Becomes the Rose

Chapter 1Tarin slowly sat up and, with yawn and a stretch, picked up his phone to check the time. Groaning softly, he swung his legs out of bed and trudged slowly into the bathroom. The bed-and-breakfast Lexis had chosen was in the middle of Northland’s forest region. While it was miles in any direction to the nearest town or village in the region, it was perfect for them to have their remote camping and tramping break. Fifteen minutes later, showered, shaved, and feeling more like a member of the human race, he headed downstairs for breakfast. Tarin mused over the way he and Lexis had remained friends despite their romantic relationship’s breakdown. Well, at least we had until last night. I hope Lexis isn’t still sulking this morning. Their relationship had spiralled downwards at a rapid pace at the end of their break-up. Tarin wasn’t too broken up about the split—he’d known Lexis was not the One. There was no way he could imagine spending the rest of his life with Lexis. Although they’d shared plenty of mutual interests, including hiking and camping, and the lovemaking had been satisfying for both of them, there just wasn’t that special spark, and Tarin had realised very quickly that a relationship based on shared interests was just not enough for him. He wanted something special. My parents divorced when I was a child, and Mum remarried twice thereafter. Maybe that’s why I want to be sure I’ve found the right one for me. Not that he’d said no to occasional friendly s*x with Lexis at the start of their break-up, but that had changed over the last few weeks. I’m not unattractive. I’m slender, not skinny or gangly, and my love of tramping and camping means I’m toned without looking like I’m a gym bunny or a steroid monster. But I just haven’t found my Mr Right. For all the recreational groups he belonged to, Tarin was starting to feel more and more lonely and jealous of the couples who were so obviously right together. Upon reaching the dining room, Tarin frowned and looked around. Lexis’s normal morning chatter was missing; the man was irritatingly perky first thing in the morning, totally unlike Tarin’s grumpy self. That’s unusual. I’m normally last down for breakfast. Lexis always grumbles about how long I take to come around. I hope he isn’t sulking about the sleeping arrangements. The previous evening they’d had a spectacular argument, kept well away from the small bed-and-breakfast, about the double room Lexis had booked—although Tarin had been happy to share with Lexis, he’d insisted from the outset on single beds. The argument had ended with Tarin paying for his own room and Lexis stomping off to the other in a sulk. I wasn’t sure we’d carry on with the trip but he seemed to have calmed down and be happy enough to continue when I knocked on his door late last night. By the time Tarin finished eating and pushed his plate away, there was still no sign of Lexis. A bad feeling left Tarin’s breakfast sitting heavily in his stomach. Where the hell is he? Surely he wouldn’t go without breakfast just to spite me? Leaving the tiny dining room, Tarin headed to the front door, opened it, and peered outside. The car was gone. I don’t f*****g believe it. “Is something wrong?” Tarin forced a smile and turned to face Jess, the owner of the bed-and-breakfast. Concern filled her normally cheerful face. “No, thank you, I just noticed the car was gone. Do you know if my friend had to nip out to get something?” Tarin didn’t really need to ask. He’d known the minute he couldn’t see the car what the earlier bad feeling was, but his heart still dropped to hear it. “Why, no. He said you had changed your minds—that he was going home and you were continuing with your hike. I was a little worried, it’s a long trek to the nearest town, but he said it was your choice.” “Oh, don’t worry. I’m an experienced tramper. A walk of a few miles will be no problem.” I knew he wasn’t happy about last night but I didn’t expect the bastard to take the car and run. “Your friend was very interested in the legend of the lost village before he left but I couldn’t help him very much.” “Oh? You’re not local?” Lexis questioning Jess didn’t surprise Tarin, since the legend was one of the reasons they’d headed up here, but he’d assumed Jess had grown up in the area and would be a good source of information. “Well, yes, I am—” Jess laughed “—but the legend is one of those that tends to be a little different with each telling. I was told it used to be north of here, but I’ve also heard stories of it being south, west, and east.” She shrugged. “I don’t think anyone’s really sure where it was. The forest is a huge place, and the place was tiny—a few houses and a little shop, I believe. People probably just found it too remote and abandoned the place. Nature will have seen to the rest. Well, I’ll get the bill ready. Your friend said you were picking up the tab.” Bastard. Bastard. Bastard. Tarin made sure his smile hid his anger. “That’s fine. I’ll get my stuff together and be right down. So, what’s the quickest way to the nearest town? And does a bus stop there?” “Oh, definitely north. You don’t have to make it to town. There are a couple of buses running the same route to get split up farther north. If you keep up a good pace, you’ll get there by late afternoon. You’ll see the stop marked.” “Thanks, Jess.” Tarin headed for his room, stomping up the stairs to vent some of his frustration. Lexis, you are so dead.