Mr. H, it's been a long time…

Reaching Cedar Town by the subway, a vividly scenic small town nestled between hills and forests thrived as a tourist hotspot, drawing visitors with its quaint charm and lively atmosphere.

The cobblestone streets glistened under the greasy glow of gaslights. Wafting plumes of smoke mingled with the greasy smoke curling from the food stalls. Café tables, usually overflowing with gelato and espresso, now hosted groups sharing pitchers and loud stories. The night was alive with a gritty energy, a far cry from the quaint charm of the daytime.

Isla led the way to a cosy diner, and they settled into a booth near the back.

"So, tell me more about yourself, Isla," Maya said, trying to suppress the gnawing sense of inadequacy she felt compared to Isla. "Don’t you ever feel scared living alone? Where do you come from? I mean, you transferred here, but I don't really know much about your life before that."