Fangman’s Inn

As they rode through the roads, Bianca couldn't stop thanking God for her luck in meeting this man. But that still didn't stop her from being afraid. Just what had she seen and heard?

The curfew, the mysterious person she met in the street, and the driver's talks. Surely this place would not be as safe as she had presumed at the beginning. She tugged and fixed her bonnet and pelisse as if to cover and hold herself tighter while looking around like a lost bird.

"Do you have an address on where you're stopping at Farshield?" The middle-aged gentleman asked. Jolting her out of her thoughts.

"Yes, I do." That seemed to cross her mind now, and she dipped her hand into her breast pocket to fish out the address her mom had written her on paper. "Here." She handed it over to him.

"Fang man's Inn? Ah! I know the place."

"Really sir?"

"Today seems to be your lucky day, miss." He said through a smile as he handed her back the paper. "Fang Man's Inn is a famous inn everyone in Farshield should know." He said after a while.

"And I presume, you know of the owner of the inn?" She dared to ask him because her mother had told her Aunt Anne owned the inn.

"Yes, Madame Anne."

That set her mind at rest that she was going to the right place. And she had no choice but to trust that this man was telling the truth.

Thirty minutes later they entered a muddy road that had much poorer and mediocre houses. This place was much more secluded with trees and bushes.

She noticed the stark contrast between the dimly lit, humble homes and the streets she had passed earlier. The air grew cooler, and the silence was only broken by the occasional rustle of leaves. Unease crept in, and she began to wonder if she had made a mistake coming here.

The man seemed to sense her unease and reassured her, "Don't worry, miss. Fang Man's Inn is just up ahead. You'll be safe there." She nodded, hoping he was right, and reminded herself of her destination, clinging to the hope that Aunt Anne awaited her arrival.

A few minutes later, the man came to a stop in front of a wooden signpost.

"We're here, miss."

She turned to the signpost and saw it written in bold form. *Fangman Inn*

A breath of relief followed next when she saw the inn house behind the wooden fence that covered the whole house leaving only one entrance. The yellow lights illuminating the windows and some clatters of glasses told her she was in the right place.

"Thank you so much, sir, you are kind."

"You're welcome." As he came down, he offered her his hand to assist her. Her bag he fetched and handed it to her.

"Have a great evening."

Bianca bowed at him before carrying her bag and entering the inn through the open path.

Bia saw it reasonable once she got to the door to knock. The chatter and laughter inside seemed to decrease when her knock was heard.

Soon, the door was opened to reveal a chubby woman who seemed to be in her late forties. Her black curly hair was tied in a scarf, and her apron, worn over a brown local dress, was stuffed with something Bia had no idea what it was.

Her black eyes blinked once at her as she sized her up.

"Good evening, ma'am." Bia greeted.

"How may I help you?" she asked, poking herself out of the door.

"Oh," Bia was quick to reach into her bag to fetch out the letter her mother had written her to hand over.

"I'm Taylor wright's daughter from Old Hollins."

She didn't bother to open the letter when her mouth went an 'Oh.'

"I'm so sorry, dear. Is this you? Oh my! But I thought you were supposed to be here on Wednesday?"

Bianca blinked. "But it is Wednesday."

"Oh, yes, yes." she said. "Welcome, welcome, my girl." She went ahead to carry one of her bags and then nudged her to wait at the backyard.

"I don't want the customers to feast their eyes on you this evening, so we will go through the back door."

"Right." She nodded.

Aunt Anne received her through the back door, which was her kitchen, and then led her through a different door to her inner house at the inn. It was a two-bedroom flat she had carved out for herself away from the noise of the pub.

She had lit a candle which she held in one hand as she led the way. "I had cleaned up this room awaiting you." She said as they entered the second room.

"It might still smell a bit dusty, but it's all because I haven't had a visitor in years!" She smiled through her talk as she set the candle atop a table in the room.

There was a bed, a cupboard, a mirror, and a table and chair. Great. This was great, Bia said in her mind as she looked around the barely lit room. It didn't matter if it was just a mattress in here; her hospitality was what she cherished the most.

"You don't…"

"Thank you…"

They said simultaneously, and the woman smiled. Such a smiley woman, Bianca noticed.

"It's nothing, my dear. I am pleased to be of help. As you can see, I need company. I'm grateful your mother reached out to me, and I'm thankful to be connected to her after all these years."

The silence swelled between them, and Bianca swallowed.

"You should freshen up. There is the bathroom." She pointed at a narrow door by the side. "And I will bring you dinner for you to rest."

"Thank… thank you so much." Bianca didn't know how to begin. This wasn't what she expected.

She waved it off. "I will leave you to settle in," and just like that, she left, the door clicking softly behind her.

"Well…" Her eyes wandered around the room. She was tired, so she went ahead to slump on the bed. Surely, she would need that bath. She breathed in the air as she lay down. Her lips widened in a tired smile as her eyes closed.

Finally at Pelinburst.

That evening after her bath, she came out to see a tray of food already served at the table and afterwards Aunt Anne asked her to go to bed that they would talk tommorrow morning.