My guide takes us through the streets, down to what feels like the centre of town before starting up a different street which slopes upwards again. The houses get larger and fancier before she stops in front of one that looks more like a lodge than a single dwelling. There are old signs on the front that are completely ruined, and the windows are blocked with something. At least they're not boarded up, I guess. It looks safe enough - I can't see any signs of damage to the walls or windows. I look between my guide and the building.
"Um, what's this?"
She's giving me a look that seems a bit like pride.
"Here's where we'll be staying tonight." She announces, gesturing broadly at the building.
"Oh." I reply, eloquently.
"Give me a second to talk to everyone, then I'll be back to introduce you. Wait here okay?" I nod and she grins at me. "I'm Nila by the way." I watch her hurry up the stairs and knock softly on the thick door. It seems to be some kind of secret code because she knocks again before the door opens.
"Huh." I turn to take in the town from above. Here at what looks like the upper limit, I can see down into the valley. There's a lot more mountain down there than I thought. It feels like it goes on forever! The blue mountains never had that much in the way of height, so looking down at them from a lookout was always a bit underwhelming. This is way further down.
Lost in thought, and amazed at how big the world is out here, I don't hear Nila's return until she touches me on the shoulder. To my chagrin, I start, my heart leaping into my throat.
"Sorry about that, are you okay?" She searches my face but I manage to nod. "It took a bit longer to explain than I hoped. Ready?"
I nod again, finding it strangely difficult to talk when she's looking at me. She takes my hand, pulling me up the steps.
-----
"This is the girl I told you about." Around a dozen faces look me over as I stand in the doorway smiling awkwardly. I was never good with telling how old people are by looking at their faces, but they seem to be somewhere in their teens. Several look younger than that. It's going to take a while to remember their names. They're all wearing the same kind of clothing as Nila, with patches evident on the knees and elbows. Wait, I might not remember their names, but what name should i give them? I'm not going to use my old name. It never really fit. But who do I want to be now?
Nila is introducing them, one at a time, and giving me some ideas of what they like. one of them is into painting, and one likes making collages. I listen with one ear while scrambling for a name to use. I can't use a name from a girl I knew in school That would be weird. On the other hand, the woman who played the warrior princess is rad as hell. And she said trans rights. Out of all the pop culture I consumed, Lucy Lawless was the goat. She would love me using her name, guaranteed. Plus she was in that fantastic satirical government show as the woman who brings some tenderness to the hardass boss.
"...which brings us to you. What do we call you?" Just in time apparently.
"Uh, you can call me Lucy." I rub my arm self consciously. Will they like it? hate it?
"Is it true you can shift?"
"Are you a ghost?"
"Haaa, that's enough of that kidlets, off you go." Nila shoos them out the door behind me, telling them to prepare for dinner.
"The rest are in the kitchen. You'll meet them when we eat. Are you okay with all this?" she gestures around at the room, at the same time, including the rest of the building.
"I guess so. I don't really have anywhere else to go?"
She touches my arm gently. In the warmth of the enclosed space, it sends a shiver through me. It feels electric.
"No one here has anywhere else to go." She murmurs, gazing into my eyes.
"Oh." That makes sense. Abandoned teens in an abandoned building. "I'm sorry."
She waves a hand, batting away my apology. "You're here now. So we'll look after you too. Come on, it's time for dinner. Lets get you some clothes that fit, and then we can look at getting those back where they came from."
In a few short minutes, I'm dressed in better fitting clothing from a cupboard a few rooms away. Most of the building is shut off to keep it as warm as possible in the few rooms in use. The kitchen dining room smells incredible with the bubbling pot on the stove. Someone has made a fire without smoke, heating up the base of the huge metal pot without alerting anyone with smoke through the chimney. It's like a bunsen burner flame.
"Lira, did you wash your hands? Pip, you have dirt on your face!" Nila and one of the older kids corral the dirty kids into washing up properly. They don't grumble too much as they're hustled away towards some kind of bathroom.
