Page 9 of Finn's Solace

Then again, what other options did I have? I couldn't have just shown up at his door. That would've bordered on stalking.

Waiting until we crossed paths again—which was bound to happen at some point in a small town like this—wasn't something I was patient enough to do either.

I just hoped Greta's cuteness would make up for the letter, if nothing else.

To keep my mind off Finn—which I was clearly succeeding at—I'd been searching for job opportunities around town. There weren't many that suited my skills, but I'd found a promising construction gig at the edge of town. Thecontractor was looking for more people for his crew, since it was a bigger job than he'd anticipated. I was pretty sure the line about appreciating 'special skills' was a clue about wanting supe applicants. It would make sense for a town with a supe majority.

I got myself an interview for the day after tomorrow, which seemed fast. I had to assume it was because I'd mentioned my 'special skills.'

Greta still hadn't returned, and I was getting impatient and a little worried. I went out into my tiny backyard in an attempt to distract myself. I'd been getting the soil ready to plant some things, and I'd grabbed some seeds on my shopping trip earlier today.

My garden was the only thing I could be patient with. I knew it took time for the earth to make things grow, even with my assistance.

I'd decided to add some veggies to my plot because I'd gotten tired of store-bought ones. Of course, if Finn took me up on my offer to leave, someone else would reap the benefits, if they managed to keep the plants alive.

Shaking my head, I continued sowing the seeds, losing myself in the comforting repetitiveness of it. The sun was close to setting by the time I was done, and I stood up with a groan, stretching my arms above my head to get the kinks out of my shoulders.

Shower first, then I needed to do something about dinner. Order in, maybe?

When I turned around to head inside, I found Greta on the small deck, curled up like a cat and sound asleep. When had she gotten back, and why hadn't she alerted me?

As I stepped closer, I spotted the folded piece of paper she was sleeping on. It was too dim outside to tell if it was the same letter I'd sent her out with, so I grabbed a corner and started tugging it out from under her.

Greta woke up in 0.1 second with a hiss, her claws digging into the letter to keep me from taking it.

"Oi, it's me. Isn't that supposed to be for me?"

She relaxed as soon as she realized, and I took the letter, then led the way inside so I could actually read it.

In the light, I could tell it was a different paper, and I sighed in relief. Then, I carefully opened the letter, wincing at the smudges I left on the paper with my dirty fingers. I'd dust it off later. Unless it was bad news.

Levi,

Could you please thank Greta for me, and tell her she's the cutest skunk I've ever seen? I tried, but Padfoot—my dog—came into the room and she freaked out and hid on top of a shelf until I was ready to send the letter. Tell her I'm sorry about Pads. He just gets excited.

Thank you for writing to me, and I'm sorry about the way I reacted earlier. I have some issues I thought I'd gotten over, but clearly I haven't.

After you escaped, they told us you were dead. That you'd tried to escape and so they killed you. We were scared enough webelieved them, and seeing you after all that time thinking you were dead, it was a shock.

I didn't know you came back for us. Thank you for that. Even though we weren't there, thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me.

Would you like to meet up? I can tell you all about what happened and how we ended up here. And maybe we could try being friends again, like you said.

Amelia, Mateo, and Miles are all good too, and here as well. Dean and Penny are off to college and living their best lives.

If you'd like to meet up, how about tomorrow around eleven at The Witching Hour? It's a café at the docks, and they have good coffee and the best cakes.

You don't have to send a reply—I think Greta's probably exhausted after that scare. I'll be there at the café tomorrow, and you can show up if you'd like. I'm assuming you will because you said you wanted to be friends. :)

See you tomorrow,

Finn.

Carefully folding the letter as I walked to the kitchen, I placed it on the counter and washed my hands. Greta followed me into the room and climbed up on the counter.

Once I'd wiped my hands, I picked her up and crushed her to my chest. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're the best familiar in the world, Greta. I love you."

Greta made a squeaky sound, then rubbed her nose against my skin, making me chuckle. Setting her back on the counter,I picked up the letter again, then blew on it to remove the dust particles I'd left on it.

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