Sanctuary

Chapter 14

"Good, you are feeling well. And you came in time, dinner is about to be served. Our gents have managed to get us a nice chunk of meat and vegetables, so Maja cooked us a delicious stew."

"Do start without us, Laura. We will be joining you soon. But first Eben needs to help me out with something. Wish you a joyful supper!" Emilia concluded and continued her walk towards the far left side of the trailer park. Eben followed her without adding anything. Laura stood still for a moment, not knowing what was going on, relaxed and walked back towards the fire place. "Not enough privacy yet, you love birds?" she thought, smiling.

Emilia continued walking, putting some distance between the trailer and herself, then she stopped, waiting for Eben. As he approached, she took out some powder from the jar and began spreading it in a thin line, while walking in a big circle, surrounding in a distance all trailers, the cars, the fire place and the small spring they took water from. When they returned to the place they had started, very little of the powder was left in the jar.

"That should do it" she said relieved. 'We can now join the others, I am starved.

As they walked past Eben's trailer, he put the jar on the ground in front of the entrance and grabbed Emilia's hand, holding her in place. He drew her gently back, towards him.

"Is something wrong?" Emilia asked, blushing.

"Everything is wrong" Eben replied, anger in his voice. "Something has plagued this land, people have died, that poor girls parents almost killed her, we... or at least the others do not understand what is going on..." His voice calmed. "And still... I cannot shake the feeling of comfort and familiarity around you, as if nothing bad had happened, as if you are meant to be here, by my side. And it's driving me crazy....and yet I am more calm in your presence than I ever was before!" he said, almost whispering the last sentence. He could not recollect the moment he did it, but there they were: his arms lay around her hips, gently caressing her. In the moonlight, her dark eyes glowed, leaving him speechless. Her long, dark hair curled along her cheeks, partially covering her face and neck. The view froze him for a moment. She answered in kind, laying her arms around his shoulders, drawing him closer, as if for a kiss. She bit her lower lip again. He resisted the urge to kiss her thin but yet sensual lips, although it ached. Instead he pressed his lips against her forehead, allowing the scent of her hair and skin to fill his nostrils. THAT familiar scent filled his senses again, sending a welcomed shiver down his spine; Eben closed his eyes and savored the moment. She pressed her face against his chest and inhaled deeply, remaining unmoved for what seemed to be an eternity.

"Guys, dinner is getting cold. Oh, and Eben, do not come empty handed. I am sure you can still find something in that cabinet of yours." Tim's voice resonated from far away.

"We are on our way" Eben said, pushing her gently aside. But he did not let loose until her face was once more exposed to the moonlight and his eyes. She genuinely smiled. Eben noticed it and it also made him feel tranquil. "God, I love those locks!" he thought. She slowly broke loose, turned around and walked towards the fire, allowing her left hand to strafe along his shoulders and his outstretched hand. Eben remained there stoned for a few seconds, then regained his senses and entered the trailer, went to the cabinet, took out a bottle and followed her to the fire place. He was surprised she wasn't there. His baffled look was caught by Nina who told him Emilia went to the spring to wash up and refresh herself.

As he approached the fire, Nina came towards him, holding a plate in her hands. Eben sat near the others and began to eat. The others had already finished. While eating, Eben looked at the others. Tim and Jan were quiet, sipping from time to time from the bottle. Laura was lost in her thoughts, as if she was not there amongst them, looking from time to time towards Jasmin. Maja helped Olaf eat, his hands were still tied up. Laura sat in front of him and Jasmin had cuddled beside her, her head laid down on Laura's belly. She was short before falling asleep again. Eben looked Laura in the eyes, then at his plate and at Jasmin. Laura nodded, Jasmin had eaten. After that was confirmed, Eben looked behind Tim and Jan; there laid there arsenal: two tire levers, one baseball bat, a bow and Olaf's crossbow. Not much, but all deadly if used correctly. And now they knew what "correctly" meant. It was a hard lesson to learn. The view of Jasmin's parents lying on the ground with smashed heads still haunted them.