As soon as they get back, I ask where the bathroom is, just in case I need it in a hurry later. Happily, they use a flush system, so I won't have to worry about a long drop pit or something. Looking around the table as the kids chat amongst themselves, I feel like an older brother again. The friendly chatter washes over me like the sun coming out from behind rain clouds. I missed being around people who are happy. It was lonely in lockdown by myself. Plus my colleagues were hardly the most social of people.
"Lucy?" I turn to find Nila sitting next to me. I blink, surprised to find her seated again.
"Yes?"
"Are you going to go and get a serve?" she points at the person waiting by the pot with a huge ladle.
"Oh, sorry." I apologise, scooting over to the counter to grab a bowl and receive my portion. The cutlery they have is metal, happily, but I've used timber cutlery before. It's just a little more finicky to keep clean and make sure it doesn't dry out between uses. I guess there are metal workers around here. It doesn't say 'stainless steel' on it though, so probably not industrial grade stuff.
"Thankyou for the food." I say to the person serving, and to the table when I sit down. I am used to bland food I can whip up in a handful of minutes. This smells crazy good.
Once the last member of the group has sat down with a bowl full of stew - the ladler - everyone thanks them and starts eating. The ladler - Elly - smiles and tucks in too. I lose track of how long it takes me to savour every bite. The broth is incredible, soaking up all the meat and vegetable flavours. Probably from reducing for an hour or too if I remember how to make a stew properly.
I'm so ridiculously lucky to have met Nila.
-----
It's been such a long day, and I've been scared out of my wits for some of it. Now that I've full of delicious stew, fresh from the stove, I'm half asleep already. Struggling to stay awake so I don't disappoint my new hosts, I sip on the cup of ice cold water from the kitchen tap. It tastes much better than the tap water I'm used to, but if it doesn't have any fluoride in it, I'm probably going to develop tooth problems soon. That said, its extremely refreshing.
"I can clean your plate Miss Lucy," one of the kids says, looking up at me hopefully.
"Are you sure? It's my job to wash my things." I say carefully. I don't know what the etiquette is for everyone else. Every time i've gone to an event with food provided, I've had to wash my own bowl and cutlery in the communal washing up water.
"Of course, you're our guest." in a flash, my bowl and spoon are gone, grasped in his little hands.
"Thankyou." I call after him quietly.
Now I just need to stay awake a little longer.
I would have expected everyone to leave after the washing up is done, but they gather around the table again. I was impressed by how fast they managed to refill the sink for washing up once the first sink ful was too dirty to clean anymore. This is some good plumbing.
Stolen story; please report.
"Ava, what did Nan and Pop say?" Nila addresses a blonde girl with eyes that see everything.
"They are going to keep an eye out. If he comes back they'll take care of it. Ava is wearing a singlet which exposes the jagged scar on her left shoudler. It looks vicious, but I can't begin to imagine what might have caused it. It's hard to tell if it's too big, or if she's not eating enough. Everyone around the table looks like they never have enough to eat. In the candle light from several places on the table, everyone sitting around the table looks carved in shadow.
A boy from the other end of the table speaks next. "You're going to find out where he came from right?" I can see the look of fear on his face despite the flickering light. At least in the other room there was a steadier light to see them all by. Why do they use candles in the kitchen? It's much harder to see by.
"Yes. Although, I might be able to take someone with me this time. I'll be safer with her. If I can find out why he came up here, then I might be able to make sure no one else does anything stupid like that again. She pauses, looking everyone in the eye except me before she speaks again.
"If it's my family," everyone groans at the mention of her familyy, "yes, if it's my family, then I'll see what I can do to make a more permanent fix. It's been a while since I spoke to anyone from there. Maybe something has changed."
She blows out a breath, loud in the silence of the dim room.
"It will take a few days on foot, and taking supplies with us means we won't be able to travel as fast as I could alone. Taking supplies means I won't have to hunt. And that will actually save time. Make sense?"
Sounds of affirmation filter around the table. For some reason, Nila keeps sneaking glances in my direction. I don't know why she seems to have taken such an interest in me. She seemed pretty scared when she saw me shifted. She dropped that bag, after all. Now that I'm half asleep, its even harder to talk in her presence.
When no one else seems to have anything to say, Nila speaks again.
"Scouts?"
Several voices chime in with reports of 'four legs' in various directions. Are they talking about hunting? or predators? Either way, nothing I can help with.
