Stumbling upon

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Text copyright © 2021 by Dakshita Rawat

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval sys tem, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written per mission of the publisher.

It was the most freezing night, Winston, Oregon ever experienced. The entire town was enveloped, with a deep, dark silence.

I laid comfy in my couch with my PJs on, reading a horror novel.

When suddenly, I started recalling about my whole day. It was a normal day, but something, was really, really, off about it. I had a sensation the whole day, that someone was keeping an eye on me, when I was grabbing a coffee, walking towards my college, talking to people and even when I was alone at the college library. The thoughts about it rotated around my mind the entire night, until I comforted myself by saying, "Oh PLEASE! Why will someone keep an eye on me, the most unsocial butterfly in the town". I quickly kept the novel away, turned off the lights and tried to fall asleep.

The next day, I woke up at 6:00 am, with a strong headache, as I slept for hardly 3 to 3 1/2 hours. "What a great way to start my day", I stated annoyingly, looking at the snowy streets through my window pane. It was the most glacial morning I had ever experienced, never mind. I was really excited to go to college, as it was quite a special day for me. We were informed, that some new students had taken admission, at our institution and will begin their classes from that day.

As I told before hand, I was not the most social person one could meet, but I was quite popular among my mates, because of my looks and unbeatable excellent grades, and as a con, most of the girls hated that. So, I had only one friend, or we can say, bestie " Patricia " but I held my hopes tight, to make some new friends.

I enthusiastically came out of my bed, took a shower and dressed up more famine and quite nicely than my casual look. I grabbed my coffee and took my overcoat, as I walked towards my car.

As I was driving down the hill, I saw a brand new bakery shop that seemed like it had just opened. It smelled really amazing. I couldn't wait any longer and found myself automatically walking inside the bakery.

AHHH! the smell of hot chocolate, divinely mixed with the smell of just baked cake, filled my heat with excitement like a child, I could feel saliva, overflowing inside my mouth. I had time until the lessons started, so I joyfully headed, towards the old looking lady, wearing an apron. She gave me the sweetest smile, as I came towards her.

She was short, chubby and had an adorable face with probably the warmest smile, that could melt an ice-cold heart, of a fully grown man. "Hello! beautiful lady, how may I help you" she said warmly. "Hello! Um, uh, can you please suggest me, something to eat?" I said in a confused way, but with a huge smile. "Sure dear, you can try having some coco-coffee with my special secret cake, they both compliment each other, really well", she said. "Yeah, that sounds heavenly delicious, I'll have some please", I said excitedly. She nodded and went inside the kitchen, as she brought me my coco-coffee and special cake, I observed the most beautiful and aesthetic shop I had ever been.

Although the place was cozy and warm, but I felt sudden chills time to time, like something was strange, and the place was strangely familiar so, I couldn't stop myself and took some photos.

The old lady came and handed me the coco-coffee and cake. "There you go", she said, "careful! it's hot" but she was too late, I had already sipped a mouth burning amount of the coco-coffee. The lady started laughing ,and I can't remember why, but at that moment, I felt happy and found myself laughing, in place of feeling pain and regret. I felt connected to the woman in a strange way.

My heart was not willing to leave the lady, but I was forced to, by my brain, as I had to reach college. "It was great meeting you, I'll for sure come again" I said pleasantly "I'll be waiting for you, have a great day dear" she replied with shine in her eyes.

I got inside my car and drove myself to college.

As I reached college, I found Patricia running towards me excitedly. "Scarlett, Scarlettttt, where were you?!" she said as if she was dying to talk to me. "I called you so many times". "Sorry, I was actually busy (not actually busy but I didn't wanted to answer any calls as I was having a great time at the bakery). "DO YOU KNOW! DO YOU KNOW! DO YOU KNOW, who is here?!"

If you are interested in reading the full novel then please visit amazon kindle, google books, lulu.com. The novel will be available for readers there as soon as possible with the same title. Happy reading.