond milk. The resulting smoothie was a burst of fruity delight, a perfect energizing treat for the long drive.

 The resulting smoothie was a burst of fruity delight, a perfect energizing treat for the long drive

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I moved on to assembling my snacks. I portioned out a colorful array of crunchy vegetables—carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and bell pepper strips, paired with creamy hummus for dipping. Additionally, I mixed up a bowl of nuts and dried fruits, creating a satisfying blend of textures and flavors.

 Additionally, I mixed up a bowl of nuts and dried fruits, creating a satisfying blend of textures and flavors

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With my meal prep nearly complete, I shifted my focus to the evening. I wanted to create a sense of protection and serenity for the night ahead, just as I had earlier when making cloaking tea with Joseph.

 I wanted to create a sense of protection and serenity for the night ahead, just as I had earlier when making cloaking tea with Joseph

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I gathered the same herbs—chamomile, lavender, and mugwort—brewing them in a pot with hot water. The scent that wafted from the mixture was soothing and calming. I let it steep for a while, allowing the herbs to infuse the water with their magic.

As I sipped the warm herbal tea, I felt a sense of tranquility wash over me, much like the feeling I'd experienced earlier

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As I sipped the warm herbal tea, I felt a sense of tranquility wash over me, much like the feeling I'd experienced earlier. The mysterious journey that lay ahead was filled with uncertainty, but I was ready to embrace it. My letter to my parents lay on the kitchen table, explaining my quest and promising to return, though I couldn't predict when that might be.

With my preparations complete and my sense of purpose renewed, I retired to my room for a few hours of rest. Tomorrow, the road would beckon, and the truth about the plantation and the enigmatic brothers, Lucien and Joseph, awaited me.

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