Dawn Of Twilight

Chapter 11 : Home Is Where You Are (Part 2)

Dawn returned from the kitchen, a tiny bowl of cookies cradled in her hands, her smile as warm as the glow from the nearby lamp. She noticed the empty coffee cup on the table and beamed.

"Oh, you finished the coffee?" she asked, her tone laced with pride.

Erevin, forcing his best smile, nodded quickly. "It was so good, I couldn't help myself."

Dawn's eyes lit up. "Really? That's great! Actually, my father says the cookies are best when you dip them in coffee before eating."

Erevin froze for a split second. Dip them... in coffee? His internal panic surged, but he managed to maintain his composure, nodding slowly. "I'll, uh, keep that in mind."

She handed him the bowl and plopped down beside him, her attention fully on him as she waited eagerly for his reaction.

Erevin picked up one of the cookies. It looked delicious—perfectly round with a golden sheen. He cautiously took a bite, but the moment his teeth sank in (or rather, attempted to sink in), a sharp jolt shot through his body.

It's so hard...

The cookie felt more like a small rock than a baked treat. Suppressing a grimace, Erevin shifted the bite to his back teeth, grinding it down like he was trying to chew gravel. Every crunch seemed to echo in his skull, but he kept going, determined to avoid disappointing her.

Dawn tilted her head, watching him intently. "Well? How is it?"

Erevin swallowed the bite with effort, his throat practically protesting, and managed a slightly strained smile. "It's... unique! Really crunchy," he said, hoping the positive spin would suffice.

Dawn's smile widened. "That's exactly what my dad said!"

"The boy has really strong teeth," Dawn's father muttered, clearly impressed.

Erevin's father stifled a laugh. "Yeah, but for how long?"

Inside, Dawn's smile grew even brighter as she watched Erevin eat another piece.

"You like them?" she asked eagerly.

Erevin forced his lips into a grin, nodding. "They're... fantastic."

Dawn's eyes sparkled at his response. "Sorry, only these few are left. My father always finishes them whenever I bake a batch." She leaned a little closer, her voice soft and sweet. "But next time, I'll bake some specially for you."

Erevin's smile faltered for the briefest moment, his inner panic reaching a crescendo.

Oh God, nooooo! the voices in his head screamed in unison.

But he quickly recovered, chuckling nervously. "That sounds... amazing."

Dawn's face lit up even more, completely oblivious to his internal crisis. "Great! I'll make sure to save the best ones just for you."

Outside, Dawn's father shook his head, a wry smile on his face. "Poor kid doesn't know what he's signing up for."

Erevin's father smirked. "I think he knows. He's just got no option."

As Erevin finished the last cookie, he gulped down a glass of water to help them go down smoothly. Dawn had been watching him the whole time, her face glowing with satisfaction.

"You are amazing." she said softly, her voice carrying a warmth that made him forget the trauma his teeth had just endured.

Erevin smiled, brushing the crumbs off his hands. "Not as amazing as your cookies," he replied, though the voices in his head muttered in protest.