Anira

I spent some time deciding whether it was worth going to the bonfire gathering or not, initially due to shyness and then because of exhaustion. But since I was the new resident and, as Arow mentioned, news of my arrival had already spread, some of the older residents personally invited me. It would be rude not to attend.

I put on a pair of pants, a long-sleeved shirt (even though it’s not winter, temperatures drop near the mountains), and my boots before heading out. As I walk toward the gathering, a strange shiver runs through my body with each step, but I attribute it to the cooling temperature.

When I get closer, I meet up with Arow and Jacob, who both seem excited.

“Ann, we didn’t think you’d come,” Jacob says with a mysterious smile.

“If I didn’t come, it would be rude,” I reply, smiling.

“We’d have come to get you,” Arow says, winking as he offers me his arm to hold onto.

We head toward the crowd, and I start being introduced to everyone. The familiar voice of Alenna reaches me.

“Anira, I didn’t think you’d come.” She gives me a hug, which I return.

“I didn’t think I would either,” I respond, feeling the strange sensation of being watched intensify.

Looking around, I see that many people are indeed observing me and decide to come over to greet me. I sit with the girls and am given a cup of hot drink, which turns out to be hot chocolate.

“Would you like something to make it more intense?” Jacob offers, hinting at some strong liquor. “I’ll pass, I don’t usually drink.”

“It’s a shame, this distillate is produced here,” he says, making everyone smile.

“I promise I’ll come prepared next time,” I wink, and he settles down.

Soon, the older men start recounting how Forty Mile was founded and how the community established itself here, thriving on cattle ranching and gold extraction.

By midnight and many cups of hot chocolate later, I decide it’s time to go home as I need to wake up early. The four of them decide to accompany me, sharing stories of how they explored abandoned mines as children and how they almost got caught by their guardians a few times.

At home, I smile. For the first time in years, I’ve spent a night outdoors, away from the TV and the internet.

---

I wake up startled by a sensation of being watched. It's like fear makes you hide under the covers, as if nothing can protect you from harm. That’s exactly how I feel.

I check the time and realize it’s almost time to get up. I head to the bathroom and, upon turning on the light, I’m shocked to see my hair completely white.

“This can’t be happening. No, no, no!”

How could it have turned white? I dyed it just two days ago. A chill runs down my spine, and I hear a strange noise coming from my bedroom. When I return, I find the window open, causing an unusual shiver to pass through me. It’s still dark outside. I go to the window, look around, and see nothing unusual. I close it and head back to the bathroom, trying to figure out what to do, as I don’t have my usual products here. I rush to the computer, open it, access the product website, and order several boxes. My only problem is that they won’t arrive for thirty days.

“Anira Montecião, you’re really in the middle of nowhere,” I say resignedly. With nothing else to do, I decide to shower and go on with my day, looking like an eighty-year-old with no pigment in her hair.

Dressed and ready, I look at my long, straight, white hair and decide to curl the ends with a curling iron.

“There, what can’t be remedied is remedied,” I say, trying to accept my new look.

I head downstairs to make my coffee when there’s a knock at the door. I smile, thinking it must be Arow. I walk over and open the door to find Jacob smiling, but he freezes completely when he sees me, as if he can’t believe his eyes.

“Good morning?” I try to smile, feeling uncomfortable.

“Good morning,” he replies, adjusting his posture.

“From your look, I must not be very presentable, but unfortunately, it seems the dye decided to disappear overnight.”

“Wow! Your hair is beautiful.”

“Stop it, Jacob. I look like an eighty-year-old, trying not to freak out. I’ve already ordered my products, but they won’t arrive for thirty days.”

“Are you going to dye it?”

“Yes, I always have since I was a child.”

“No!” — I’m startled by his reaction and take a step back. “Sorry, I came to pick you up. Arow can’t be here this early.”

“Let’s have coffee; you arrived a bit too early.”

“Sure.”

He sits down, and I start preparing our coffee. I sense that he’s somehow restless but decide not to bring it up. I don’t like my hair like this, but for now, I have to get used to it.

“What are you staring at?” — I ask curiously while sipping my coffee.

“You look like an angelic,” — he murmurs softly.

“What?”

“An angel.” — I smile at his words.

“I think angels are more beautiful.”

“Have you ever seen one?”

“No, but I don’t believe they look like me.”

“I’d bet they do.”

“Haaa, can we take a picture together? I need to send it to my friend in Toronto. I was going to ask Arow, but I’ll do it at the clinic. I want to show her my new friends.”

“Sure!”

We finish our coffee, and just like Arow, he helps me clean up before we head out. As soon as we’re in the truck, I pull him in for a selfie and send it to Emmy.

“Send me that photo,” — he asks, and I send it right away.

“Why are you coming to pick me up? Not that I’m complaining; I really enjoy company for coffee. You just don’t have to wake up early to be at my disposal.” — I start driving toward the clinic.

“That’s Arow’s job. He’s a support for the new vet, like a local guide, but he had to go to Dawson City with Black and asked me to keep you company. So today I’ll be your assistant.”

“What do you know about animal care?”

“Not much, but I can learn quickly.”

“If you help me avoid getting kicked during appointments, I’d appreciate it.”

“If that’s all, feel protected.”

We arrive at the clinic, and the girls are already there. As soon as they see me, they seem as surprised as Jacob, but they quickly compose themselves.

“I know what you’re wondering. I suffer from a type of depigmentation. It’s not albinism. I was born this way. I’ve dyed my hair since I was young, but it seems like my last toner decided to disappear.”

“You look like an angelic,” — Alenna murmurs, but I can hear her.

“What’s an angelic?” — I ask, since hearing the same word twice must mean something.

“An angel, a term for angels,” — Jacob interjects.

“Exactly,” — Michelly tries to smooth over the situation.

“Well, I’m not an angel and I have a lot of work outside of here today.”

“So, Ann, about that, your appointments have been canceled. They asked to reschedule for next week.”

“All five of them?” — Surprised by the news, I feel a bit disheartened.

“Yes.” — Michelly looks apologetic.

“Well, ladies, if there are no appointments, I’m going to take a walk. If you need me, give me a call.” — Jacob winks and quickly disappears from sight.

With nothing to do, I decide to review the latest cases being monitored.