Page 6 of Crystal Luna

As they got closer to the village, Heath slowed down and stopped before Damian, who handed off clothes for the both of them along with Velora’s bag before he disappeared. Heath shifted and dressed before returning Velora’s bag to her.

The three men stepped past the treeline, waiting for Velora to dress and join them. She’d put on a worn down dress that frankly seemed more like a sack hanging over her body. Her long hair was tied into a ponytail and her bag was slung over her shoulder. She took in her surroundings, her eyes cautious. It was still early but with her arrival, the village was already up. She was met with curious faces as they walked to Wayne’s house. With each step, she tensed a little more. She was visibly uncomfortable but seemed too afraid to say so.

Curtis was already waiting by the front door, sitting in a rocking chair. He jumped up and proudly smiled at his father. “As soon as Mia was up I got her dressed and brought her here.”

“Good boy,” Heath praised. Although deep down, he felt awful for how fast his firstborn had grown up. He was only turning eleven and already had greater responsibilities than anyone else his age. “This is Velora. She’s going to have breakfast with us.”

“Hi!” Curtis grinned up at the woman before him. “I’m Curtis.”

Her lips twitched into a weak smile. “Hello Curtis.”

Curtis turned and opened the door. “I always enjoy having breakfast with Evelyne,” he announced as he led the way to the kitchen. “She makes the best pancakes.”

Velora seemed ready to bolt at any second. Heath thought for sure she would turn and run back into the woods. But the smell of eggs and bacon wrapping around her must have changed her mind. Though still tense, she followed Curtis inside.

Evelyne and Mia were standing by the counter, Mia on a step-stool while Evelyne handed her half an orange.

“Just in time.” Evelyne beamed as she noticed them. “Mia insisted we should have fresh orange juice.” Her eyes softened and rested on Velora, when she added, “Sit wherever you like and eat all you want.”

Velora ate quietly as she observed everyone else. Curtis was excitedly peppering their guest with questions, and Heath had to ask him to quiet down through the mind link.

Though she’d clearly been starving, Velora didn’t eat nearly as much as Heath had expected. By the time Curtis had finished two plates, she’d only finished half hers.

“Velora,” Evelyne gently asked. “You seem like you’ve had a long journey. Would you like to get some rest? I can lend you some clothes so those can be washed.”

Velora’s eyes flickered to Heath and he softly added, “We have a guest house where you can stay. It’s just outside of the village and has everything you might need to prepare for your journey ahead.”

Velora nodded, so he stood up. Mia slipped off the chair and took Heath’s hand in hers while Curtis turned to Evelyne.

“I’ll help you clean up, but can I take Velora to her house first?”

“Such a gentleman.” Evelyne nodded with a proud smile.

A few moments later, Heath walked with Mia by his side through the village. Curtis seemed to have made it his own personal mission to point out everything possible to Velora while they walked to the guest house to the south.

“That big house over there is where we live. Dad’s office is there too, which I like because I can still be close with him while he’s working.”

He kept babbling along and told Velora all about the small store they had and the new house that was being constructed to the north.

“Oh, and this one is yours,” Curtis said as they arrived by the guesthouse hidden in the woods. “I think this one is the one with the bathtub, isn’t it Father?”

“It is.” To Velora, Heath explained, “I had some food brought here, but if there is anything else you need, please let us know.”

“Dad says that his door is always open for anyone who needs to talk.”

Velora nodded, eyes so clouded with sleep deprivation that Heath was afraid she would faint on the spot.

Curtis opened the door for her and gestured for her to enter ahead of him.

“This is your home for the time being,” Heath told her. “No one will enter unless you permit.” He hoped that would make her feel at least a little safer.

Curtis waited for her to disappear inside before closing the door.

“I like her,” Mia whispered as they walked away.

Curtis’s eyes beamed up at his father with a hopeful glim. “Maybe she can stay?”

“I’m not sure that’s what she wants.” Heath knew being honest with them was best. Even after their mother had died, he’d been honest about it with Curtis, knowing it was the best way for him to process it. Since then, no matter what, he’d never sugar-coated anything for his children.