Silver Dreams

Chapter 5

"Ooh, that's cold." Chilled by the icy wind, Amy hugged herself as she stepped out of the kitchen backdoor.

Hayley and Fae followed closely behind. Bree locked the kitchen backdoor, tucking the keys into her apron pocket, and joined them.

The sky had already darkened by the time they exited the kitchen. Lamp posts illuminated the gravel path with a soft yellow glow. At a fork in the road, the three girls turned to Fae to bid their good nights.

Bree embraced Fae, taking in her comforting scent, "Good night, Grandma. I wish you a peaceful evening."

Amy, still hugging Fae, asked, "Are you sure you don't need me to come with you?"

"I'll manage just fine. You girls need your rest for tomorrow." Fae smiled, gently holding Amy's cheek.

Hayley joined them, complaining into Fae's shoulder, "Ugh, I really hate mornings."

Fae chuckled, kissing Hayley's forehead. "Have a good sleep, darling." With a wave, Fae turned and walked away. The three girls watched her until she disappeared from their sight.

After a short walk, they reached their humble two-story wooden house—provided by Alpha Nicholas. Amy had once called it a "fancy cage for a slave" when they first entered.

The house provided all they needed. It had a small stove and a few cupboards for their cutlery and food, a square-shaped table with four chairs served as their dining area, and a couch facing a furnace for warmth during the cold seasons. In the back, was a small laundry room where they washed and hung their clothes.

Upstairs, their bedroom accommodated three single beds and dresser trunks. The bathroom had a toilet, a huge pail, and a dipper for bathing.

This home had witnessed their lives—how they grew up and took care of each other. It became their refuge, a place to hide from the world when reality became too much to bear. It was where they whispered their hopes in hushed voices.

"I call dibs on the bath," Amy declared as they entered, carelessly discarding her stained apron onto the couch. Without looking back, she headed upstairs.

Hayley sighed, exasperated, and shouted after Amy, "I told you not to leave your used apron on the couch!"

Bree chuckled at her friends and made her way to the stove. She picked up the kettle and retrieved a jar from the upper cabinet. "Would you like a cup of hot cocoa?" she asked Amy, filling the kettle with water.

"Just one sugar, please," Hayley groaned, sprawling across the couch and claiming all available space.

Bree placed the kettle on the stove and took out the cups Fae had bought for them as a housewarming gift.

She fondly remembered the day they went to Lazuli Plaza—Silvercrest's main square—with uncontainable excitement. Hayley was the first to spot the cups and Bree readily agreed when Amy had called it perfect.

Each cup had a different design. Amy's dark blue cup featured a cute painting of snow-capped mountains under starry skies, while Hayley's cream-colored cup showcased various flowers. Bree claimed the black-colored cup, adorned with a golden moon surrounded by silver stars.

As Bree waited for the water to boil, she untied her apron and picked up the one Amy had discarded. She headed toward the laundry basket tucked under the stairs, tossing both aprons inside.

"Looks like we'll be doing laundry tomorrow night," Bree remarked, eyeing the overflowing basket of soiled clothes. She then approached Hayley, who lay face-down on the couch. Bree nudged one of Hayley's legs aside to make room for herself.