Against his better judgements Darrius peddled slowly between the rock formation. To his surprise, it opened into a clearing.
The clearing reached all the way from the formation entrance to the edge of a small mountain. A lone girl with a thin figure was standing there singing. Her voice echoed and carried by the wind. She didn't seem bothered as Darrius approached. He noticed her hair seemed to sit perfectly straight, like a dark frame around her face.
Darrius slid to a stop next to the girl with Pip slowly approaching behind him. Pip didn't seem super fond of the girl. It had been some time since Darrius associated with women (besides his aunt) at all. Education always came first. There was a bit of awkward silence as Darrius thought of what to say
"Hello, I was wondering where the singing was coming from... " Darrius coughed and weakly muttered. It wasn't a question, and he felt silly opening with a statement that didn't instigate any kind of response.
Still she answered, "My name is Ann. I live here with my family." She responded in a nonchalant tone.
Although it seemed like a rehearsed response, Darrius guessed she was better with formalities. She gave Darrius an unblinking stare that seemed to end past him. He figured the girl to be about twenty years of age but didn't see the family she mentioned anywhere around. He noticed an opening into the mountainside.
What is that?? Pip whined, he seemed on edge about something.
"You have an appealing face." Ann added.
Darrius blushed and nodded awkwardly.
"Thanks," Darrius managed.
Weird, who says that?
Ann continued, "Would you like to eat some lunch with me?" Ann asked while still seemingly looking through him.
"Umm... yeah? Maybe after I finish my ride, on my way back through. If it's not too late?"
Anna.. sort of smiled?
"I'll be waiting for you then." Ann said with her unblinking straight face.
Darrius sped off towards the secluded town of Woodley. Realizing that he didn't even say bye before leaving, he stopped and turned back to wave at Ann. She didn't wave back.