Nightfall

Chapter 2

I woke up with the sunlight pouring in. Everything seemed like a dream. None of it seemed real. I got up and left the room. It was no different to how it was before. As I walked the hall, I smelled cinnamon and heard the television on a show father watched all the time. The cinnamon grew stronger the closer I got to the kitchen and I heard someone humming. It was a beautiful soft hum of someone who is peaceful with their lives. ¨Excuse me, I was wondering if I could find out when breakfast will be?¨ I asked, stepping into the warm kitchen.

¨It will be soon dear. How about joining my husband on the couch? He did say he wanted to talk to you.¨ the woman said. I was about to go when I remembered I never learned her name. ¨Luna, sweetheart. Much like yours. Now run along.¨ she said without me asking.

I left and saw Amishka sitting on the couch, coffee in one hand and a remote in the other. It reminded me of my father, except he had beer in the place of coffee. ¨Sir? Can I join you?¨ I asked, walking around the couch.

¨Of course my sweet angel. Are you comfortable here?¨ Amishka said, scooting over so I could sit.

¨Very much. And, sir, I heard your explanation on how I got here, but why my family? Why me?¨ I asked, looking up at him.

¨I knew you would ask. You see, your mother and I grew up together, quite literally. She would always bring cakes and teas and sit in these woods here with me until my shift at night came. When that time came, she would go home and adore my creations in the heavens. Your mother was something else. I grew fond of her, coming here and visiting me, even against her mother's orders. She would often make fun of me for never finding love, and the day she found out that I was being betrothed, she stopped coming. I thought it was something I did, but it wasn't me at all. Her mother showed up one day, claiming her daughter was very sick. Everyone knew by then that my family had the ability to heal everyone or kill anyone. Risking it, she asked our help to heal her baby girl, and when we followed her back to her place, I saw your mother again. Sick, small, almost dead. She turned away when she saw me and my betrothed wife, but that didn't matter. She couldn't die. I healed her that day. Time went on, I rarely saw her, then one day, I was invited to her wedding. She moved on from me and married your father. It wasn't but days after that your mother got pregnant with your brother, but the newlywed wasn't ready for children so she came to me. Finding out that my wife would never be able to bear a daughter, your mother promised to me that she would give me her first borne in trade of me raising her son. So I did.¨ Amishka said, sipping his coffee and looking at me. ¨Your mother was the kindest women I known, and she still is.¨

I sat in silence, trying to comprehend everything. ¨So my mother... she knew you had to take me, but she left me. To me, that does not sound like a kind women.¨ I finally said, looking at him.

¨You may not see it right now, but I promise this is for the better. Besides, your father was a drunkard. He never deserved to have such a beautiful and strong daughter.¨ Amishka said, setting his cup down on the table. ¨Want to come with me to see how the boys are doing? Right now they better be working on their strength.¨

¨I would enjoy that.¨ I said, smiling a little. This place felt like home to me, and no one could take it away. I got up with Amishka and went outside. The forest didn't look so scary in the day as it did at night. Canopy trees surrounded the area along with exactly one weeping willow in the middle of a pond. Amishka walked into the woods, out of the clearing, and I followed him, being careful to not fall. I followed him for what seemed to only be ten minutes before we reached another clearing where hard breathing and metal clanking sounded throughout.

¨Jace! Kye! How are things going?¨ Amishka yelled so he could get his voice over the sound of the metal.

Jace looked over at us before setting his weights down and coming over. ¨What is she doing here?¨ he said. Both boys didn't have a shirt on. The maze like muscles shining in the sunlight with every movement.