Between Worlds

Chapter 13

Tyla hadn't really wanted to leave Malyn for a grocery run with Adin, but declining wasn't an option either. Being part of this family – and he certainly was – meant building relationships with everyone, not just Malyn. He wondered why he had to remind himself of this.

Perhaps he was being overly self-critical. After all, having someone burn down your house in the dead of night was not the same as facing danger on the job. It wasn't comparable to his home collapsing during the Nuuvatu breach either. Being targeted carried a chilling fear, different from general danger.

But it wasn't just about fear. Positive emotions were also at play. Tyla had initiated more physical closeness, and Malyn, instead of pulling away, had responded in kind. They hadn't discussed it yet, but their interactions felt far from platonic.

"Do you think we could get Malyn a cake?" Tyla mused while selecting cereal. "He joked about losing the mayor's cake in the fire, but Malyn's jokes are often just truths he finds amusing."

"Why don't we bake him one?" Adin proposed, a spark of enthusiasm in his voice. "We've got an oven on the bus, and I've been wanting to test it out."

"That's a great idea. I really want to do something special for him."

"We all need a bit of kindness right now, don't we? Sometimes, the best way to soothe our souls is by doing something kind for someone else."

Tyla nodded in agreement, then hesitantly asked, "Adin?"

"Yes, Tyla?"

"Is it normal to miss someone even if you've just seen them?"

Adin paused thoughtfully. "Yes, I believe it is. In my time, people often expressed such feelings openly. I've never experienced it myself, but from what I've heard, it's a normal, even wonderful, sensation."

Tyla fiddled with the child seat on the shopping cart, clicking it open and shut. "Sometimes it feels overwhelming."

"Everything feels intense right now. Navigating an emotional shift in a relationship during a time of heightened stress can certainly be overwhelming and confusing."

Tyla nodded. "Maybe I'm overthinking it."

"The mind often latches onto worries when stress levels are high," Adin observed. "Sometimes, the best course of action is to seek a calmer, healthier state of life, as the real issue lies beyond the immediate worries."

"You're probably right. I've even started to worry about the fact that I'm worrying."

Adin gave him a reassuring smile. "It'll be okay, Tyla, I promise. Tomorrow, we'll bake that cake, get a rack for the motorcycle to ease our travels, and start settling in. As long as we're safe and together, everything will fall into place."

Tyla trusted Adin and wanted to believe his words, but a nagging unease persisted until they were checking out the groceries and the others joined them. Leaning against Malyn, feeling his arm around his shoulders, Tyla felt a wave of calm wash over him. In that moment, he knew everything would indeed be okay.

#

Malyn took over driving the bike after they left the shopping centre, swapping with Finch a few times as the hours ticked by. Eventually, exhaustion crept in, and Finch headed off to one of the bunks for a break.

He was nudged awake by Shadow's gentle touch.

"Mm?" Finch mumbled, his voice groggy, eyes barely cracking open.

"We've stopped. Luther wants to talk," Shadow said, his voice cutting through the grogginess.

Finch would have much rather rolled over and gone back to sleep, but he knew he'd regret it later if he did. There were answers he needed. With a sigh, he swung his legs out of the bunk. Luther was already at the bus door, shoes on and waiting.