Chapter 28 – The Chronicles of Suo (3) Prologue (2)
The sun rose slowly over the horizon, its golden rays brushing the chipped tiles of the village houses. The fresh morning air drifted through the slightly open windows of the Rosario inn. In the small dining room, the scent of warm bread and light soup filled the space.
Suo — under his identity as Eric — descended the wooden stairs calmly. As every morning, Morena was busy behind the counter, arranging bowls on the table, while Arnold, arms crossed, spoke in a deep voice with Joram, the secretary. Nathalie, meanwhile, already awake for a long time, ran around in every direction, humming a clumsy tune, laughing and talking nonstop.
"Eriiiic!" she exclaimed, almost throwing herself at him.
"Good morning, Nathalie… You're already full of energy, I see."
"Of course! Today, I've decided to break the world record for songs sung before breakfast!" she replied, laughing and wriggling like a mischievous child.
Arnold shook his head, amused.
"That girl… She never stays still."
"And you, Eric," added Morena, "take a seat, the meal is served."
Suo sat down, maintaining his calm and polite demeanor, discreetly observing everyone's expressions. Since his arrival, he had noted every detail, every attitude, trying to pierce the veil of mystery that shrouded this village.
As they began their meal, Morena broke the silence.
"After breakfast, I'll need to go shopping at the market. We're missing tomatoes, flour, and a little meat."
At these words, Nathalie jumped from her chair, her eyes shining.
"Me! I want to go! Let me go, Mom! I'm big enough to buy vegetables and meat!"
Everyone burst out laughing at her insistence.
Arnold, in particular, shook his head mockingly:
"You? Go shopping? You'd come back with flowers and toys, but not a piece of bread."
"That's not true!" she protested, crossing her arms. "I'm serious this time!"
Morena sighed.
"Nathalie, you don't have to take care of that. I'll handle it."
But the little girl didn't give up and turned to Suo.
"Eric! You'll come with me, won't you? You have nothing to do, and… " She pretended to think. "And you look like someone who enjoys markets!"
Arnold burst out laughing.
"Someone who enjoys markets? That's new."
Suo remained calm, thinking quickly. Leaving the village would give him the opportunity to observe the inhabitants more closely, to study their way of life. It was an opportunity.
"Why not?" he finally said. "I don't mind accompanying Nathalie."
"You don't have to, Eric," replied Morena. "It's my job, not yours."
"Exactly. Consider it a favor. I'd like to take the chance to observe the village a bit more."
Arnold placed a reassuring hand on his wife's shoulder.
"Don't worry, Morena. Eric will take care of it."
Reluctantly, Morena agreed.
Nathalie threw her arms into the air, victorious.
"Yesss! We're going together!"
The sun was already high when Suo — as Eric — stepped out of the inn, alongside Nathalie. The morning air was fresh but carried the scent of warm bread and dried flowers hanging from the balconies.
The little girl walked quickly, carrying a small straw basket she twirled happily. She didn't stop talking, as if every thought had to become a question.
"Eric, do you think there will be red apples today? I prefer green ones because they're crunchier. What about you?"
"The red ones…" replied Suo, almost distracted.
"Haaa! Then we don't agree!" she exclaimed with a clear laugh.
He only gave a faint smile, but his attention was elsewhere. The village… seemed larger than when he first crossed it. The streets were no longer narrow and dull, but wide, paved with clean stones. Colorful flags fluttered in the wind, and villagers passed by with full baskets, their faces radiant.
"See, Eric? Everyone is nice here," said Nathalie, gently tugging his sleeve. "We never get into trouble."
Suo nodded, but his eyes remained cold. Too perfect. Much too perfect.
They reached the main market square. Dozens of stalls lined the area, overflowing with colors and smells. Polished red apples gleamed in the sunlight, dried aromatic herbs hung in bundles, and the vendors' shouts echoed with a strange, almost musical harmony.
"Step right up! Fresh morning meat!"
"Salted fish! Taste it, you won't find it more tender!"
"Spices! Spices to warm your dishes!"
Nathalie dragged Suo from stall to stall, amazed.
"Look! These fabrics! And these jewels!"
At a fruit stand, an old woman handed them a basket of figs with a smile.
"For the little lady. The first one is free."
"Oh, thank you!!!!!" exclaimed Nathalie, biting into one.
Suo observed her carefully. The shopkeeper's wrinkles seemed too pronounced, almost engraved. And when she blinked, he thought he saw her pupil dilate enormously, before returning to normal.
He looked away, frowning.
They finally stopped at the butcher's stall. The man, broad and jovial, wiped his hands on a spotless apron.
"Welcome, friends! What can I get for you today?"
"Some meat and a few tomatoes, please," replied Suo.
The butcher nodded and turned to prepare the order. That's when Suo noticed, between the folds of the man's coat, a disgusting movement. Fat white maggots slid out from the fabric, falling to the ground, only to vanish instantly, as if swallowed by the earth itself.
Suo's heart leapt in his chest.
He froze, but Nathalie seemed oblivious.
The butcher returned, a broad smile on his face.
"Here you go! Fresh today!"
He handed the bag of meat and vegetables, his hands unnaturally cold. Suo took them silently. The man's smile was too wide, his teeth too white, almost glowing.
"Thank you very much, sir!" said Nathalie cheerfully.
They walked away. Suo kept glancing back, but the butcher merely waved, still smiling.
The way back
They retraced their steps to the inn. Suo walked slowly, scrutinizing his surroundings. Every detail seemed contradictory. The sky was a clear blue, birds sang, but sometimes, around a corner, he thought he saw cracks in the facades, blackened bricks, broken windows… which vanished as soon as he blinked.
Nathalie, carefree, bounced beside him.
"You know, Eric, I'd like to travel one day. See other towns. But Mom says it's not necessary because everything you need is here."
Suo remained silent. His thoughts swirled.
When they reached the inn, he stopped abruptly. The sign hanging above the door shone as if new, carefully carved. Yet, he was sure he had seen it crude and worn a few days ago.
He touched the wood with his fingertips. It was smooth, varnished, as if freshly placed.
"Everything is changing… before my eyes," he thought.
Nathalie tugged his arm.
"Come on, let's go in! We'll show Mom we picked the right meat."
Back in the room
Once inside his room, Suo set down the bag and sat on the bed. His face was closed, his eyes fixed on the floor.
He ran a hand over his forehead.
"This isn't natural. Something is manipulating my senses. Are the villagers… real?"
He stood, pacing the room, looking at the walls, the window, the floor. Everything seemed solid. Too solid. As if every detail had been carefully constructed to hide something else.
A shiver ran down his spine.
He realized he had to leave this village as soon as possible.
But first… he had to observe. Because the truth, whatever it might be, was hidden beneath this deceptive perfection.
À suivre.....