Strangers and familiarity

The house looked bigger than when one was outside. Miles couldn't help but look around. The house emitted cozy and warm. There was plenty of handmade creations displayed around the home, most not the best of quality.

As the three enter a room with a dark table and matching chairs the woman clears her throat. She guides the young man to a chair and then seats herself. The two are holding hands. Miles wonders if they are siblings... or could they be lovers? He isn't sure and doesn't figure he's the best judge of such things. Such concepts feel foreign to him. Even with the change in his mortality.

"So, what is it you want with Emil again?" The woman asks.

"I keep seeing him around, watching me." Miles starts, "Why is that?"

She raises her brow, "Is he doing anything to harm you? Is he in your way?"

"No... not that I know of." Miles answers.

He feels small under the woman's gaze.

"Do you by chance live in the woods with a few animals?" she asks.

"How is that relevant?" Miles knits his brows together.

"Do you?"

"Yes."

"Ah, you're the new person Emil has been telling me about." The woman states all tension seems to shift into a cheery mood. She puts the gun down and even chuckles a little.

"What?"

"Don't worry. He's only interested in what you're up to. He likes to people watch." She explains. "That's... I'm only..." Miles struggles to find what he wants to say but he can't help how irritated he feels.

"I'm sorry, I hope he hasn't scared you too much." She chuckles again.

"I wasn't afraid." Miles grumbles

"That's good to hear," she says with a pleasant smile.

Emil looks up at Miles and when their eyes meet, he looks away as if to hide that he even looked at all. Emil then turns his attention to the woman beside him.

"How about some coffee? I have some already brewed." The woman offers.

Miles shrugs, "Sure?"

The woman leaves, Emil, trailing behind her like a puppy. Alone Miles looks around the room. The table dark and smooth sat in front of him. He rubbed a finger over the smooth surface. The chairs all had cushions on them. The patterns on them are all different. The wall is a warm peach color. A window sits on the wall at one end of the table, curtains with blue flowers adorning it.

"Here we are!" The woman says as she reenters the room with a tray. She places a cup of dark liquid in front of Miles. Then places one at her seat. Miles watches Emil sit while the woman places a cup of water in front of him.

"So... what brings you to the area?" The woman asks.

"Your friend." Miles answers.

"No, I mean to your place in the woods. No one was living there before and now your here." The woman says.

Miles thinks about her words unsure how much he should even bother to say, "A new start."

The woman nods, "Oh? Emil and I came for the same reason."

"How's that working for you?" Miles asks though he holds no interest in the answer.

"Never better," she says, "We are much happier here. There's a nice town a couple of miles from here. The people can be nosy at times though."

Miles's eyes flash to Emil, "That's nice to know."

"Do you live alone, or do you have others who live with you?" the woman asks.

Miles shrugs, "I live alone."

Then it occurs to him that he doesn't. Does a child who spent the night a few times count as living with someone? Miles wasn't sure and figured it was best to leave things as he had said them.

"Do you enjoy it?" The woman asks.

"I wouldn't say I enjoy it, but I don't find it disagreeable ether," Miles replies.

The woman nods as she listens, her loose hair shaking like waves on water.

"How long have you been around?" the woman asks, Emil takes a sip of his water.

Miles looks down at the coffee in front of him, "A few days?"

Miles wasn't sure, he never thought to keep track.

"That's isn't long at all. Where did you live before?" Her voice still soothing.

Miles looks at the woman, her smile was warm. He wondered how real it was. Emil only smiled while looking at the woman. The two intertwined their fingers, their hands resting together on the table. Miles wondered what made them want to do such a thing. Then he thought of Betty and how calming it was to pet her. He then began to believe that he could understand it.

"Miles?" The woman calls.

"Hmm?"

"Are you still with us?" She asks.

"Yes... I was thinking." miles answers.

"Oh? I didn't realize asking about your previous home would give you so much to think about." She says, "did something happen to make you leave?"

"No... I chose to leave of my own accord." Miles answers.

"I see." the woman sips at her coffee.

"I should go." Miles stands up.

"Ah, yes. I'm sure your animals miss you." She stands also.

The two walk to the door, Emil tagging close to the woman.

"It was nice to meet you, Miles." the woman says holding out her hand.

"It was pleasant I suppose," Miles pauses, "Ma'am."

"Seline." She says taking notice that Miles did not shake her hand.

"Goodbye," Miles says then turns his back to them and leaves. He enters the woods and it dons on him. He was so focused on following Emil that he did not bother remembering where he had come from. Clicking his tough he thinks about what he should do. He could wait for Betty who seems to know when to look for him. Or he could go back and ask Emil since the young man seems to know where he lives. But Miles didn't want to do that. He didn't know them and wasn't sure he wanted to. He was sure there was something not right. But he couldn't place why or how.

He sighs to himself and walks further into the woods. It takes far longer than he liked but much to his joy Betty comes out to him and leads him to the house with the boy in tow.

"I don't know if bringing the child was a good idea," Miles mutters to Betty.

She walks on, Miles's words do not bother her.

"Still, I'm glad you came anyway."

The boy looks up at Miles.

Miles smiles at the child, "something on your mind?"

The child doesn't say anything as usual and turns his attention to Betty. The three travel in silence. It was comforting, walking in silent peace.

"Thank you both for coming to get me." Miles breaks the silence.

"MMMMoommoooooo" Comes Betty's reply.

Then the silence returns.

The air fills with the sound of birds and a running creek. The leaves sway in a gentle breeze. It's warm out and Miles can't help but fan at himself with his hand. It does no good yet he feels the desire to do so anyway. He feels sticky sweat slide down his skin. Miles ponders how anyone can stand such heat. Yet both Betty and the child seem unbothered.

Once they make it back to the house Miles feeds the animals once more. He receives the animals' thanks and moves on to making the evening meal. The boy watches him work at cooking and even steps in to help with a couple of things.

Miles notices the boy has about as much talent in cooking as he does. He can't help but chuckle to himself. This causes the boy to look up at him.

"Don't mind me." Miles finishes up adding things to the pot.

The two watch it cook for a while before their attention drifts elsewhere. Miles looks out a window and looks at the waving trees. After a while of losing himself in thought at the sight before him, a tug on his shirt draws his attention. The boy points to the food. Miles grimaces, he has done it again.

The two still eat it despite the half-burned meal. They finish it as swift as a child would bitter medicine. They spent the rest of the evening sitting on the stairs watching the sun all. When the sky becomes an inky black with glittering stars Miles stands.

"Go to bed. I'll be in after I go get the animals put away," Miles turns away and leaves. But the boy follows.

"Or follow me... I suppose you want to check in on Betty before bed?"

the boy nods but only after a moment's pause. With that, the two work together to get the animals away. They spare a bit of time to pet and bid good-night to Betty. It doesn't take either long to climb into their beds. Miles curls up and thinks about the day's events. He wonders about Emil and Seline. Even thinks about how odd he felt with counting the chickens. Finally, he pondered about the boy.

The weight of the day gives way to fatigue and soon Miles falls into a restful sleep.