Unanswered Questions

Miles wakes with a mild headache. He wondered what could have caused it but came up with no answers. He squeezed the bridge of his nose. It doesn't help the throbbing ache. With a deep breath, he gets out of bed and gets ready for the day.

When he leaves the room, he sees Ezra standing outside the room Emma is sleeping in.

"What are you doing out here?" Miles approaches the boy.

Ezra points at the door.

"Are you keeping an eye on her?" Miles kneels next to the child.

He nods.

"You didn't sleep?" Miles's voice strains.

The child nods.

"That isn't good. You need sleep." Miles states, "How about you eat some breakfast and get a nap?"

Ezra looks to the side at the door to the room the woman is in, he thinks for a little before he picks his answer. The boy nods and follows Miles to the kitchen.

Midmeal Emma joins them. She blinks a few times and then rubs her eyes.

"Sit and eat." Miles states as he gestures to a nearby chair.

She takes a seat and begins to eat. Her movements are slow but deliberate.

Miles and Ezra finish.

"Put the Dishes in the sink and come outside," Miles says before walking outside.

The two work together as they have before. It isn't much longer until Emma joins them outside.

"If you're staying here, you're going to help," Miles calls from the chicken pen.

Emma talks to the outer edge of the fence.

"Go with Ezra and get some chicken feed." Miles points to the child who is also outside the fence.

Ezra looks at the woman. When she approaches him, he begins to lead her. They walk to the shed where the food is. Ezra picks up a small bucket and points to the bag of food.

"That bag is almost bigger than you," Emma says as she lifts the bag.

The boy shrugs and walks away.

She follows him back to the chickens. Miles holds out a black and white chicken for Ezra once taking the small bucket. Ezra sits with the bird and holds the bird. The chicken studies Ezra for a while before curling up in his lap and letting the boy pet her.

Miles feeds the chickens and the resting chicken leaves Ezra in favor of food. Ezra watches the birds eat.

"He sure does like observing the world around him." Emma comments.

Miles continues to throw the birds their food.

Emma turns her gaze on Miles, "Do you like it out here? With yourself, the child, and some animals?"

Miles chews on that thought for a moment. He wasn't sure. He shrugs and continues with what he is doing.

Emma raises a brow, "Not going to answer?"

Miles looks to the woman, "Do I have to?"

"I suppose not." She replies, "But I would like an answer over being ignored."

Miles shrugs again, "I don't want to."

Emma huffs, "You're an odd one."

"Says the person who doesn't remember raiding someone's house," Miles replies.

She raises a finger in the air and opens her mouth as if to raise a counterpoint but it dawns on her that she doesn't have one. She huffs again and walks off.

"You still need to help around here if you're going to stay." Miles calls out to her.

She doesn't stop walking away until she gets to the edge of the woods.

Miles watches her to see if she will enter for a bit but give up after a while. Returning his attention to the chickens. When he is done feeding them he sits in the pen with the newer chickens. the rooster avoids him and so too do the hens.

When he grows tired of sitting, he stands and leaves. He and Ezra go instead to the cows. They work together to care for them as well as give them attention. Betty, once they are done, follows them to the horse.

Then after the horse, they go to the garden where Emma rejoins them.

"Decided to stay?" Miles asks.

"Maybe." She replies

"While you're here you can help pull weeds then." Miles gestures to the garden.

"Is work all you care about?" Emma asks.

"Maybe." He says as he pulls out a plant.

Emma rolls her eyes and starts pulling out small weeds. She notices all the weeds are small compared to the other plants.

When they finish the three go inside and have a simple meal. Miles and Ezra take to sitting on the steps and watching the trees and sky.

"Ezra," Miles calls, "You never took that nap."

Ezra shrugs.

"Why don't you do that now?" Miles suggests, "There'll be more work to do."

Ezra shakes his head.

"I can't stop you but if you get too tired make sure to stop and rest alright?" Miles pats the boy's head.

Ezra nods and takes Miles's hand in his. For a moment the child holds on to him.

Miles waits but feels and hears nothing from the boy. He wonders what other reason the boy could have to hold on to him.

When the child lets go the two resume their work with Emma not far behind.

The work goes faster with three people. Miles and Ezra find they have extra time to burn before it gets too dark to be outside.

Miles sits on the steps for a little while.

Ezra runs off with betty.

Emma stands off to the side, "Is this what you do for fun?"

"I suppose., Miles replies.

"what do you think about?" Emma asks taking a seat beside miles.

"Nothing in particular," Miles says as thoughts of betrayal fill his mind.

Emma rolls her eyes, "Surly there are some things you think about."

"What about you. What do you think about?" Miles scratches at his arm.

"Good question. today I've been wondering who I am and how I ended up here. I only remember my name," Emma answers with a sigh.

Miles rubs his face, "That's a shame."

"Isn't it?" Emma shifts her weight.

"What about your things?" Miles asks, "Would they help you remember anything?"

"What things?" Emma frowns and her brows knit together.

"They are on the bedside table," Miles answers before standing, "why don't you take a look at them?"

Emma stands and follows Miles inside. They walk to the room she occupied that morning. She picks up the items and looks over each one. Taking her time inspecting them before pocketing them. It doesn't take her long to get to the book. She sifts through the pages, each page making a crinkling sound as she flips them.

"I've written in this." Emma looks up to Miles, "But I don't remember any of it."

"It was worth trying. Could be all you need is time," Miles suggests with a shrug.

Emma nods, "Yes... it was. It's too bad it didn't help."

"Nothing we can do about it," Miles turns, "We should get the animals put away and get supper ready."

Emma pockets the book and the two go back outside. Miles ends up putting all the animals away as they are not used to Emma being around.

When they finish they find that Betty and Ezra aren't around.

Miles looks around for the boy and cow several times trying to think of places he missed. Time seems to move slow as his heartbeat seems to grow fast and loud.

Did the strangers in the boy's mind find him? How would they have? Was it Casimir?

Miles rubs the bridge of his nose and takes another look around. Still, he finds nothing.