When fate plays its hand

Unlike the dry, biting cold of the north, the weather in Yalemont, located in the south, was a typical, damp, bone–chilling cold. As the high–speed train pulled into the station, a drizzle began to fall.

When Miranda and the others stepped off the train, a sharp gust of wind hit them, and they instinctively shránk their necks: The cold seemed to seep through their clothes and creep to their bones.

Madison quickly wrapped her scarf tighter, hunching her shoulders, pulling her neck in, and shoving her hands into her pockets. She looked like a puffed–up penguin trying to stay

warm.

“Miranda, let’s hurry up and go. The wind’s blowing in from every direction on this platform–it’s freezing.” Her breath turned into a white mist as she spoke.

Miranda nodded. “Yeah, let’s get moving.”

The station was deserted, with no crowds or noise. This was a county town—not a rich one -so it made sense that it looked this way.

“I checked earlier. There’s only one bus from the high–speed train station to the town, and it runs every 50 minutes. The last one’s already left, so we’ve missed it,” Sebastian said calmly, “If we need to get there tonight, we can take a shared van or book a rideshare.‘

Miranda asked, “What do you mean by rideshare?”

“It’s a car that picks up passengers.” He paused and added, “It’s a private service.”

11

She looked up at the sky. “It’s getting dark soon. How about we stay here for the night and take the bus to town tomorrow?”

Madison nodded eagerly. “I agree. We’re in a new place, and traveling during the day is safer.”

Sebastian shrugged. “Fine with me.”

After checking into a motel, it was already 8:00 pm. The night was as dark as ink, and the streets were eerily quiet.

Madison opened the window and looked out at the empty street. Only a few corner stores and barbecue stands offered sparse light. Original from NôvelDrama.Org.

“Miranda… this place is way too quiet… It’s kinda creepy…” she said while hugging her arms and rubbing her arms for warmth.

Miranda handed her a cup of instant noodles. “This is all we’ve got. Just make the best of it.

The plan had been to drop off their stuff and head downstairs for some barbeque. But when they passed by earlier, they saw the stall owner wiping the blood off the raw meat with a rag used for cleaning the grill. That was enough to kill anyone’s appetite.

Madison sniffed the air. “Smells good.”

Miranda chuckled. “That’s not like you.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re so picky about food, and yet you think instant noodles smell good?” Miranda teased.

Madison giggled. “When I’m starving, everything smells good.” Then, she slurped up a mouthful.

As they were eating, there was a knock on the door.

Madison froze. “Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

It was Sebastian who stayed in the room next door.

Miranda opened the door. He stood in the doorway w ha plastic fork, eating his noodles. He stepped inside and asked, “Did you guys find the heater switch?”

Miranda and Madison just stared at him, dumbfounded.

He stopped chewing and seemed a bit awkward. “Uh… was that a bad question?”

Madison was speechless. “Come on, man. This is Yalemont, in the south. It’s definitely a southern region. No heating. Thanks.”

Sebastian blinked in disbelief. “It’s so cold, and there’s no heating?”

Madison smiled. “Yep.”

The shabby motel didn’t even have a functioning air conditioner. It was miserable. She had never stayed in a place this bad.

After finishing their instant noodles, the trio called it an early night.