Episode 6: Mu (3)

Karen walked over with Antonio behind her.

"Hey, guys," Karen waved. "How's your food?"

As I was about to speak up, Sam butted in. "Everything's great so far."

"Mind if we join?"

I glanced over at their table and seemingly, they had finished their food already.

"We just want to have a chat," Karen continued.

"Sure, take a seat," I offered.

"Thanks," she replied taking a seat next to Rose; Antonio sat on the far end of the table. She glanced at him and spoke up. "We've… decided to stay here for the time being. We're wondering if you guys would stay or not…?"

A few seconds of silence passed and then I said, "Ah, well-" but Sam interrupted, again.

"We'll stay."

"Ah, that's great, then-"

"But, we have some questions." Sam picked up his wooden spoon, stared at it and poked it at the table. "Where are we?"

Karen's face saddened. "That's… I don't know either."

Sam sharply stared at Antonio.

"We were being chased," Karen added. "I can't really tell you much more, it's a bit confidential information…"

"Confidential…"

"I don't want you guys to be in danger. I promised, as a police officer, it's to keep you guys safe."

"...then what about this place…?" Rose asked. "How did…" Rose looked at Antonio and then looked back at Karen. "How come you knew this place…?"

"A place to hide from the pursuers," Sam added.

"Antonio, he previously came here a few times."

"A few times?" I thought to myself. "It hasn't been long since the beginning of everything, how'd he…?"

"I accidentally stumbled upon this place a while back," Antonio stated.

Freya, holding a plate from a distance, paced herself towards us with Andrea following closely behind. "Hey ya'll! We have some jelly!" She placed it on the table and the blue jelly wobbled as it stabilised itself on the table.

"The first inhabitants I met was Freya and Andrea." He patted the two of them on the head while standing up.

"Yeah! And I remembered you gave us those yummy brown sweets!"

"We've never had anything like that before. Though, for me, it was a bit too sweet," Andrea added.

Antonio smiled at them and handed them a few more chocolates. "Here."

"Thanks!" Freya jumped.

"How was your meal?" Andrea asked.

"Ah, it was great!" Rose smiled.

Freya rustled the wrappers and munched down on the chocolate, her face puffing out. Rose glanced at her and giggled.

Andrea evenly split the jelly and handed a plate to everyone present. "It's our local speciality."

"Blue… is this really…? Edible?" Sam complained. He continued to whine as I picked up my spoon.

"The only way to find out is to have a taste."

Rose scooped a spoonful and placed it into her mouth. "It's…" With her hand clenching on the spoon and the spoon in her mouth, her whole body shook slightly.

"Rose?" I said. "You-"

"It… it melts in your mouth," she smilingly said.

"Ah… is that so," I chuckled. "As long as it's edible," I thought to myself. "Now let me give it a try," I determinedly said.

* * *

The surrounding was filled with the light warm chatters of the native inhabitants as the smoke from the campfire rose into the sky. The stars shone through the misty smoke glittering brightly; it wasn't a sight that could be seen in urban cities like Coventry.

Freya's mother walked towards us. She had a warm, fluttering presence and I could see an aura surrounding her. I blinked a couple of times and the aura vanished.

"What was that?" I thought.

She placed her arms on Freya's shoulders and wrapped around it. "Thank you for taking care of her. Isn't she a handful?" she smilingly said.

Antonio stood up. "She's been very well behaved this time."

Freya looked up at her mother and smiled. "Hehe," she grinned.

"It is getting late," Freya's mother said. "Let me take you to a place to rest. You must have had a long journey."

"Yes, thank you," I replied.

She held on to Freya's hand and we all followed behind her.

* * *

We walked for a couple minutes as the cold wind breezed against us.

"We're almost there," Antonio said.

"Of course you would know," Sam muttered quietly.

"Here it is," Freya's mother said. "You can live here. Our house is over there so if there are any problems, feel free to come and ask us though I'm sure Antonio will be able to help you out," she chuckled.

"Thank you very much," I said.

"Thank you," Rose added.

"Thanks, I guess…" Sam said averting his eyes.

There were three rooms in the building.

Sam tugged Rose's and my arm. "Let's stay in this room."

I could feel his intention; he wanted to talk.

Karen turned around. "There're three rooms, how about we have two people per room? Rose, can you stay with Claire? Sam and Ray, and I'll stay with Antonio."

"But…" Rose said.

"It's alright," Karen assured. "Let's rest up and I'll see you all tomorrow."

"Alright…" Rose said, looking down a little. She walked ahead with Claire following behind.

Beside me, Sam stood there silent. I could feel his gaze towards Rose. "Let's get going," I told Sam and we all walked into our rooms.