Chapter 403 - Sarah's birthday (3)

Next morning, Aiden was observing the view from the window. Below was a small white stoned town square, basking in the sun and a lively farmers market hidden under pine trees. Further down the white stone steps he could see the port and blue Adriatic Sea.

He was reluctant to go in a 'public' shower, unsure what to expect.

"It's fine..." Sarah coaxed him. "Let's go together." Sarah saw his confused expression and laughed. "There are no separate male and female showers. Come on, think of it as an adventure."

Aiden didn't move.

"I thought you went to camps and similar places earlier?"

"I did. But there were proper accommodations. Not like this." Aiden explained.

Sarah shook her head thinking how he is not willing to try out something different. She always needs to spend time persuading him to get out of his comfort zone. "You know that a lot of areas in the world still don't have running clean water? Come." Sarah pulled his hand. "Just follow me. Next time we are going to a place where you can take a bath only in the river." She threatened him, unsuccessfully.

Sarah checked time. "We will be late if you keep delaying. We need to get ready and have breakfast before we head out."

The thought of breakfast and heading out improved his mood and he followed Sarah.

After breakfast, they returned to the hostel.

Sarah approached older lady who runs the hostel. "Are our things ready?"

Older lady nodded. "Yes. In your room. Let me know if you need anything else."

Sarah smiled and headed upstairs.

Upstairs they found two pairs of hiking boots and two backpacks with food, snacks, ropes and some other necessities. Sarah checked them and approved. "Get our laptops."

Based on things that were brought in the room, Aiden concluded that they are going hiking. He was confused by her demand, but did as she said. 'Who takes laptops to hiking?' He sat on the bed and watched her add things to the backpack. He was not able to hold back and decided to voice his displeasure. "You know... I would be able to help if you tell me where we are going and what are we going to do. It's frustrating when I don't know what is coming next."

Sarah lifted her head and looked at him. "That didn't take long."

"What?"

She sat next to him on the bed. "I asked you for patience during one week of letting me handle things."

"Except for tomorrow!" Aiden reminded her. Tomorrow is her birthday, and he made plans.

"Yes." She confirmed. "Except for tomorrow. Tomorrow is yours. But it's only three days and you are already losing it."

"You can be in charge. Just tell me what the plan is." Aiden explained.

"Can you be patient just a bit longer?" Sarah was conflicted. "I was thinking to tell you about this, but it's something difficult to explain. I need to show you. OK? Come on. Bags are ready."

He frowned. "So, you are not telling me anything?"

Sarah sighed. "We are walking, and we will be there in about one hour. The sooner we start, the sooner we reach, and you get some of your answers."

Few minutes into a staring contest, Aiden gave a small nod. "Fine. Let's go."

When they left the hostel, they walked through the town, and less than ten minutes later they were out of the town, following a narrow dirt path. Shortly after, there was a fork on the path, on the right it was a sign for the beach and arrow was pointing toward the sea.

"Are we going to the beach?" Aiden assumed.

Sarah laughed. "Not on this one, that's for sure."

"What's wrong with this one?"

"It's marked as 'FKK', so we should avoid it." Sarah pointed at the sign, but she realized that Aiden needs more information in order to understand her words. "'FKK' is an acronym for German expression which stands for 'free body culture'... naturism... nudism?"

Aiden's eyes widened when he understood.

Sarah giggled and pulled him toward the left. "We are not going there. I'm not letting you expose yourself, so that everyone can see you. That body is only mine." She grinned.

Aiden agreed and followed her. But his agreement was that he does not want her to get onto that beach. Aiden wanted to ask her if she ever went to any 'FKK' beach, but then he decided not to. He is not sure how we would handle it, if she says that she did.

Short walk later, they went off the path and started walking through fragrant pine tree forest. They were going uphill for some time when Aiden turned around and took in the view of the city below them. Greenery met with the orange rooftops who were separated from the shimmering blue sea by a thin white strip of the port. To the left and right as far as he could see, there was a long stretch of a blissfully quiet coast. Inlet after inlet was softly snaking along, creating numerous intimate beaches devoid of tourists.

It was very peaceful. If it was not for crickets, Aiden wondered if any sound could be heard at all.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Aiden heard Sarah's voice. She was standing next to him and gazing at the horizon.

"Yes." He was looking at her.

She smiled. "We are almost there."

Shortly after, they reached an area with dense bushes.

Sarah moved some foliage, and a heavy door was revealed.

Door was masked with the same color as surrounding rocks, and if he didn't pay attention, he would easily miss it. Aiden was not able to see from where it showed up, but in front of Sarah was a palm scanner and a numeric pad. It reminded him of the ones in the basement of Hill family villa that he saw when Sarah showed him her VR room*.

Red light above scanner turned to green and a heavy door cracked open.

Sarah walked inside and he followed. Heavy door closed with a thud behind them as they stepped through a long tunnel. LED lights guided them to another heavy door. After Sarah scanned her palm and entered passcode, this second door cracked open.

Aiden felt like he went back into the past, when he was in Hill family villa basement with Sarah: security, heavy doors, secrets behind them. He remembered how everything she showed him at that time threw him into a whirlpool of awe. Aiden could tell that she is about to reveal another secret to him, and he was excited. Countless questions popped in his mind. What is behind the door? Why here, up in the mountains? Why here, so far away from home?

He looked at her face and saw that she is smiling. 'Is she nervous?' He could not tell for sure, but she looked nervous, at least a little bit.

But he was more nervous than she was, that's for sure. He didn't know what is coming, but he knew that it's something big.

Sarah glanced at him before she pushed the door open and stepped inside. Aiden was right behind her; his heart was thumping loudly from anticipation.

"Sarah!!!" A male voice cried from inside the room. Aiden saw a youngster, maybe 15 year old, rush toward Sarah, without any intention to stop. Instinctively Aiden stepped next to Sarah and extended his arm, clasping youngster's neck and lifting him off the ground.