“Thin, early twenties with dark brown, disheveled hair?” my father asks, a look of contemplation across his face. Then he turns to Lila and says, “Is he talking about Kraig? Was Kraig up in the mountains with you?”

Before Lila can answer, I interrupt. “Daddy, you know who that was? Who’s Kraig?”

“Kraig Shellford. He’s another friend of mine, a wizard from my old adventuring days. He’s the one I invited to come teach you magic. Where is he anyhow, Lila? I haven’t seen him since-”

As if by summoning, a rush of footsteps echoes through the hallway. A moment later, someone bursts through the door. “I, I heard my name! S-sorry, I was in the, the bathroom, but I’m here now! I wahhh!” The figure suddenly steps on the hem of his robe, tripping before crashing to the ground with a loud thud. He groans, pulling himself up, the brim of his large cone shaped hat now covering his face. “W-wait, who, who turned out the lights? T-this is, is scary! A-anyone else-?”

My father reaches over, pulling the cap away. “Hello there, Kraig, it’s good to see you haven’t changed much,” he says with a gentle chuckle.

“M-m-m-ister Becker, I mean, Mayor Becker, I mean, Honourable Mayor Becker, it’s good to, to see you too,” Kraig manages.

“You can call me, ‘Tommy’, like you used to, Kraig. It’s fine.”

I see Kraig blush deep red and avert his gaze. Sitting there on the floor of my bedroom, he appears much younger than I initially perceived in the cabin, less a young adult and more a teenager, appearing fifteen, sixteen max. He must have sensed me staring, for he turns, emerald colored eyes glancing in my direction. “O-oh, h-h-hello again,” he greets with a wave.

I’m a bit at a loss for words at first before finally managing, “You, I saw you at the cabin. I thought you were dead. How-?”

“I thought I was dead too,” Kraig laughs sheepishly, “S-sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Another one of Coco’s potions?” I hear Lila interject.

Kraig nods. “W-worst case of diarrhea I’ve ever experienced. F-felt like I was dying. I’m, I’m sorry.”

“Why are you the one apologizing?” my father asks.

“I, I don’t know. S-sorry.”

Lila giggles, and even my father joins in with a slight chuckle. Then he turns to me, saying, “See, Samuel? Kraig’s here, fine as a peach. Now do you understand that you were wrong about Lila? Isn’t there something you’d like to say to her?”

Though Kraig is apparently fine, it doesn’t erase the fact that Lila had attacked me. Still, with the way the situation has played out, there is little more I can do to protest. It is my word against hers, and I don’t have any further explanations of, or proofs for, her actions. Yet. Reluctantly, I nod my head. “I understand, sir.” I turn to Lila, forcing a contrite expression onto my face. “Miss Cedars, I’m sorry. I’m still a little sleepy, and I think I had a nightmare, so I got confused.”

Lila offers a kind laugh, patting me on the shoulder. “No worries, Samuel, we’re all friends here.” Then turning to my father and Kraig, she says, “Now, who’s hungry? I took the liberty of preparing breakfast earlier. Shall we go eat?”

“F-food! After all that d-diarrhea, I’m starved!” Kraig exclaims, rushing out.

My father also nods, moving to my mother, wrapping his arm around her shoulders as he gives her a peck on the cheek. “Morning, Dolly. Let’s go get breakfast, shall we?” Together, my parents exit the room, making for the kitchen. I’m about to do the same when, suddenly, I feel a hand grab roughly onto my wrist, pulling me back. It’s Lila. Her eyes are ice cold, narrow and dangerous. She leans in close, the light scent of floral perfume wafting into my nose.

She whispers, “Keep your fucking mouth shut about yesterday, kid, if you know what’s good for you. I won’t be so nice next time, understand?” Her grip on my arm is so tight that I can begin to feel the tips of my fingers go numb. I glare into her disdain-filled eyes, defiant, but ultimately nodding my head. She releases me before donning on the lackadaisical facade. “Now that that’s all settled, let’s go eat, Sam-my,” she says, intentionally using the same pet name my mother had. Then with a tilt of the head, weighed down by sarcasm, she giggles, “Teehee.”