The table empties bit by bit, the others talking about cabins and chasing things. They all seem to know what they're talking about, so I don't pay them any attention. It's so warm in here. I just want to close my eyes for a minute.
"Lucy? You coming?"
Blinking up at the voice, I realise Nila is waiting for an answer. Oops. I kind of drifted off.
"Uh, yeah. Where are we going?"“
"It's bed time. Come on."
"Oh thank god." I heave myself to my feet. The next time I sit down I'm not getting up.
She takes me into one of the unused rooms, and the chill in the air jolts me a little further awake.
"Here, these blankets should help." She passes me some blankets from a cupboard fixed to the wall and rubs her hands together. She mutters something under her breath, and holds her hands out palms forwards. A ball of warmth and light pops into being in the centre of the room, like a self contained space heater.
"whoa, that's awesome!" The amount of heat it's giving off should warm the room up in no time.
In the light of the orb, Nila looks embarrassed. "It's nothing, really."
"No way, you made a space heater. that's so cool!" I won't let her downplay this.
"It's just a simple spell. Everyone knows it."
"Well I don't. So there." I pout at her, smiling when she barks a laugh.
"Maybe I can teach you." she says holding her hands together in front of her.
"I'd like that." I say, feeling drowsy again. "But maybe tomorrow. I'm so tired. Sorry."
"Of course, of course." she smiles, taking another blanket from the cupboard and laying down on a mattress in the corner. "I get my own room, so I can sleep however I like. Will you join me?" Lying down on the mattress, swathed in blankets, she looks adorable. Her almond shaped eyes under her wild mane of raven hair make her look like a happy burrito lady.
"Are you sure? I can sleep over here?" I point at the other mattress, sitting over in the corner.
"No, we'll be warmer together." she says shaking her head. "Come on."
"Fine." I didn't put up much of a fight did I?
As soon as I pull the blanket over me, I'm out like a light. For a moment I feel like she wrapped her arms around me, but I'm asleep before I can check.
-----------
Shifting in place, I feel the cozy cushions on my chest rub against my arms. I wake in an instant, looking down at my chest with glee. They’re still there – it wasn’t a crazy dream! I check my bottom half again too. Yep, still gone. Then I look around.
The log cabin at the top of the village. Dinner, clothes, and blankets for a bed. I look over at Nila, finding her nest empty. Disappointment quickly fades as I realise why I woke up: I need to pee. Shit, I forget where the toilet is. I was so tired I lost my bearings. Climbing to my feet and stretching luxuriously, I fold up the blankets and stack them neatly on the couch. Then I change into my fresh clothes. I pull the door open and look both ways. Someone is walking into the kitchen, the smell of something cooking tweaking my nose as I emerge.
Ah, that’s why Nila’s up already.
“Hey, which way is the toilet?” I ask before they disappear through the doorway. They point down the hall, shuffling away. I turn, delighted to find it unoccupied. Leaving my stolen clothes on the floor, I finish my business and wash my hands. Once again, the water is icy cold. The chill does finish waking me up at least.
With my dirty clothes in hand, I head to the kitchen. Everyone is at the tables already, some looks sleepier than others.
“Lucy, Lucy, come sit!” I blink at an empty spot where two of the kids pat the space between them. My lips twitch as I pull the chair out to sit. The one on my left grabs my arm and hugs it tight.
“Good morning. I’m Tia, and I’m gonna be big and strong just like you when I grow up. Honest.” Like me? What makes you think I’m big and strong?
“Really? That’s pretty cool.” I encourage,
“Yeah, Dam, says I can’t hunt until next year, but I know how they do it, and I’m gonna do it too.” I blink at the excitement and seriousness of her declaration. “What’s the biggest thing you ever got?” she looks up at me with bright eyes, holding tight to my arm.
“uhhh,” I look around the table, catching some grins and smiles hidden quickly behind hands. “a kangaroo?”
I see a couple of eyebrows shoot up, and Tia seems impressed.
“When I grow up, I’m gonna get a moose. They’re really big – bigger than you!” I look down at her wide eyes and smile.
“They sure are. How are you going to do it?”
