Anira

Current times...

I look at the empty apartment hoping not to remember the last years spent here, so I'm not surprised to leave everything behind and go live in a forgotten little town in northern Canada.

Forty Mile has a large farming circuit, and since I specialize in large animals, I was recommended for the job by my college professor.

"Are you sure about this, Anira? Are you really willing to isolate yourself in the middle of nowhere just to heal a broken heart?" Emmy, my best and only friend, asks for the thousandth time.

"I am, and I'm not going because of a broken heart, but to slow down. I've been working like crazy; Dean breaking up with me was a bonus," I retort.

"There probably isn't even the dye that darkens your hair there, Ann."

"If that happens, I'll have to accept my white strands, all of them. You know I was born with them and suffer from a rare case of depigmentation, so yes, when the dye fades, they'll be completely white. Maybe then I'll finally accept myself."

"You’re 24, Ann, you don’t need to let yourself go." Pouting, Emmy crosses her arms in disapproval. "I’m going to miss you and our TV movie nights."

"You can come with me if you want; you know they need two people, but I’m the only one who was crazy enough to accept."

"No, I can visit you, but living in a town in the middle of a reserve with weird animals and bordering Alaska is not my idea of fun right now."

"You know I only have you, Emmy; I'll always be a call away from home."

"I’ll miss you." We hug one more time; this is our millionth goodbye.

"I hope to find a rich farmer who will treat me like the princess I am so I won't have to worry anymore."

"Anira Montecião, you’re terrible!"

"I never said I was a saint, but I need to go now; the taxi should be arriving soon, and my bags are already in the lobby."

"Call me when you get there."

"You know I have over nine hours of flight and a few hours of driving," I warn as we head to the exit.

"My God! I still can't believe you're going to hide out in some isolated and dangerous reserve." Her drama makes me smile.

"Drama queen, as always, since I met you."

"Okay, I'll get over it."

"Of course you will; the hot Adrian will help you with that."

We laugh a lot; we've always been this way since we became friends.

We reach the entrance of my now-former building and see the taxi driver waiting for me. After one last hug, I get into the taxi and head to the airport. I've never left Toronto, and I've decided to venture far away from here.

Almost ten hours and six thousand kilometers later, I arrive at the place that will now be my home. I reach Dawson City Airport, where an employee of my employer is waiting for me.

I grab my bags and push the cart to the arrivals area. As I pass through the doors, I see a man about two meters tall, looking like a wall of muscles with eyes so green they seem fake, holding a sign that reads "Dr. Anira Montecião."

I walk over to him as he smiles at me, and damn, what beautiful teeth!

"Miss Anira," his deep, gravelly voice impresses me.

"Yes, that's me. And you are?" I ask to break the ice.

"I'm Jacob. Welcome."

"Call me Ann," I inform him.

"Alright, Ann, let's go this way. We still have two hours of driving to Forty Mile, and your house is ready to welcome you." I don't comment on this information.

My contract provides accommodation, a car for transportation, and a guide until I get used to things, with all expenses paid. I will only need to worry about food. I follow him to a large black pickup truck that suits a man of his size well. After placing my bags in the truck bed, he opens the door for me to get in and helps me climb up. Even though I'm 1.70 meters tall, I feel tiny next to him. I'm not a skinny girl nor do I fit into the plus-size category; according to Emmy, I'm a mindsize woman. Her arguments are that my wide hips and thick thighs make me very attractive.

"What are your expectations for this move, Dr. Ann?" Jacob's question pulls me out of my reverie.

"Just Ann, please," I ask. "Well, I have many. I've never left Toronto, so coming to Forty Mile, where everything is so far from my comfort zone, is quite an adventure."

"We'll still have a few months of summer. Winter is the most brutal season here, but don't worry, you'll have a guide. Arow will help you at the clinic and with everything you need; he’s your intern."

"Good to know I’ll have one."

For the next few hours, I'm informed about the weather, commerce, and holidays, but what really piqued my curiosity was the gathering around the campfire. It has a very rustic feel, and according to Jacob, it happens every Thursday, which is tomorrow.

"Wow! Who lives on that hill?" My eyes are captivated by the large house on the hill. It's enormous and looks like one of those grand old houses from period films.

"That’s Auror Vont’in’s house. He is a reclusive man who hates visitors, so, miss, it’s a forbidden place."

"Interesting."

"What’s interesting?"

"You know, saying it’s forbidden makes it all the more intriguing, like don’t go there, and people always end up going."

"If you want to meet an uneducated man who would hate to see you, feel free."

"What happened to him? Did he lose his wife and children and hide in the mountains after a car accident that left him disfigured?"

"Watching too many movies, Ann." He smiles. "Auror is just someone who can’t get along with us. Few people have access to him, and believe me, you won’t like meeting him."

"Noted, never go to the house on the hill."

"Smart, miss." I smile at him but remain intrigued by the house. It is beautiful from afar, well-lit, and has sparked an inexplicable curiosity in me.

The car stops in front of a house that looks like one of those Christmas cabin settings from movies, and I’m completely enchanted.

"We’ve arrived, Ann."

We get out of the car, and I'm directed to the door. Jacob informs me of the digital lock code, which surprises me. "You can go ahead and explore; I'll get your bags."

That’s what I do. I walk through the place, which is rustic yet very well-equipped. The kitchen is beautiful and filled with modern appliances, there's a bathroom downstairs, and a living room with a fireplace. I go upstairs and find two suites, each also with a fireplace. I throw myself onto the cozy bed, and my body craves this rest after so many hours.

"Ann?"

"Up here," I call back.

Soon, he appears with my bags, placing them in the corner. After saying goodbye, I think about how I need a good shower and a good night’s sleep.