How Do We Know What's Real

Chapter Two

"I just need a couple days to rest and then I will be on my way," he explains, looking in my direction for me to tell Caliban to put his knife away. "Caliban, do you know a place he could stay?" I ask, trying to sound as sweet as possible. "Yeah, I will take him there, you go back home, I dont want you to get caught out here," he says, clearly frustrated that I want to help this boy. I give him a quick reasurring peck on the cheek before I go home. I started to worry and regret keaving Caliban alone with the Miron guy. Not because i dont trust the dude, but Caliban clearly didn't like him. I reassured myself that Caliban was a nice guy and he had changed. When we were younger, he would always pick fights with all of my other guy friends. As soon as my head hit the pillow I fell asleep.

There I was, yet again. As I plunged down from where I had fallen, I took more notice of the person i had seen. This time, it was a much clearer view. Only this time, It wasn't Caliban. It was miron. I awoke pretty early the next morning as Caliban had called me over 10 times already. I picked up my phone on the 11th ring. "Hello?" I said, with a strained voice from exhaustian. "Thank god you're awake, the Miron dude has been non stop annoying me. He keeps asking about you and when you are coming so get your ass down to the pool shed now." I hung up and didn't even bother to get dressed. I was wearing a tank top and some shorts, casual for a hot summer day.

As I opened the door the the shed, both guys just stared. "What?" i asked, annoyed. They both replied nothing so i sat down and gave Miron some macarons that had been left over from the previous day. I looked at his leg and gasped. "Miron, you've got a huge cut on your leg, I have a medkit in my backpack hold still." He chuckled. "Whats so funny," I asked, scowling at him. "Who keeps a medkit in their backpack?" I stared at him. I couldn't place my finger on it. He looked so much like someone I knew, but I couldn't figure out who. It's like my memories of him had just vanished and werent there anymore.

I went back home a couple hours after that, leaving Caliban and him alone, once again. I called in to check on them before heading to the library. "Hello, Alyanna! I haven't seen you come in here in a while!" the librarian says as I walk up to her desk. "Hi Ms.Martin, I have a really stupid question." I say to her. "No questions are stupid in here, ask away," she says warmly. I smile and ask her if we were the last village in Ukraine. "I do believe that is what the council said, yes." I thanked her and walked home. Now who was lying? The council or Miron? If the council was lying about this, I wonder what other lies they have told.

When I first came here, around 9 months ago, the only kids who had survived the raid in Kyiv were me and Caliban. We were both told that all of the other refuge centers had either collapsed or been raided. Now seeing how Miron,who looked plenty healthy and nuroushed, found his way to us, from what he claims to have been Kyiv, makes it hard to determine who is lying. I mean, why would Miron lie about being from Kyiv. This whole situation just doesnt make sense. I was glad I had Caliban who I could trust and talk to about these things.

"Alyanna? Where have you been all day?" My mother asks as i walk through the front door. "i went to go to the library to ask her a few questions about book recommendations," I lied. I normally didnt like lying to them but they were very traditional so I knew i couldnt trust them to keep this secret. "Hey mom, do you mind if I go to the lake with Caliban tonight? He said he would show me some of his new songs." I said, forcing a smile. She agreed and I went upstairs to pass the time. I sat down at my desk and called Caliban. "Hey Aly, yes he is fine, yes i gave him water, yes i gave him food." Caliba said, answering all the questions i had texted him. I smiled and felt my cheeks heat up. 

"I was wondering if we could bring Miron to te lake with us tonight? I feel so bad leaving him in a pool shed all day and night." I said, with a pleading tone. "sure, whatever."Caliban said, obiously upset but i decided to ignore it. I set my phone down and watched Maski-Show. I got a text from Caliban about 30 minutes later saying he had to pick up some stuff and asked me to go to the shed to make sure Miron doesnt do anything stupid that could lead to his exposure. I complied and followed the path to the pool shed.