The Old Woman's Shelter

The biting wind whipped across the barren desert, cutting through the thick layers of Valerie's clothing like invisible blades. She dragged her feet through the dirt, every step feeling heavier than the last. It was well past midnight. Pitch blackness stretched out in every direction, swallowing the horizon. Her legs shook under her weight, threatening to buckle with each agonizing movement. She had been walking for hours, stumbling blindly through the wilderness, and hope was fading fast. There was no light, no shelter, no sign of civilization. Just the relentless cold and the endless, dark terrain.

The deeper she ventured into the desolate wasteland, the louder the voice in her head screamed at her to just give up. It would be so easy to sit down on the freezing ground, close her eyes, and let the exhaustion take over. Her muscles cramped, screaming in protest, and her stomach gnawed at her with a hollow, painful ache. If the freezing temperatures did not claim her life tonight, starvation surely would. And if hunger failed, the wild animals roaming the outskirts of Trevani would finish the job. Either way she looked at it, death felt imminent.

But she could not just sit down and wait for the end. She refused to lose without a fight. No matter how tired and hungry she felt, she forced one foot in front of the other. The sky above rumbled, thick storm clouds blotting out the moon. It looked like it was going to rain. A sudden downpour would be the final nail in her coffin. She rubbed her freezing hands together, wishing for some kind of miracle, some hidden strength to push through the agony.

Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine her day ending like this. When she woke up this morning, she had a purpose. Now, she was lost in the middle of nowhere. Worse, she had lost the priceless diamonds entrusted to her by the king. The weight of that failure crushed her chest. The king had given her a simple delivery job, and she had lost his treasure. She did not even know where she was on the map.

A wave of deep, agonizing pity washed over her as she placed a trembling hand over her stomach. Her poor baby. She felt a profound sorrow that she could not even keep her unborn child safe. If she could not protect them on this simple run, how could she ever provide a secure future? That was assuming they even had a future. Tears welled up in her eyes, hot and stinging against her freezing cheeks. She had endured so much pain and hurt over the past few years, fighting tooth and nail just to survive. Was this really how her story ended? Dying alone in a sad, dark desert?

Fate felt unbearably cruel. The universe seemed determined to keep her miserable, stripping away every ounce of hope she managed to build. She reached up, wiped the tears from her numb face, and took another shaky step forward, holding out for a miracle.

Just as her knees began to give out, a sound broke through the howling wind. Footsteps. Someone was coming. Valerie froze, her heart hammering against her ribs. Panic flared in her chest. Being alone in the deserted part of the kingdom was terrifying, but running into a stranger in the dead of night could be far worse. Criminals and scavengers used these routes. She braced herself, ready to run despite her failing legs.

Then, a soft orange glow pierced the darkness. A torch. As the light drew closer, the silhouette holding it took shape. The tension drained from Valerie’s shoulders. It was a woman. An old woman, judging by the slow, deliberate pace of her steps. A wave of immense relief washed over her. An elderly woman out here in the middle of nowhere could not possibly be a threat.

But why was she out here? The desert was devoid of life, barren and isolated. For a fleeting second, Valerie wondered if she was hallucinating. Maybe the woman was a ghost? But Valerie did not believe in ghosts. And if she did, why would one carry a torch?

"I said it, that someone was walking past this night," a raspy, gentle voice called out. "Isn't it too late for you to be out, my dear?"

Valerie squinted against the glare of the fire. She could not see the woman's face clearly, but the warm, grandmotherly tone confirmed her age. The sheer reality of hearing another human voice broke the last of Valerie’s defenses.

"I lost my way," Valerie choked out, bursting into fresh tears. The situation felt surreal. She was not going to die in the wilderness after all. The sight of another human being sparked a desperate hope that a town or village might be closer than she thought.

"My dear, you don't need to cry," the old woman said softly, stepping closer. "You can come to my house. You look tired and hungry."

Valerie did not care who this stranger was or why she lived out here. Profound gratitude overwhelmed her. "Thank you, ma'am," she whispered, her voice trembling.

"It's too dangerous out here for a young lady like you to be out by this time of the night," the woman continued, holding the torch higher to inspect Valerie’s shivering frame. "I am not talking of humans, because there aren't many people around here. But there are a lot of wild animals. How did you get this far? Are you from this kingdom?"

Valerie stiffened. She did not know how to answer. Technically, she was not from Trevani. She was a foreigner. But the people of Trevani were notorious for their hostility toward outsiders. What if she told the truth and the woman rescinded her offer of shelter? Valerie could not risk losing this lifeline. Only heaven knew what would happen if she had to spend the night in the freezing desert.

The old woman seemed to sense her hesitation and waved a dismissive hand. "Nevermind. It's not like I am considered part of the kingdom anyway. Come, let's get you to warmth."

