Chapter 7: A New Beginning
David stepped out into the early morning light, the cool breeze brushing against his face, a small, worn-out bag slung over his shoulder. He looked around, taking in the familiar sights one last time. It was the home he had grown up in, the place he had shared countless memories with Melanie. But now, it was time for him to leave it all behind.
Despite the heaviness in his heart, David felt a sense of relief. He was no longer under Shiela’s constant scrutiny, no longer bound by her unreasonable expectations. He was free to shape his future and carve out his own path. The first thing he had to do was find a safe place to stay.
Over the years, he had been prudent enough to hide away a modest amount from the various odd jobs he took up around town. The money wasn’t substantial, but it should be sufficient to afford him a few nights at a hotel.
A rush of excitement began to well up inside him. The idea of spending a few nights in solitude, away from the constant barrage of Shiela’s barking and scolding, sounded amazing. He could rest and strategize his next steps in peace.
The only problem was that there weren’t any hotels nearby. He was on the outskirts of Dalton, and the only hotel he actually knew of was located somewhere in the heart of the city, several miles away. He had never ventured further than the convenience store where Melanie worked, but this was as good a time as any to explore, and perhaps he would find a better life there.
Filled with anticipation, David headed towards his destination, the Rising Phoenix Hotel. He had heard of it from Shiela a long time ago. Apparently, it was where she had met his parents for the first time. It was a long shot, but maybe he’d find some clues about what his parents were like if he stayed there. At the very least, he could pretend he was staying in a room that his parents once did.
As he made his way to the heart of the city, he allowed himself a small, hopeful smile. He knew that there would be challenges ahead, but he was ready to face them. If he could survive the loss of his parents, being left at a god-awful orphanage, and living under Shiela’s roof, he could survive this as well.
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