Not one to chat

Once Betty and Miles arrive at the house, they find Ezra. The chickens are on the other side of the fenced area. They cluster together as if afraid. Miles figures that the poor birds have every right to be after what had happened overnight. He rubs the back of his neck until it burns. Where would he put the chickens now? The coop wasn't safe for them. With the larger animals around, they may get stepped on.

An idea popped into Miles's head. Empty the spare room. For now, it would be the best place. It would also only be for a day.

Miles sets about collecting the three chickens he has left. He carries them into the house. Ezra opens the doors for him. When they make it to the room Miles places the birds down.

"Don't let any of them leave the room. I'm going to get something they can sleep in and also get them food and water." Miles says before he leaves the room.

Ezra nods and watches Miles leave.

The older male wonders the kitchen for the needed items. He first wanders out to the shed with an empty bowl in hand. He fills it with food and returns to the house. Once there he takes a second empty bowl and fills it with water.

He walks back to the room with both bowls and puts them in the room for the chickens. Miles leaves and comes back with a few things that he believes would work for makeshift nests.

Once finished Miles watches the chickens. The black and white chicken walks over to him and looks up at him. Miles picks her up and holds her in his arm. He runs a hand over soft feathers. She curls up and falls asleep under Miles's attention.

Ezra watches the chicken and Miles. Miles waits for the child to reach out and touch the resting animal, but he doesn't.

Time passes and soon Miles releases a yawn. He places the chicken down in a makeshift nest. Stretching he takes notice that Ezra has also fallen asleep. He picks the child up and carries him out. Thankful that the chickens all stayed in the room without a fight Miles walks to Ezra's room. He pulls open the door and lays the boy down in the bed. Covering the boy with a blanket takes Miles no effort at all.

Once, Miles, has the boy tucked in he takes himself to bed. Laying down he looks up at the ceiling. He thinks about Ezra and the recent events. He even wonders if he'll ever get used to living the way he is now.

He thinks of his time before his fall. He remembers vivid green lands full of all flora. Grand beautiful structures filled with people who fulfill their purpose. The place bathed in the right amount of light. He remembers his brothers that he used to work with and a leader that he betrayed. remembers brothers

Regret settled in his stomach; it twisted his insides without mercy. He sighs at the memory. It happened at night. The stars burned like hot coals. Swords raised and screams filled the air. Death had visited that realm for the first time. His Wings were blacker than the darkest black. His Empty eyes surveyed the battlefield. His visit stopped the war in its tracks. Casimir stood by Miles's side, a grimace on his face.

It was at that moment they had lost. Not long after they fell along with all the others who followed Casimir.

Miles ran a hand through his hair. The memory of the fall made the scars on his back burn.

Turning on his side, Miles closes his eyes and waits for sleep.

The next morning Miles wakes to the sound of knocking. At first, he wondered if he had even heard it at all or if it was a remanence of a dream. When it continued, he realized it wasn't so. He got up out of bed and answered the door. Emil waited on the other side. The young man looked to the floor, seeming to be incapable of keeping eye contact.

"Hello." Miles says to start the conversation, "Can I help you?"

Emil scratches at his shoulder. He gulps and looks up at Miles like a kicked puppy.

"Are you here to take me to Seline?" Miles asks when he finally remembers what he is to do today.

Emil nods.

"Okay, give me a few minutes." Miles then shut the door, leaving Emil outside.

Next, Miles goes to Ezra's room. He wakes the boy. Once he has the child's full attention, leaves him the responsibility to take care of all the animals.

Once Miles has changed and is ready, he opens the door. He steps out next to Emil. He and Emil go into the woods and make their way to Seline's and Emil's home.

Seline is already outside her house with horses and a wagon already set up to go.

"Good morning, Miles, how are you?" She asks.

Miles shrugs, "I'm here."

Seline laughs, "I can see that much."

Miles climbs into the wagon.

"Ready to go so soon. You're not one or chit-chat, are you?" Seline says as she goes to the front of the wagon.

Miles shrugs, "Don't have much to say."

"That's fine. Emil's pretty quiet too." Seline comments.

Emil climbs up to the front of the wagon beside Seline. He leans against her as the horses begin to pull the wagon forward. Miles watches the two until he gets bored. He then looks at the land around them. He sees large fields of wheat swaying in the light breeze.

Time passes but Miles hardly feels any of it. The day is warm and the sun rises. Miles frowns at this, the day will become quite hot later. Miles then thinks that it was a good thing to be going to the farmer's place during the morning. At least he'd have the energy to deal with whatever may come.

After a while, the wagon stops. Miles, pulled from his idle thinking, looks around as if he woke from a dream. A bulky man joins them.

He stands with a pitch fort hanging over his shoulder, "Hello Seline."

"Hello, Martin, how's Andrew?" Seline asks as she hops to the ground.

The two shake hands.

"He's better, been resting a lot." Martin says as he motions to the house, "I imagine you want to take a look at him."

"Of course," Seline says.

Emil comes up behind her.

"Hello, Emil." Martin waves at the young man.

Emil waves back.

"As quiet as can be, aren't you?" Martin comments with a chuckle.

Emil smiles at martin. It is thin and forced.

Miles stands to the side, the awkwardness of the situation making his heart sink to his stomach.

"Who's your friend?" Martin asks once he notices Miles.

"He has a few questions about raising some chickens. Something has been attacking them overnight and he's down to three chickens." Seline explains with a soft smile.

"Is that so?" Martin looks at Miles, "What can you tell me about it?"

Miles shrugs, "I don't know."

Martin looks over Miles, "You can't tell me anything? Do the dead ones have bite marks? Is the fence and coop broken up?"

"I had a hole in the fence... and the chicken coop did get broken into," Miles replies.

"How about I come to your place this evening and take a look." Martin offers, "See if I can't help you out some."

"Thank you," Miles replies without much of a thought.

The rest of the time Miles stands around watching Seline and Martin talk and look over a child.

Miles and Emil stood to the side waiting in awkward silence. The two watch the farmer and doctor talk about the child and chit-chat.

After what felt like a few hours, Seline and Martin finish up. Seline leaves the farmer with the suggestion of letting the boy rest for a while longer.

The return home feels shorter than the ride to the farm. Once they make it to Seline's and Emil's home, Miles climbs out of the wagon, he fights the buckle in his knees. He takes a few minutes until his legs decide to work.

Miles waves goodbye to Seline and Emil. Betty already waits at the edge of the woods. The two walk to the house as they have done before. Once there, Miles goes and looks around for Ezra. When he does find the boy, he sees the chickens are loose. Miles takes a deep breath.