The old bus groaned to a stop, its brakes squealing loudly in the quiet countryside. A couple of old women, chatting casually, disembarked from the vehicle. After a while, Alya herself came out.

She stood at the side of the road, looking around the small village with a disdainful expression. She felt a mixture of disappointment and boredom as she surveyed the surroundings, noting the dirt path and the surrounding fields.

Her backpack sat heavily on her back, but she made no attempt to adjust it, just stood with a sullen expression.