"Please gather your belongings before you exit the plane and thank you for flying with us." The words came over the speaker and she shivered as she looked out the window, snatching up her backpack from beneath the seat. Too close...too too close. Damn the airlines and their delayed flights.
She should have been here four hours ago with plenty of time to settle in and relax. Now, it'd be a rush to the BnB. A BnB that they'd purchased to keep the customers to a minimum. Or rather, to a certain species.
The backpack on her shoulders, the carryall at hand, she wheeled it down the aisle and to the exit.
"Thank you," the attendant said, and she nodded with a lilted 'thank you', which drew a second glance from the attendant. Attention she felt as she hurried down the tube that led into the airport.
Twenty minutes later, the sun was nearing the horizon when she entered the house, checked in and rushed with barely a word to the proprietress. "I'm tired, I'll be resting for most of the day," she said as she ran for the stairs. She felt a growing weight to her body, her muscles slowing as she reached the room, secured the door and closed the heavy blackout drapes. Drapes they'd specifically requested.
Still dressed, and heavy lidded she fell upon the bed as the first hint of color dusted the horizon and day-sleep took her under.
(later that evening)
Her eyes flashed open just as quickly as they'd closed that morning and she sat up, her stomach growling with hunger. She hated waking up hungry, but it wasn't to be avoided as the morning had been a mad rush to get under cover. Rising, she winced at the ache of stiffness that came with a heavy and ill prepared sleep, moving to the window to draw back the thick blackout curtains.
It'd been suitable, but she didn't like the vulnerability they had with just a curtain between them and a fiery death. The sun's last glow hung low on the horizon, blocked by brush and brambles and buildings and trees. "Well, let's go see what we can find," she told herself as she stretched once again before heading to the door.
It'd been carefully locked that morning and seemed undisturbed as she opened the door, heading down the stairs. "Is anyone here?" she called out only to find a note on the desk in the living room. The desk for the registration of guests. "Well, we'll do something about that," she said as she read the note.
-Back tomorrow morning, Dinner warm in stove Alvea-
"Food," she said as she placed the note back on the desk, walked to the kitchen and pulled open the oven door. A waft of heat moved from the stove to her and she shivered slightly at the change of temperature. It felt good, warmth. It made her miss the sunshine but losing that to gain immortality was a decent tradeoff. She wouldn't complain ...too much.
"What do we have here?" she asked as she drew out sheet pan and oven safe bowls. "oh, good." she said as she unwrapped the foil on the pan to find a roasted chicken, still moist from the cooking. Potatos, greenbeans, corn and cabbage rounded out the meal. She didn't bother with a plate as she sat the containers on the table, grabbed a knife and fork and dug in.
As she ate, the phone rang and she tabbed it on, tapping the speaker button as she took another bite of the roasted chicken. "Scout here," she said.
"You made it, I see." the voice spoke on the other end.
"Yes," she said as she chewed and swallowed. "Close call. The plane was delayed for four hours. I barely made it inside."
"Shit.." came the reply.
"Tell me about it. But, I'm here. Any updates?"
"No, just check in when you make contact. The drinks make it?"
"I haven't checked the luggage yet, I was on the hunt for some food."
"That sounds like you."
"Thanks. I can't help it if I'm hungry all the damned time. Not my fault I transitioned like this."
"I'm just glad we don't have more like you, we have enough trouble keeping you fed," a hint of laughter in the words.
"Hardy, har har...I'll contact you later."
"Do that," came the reply and the sudden silence that told her the call had been disconnected.
"But for now," she said to no one but the food. "I'm going to finish this off." she said as she tore off another piece of chicken and sighed happily as she popped it into her mouth.
