Chapter 8

18 1 1
                                    

Chapter 8

My eyes flew open. Where was I? How long had I slept? My hand flexed. Lezlai. Where was she?

“Lezlai?” I sat up quickly, sucking air in when the pain hit. I looked around me. I was in my room, in the Glade home. But where was everybody? Where was Lezlai? How had I gotten there?? “Hello?!” I stood, and about crumbled to the floor. Pain pulsed through me.

“What are you doing?” a voice shrieked. I looked up. Belle was standing in the door way, a look of horror on her face. She ran to me, and shoved me onto the bed with amazing strength. For a small woman she sure had muscles. “Don’t you dare get off this bed! You need to get better, and better you will become.” She set her hands on her hips.

“I’m sorry, Belle.” I said.

“Good. Now, I’m going to go get your lunch, you just relax, Zander.” She nodded and started for the door.

“Belle, wait…” I insisted. She turned to look at me,

“Yes?”

“Where-“ I grunted with the pain. “Where is Lezlai?”

“Lezlai is at work. She will be home early, and she was going to tell Robbie about what happened last night.” She answered and left the room. I sighed with relief. Lezlai was safe and now I could relax. I shifted into the bed and closed my eyes. I wondered how much damage I’d taken and how long it’d be before I could get back to work.

I soon dozed off-and then jerked awake. The sun was setting, and I was feeling much better. I wondered if Belle would let me eat at the table that night.

Myra and Zyra walked into the room with their bowls and sat on my bed. I gave them an odd look. It wasn’t every day five-year-old twins came into my room and ate on my bed.

“We’re eating in here tonight.” Myra said, being the more observant of the twins. “That way you don’t have to walk down the stairs.” Belle walked into the room with two bowls. She handed me one, smiling. She seemed better than usual.

“Oh, are we eating in here?” I looked up and saw Lezlai in the door way, looking exhausted and covered in flour.

“Yes, dear. Your food is in the kitchen.” Belle answered, handing me my bowl of soup.

“Okay. Thanks, Ma.” She disappeared and came back quickly. She took her spot on the bed and started eating.

“You look like you had a hard day dear.” Belle gave Lezlai a concerned look. “Is Victory not back from her honeymoon yet?”

“No. They won’t be back for another couple of weeks.” Lezlai answered, shrugging. “I don’t mind. It’s just a lot of running back and forth. I can make it for another two weeks.”

“I don’t know if it’s good for you to be working so much.” Belle said.

“I’ll be okay, Ma. There have been lots of soldiers about lately.” Lezlai ate some more of her soup. “They come in a lot, asking for pastries. It seems the King has doubled the search for the lost Prince.” She was looking me in the eyes. Then she looked away quickly.

“Oh dear, they aren’t bothering you are they?” Belle asked, worried.

“Oh no. They only come in, buy something and ask their questions, then leave. I don’t mind too much. More money for me I suppose.” Lezlai shrugged.

“Well, it’s time for bed, girlies. Mom is positively EXHAUSTED.” Belle smiled as the twins groaned in disagreement. “Come along. Don’t argue with me, dearies. You know I always win.”

RunawayWhere stories live. Discover now