“Aiden, what’s happened?
Aiden sat down at the table and wiped his eye. What he should tell his parents? He hid his head in his hands. He wished he knew what to say.
“Aiden?” said Brokk.
He lifted his eyes to his parents. There was a sudden clatter on the stairs and Andor burst into the room. His face was bright, eyes wide with anticipation. “You’ve come to visit!” he said, rushing over to sit opposite Aiden at the table. “You have to tell me everything.”
Andor’s smile cut him deep. It reminded him of all that he had lost. And the unfairness of it all. He was just getting to know the place—just starting to feel like he belonged—but then he had to let his curiosity get the better of him. He just had to hear what those men were saying. He wished he had heard nothing.
The room was silent
