Love being different

The beginning

I couldn’t believe it.

I reached the Strait of Messina, I was leaving everything behind me.

I got on the ferry which would lead me to the other side - the connection with my train for Trentino was on time and I easily found a seat, since the old train was almost empty: I had a whole cabin only for me.

I relaxed and calmly took a nap, trying to forget the tension that gnawed me during the previous days. I slept quite a lot and, when I opened my eyes, I realized it was already dark outside…I was getting closer.

I refreshed with a sandwich I had bought before boarding on the ferry and, while I was eating, I thought about the reaction of my uncle and aunt when they would discover my breakout.

Painful memories came back to my mind, but I chased them away, as I was sure I wouldn’t have to worry about those two anymore. They would never be able to hurt me again and they had no kind of right over me, since I had reached the legal age a few days before.

I looked at my watch, it was a few minutes after 11 p.m. when I felt the train slowing down.

The anxiety was back.

-What if nobody is waiting for me?- I thought.

I was starting to panic. My teacher assured that I would find someone at the train station - he assured that because the house we were heading to was in an isolated area.

The train stopped, I was still in a panic. My usual lack of confidence.

I was scared to get off and started to make every possible bad thought.

-Where can I go if there’s nobody waiting?-

I didn’t even have enough money to rent a room.

While I was petrified crying about myself, a gentle voice woke me up:

It was the inspector, he was looking at me with curiosity – probably I looked pale.

Reluctantly, I stood up, it was stupid but I felt safe in that cabin; I gathered up the courage and managed to get off the train. It was summer, but the temperature in the night was cold, my jacket was too light and I was trembling when…I heard a male voice behind me:

Hearing my surname was a relief.

I answered while turning around and I saw a distinguished middle-aged man who was wearing a driver uniform. He smiled and, while taking my suitcase, said:

I was feeling better, that man’s gentle manners inspired my trust - in my life very few people had been so nice to me.

The car was a black sedan, the man opened the back door and told me to get comfortable, as the way would be very long. The road was quite curvy, we were definitely on a mountain, but I couldn’t see the view because it was too dark.

I asked curiously.

He replied.

I asked, exhausted by the long trip.

Nobody told me about a castle, I thought I would be staying in a common house.

Said the driver.

I was puzzled by all the news and, without saying a word, I lied on the backseat trying to get a little rest.

The sudden stop of the car woke me up; we were in front of a gate which was opening automatically.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the amazing castle surrounded by trees: the view in front of me was astonishing, that place was too beautiful to be real.

I had finally arrived.