CHAPTER THREE
1090 Words
CHAPTER THREE
The afternoon sun cast its lazy rays over the forest, filtering through the leaves and illuminating the forest floor in a golden haze. The air was still and warm, filled with the subtle scents of pine and freshly bloomed flowers. The only sound was the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of birds.
Hava and Jonathan waited anxiously, their eyes fixed on the dirt path that led back to the entrance to their cave. Hava glanced at Jonathan, his expression tense with worry, while he stared off into the distance, his brow furrowed.
Jonathan: “Where are Ava and mom? They should have been back by now.”
Hava: “Maybe there was a lot of traffic at the market .
Or maybe they just stopped to talk to someone.”
Ava appeared in the distance, her arms full of packages, as Hava and Jonathan were still standing at the entrance to their cave.
Jonathan: “There she is. Ava” he points
Ava walks towards Hava and Jonathan with a tired smile on her face.
Ava: “Hey guys. Sorry I am late.
There was a lot to carry today.”
Hava: “That’s okay
We are just glad you are back safe and sound.”
Jonathan: “And with all those packages, it looks like you had a good day at the market.”
Ava: “ I did.”
Hava: “What about Mum? Where is she? She should have come back with you, right? ”
Ava: “Yeah but she is coming.
She asked me to start coming home with these items for her to go get some leaves for our uncle’s wife's drugs, and she needed to go see someone first. Although she said she would be home soon.”
Hava: “Who did she need to see?”
Ava: “She didn’t tell me, but she seemed very determined
I am sure she is fine.”
Hava: “You do not think something will happen to her, do you?”
You know how dangerous it is out there alone.”
Ava: “I do not think so because she told me to tell dad that she was just going to get the leaf. In fact, she didn’t want to tell me about this person until I asked to go get the leaf with her, and she then told me she needed to see someone.”
Hava: “Really?”
Ava: “I know it sounds strange , but mother is a strong woman.
She can take care of herself”
Hava: “Did she tell dad she was going there?”
Ava: “I just said I think she didn’t”
Hava; “So you are going to lie to dad”
Ava: “Yes.
I do that often.”
Jonathan: “What if something happens to her out there alone?”
Ava: “Nothing will happen to her out there, I know that.”
Jonathan: “Ok. I hope so. We cannot lose anyone, Ava.,
Ava:“ Stop worrying about mum. I have something to tell you two.”
Jonathan: “ what is it?”
Ava: “ wait after I am done greeting dad”
Hava: “Dad is not around”
Ava: “He is not back yet?”
Hava: “ yes”
Ava:“ how come the two of you left him alone in the woods?”
Jonathan: “just like mom, he told us to leave and that he wanted to go home alone.”
Ava: “That sounds strange, doesn’t it?”
Hava: “ it doesn’t compare to mum’s own”
Jonathan: “ what is it that you want to tell us?”
Ava: “Let us go to start cooking for them so that when they return, food will be ready for them”
They all return to the cave to cook.
Ava sits with Hava and Jonathan by the fire, her hands fidgeting nervously.
Ava:“ the thing I have to tell you.
I have been meeting with Ethan in the market.
We have been talking, and I have told him about us”
Hava and Jonathan exchange looks of shock and concern.
Hava: “Did you tell him why you were punished by the king?
What did he say?”
Ava: “ I did
He seemed sympathetic, and he asked if there was anything he could do to help.”
Hava: “ HELP?
What could a human boy possibly do to help out”
Ava: “ I do not know
But he seemed genuinely concerned about our welfare. “
Hava: “ a human boy willing to help werewolves ?
That is hard to believe.”
Jonathan: “ Maybe he is just trying to get on our good side.
Maybe he is just a spy for the king.”
Ava: “ I do not think so.
He seemed truly interested in understanding our situation.
And he seemed to care about my safety.”
Hava: “But how can you be sure he is a human, Ava?
He could be a werewolf in disguise.”
Ava: “I am sure
I saw him in the daytime, under the sun.
And I could smell his human scent.”
Jonathan: “But what if he is a werewolf who has been trained to hide his scent?
You can not trust humans, Ava
Not after what they have done to us.”
Ava: “I know humans have treated us poorly.
But not all humans are the same.
Ethan seems different.
He is not like the others.”
Hava: “Different or not, we cannot afford to take that risk.
If the king finds out you have been talking to a human, we will all be in another danger.”
Ava: “I know, Hava.
But I also can not ignore my feelings.
There is something about Ethan that feels he is right.
I can not explain it, but when I am with him, I feel
Safe
Happy
Like I can be myself”
Hava: “ Ava, sister I am sorry to sound rude but you are being foolish.
You can not let your feelings cloud your judgment.
We have to focus on staying safe or how to leave here, not on human boys.”
Ava: “But what if he can help us? Or has the power to help us?”
Jonathan : “He may be of help to us soon now this one is getting late and both mom and dad are not back yet.”
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