Sky Dust

Chapter 15

Vivia wrapped the handkerchief around the pouch and tied it up. The glow was weaker, but it still broke through. She swore under her breath.

"Do you happen to have a handkerchief?" She asked Spencer, who was waiting for her near the staircase. He shook his head and came closer.

Vivia spat out.

"Screw it," she said as she tied it to her belt. "Let's go."

Spencer headed towards the staircase. As he walked through the door, eyes turned at him, making him want to hide behind Vivia. He understood them; humans were new to them, just like the Dapheni were new to him. But still, he was worried. Some of them seemed to have hostility and hunger reflected in their eyes.

Vivia constantly kept her hand on the pouch. They walked in silence for the first minute, until someone came up to them. It was a young adult boy, probably a few years older than Spencer.

"Is this the guy whom the attackers wanted to kill?"

Vivia's expression got fierce as she looked at the boy.

"Yes, and don't you dare blame him. He's just the son of two explorers."

"I'm not blaming him, just curious."

"Well, now you've seen him. You're welcome," Vivia tugged Spencer forward, leaving the boy behind.

"That's Evan," she introduced. "Quite the annoyance."

"Why, he's fine."

"Boy, you just don't know him," Vivia led him through the crowd, apparently trying to walk as quickly as she could.

"But thanks."

"No problem," she said quietly. Spencer saw that she was focusing on other things. She was staring deeply into the crowd, as if she was scanning it for a particular person.

"Who are you looking for?" He asked.

"I want to see if there's any attacker. He might be hiding somewhere among the people."

"Wow, your Casep place is busy."

"It's much larger than our village," she said simply. Spencer decided to distract her no more.

As the crowd got thinner, he found space to breathe. Vivia finally stopped and faced him.

"How is it?" He asked without a clue what else he could say. He felt that he had to say something.

"Everything clear."

He looked at the sky, remembering about gathering sky dust. The sun was setting, and the darkness was noticeable. Vivia was busy looking at her pouch, as if guarding it. Spencer lightly touched her arm as a sign.

"What?"

She saw the sky, still holding on to her pouch.