Page 36 of Where Broken Wings Fly

“You fellas heading out to the Jacobsons’ cabin?”

“Yeah, we’ll get the roofing fixed today.” I grab my battered toolbox and drop it in a wheelbarrow. “Should be ready by next month.”

He wipes his hands on a rag. “I’ll let Aalia know. She’s desperate to get out of temporary accommodation. The government ain’t providing shit for her or the kids.”

“We know they don’t give two craps about refugees, no matter what their half-assed policies say.” I check our equipment again, coming to a decision. “We’ll work overtime.”

“Yeah?” he echoes.

“Tell her it’ll be ready by next week.”

“You’re a good one, Kill.”

“Don’t tell anyone. They’ll think I’ve gone soft.”

“Hardly,” Zach comments as he lumbers past me.

Leaving them to their work, we traipse through the overgrown grass and clusters of wildflowers that surround the cobbled path heading down into the centre of Briar Valley. Zach walks ahead, leaving me to push the wheelbarrow.

Our two cabins are alone atop the hill that rises above the valley, aside from the smaller one across the road left abandoned since my folks died. We prefer it up here, away from the constant hum of activity.

Briar Valley used to be quiet.

Now, it’s growing by the day.

Snaking back down into the valley, several more cobbled paths wind through the thick woodland. They lead to different corners of the town, with more cabins tucked into the foliage of pine trees, wild mushrooms and overgrown weeds.

It’s easy to get lost here amidst the unrestricted chaos of nature. We’re constantly expanding the town to accommodate new residents. Lola owns the land for miles around and grows more determined to take the world beneath her wing every day.

Stopping by the rusted metal supply shed where we keep the pre-cut wood, Zach helps me load a second wheelbarrow with the roof supplies, complaining the entire time.

“Morning, boys.” Rachel stops behind us, her red curls pulled up into a ponytail. “Just heading to Lola’s to do the monthly shopping list. Any requests?”

“Rach. Just the person I wanted to see.” Zach beams up at her. “I’ll take my usual snack order. Some shaving foam too, if you can get it.”

“You put the money in the jar?”

“Sure did.”

“Shaving foam?” I ask him. “You looking to impress someone?”

His grin is lopsided. “Maybe I have a hot date. How would you know? Oh, and Rach, Ryder wanted extra of those weird pretzel sticks he likes.”

“Weird pretzel sticks,” she recites, adding to her list. “Gotcha. Kill?”

“Lola’s got my order.”

“Cool. See you both later on.”

Rachel vanishes with a wave, snaking towards Lola’s cabin. The whole town chips in for a bulk order every month. There are some things we simply cannot grow or make ourselves here, and we source them from Highbridge instead.

With all the materials loaded up, we’re ready to set off for the unfinished cabin to get to work. An excited squeal lances through the air before we can move, causing us both to freeze. I recognise the little spitfire’s voice without looking.

“Look! Real flowers!”

“Arianna, keep it down. You’ll disturb people.”

“I don’t care,” she sasses. “Hurry up! Let’s go!”

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