The Moondim Trilogy(A Sunglo Horror AU): Book 1, "Curses"

Chapter 4: The Tavern

     When the first sun rays hit Rob, she woke up. She wondered how long she and Ersa had been sleeping. Rob felt mortified, for she never wanted to be seen breaking down and crying her eyes out. Especially by her closest friend whom she considered as a sister.
     Rob sat up, being released from Ersa's sleeping hold. She stretched and rubbed her eyes.
     At least the place looks nicer to wake up to now, she thought, smiling to herself.
     While waiting for Ersa to awaken, Rob decided to try to make some of the tea that Sebastian gave her.
     She limped to the kitchen and then towards the stove, her leg still aching. It was likely she wouldn't be able to walk properly for the rest of her life, but at least she was alive.
     Rob found a pot that could be used to boil the water. She turned on the sink, which surprisingly worked. She filled the pot with water and placed it on the stove. Turning the knob to light the flames, Rob noticed that it wouldn't turn on.
     "Oh right," she told herself. "The stove doesn't work."
     Then, she got an idea. "Maybe I can try to fix it?"
     Rob remembered that in cartoons back in her childhood, people would kick some machinery to fix it. So, she tried that. The only problem was that she used her injured leg.
     She yelped in pain and collapsed to the floor, which woke Ersa up. "Rob!" She ran to her. "Are you okay?"
     "Oww...! Yeah, I'm fine. I just kicked the stove. With the leg that got shot." Rob groaned.
     Ersa facepalmed, "Rob... Why?"
     "To fix it. That's why," Rob explained bluntly.
     Ersa heaved a heavy sigh. "Rob, it's not a TV show. Kicking it won't work-" Ersa turned on the stove. It worked. "Oh. It works."
     "At least I did something." The short blonde woman smirked. "Now, I'm just going to lay here in pain for a bit."
     Ersa stifled a laugh, and helped Rob up. "Were you trying to make tea?"
     Rob nodded. "Yeah. Green tea, for clarification."
     Ersa helped Rob back to the couch. "I'll make it for ya'."
     Rob looked down, accepting the offer. She was always grateful for Ersa's kindness and generosity. "Thanks..."
     Ersa patted Rob's back. "No need to thank me."
     When the tea was made, it was handed to Rob in an old mug. When the first drops hit her tongue, she couldn't stop drinking at it as the warm liquid ran down her parched throat. She didn't realize how thirsty she was until she stopped to take a breath.
     "Geez, Rob." Ersa said, also holding a mug filled with tea. She took a sip. "Slow down."
     "Er, right..." Rob looked down, remembering yesterday.
     She finished her green tea, and the pain in her leg lessened slightly. Sebastian was right. It DID soothe the pain.
     Rob gave an anxious glance at Ersa. "Sorry..."
     Ersa was puzzled. "Sorry? For what, exactly?"
     "For, um... Crying yesterday. And for yelling at you..." Rob anxiously muttered.
     Ersa put her mug down. "No, no... It's fine and understandable. We're both in this really stressful situation, so... Yeah. It was gonna happen sooner or later even though I was the one who got us into this mess."
     Rob felt like she was going to cry again, but she didn't. "Don't blame yourself, Lindsey."
     Ersa sighed once more, picking up both now empty mugs. "I'll put the mugs away." Rob gave a nod as Ersa put the mugs in the sink.
     Returning, Ersa asked, "How's your leg doing?"
     "Eh," Rob shrugged, "it's not hurting as bad now. The tea helped."
     "That's good I guess." Ersa scratched the back of her head.
     "I might walk weird, but I'll manage," said the blonde woman, shifting to her feet.
     Ersa watched as Rob shuffled to the front door, and exited. Rob sat down on the first step, staring out into the farm. "How long has this place been abandoned?"
     Ersa sat down next to Rob. "From what I recall, one of the brothers mentioned it has been about five years since anyone resided here," she yawned.
     "If anything," Rob complied, "there better be a McDonald's here."
     Ersa sighed, "Rob, I highly doubt there's a McDonald's here."
     In frustration, Rob cursed under her breath. She had a mad craving for chicken nuggets. "Well, we can always look."
     Ersa facepalmed, standing up. "You and your McDonald's, Rob... I swear. But fine, I guess."
     "Yes!" Rob exclaimed, jumping to her feet. "Let's go!"
     However, as expected, no McDonald's could be seen. Rob sighed, disappointed.
     "I told you so, Rob," Ersa chuckled.
     "Well, let's just stop by the general store... Maybe they know where a food place is," sulked Rob.
     So, they did. When they entered the general store, Milo greeted them. "O-Oh! Ersa! Rob! H-Hello..."
     Inside the general store, there was a counter with shelves behind it. There were also shelves on the side walls, and the place was clear of dust and cobwebs unlike the outside. Next to the counter there was a barrel of spears, and by the door there was a rack full of weapons.
     "Hello Milo," Rob waved. "Yesterday was, uh... Interesting to say the least."
     Sebastian appeared behind the counter. "Well, duh. Anyways, if you tried it, did the tea help at least?"
     Rob smiled, "Yeah. A lot. Thank you."
     "C-Can we get you girls anything?" Milo offered.
     "Actually, we're looking for directions to a food place," explained Ersa. "Do you guys know where one is?"
     "Well, there is a tailor that also runs a bar. She's a real nice woman." Sebastian said.
     "Yeah, just to the right," the brighter brother pointed out. "But please b-be aware that she's always tired... Perhaps because she's always working for others despite us trying to tell her to take a break. S-So take it easy on her."
     "Thanks for the warning. See you guys later." Ersa smiled.
     "Wait, before you go..." Sebastian stopped them, carrying something. "I wish to give you two something."
     "Uh... What is it?" Rob looked at Sebastian.
     "Here," Sebastian twirled around a small pocket knife before handing it to Rob. He then handed another identical one to Ersa. "Keep these with you in case you get jumped by someone or something. I always keep one with me."
     "Oh, uh... Thanks," Rob bashfully muttered. "I'll keep that in mind."
     "Trust me," Sebastian warned, "there are several hazards here. You could get jumped at any moment."
     Rob gulped anxiously. This was unlike her. Upon looking at Sebastian, Rob found him to be oddly handsome despite his pale skin. He had the bluest eyes she had ever seen. It was like Rob was looking at the most beautiful cloud-filled sky.
     Rob's face flushed slightly, but she didn't acknowledge her own face heating up.  "Thanks again. We'll, er... We'll be going now."
     "Goodbye then. Come by any time." Milo giggled awkwardly.
     "See you Ersa." Sebastian turned to Rob, making eye contact with her. "See you Rob."