The car came to a full stop, the engine idling softly as Derek stepped out, his hand brushing against the doorframe for balance. Annabelle hesitated for a moment, her heart still racing from the sudden decision. She glanced at the driver, who gave her a small nod, as if to say, It’s okay. Go with him. She took a deep breath, grabbed her bag, and followed Derek out into the cool, crisp air.
The first thing she noticed was the scent—wildflowers, fresh grass, and something sweet, like honey. They were on the edge of a small town, the kind of place where time seemed to move slower. The road they’d pulled over on was quiet, lined with tall trees and patches of sunlight breaking through the leaves. In the distance, she could see the outline of a small market, colorful stalls set up under stripe
