Adventures of the Introvert

Chapter 4

"No--"

"There was an entire flock..."

"I don't. The last thing I remember is talking with my grandma and getting a necklace from her... I was really sleepy, and--" She stopped as she saw Stefan taking her birthday present out of his jacket.

"This one?" He handed it to her.

"How did you--" As she took the chest in her hand, she felt a familiar warmth run through her body.

"That's your talisman." He smiled.

"I've got it from your grandma."

"But how?"

"I went there this morning. Told her where you are, so she wouldn't worry."

"What could you possibly tell her that wouldn't make her worry right now?"

"She knows Pero. She knows everything."

"So she just gave this to you?"

"Yeah, you will need it. She also sent you some cookies and clothes, they are in my backpack."

"I'm sorry... I just..." Sophia couldn't even form a proper question. "Why can't I just go home?"

"We will get to that later."

"Then start talking already."

"First of all," he said officially. "Do you feel your talisman?"

"It's an object. I do." She acted as if she was talking to a toddler.

"And now you are the annoying one."

"Oh excuse me." She added sarcastically.

"I meant... Do you feel like... a warmth? But really pleasant and--"

"I actually do." Sophia said abruptly. "It feels... Like I'm myself again." She smiled at that thought.

"Exactly!" He smiled too. "Oh I'd like to see Kamile try to do her hocus-pocus on you now." He laughed.

"I'm sorry--" She lost the point of his words once again.

"Well, once you have your talisman with you... No one can, you know... Do the hocus-pocus." He waved his hand, trying to explain.

"What's 'hocus-pocus' supposed to represent?" She imitated his hand movements.

"You told me you had felt like you were drugged." He said. "It wasn't a drug. It was Kamile."

"So she... Hocus-pocused me?"

"Yeah, let's say so." He agreed with a slight nod. "We don't really have an actual name for that, so--"

"Do you expect me to believe such a thing?"

"Why wouldn't you?"

"Oh maybe because--"

"Wait." Stefan interrupted. "Before you start with 'magic doesn't exist', 'I believe in science' and all that... Just keep in mind that I have never mentioned magic."

"I--"

"Oh and you have just walked through a painting." He glanced at the dusty canvas.

"Just... Talk." She gave up.

"Thank you." He turned around and walked to the ajar aslope door. "Follow me."

And she did. Sophia followed him through that rusty room and they walked out on a wooden porch. She took a deep breath. Clear air filled her lungs. It was a bit warmer outside.

"How is it not snowing here?" She looked at the trees surrounding the cottage. The ground was painted with colourful fallen leaves, addled by warm wind. "It's like autumn."

"It is autumn." He was taking off his backpack and putting it on an old green sofa. "We went a bit south." He took a seat, putting his elbows on his knees.

"A bit?" Sophia sat next to him.

"A bit more." Stefan smiled.

"Is this the cottage on that painting at Pero's?"

"It is."

"So I guess that the painting, hidden under a thick layer of dust, is showing Pero's home?"

"That's right."

"Where's your dog?" Thinking of her unusual traveling methods reminded her of it and she couldn't believe she hadn't noticed its absence before.

"He is my - friend." He corrected her.

"Okay... Where's your friend?" She giggled.

He stood up and walked to the edge of the porch. Leaning on the railing, he called. "Buddy!"

Not a second has passed and the Husky was running out of the forest towards them.

"Curles would like to meet you." Stefan said when Buddy jumped onto the porch.

The dog waved its tale as Sophia cuddled him. Then abruptly turned around and walked to Stefan who crouched and took friend's paws into his hands.

Stefan's smile suddenly faded away.

"Curles," He said while still looking at Buddy. "We should get inside."

"Why? It's really nice here."

"Just... Do." He insisted.

"Is it... Like the last night?" Her heart skipped a beat.

"Please." Taking his backpack, he decisively walked to the door that led inside. Then stood in the doorframe and waited for Sophia to follow.

She unwillingly dragged herself next to him. "Only if you promise to finally tell me every single thing."

"I solemnly swear," he put his hand to his heart. "I will answer on every question you ask."

"You better." She tried to give him a threatening look, on which he only snorted.

Sophia walked through the door and mimicked puking when she inhaled the musty air.

"Except maybe if you ask me about m--" Stefan was right behind her.

"Shut up." She tried not to hear his laugh and proceeded walking back to the room, still clenching her birthday present in her hand.