I first heard about Willows from Noori. Her car had broken down two miles from Mr Weather's hotel. She'd never seen this place before. There were no signs and no lights.

"What's funny is",she spoke softly."for the last six years, I've been passing by this place without seeing it or knowing it's existence. Isn't that spooky, Hazel? It's almost like this town appeared out of nowhere"

It wasn't spooky at all. Strange, but not spooky.

"Hazel, we've been the only visitors for the last four years. That's got to amount to something? Oh wait, no....there's that lost Prince of yours"

We'd been through this conversation before. Everything about this town was strange. Mr Weather was a strange man. His hotel was too grand for a small town like Willows. Everyone here knew too much too.

"Do you remember that day?",she held my hand.", you were on the phone with me and I think you said you wanted to disappear and my car broke down and ...what happened...lemme think-"

I wanted to disappear?

"Oh and I walked for i don't know how long and found Mr Weather", she heaved a sigh of relief."he's a lifesaver. Bless him. But really, everything else is strange"

I don't remember that conversation. She keeps reminding me about it but I don't recollect ever having that conversation with her. Four years ago, i was in Jaybarn with my mother. Noori and I never talked that year, except on Christmas.

"Ladies", someone called out to us from near the car."Have you seen my dog around here?"

"No, Mr Tommy",Noori hollered back."but have you seen some good looking fella around here?"

We heard him laugh."There's a tall lad over at the Yellow Vale. Is he one of ya?"

"He is, he is!!", She got up and dusted her skirt and motioned me to get up."thank you Mr Tommy, you're a lifesaver!"

He let out another laugh. He seemed like the type to laugh a lot."You best be on your way then!"

"Do you want a ride back?",she motioned towards the car."We could help"

He declined."I've gotta find Chip before it starts raining. I know he's around here somewhere. It's the darn rabbits he's after, I'm sure"

He looked strange. The same kind of strange when Noori tries to lie. Then his eyes zoomed in on me."Miss Hazel Blue, you best cheer up when you're here. You're in good company"

That's strange.

Noori giggled."Oh she's having a blast"

I never told anyone my last name.


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