Page 108 of Ronan

“That’s the plan, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, but a hell of a lot has changed in the past ten minutes.”

He’s quiet as he says, “You worked so hard to get us here.”

“And if there are too many memories here for you to call it home again, I’ll work just as hard to find somewhere else where we’ll be safe. You are my home, Cam, not a place. Not some building… not four walls and a roof. It’syou. If you tell me you want to live out the rest of our days in a grass-covered hut in the middle of theforest…” I trail off, humming thoughtfully. “You know, that sounds like a very safe idea, actually.”

Cameron laughs and swats at my chest before turning to look into the cluster of houses once more. “There are no bad memories here for me, Ronan. This is what we’ve been searching for, and it feels right. Everything about this feels right.”

“We need to make sure there’s no one here.” My eyes move over the rows of dilapidated buildings, realizing they will take a lot of work before they’re comfortable again. It doesn’t look like anyone has been here in years, likely since the day the military marched away and left it empty.

But this world has taught me one undeniable truth—nothing is ever truly as it seems.

We must be sure.

Cameron glances over his shoulder in the direction we came. “We should tell Nyx where we’ll be, because it’ll take a while to clear the camp.”

“Alright,” I say as he untangles himself from my arms, reaching to weave his fingers through mine, and together, we head back to the van.

Evening light reaches through the trees in rays, dust floating in the orange glow that paints over the ground. It took several hours to search the buildings, but we’re confident that no one is here.

Some homes are in better shape than others, and every one of them needs repair from the years of neglect. The forest expanded its reach, leaves and vines climbing walls and pushing through windows, while water and wind have also done their parts. The solar panels and the well are both in a state of disrepair, but Cameron is confident he can get them running.

Nyx waits inside the van, and he only acknowledges us with a glance when we climb back into our seats. “We checked every building in the village, and there’s no one here. It’s safe,” I tell him as I crank the engine, maneuvering us through the woods until we drive into the clearing. He sits up taller, peeking out the window at the row of buildings with a mix of intrigue and fear as we roll to a stop.

Boomerang bounds from the van, sniffing and searching everywhere as her tail zips back and forth in a blur. Nyx pulls his knees up to his chest, his wide eyes darting around in an anxious flurry of movement.

I squat in front of the open door, and he meets my gaze as I gesture towards Cameron’s old home. “Cameron and I will live there. If you’re more comfortable being close to us while you get used to being here, that’s fine.” He glances at the house, then back at me, and I’m gentle as I speak again. “You’re free here, Nyx, to do whatever you want. If you’d rather stay with us, you can. If being alone sounds better, find a place that you like and it’s yours. Turn it into a home.”

His gaze falls to Boomerang, then returns to mine, asking the question with his eyes. “Boomerang normally sleeps inside with us, but I’m sure we can figure something out if she makes you feel safer.” He gives another of those abrupt nods as his fingers grip the outside of the van, limbsshaking as he inches forward. I busy myself looking around to avoid staring as he plants his feet on the ground and stands.

Wide-eyed, he studies every building in the dim sunlight of the late evening. Suddenly, his face lights up and a hint of a smile crosses his mouth, giving me a glimpse of the man he used to be before this life broke him. He clutches my sleeve and tugs, then rips his hand away and cowers, hands over his head.

My heart breaks a little more.

“Hey, hey, it’s alright,” I soothe, and he peeks at me before his eyes fall back to the ground, tiny body trembling. “We’re your friends, Nyx, and you don’t have to fear us. We won’t hurt you.”

“What’s wrong?” Cameron whispers, approaching from my side.

“He’s afraid because he touched me.”

“We’re your friends,” Cameron echoes in English, and Nyx’s eyes bounce between us a few times.

“Fr-frand?” he asks, the word sounding so fragile it might shatter.

Cameron’s face lights up as a massive smile spreads across his mouth, full of teeth. “Yes. Friends.” Nyx swallows, his giant eyes glassy as he blinks rapidly, dropping his gaze down once more.

“You were about to show me something?” It takes a few breaths before he lifts his head and nods. One of his long, deep green fingers points towards the end of the street to the smallest cottage, completely overrun with vines.

“You like that one?” I ask, and he nods again. A small smile twitches on my lips as I watch the budding excitement on his face. “You like the plants, don’t you?”His head bobs in another nod as I chuckle, and he’s alarmed by the sound for a moment, shoulders drawing tight. “Do you want to sleep there tonight?”

He glances at Boomerang, and I turn to Cameron. “He wants Boomerang to stay with him in the cottage at the end.”

“Of course!” Cameron nods and gives him a smile, and I see the relief in Nyx’s face. The three of us walk the pathway and push through the door of his chosen home.

Inside, the cottage is filthy and in need of repairs. Most of the furniture is in good shape, though, just needing to be cleaned.

Nyx doesn’t notice any of that.

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