I nod slowly, worrying that he will ask if that’s what we are to each other. I want to explain, but at my own pace. He’s already been through quite a shock.
The wind carries the sounds of civilization toward us. Before I know it, we’re walking the dirt road into Soren’s village. The market is packed. Farmers sell their goods. Children chase each other through the crowd, passing right through us as if we aren’t there at all. I reach for Soren and take his hand before I can stop myself. He tenses, cheeks flushing as he looks my way.
I clear my throat. “Best to stick together, aye?”
“Y-yeah.” He smiles sweetly and doesn’t pull away as we venture farther into town. “Everything looks normal,” he remarks.
If only he knew how quickly things can turn for the worst in this time. “It will happen soon.”
Soren worries his lip. “What will?”
“The attack. Come, let’s find your family.”
“My family?” Soren grips my hand tighter.
I lead the way from the market, walking the familiar path to Soren’s family home. It’s a large home. Thanks to their thriving farm and his mother’s skills as a seamstress, they’re able to afford a comfortable life. In the pasture, cattle graze and chickens roam freely from the yard and into the home.
Soren’s mouth quirks. “We let our animals inside the house?”
“Many do.” It’s strange to him, no doubt.
Soren gasps softly as a boy follows one of the chickens out into the yard. He’s got the same dark hair and eyes as the man beside me. “Is that… that’s me, isn’t it?” Soren hurries closer, leaning on the fence to get a better look at his younger self.
Past Soren scatters feed around the pasture for the chickens, smiling when a cow wanders over to sniff curiously at his hand. “Holy shit. That’s me.” Soren covers his mouth, eyes wide.
I chuckle. “Aye, it is. You were a cute pup.”
Soren shakes his head, mouth agape. “I thought I believed you but seeing it for myself… it’s something else.”
A woman walks from the house, her dress swishing around her ankles in the breeze. She has the same dark hair as Soren, the same eyes, and even the same nose. Beside me, Soren’s eyes water and his hand falls away from his mouth.
Soren’s mother rushes forward, scooping up her son. Past Soren laughs, squirming to get free. “Mother, you scared me!”
She kisses his hair. “Come inside and eat. I made your favorite.” She takes his hand and leads him into the house.
“She didn’t leave me,” Soren whispers beside me. He wipes away a tear that spilled down his cheek. “She loved me.”
I give his shoulder a squeeze. “Want to go inside?”
“Can we?”
Smiling, I take his hand, and we pass right through the door and into the home. Fire burns in the hearth as Soren and his mother sit at the table, eating together. The door swings open, and my grip on Soren’s hand tightens as a man enters the room. He has the same dark hair as Soren, but that’s where the resemblance ends, and I’m glad for it.
“How did the hunt fare?” Soren’s mother asks, smiling brightly.
Soren’s father leans down to kiss her cheek. “Our larders are full. We will have full bellies this winter.” He turns to Soren. “Did you take care of the farm and mind your mother in my absence, boy?”
Soren nods seriously. “Yes, sir.”
His father’s face softens, and he ruffles Soren’s hair. My hands twitch, longing to smack his hand away from Soren.
“Are you okay?” Soren asks.
I exhale. “It’s… difficult to see your father, knowing the things he will do. But here, he was a different man. Grief and loss changed him.”
Soren frowns beside me. “Why? What happened?”
Screams fill the air beyond the hut.
