The Wish of a Broken Heart

We're Not Alone

Binākwé 1st
Kala’maílaō
24:00

~Amanda~

We make our way to a quaint little village after returning from Faemála’s Realm. It reminds me of a Medieval village. Most roofs are made of moss instead of straw. A few are stone or wood shingles. There are details on buildings that look like wood lace in a few places. Window boxes of flowers, fruits, vegetables, and herbs are on every small window, fence, and railing.

I hear triangle and cow bells ringing. Kids quickly run to their homes. Adults are placing heavy shudders across windows and doors. It looks like they’re bracing for a hurricane. A few people glance our way.

Cara is passed out cold and missing this. My poor sissy. Tavi carries and cradles her gently. He’s bossy, but not in a rude way. He tells you what needs to happen, why, and takes on suggestions of different ways to do things. He’s possessive, but not in a creepy ṣtalker way. I don’t know what she sees in him, but we’ve never had the same tastes in guys.

Or clothes.

All these dresses are ridiculous! I hated wearing them to tea parties and events on Earth. Every day is ridiculous. I'll take a pair of leggings, riding-style pants, harem pants, or capris any day. I doubt they’d like shorts here. I love my vintage 1950’s double row button shorts and double zippered shorts.

I’ve brought some workout shorts and capris-style leggings that I’m wearing under the dresses. I brought hiking clothes, but people were gawking at my cargo pants when we ran into others. It was drawing too much attention. I finally agreed to elven styles. I’m pushing for a high-low dress to wear with my leggings.

I see girls wearing some sort of laced up pants with short medieval-fairy style dresses. None of the women, though. They’re in serviceable renaissance faire-style dresses. Corsets over layers of skirts, a few are tucked into wide belts with leather pouches. Some are overly stuffed with herbs, and heavens only know what.

I glance down one of the cobbled side streets to see an elderly woman struggling to get her home ready. She looks frail. I signal to those behind me before pulling up on the reigns of the carriage and stop at the street. Everyone is focused on their own homes. She's crying and alone.

“What’s wrong?” Tavi comes up beside me. I point to the crying elderly woman.

“She needs help. Why is no one helping?”

“She’s an outsider.” Odrin sighs. “Her husband passed in an attack a few weeks ago. She doesn’t speak our languages. Most people avoid her.”

“Do you?” I quirk my eyebrow at him.

“No. I normally help her.”

“Well, let’s get to it then.” I click the reigns and pull up to her home. She looks up when she hears the noise from all of us.

“Good evening, Lady Mills!” Odrin waves. “Friends. Help.” He gestures to us.

“Oh, thank God!” She cries out in English. ENGLISH!

“HELLO!” I bounce off my seat and hug her. “Where are you from?” She starts crying and shaking.

“I… I’ve been so alone! Jake died last month. Our kids moved away. I… I thought…”

“Shh, shh, shh. It’s okay.” I sit her in the carriage and get her some calming tea. The kids hug her as everyone else tends to her house. “Stay with us tonight, yeah?”

“Really?” She sniffles.

“Really.” I rub her back. “Besides, who else knows you’re from America?” I nudge her. It takes a moment before it clicks. She gasps a lot and points between us. No legible words are made, but I understand and nod. “I was living in Ohio. My husband’s family was garbage after he passed. My sister disappeared on a research trip in Vietnam. I went home with my kids to help Mum…”