The World Divided

chapter 5

        Alyndra's father clears his throat. Mrs. Rose had told the rest of her family everything I had told her and now, The Rose family and I sit awkwardly at the dinner table. There aren't enough chairs so leaning against the wall, Taeral stands in the corner with his arms crossed. 

        "Who's that?" Casden, Alyndra's older brother, asks lifting his head in Taeral's direction. Even though I haven't seen him in a year, he still looks the same. The rays of sun coming through the window give his eyes and messy hair a golden brown glow.

        "I've been meaning to ask that ever since you lot arrived." Mrs. Rose says. "Is he a boyfriend to either of you?" Smiling, she asks Alyndra and I.

        "Ma," Alyndra whines. "It's not like that for either of us."

        "He's just someone that helped us." I quickly say in an attempt to move away from the subject. "We wouldn't have gotten this far without him."

        I glance at Casden to see his reaction, but before I do he looks away.

        "Did you have any trouble getting here?" Alyndra's mother asks, concerned. "It's a pretty long distance from Bellmare to Fairbrook. I heard from one of our neighbors that there's a group of thieves roaming these parts."

        I turn to Ayndra to see her looking straight at me. "Uhh...no we didn't. In fact, it was quite an easy trip." She lies.

        I quickly agree with her, "Yes, yes it was."

        "How did you two even get out of Bellmare and with him, Taeral." Alyndra's mother asks, resting her head in her hand.

        I turn to Alyndra again wide eyed. I don't think Alyndra's parents would appreciate us traveling with someone who had threatened us. In the corner, Taeral stiffens up.

        "Well...," Alyndra attempts to draw it out to think of another lie.

        " Coincidentally when Eplon came, we were in the forest to look for some...," I try to answer for her.

        "Mushrooms!" Alyndra exclaims.

        Mrs. Rose furrows her eyebrows. "The mushrooms in Netherwood? Girls, are you serious? Everyone knows those are poisonous...Well why couldn't you just have bought some?"

        With a nervous laugh, Alyndra explains, "They ran out at the market." 

        Mrs. Rose shakes her head. "Goodness. Well I'm glad you weren't caught up in the attack. 

        "Yea." I say with a dry laugh. "We bumped into Taeral there and then...well...then you know what happens next." The mood of the room suddenly turns serious.

        Mr. Rose clears his throat again. "So what is the plan?" He asks, scratching his graying head and adjusting his rectangular spectacles. 

        "Well I was going to explain once we get to my parent's house." I say, sweeping my eyes at everyone at the table. From where they sit, Alyndra's younger sister and brother's heads were barely peaking over the table. 

        No one moves or speaks, taking in the situation. Mr. Rose looks to Alyndra's mother, and they both nod their heads.

        "Ok," Mr. Rose says, lightly slamming his hands on the table and standing up. "Let's get our belongings together."

        Except for Alyndra, the Rose family stands and goes their own way. Casden barely acknowledges me as he leaves the room.

        Alyndra rests her hand on my leg. "I'm sure he's just flustered. He hasn't seen you in so long."