Opposites Attract

Shelter in Place

Molly woke up groggy and disoriented, feeling like she'd slept on the floor. Looking down at the mattress below her, she immediately realized why. If she was going to stay here for a week she'd have to weave herself a hammock to sleep on.

She got up, looking down at herself as she did. She was still covered in dirt and blood, and she decided that was the first thing she needed to take care of, before trying to acquire some new clothes.

The bedroom door creaked as she opened it, and her nose was immediately hit with the scent of cinnamon. The aroma threw her other senses into a tailwind and her stomach growled. Loudly.

Pressing a hand to her abdomen she made her way downstairs, finding Jax- that was his name!- sitting on the living room floor with two young children. Jax's expression hardened as he saw her, and he gestured vaguely toward a large plate of cinnamon-and-sugar toast.

She hesitated just a bit before she picked up a piece, biting into it. As the sweetness exploded across her tongue she couldn't help but close her eyes. After she swallowed she managed to say, "That's... Really good."

She took another bite as one of the little boys laughed, showing off the half-eaten toast he'd been chewing.

"Mick," Jax said sharply, "not with your mouth full."

The boy gave him a sheepish smile, and Jax mussed his curly black hair with a small smile.

The other boy, who was identical to Mick, reached for another piece of toast while his brothers' backs were turned, gesturing for Molly to be quiet.

Jax turned back around, sighing as the second boy shoved the whole piece into his mouth.

"Was that necessary, Sammy?"

"Yeff."

Jax looked like he was going to say something else, but settled for giving his little brother's ear a tug.

Jax didn't have much in common with the twins (they had to be), except for their eyes. They all three had the same vibrant blue eyes as their mother. The twins had their mother's hair too, dark and curly and bouncy, while Jax's was a light brownish color and could only be described as constant bedhead.

"So who are you?" Mick asked, drawing Molly's attention.

"I'm Molly."

"Why'd mom send you?"

"I needed a place to stay."

"Why?"

"Because my village didn't want me there anymore."

"Why?"

"There was a small accident. I might have started a small fire."

"On purpose?"

"Of course not!"

"Can you use magic?"

"Yes."

"What kind?"

"Fire, but I don't see-"

"Is that how the fire started?"

"Yes. Can we stop with the questions for a bit?"

"One more!"

"...Fine."

"Do you have a family?"

Molly felt her body tense for a second, and she waited for a moment before answering carefully.

"I can't see him anymore. I don't think it counts."

Mick opened his mouth to say something else, but Molly cut him off.

"Do you have any spare rope?"

The question was directed towards Jax, and he thought for a moment before answering.

"I don't think so."

"What do you want rope for?" Sammy asked, rolling his eyes a bit.

"I wanted to make myself a hammock. I'm not used to sleeping on a mattress."

Jax seemed to get bored with the twin's constant questions because he got to his feet, saying, "Boys, outside."

They ran off, and Molly found herself surprised at how spontaneous they could be.

"I'll see what I can do about the rope," he said, "For now let's clean those cuts."

She looked down at herself, having momentarily forgotten.

"Oh. Okay."

He led her to the back yard, where the twins had gone, and to an old well. Without a pause, he moved his hands as if he were lifting water from the well and moved so he had a small orb of water in his hands.

"Hold still," he instructed, and she did as she was told.

The water moved across her skin lightly, managing to clear the dirt and blood without making them sting any worse. When he finished he dropped the filthy water onto the grass, and with one last movement he lifted another gallon or so of water from the well and poured it over Molly's head, leaving her spluttering.

"I'll get you a change of clothes and a towel. Stay there."

"Jerk," she muttered, and she could have sworn she heard him chuckle.