Between Worlds

Chapter 15

Wearing human clothes felt odd to Tyla, their texture stiff and abrasive against his skin. They looked right on Malyn, but on himself, Tyla felt as if he were donning a costume. He would have to get used to it, though. Even if he mastered sewing, the unique fabrics of Nuuvatu were beyond his reach.

Nuuvatu, with its breathtaking beauty, lingered in his memory. It was a place he had seldom returned to after leaving, though it hadn't been far from where they'd lived. Now, he wished he had. A final visit, a proper goodbye to the faces and streets etched in his heart seemed like a missed treasure, especially as this journey pulled him further away.

Yet, if he suddenly found himself with the opportunity to return, he wasn't sure he would take it. He would have to go alone, and that appealed less with each passing day.

He understood why his people insisted on their isolation. It would be easy to lose everything that was theirs if they opened themselves up too much to the world around them. He respected this, yet a part of him yearned for just a touch more openness, a bridge between his world and the one he now navigated.

Well, it hardly mattered anymore. They had other things to worry about.

Tyla changed his outfit three times, at which point he'd gone through all of the outfits he currently owned and had to settle on black shorts and a simple white button-down shirt. He'd had to buy his clothes in the youth section because he was smaller than most adult human men.

Stepping out to join the others, a wave of insecurity washed over him, but it was quickly tempered by Adin's reassuring nod and Malyn's arm, warm and familiar, drawing him close. In that embrace, Tyla found a semblance of the belonging he yearned for.

Finch's gaze was fixed on Luther as he addressed the group gathered in the stationary bus. "First things first, ground rules. Adin and I call the shots here. Our word is final."

Luther perked up, an amused glint in his eye. "Oh, how fascinating! And what if you two don't see eye to eye? Who takes the lead then?"

"Then we talk about it like fucking adults."

"Hmm, I see," Luther mused "Does that imply that if anyone else in the group is the one to disagree, you don't discuss it like adults?"

"Shut the fuck up," Finch snapped. "Anyway, our job tonight should be straightforward. We know we're not dealing with a ghost. Luther, your senses might actually come in handy to identify whatever's really going on."

Luther's demeanour shifted to one of mock solemnity. "Of course, I am well-acquainted with the scents of the local fauna. Though, I do hope for something a tad more thrilling."

"Well, we'll see," Finch said. "And if it is, you should be aware of our second rule. We never initiate violence. It should only be used as a last resort to defend yourself or others, and only to the extent necessary to do so. Can you manage that?"

Luther pondered for a moment, head tilted thoughtfully. "Yes, I believe I can. I am quite protective of Shadow, but he can defend himself. If he were in real danger, I might struggle to hold back, but I hope it doesn't come to that."

"We all have our limits," Finch acknowledged. "Anyway, that's not everything, but it should be enough to get you through one easy job without fucking everything up. Adin can give you and Shadow the proper initiation later. Everyone ready to head out?"

Malyn glanced outside. "We have kinda been sitting in front of this old ladies house for like ten minutes. She's probably starting to get a little weirded out. These things come across as extra spooky at night, especially out here in the boonies."