Valerie followed closely behind her, the glow of the torch guiding their path. They walked a short distance before a structure loomed out of the shadows. It was not the grand, stone architecture she was used to seeing in Trevani. It was a simple house made of thick wood. But right now, it looked like a palace.

The moment they stepped inside, the biting cold vanished. Valerie let out a long breath as the heat enveloped her. The old woman was clearly meticulous. Despite the rustic wooden exterior, the interior was wonderfully warm, clean, and organized. A fire crackled in a small stove, casting a cozy glow across the tidy room.

"I know this might be small, but you can rest here," the old woman said, setting the torch aside. "You look too exhausted. I should get you food and some clothes to change into. I still have some clothes I haven't worn before. Wait here."

The old woman shuffled into another room. Valerie stood near the entrance, too tired to move, dripping cold water onto the floorboards. A few minutes later, the woman returned holding a neatly folded dress. She offered a warm smile.

"The restroom is that way," the woman pointed. "Take a bath and change into this. I will heat the food on the stove so that you can eat. I am sorry this is all I can offer you."

Valerie accepted the clothes with trembling hands, her heart swelling with gratitude. "This is more than enough. I don't know what I would have done if I had not met you this night. I was so scared of dying in this desert." Tears spilled over her lashes once again.

"Don't cry, my dear. Nothing is worth your precious tears," the woman encouraged, patting her arm. "Just go take a bath. I promise everything will work out just fine."

Valerie thanked her again and walked in the direction indicated. The restroom was also made of wood, but it was spotless. A large tub sat in the corner, already filled with steaming hot water that the old woman must have prepared earlier. Valerie stripped off her freezing, dirt-caked clothes and stepped into the tub.

The hot water felt like heaven against her icy skin. It seeped into her aching muscles, slowly easing the deep tension in her body. As the physical pain began to fade, her mind spiraled back to the chaos of the last few hours. Finding out she was pregnant. The king calling for her. The heavy responsibility of the diamond delivery. The driver pulling the gun on her, the cold metal pressing against her temple.

The memories flashed before her eyes in rapid, terrifying bursts. She knew a mountain of trouble waited for her the moment she returned to the city. The king would demand answers. The lost treasure had to be accounted for. But she forced the anxieties aside. She shoved the fear down into a box and locked it. For now, she was safe. That was all that mattered. She would figure out how to face the storm once she regained her strength.

When Valerie finally stepped out of the washroom, dressed in the clean, dry clothes, a mouth-watering scent hit her nose. Bacon. She did not realize just how starved she was until the savory aroma filled the air. Her stomach rumbled loudly in anticipation.

"The food is ready," the old woman called out from the small table. "I know you must be hungry. Come sit and eat."

Valerie did not need to be told twice. She hurried to the table and sat down. A hot plate of bacon and bread sat waiting for her. She picked up the food and began to eat ravenously. The grease and salt coated her tongue, providing a much-needed burst of energy. The old woman sat across from her, watching in silence. Valerie could feel the heavy gaze resting on her, but she kept her eyes glued to her plate, focused solely on devouring the meal until she was full.

She finally set her fork down and let out a satisfied sigh. "Thank you so much for the meal."

The old woman smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "It's a pleasure. It's been a while since I saw someone eating here. You should get some rest. You still look exhausted. You can use that room." She pointed to a closed door down the hall. "Don't worry, the woods are strong and everywhere is properly sealed and no one dares to come close here, so you are safe."

Valerie froze. For a brief moment, a sharp spike of fear pierced through her comforting warmth. No one dares to come close here? Why did she phrase it like that? Why was she so certain no one would trespass? The wooden house was isolated in the middle of a dangerous wasteland. It looked incredibly vulnerable to bandits or wild animals. What kind of reputation did this old woman have to ensure no one dared to approach her home?

A subtle unease crept down Valerie’s spine. But the crushing weight of her physical exhaustion quickly overpowered her suspicion. Her eyelids drooped. She was simply too tired to care tonight. If there was a mystery to uncover, she would deal with it tomorrow morning. Right now, her body demanded rest.

"Thank you for your hospitality, ma'am," Valerie said, pushing her chair back. She reached for her dirty plates to carry them to the sink, but the old woman raised a hand to stop her, insisting she go straight to bed.

Valerie nodded, too drained to argue. She walked over to the room the woman had pointed out and opened the door. Just like the rest of the cabin, the space was spotless. But the bed caught her off guard. It was not a simple wooden cot. It was a massive, surprisingly grand bed, draped in thick, luxurious blankets. It was even bigger than the bed she slept on back at the palace.

She did not have the energy to question the strange luxury. She climbed into the grand bed, pulling the heavy covers up to her chin. The mattress was incredibly soft. As her head hit the plush pillows, her exhausted body surrendered, and within minutes, she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.