The Orphan and the Thief

Chapter 10: The Cabin in the Wood

Melena allowed herself to feel sorry for Toad for just a few minutes before getting back to business. He was going to find out what they were facing eventually, though she didn't enjoy bursting his bubble. She scribbled down Blackens on her growing list and tapped her chin, thinking. The Blackens were giving her the most trouble. How in the world were they going to survive such freezing temperatures, especially in winter? They would need supplies, of that she was sure. Wool caps, leather gloves, thick socks, coats, scarves.

"You've been gone longer than usual, Milo. Want a cuppa?"

Melena's head snapped upward. She twisted in her seat. A young man with windswept hair stood at the counter. He removed his black gloves and smiled at the woman.

"No thanks, but I wouldn't say no to a slice of that apple pie," he replied.

The woman beamed and bustled about as the man took a distant seat.

Melena's heart thundered. He was young — no more than twenty. Melena quickly did the math. A seven year difference — that wasn't far-fetched. At ten, Milo could have easily taken charge of the dangerous situation and hurried her from their burning home. He would have known the fire would kill them. He would have known how to get out.

"There you go," said the woman, placing a slice of pie before him, a dollop of cream on top.

He gave the woman a warm smile of thanks and Melena's heart nearly exploded. His hair was blond, like hers. They even had similar noses — long and straight.

Melena sat rooted in her chair, her mind whizzing. Should she talk to him? Should she dare ask him for his last name? If only the woman would say it!

He ate his pie in what felt like seconds and rose, swinging his long coat back over his shoulders and turning up the collar against the chill. Melena watched as he waved a goodbye to the woman as she wiped down the bar, and strode out the door.

In a flash, Melena was on her feet. She couldn't dawdle now, wasting time questioning the woman. She snatched up her list, stuffed her book into her knapsack, swung it over one shoulder, and rushed out of the Soggy Dog. She spied the man's retreating back easily and hurried after him. He rounded a corner and Melena sped up. She was running as she took it and nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Oh! Hazel!" Melena gasped, clutching her chest. Hazel swished her green tail, sweeping crumpled brown leaves, and yowled happily. "Come on —" She scooped up Hazel and rushed onward.

Milo walked steadily through the town, Melena far enough behind to keep him in view. He never once looked back, even when he left the cobbled streets for a dirt road. Melena hesitated as he walked under the canopy of a thick wood. Did he live there? she wondered, before hurrying after him.

He walked down the dirt road through the trees for so long that Melena was growing tired from carrying Hazel. She strongly considered shouting out to him and questioning him right then and there, when he stopped suddenly and looked about him. Without thinking, Melena ducked behind a wide oak tree and felt her face burn in embarrassment. What was she doing, hiding from him? If he'd seen her duck for cover just now, he must think her insane. But apparently, he hadn't seen her or heard her. He stepped off the road and plowed into the trees. Melena scampered after him.

The trees were so thick and low and the sky so cloudy from threatening rain, that it was very dark in the woods. It was difficult to keep him in view with his black coat, but just when she was sure she had lost him, a light flared up ahead. Before her was a small cabin, squeezed between a grove of cedars. One window was lit, and as she watched so was another.