I listen closely as Tia describes digging pits and making rocks fall. She certainly seems to have some good ideas. Unforunately, breakfast is ready before she can finish describing an intricate network of ropes that can grab giant things up off the ground and slice them to bits.
It’s adorable, and I’m only too happy to listen. People telling me I’m ‘too much’ or that my ideas are stupid was part of the reason I was so depressed before I left home. Squashing dreams is never a good idea. Especially when these seem like realistic, useful dreams. More girls in STEM, basically.
Tia hands me a bowl and spoon once we’re in line and solemnly waits for her portion. It’s porridge today, and I follow her back to her seat.
“Hey Lucy, when you leave today, will you take this with you?” While Tia has light brown skin and curly blonde hair, this kid is pale and lanky, with short black hair. They are holding a strip of some kind of woven material.
When I leave today? Did I do something wrong? I push the worrying thoughts aside as I inspect the item.
“What is it?”
“It’s a bracelet. So you don’t forget us.” They say, moving it closer to me.
“Of course, it looks beautiful.” I hold out my wrist for them to tie it around. With deft fingers they fasten the ends together. It has beads threaded onto some of the strands, making intricate patterns where the threads cross.
“Thank you. Did you make this last night?”
This kid made me a bracelet after meeting me yesterday? A lump rises in my throat at the sweet gesture.
“Thank you so much. It’s beautiful.” Turning my wrist, I note how the pattern changes with the movement. It’s like a friendship bracelet or something. I spend the rest of the meal in silence, listening to everyone eat and talk. Tia keeps talking and I listen, nodding and encouraging until she is finished and gets up to clean her bowl and spoon.
Once everyone has finished eating, the room is empty except for a few others. I get up to clean my bowl and spoon, then ask about where I can put my dirty clothes. They go in a pile which will get taken over to the laundry where they can be washed and dried. Apparently those kinds of things are a group activity – which yeah, without electricity and drum washing machines has got to be time consuming.
Sitting on one of the couches, I relax into the comfortable fabric. Once again, I’m warm and full of delicious food. I could doze off right here.
“Hey, ready to go?” Nila stands in front of me, hands on her hips. She is in her human form, but during breakfast, I saw a few tails and twitching animal ears here and there. Having a tail really is the best.
“Me? Go where?” I ask, brow furrowed.
“We’re going to Rockvale, come on.” She holds out her hand and mystified, I take it and let her help me up. Following her out to the front door, she picks up a pack and shoulders it. Pushing open the front door, the morning sun streams past her raven hair highlighting her shoulders and curves as she takes the steps.
“Don’t forget to close the door,” she says over her shoulder.
I close the door, following her barefoot over the stone pavings.
“Okay, so I’ve got us shoes, spare clothes and some supplies. It’s only a couple of days to Rockvale, so we shouldn’t run into much trouble. Are you okay with walking?”
I nod, because I’m used to walking everywhere. I also used to having running shoes on though, so it’s not quite the same.
“Um, sorry, I know you’ve got this all figured out and everything, but why are you taking me with you?”
Nila stops, turning to face me, brow raised. “Would you prefer to stay here?”
That stops me in my metaphorical tracks. I haven’t really thought about it, actually. Normally I would go for a walk, or go for a run, if I was feeling energetic. My gaming console isn’t here, and I don’ have my mobile to go online. In fact, there’s nothing to do that would normally get me through a day. I don’t know anyone, and I have no idea where I am either.
“I guess not.”
She shrugs. “I wouldn’t mind the company.”
“Sounds good.” I move towards her and her lips twitch before she turns around again. She sets a brisk pace down the slope, and I’m glad that I’m around the same height. We walk in silence, with nothing but the sounds of my breathing and the breeze tickling my face. I have shoulder length red hair, according to the whisps of it blowing into my face when the wind picks up around corners and tangles it around me.
“Here.” Nila holds out a length of something. I take it. It’s a bit of leather, I think. My hair is a bit longer than it was before I arrived, which makes it easier to grab into a ponytail. With a little effort, I manage to keep the hair in place while we’re walking.
Now that my hair is pulled back, I can concentrate on our surroundings. And the butterflies in my tummy from walking next to Nila.
