“Thank you, really. I’m not sure how much I take after my father, either… not yet anyway. Still, we should stay here. Just… would you…” Nev started to ask before pausing. She was feeling uncomfortable and ashamed of her own vulnerability and neediness. Fear and resolve had constantly battled within her during her life. Recently, however, Wyatt had helped stem the tide and strengthen her will. Sometimes, though, she felt her strength ebbing and desperately wished to cling to him.
“Would I what?” he questioned tenderly.
“Would you hold me tonight?” she asked, her voice hesitant. “I know how it sounds. And you don’t have to. I’ll be alright if you would rather not for some reason.”
Wyatt gave her a sad smile. “Sweetheart, of course. Always. You never have to worry about my answer to that question. Or feel you need to justify asking it of me,” he replied, kissing her forehead and pulling her close. He felt her rest her head under his chin as he snuggled her close.
Addi returned from inside the cabin and studied her brother and Nev. Their embrace seemed tender, but there was a sense of seriousness to it that made her uncomfortable. She began to feel like Nev was far more damaged than even her brother would be able to mend.
As fat raindrops started to fall and the first roll of thunder echoed around them, Addi motioned for them to come inside. “The cabin is clear. Whoever lived here has been gone for a while, although it looks like they left in a hurry and not willingly,” Addi explained as she headed back inside.
Wyatt led Nev towards the cabin door. It was obvious from the door’s condition that it had been forcefully kicked in. It now hung awkwardly from one of its hinges, swinging as the storm’s winds caught it. He could see his sister was already lighting a lantern and picking up some of the cabin’s strewn contents.
There was a jar filled with unintentionally dried flowers sitting on the table next to Addi’s lantern. A cup, whose contents had long left it, still sat on a counter. Wyatt got a deep sense that something unpleasant had transpired here. “This cabin. Something bad happened here,” Wyatt sighed as he and Nev entered the two-room home.
Nev could sense more than just the hints of distress that lingered. She felt her breath leave her and feet stumble as a realization hit her. He had been here. Sagrine had taken someone from here. The thought filled her with terror as she felt it slither into her consciousness. She squeezed her eyes tightly closed and strained her mind to shove it to the shadows of her memory. He can’t know. He already worries far too much, she thought as she endeavored to keep Wyatt from sensing what she knew to be true.
Wyatt wrapped an arm around Nev as he felt her balance falter. He led her into the cabin’s only bedroom and sat her down on the nearby bed. Kneeling before her, he stared at her anxiously. “Are you alright? What just happened?” he inquired deeply concerned.
Nev managed to nod and force a tiny smile. “I am fine. Just a little lightheaded. Maybe I should have eaten more breakfast,” she replied, hoping to allay his unease.
Wyatt studied her closely. He was trying to determine if that was honestly the cause. “Alright, if you are sure… then I guess I will get on dinner duty,” he said, staring at her a moment longer. He was not fully convinced she’d told him everything, but he was eager to have her really eat something… anything.
“Thanks,” Nev replied softly.
Addi had watched the exchange and decided this was her opportunity to ask Nev some questions. “I will help change your bandages while my brother attempts to cook,” she offered quickly.
“I can get to that in a minute, sister,” Wyatt suggested.
“Hush. Would you please feed the girl? Maybe some food is still edible in the cupboards. You should check. Oh, and get a fire going and secure the front door,” Addi directed.
“Well, of course. Is there anything else I should do, dear sister?” Wyatt asked, feigning an over willingness to comply with her orders.
“Probably. I will let you know when I think of it. Now, stop complaining and get to work,” Addi said, laughing at his annoyance.
“Great. I can’t wait,” Wyatt replied. He rolled his eyes at her and then secured the door with a frayed piece of rope he found on the ground. Once that was tended to, he started searching the cupboards at the far end of the cabin.
Addi approached Nev and started to pull healing supplies from her pack.
Suddenly, Nev felt uncomfortable with Addi’s attention entirely focused on her. “It’s feeling alright. You don’t have to do this,” she suggested, hoping to dissuade Addi from feeling the need to tend to her wound.
Raising her eyebrow at her, Addi replied quietly, “Really? My brother seemed very convinced it was paining you greatly. So, either he is wrong, lying, or… you are. So, you are going to let me wrap your shoulder and chat with me a bit.”
Nev looked at Addi and tried to find a response. She could sense Addi wanting to press her. The discomfort from her memories, shoulder, and the cabin were suddenly eclipsed by her feelings of unease with being questioned by Wyatt’s sister.
Seeing Nev growing even tenser, Addi sighed. “Look, relax. I’m not going
