CHAPTER 1

“Sierra, you will always remember to be vigilant especially now that crime is rampant. "Sister Ferry reminded me. 

We are now at the gate of the convent as the children and the three nuns surround me. 

Just a month ago I reached the age of eighteen. Since I am of legal age I can now leave the care of the nuns and venture out of the convent.

The children I had also been with for several years looked up to me sadly while the orders of the three nuns who even bothered to take me to the gate.

"Don't worry. I will remember your instructions. "I told them.

I am very grateful to them. I was orphaned early and was thrown into the convent because no one wanted to take care of me.

It's okay that I came here because I also don't want to have a new family. That is why I am still in the care of the nuns.

I bowed to the children and smiled at them. These children were with me and I considered them brothers and sisters. Even though I was only with them for a short time, I was still happy.

"Take care of our home, ok? "I told them. The children nodded with tears in their eyes. I watched them one last time. This is it.

This is where I will start living alone. No companion, no support from anyone, no one to talk to. 

"I'm leaving." I didn't bother to wait for their response and turned around. I walked away from them while waving backwards.

"Be careful, Sierra! "I heard them chase. I honestly do not know where I am going. We are in the city and I do not know the ins and outs around the place because I often go out of the convent.

I turned onto a road and if I am not mistaken it was heading to the bus station. I also walked for a few minutes and I was encouraged when I saw not far away the parked yellow buses.

Since I was not familiar with places other than the city of Oak Ridge, I just rode without looking where the bus was going

There are more vacant seats and I chose the seat by the window. I put in the empty seat next to me a small bag containing my belongings. 

I looked out of the bus window at the people busy with their own businesses. As I watched them I could not help but fall asleep. I woke up early because I still had to fix things and double checked if I had saved the documents I would need in the future.

I did not realize that the bus was full and it was leaving the terminal. As we drove away from the city to a place I did not know I was just stunned outside. Even when I was drowsy I could not sleep.

I wonder what awaits me in the place I am going. Will something bad happen to me? Will I meet a friend? Will my life be just fine? 

Questions that I can’t answer at least one.

“Where will you stop? "I blinked when I heard the voice of the conductor by my side. I turned around and saw that his gaze was bad on the bag I put beside my seat.

“Where is it going to stop?" The conductor frowned. He may be thinking I was a fool because I did not even look at the license plate where the bus destination was written.

“In North Dakota.” He answered. North Dakota. The name of the place is unfamiliar to me.

“Is that place a city? "I asked again. I can feel that the conductor is annoyed with me but he can do nothing but answer the questions.

“No. North Dakota is a small town with a population of about three thousand.”

With what he said I was able to make a decision. "I'm going down to North Dakota." 

He gave me a ticket and said he would return my fare. I just nodded and stared out the window again.

I have a small amount of money that I saved during my stay at the convent. I hope I can find a house that fits my budget. I will also look for a job so that I can buy food and daily expenses

When the conductor returned to my seat I handed over the payment. A few more hours passed before the conductor shouted and announced where we were.

“North Dakota!”

I got up and picked up my bag. I turned inside the bus and just now I noticed there were only three passengers left including me.

I got off the bus and observed the surroundings. I saw from my peripheral vision two men in a row getting off the bus before it pulled away.

This small town also has a small bus station. You will think you are on the side walk because of the five benches that include heat and rain protection.

When I observed the surrounding I was greeted by a few people crossing, walking, standing and talking, and dogs with their owner.

If you are wondering why I thought of moving away from the city where I grew up and going to a place I am not familiar with and no one I know of, this is all I can answer.

I want to run away from that chaotic city. 

I slung the bag over my shoulders and started walking. I will look for a vacant apartment or small house that can be rented.

But it seems that foreigners are rare in this area because I only saw two apartment buildings. Pure two story building where both rooms are full.

I asked if there was a small and cheap house for rent here and because this town is small, almost everyone will know each other.

And the people I asked answered only one thing, nothing. I almost despaired but there was a kindhearted man who was still hesitant to say what he knew.

"I know of a house, but it is old and ruined. No one lives there anymore and the owner has abandoned it. If you want I will show you where the house stands."

I am so grateful to the old man. I said it's okay even if it's broken as long as I have a roof to shelter tonight.

He told me where the location was and without hesitation I went to it. But before I could get away, the old man had another claim.

"Be careful, child. Wolves are infesting that place."