A Dusty Window

Home as she remembered, the librarian breathed with peace. How little had changed since she left, how boring it was to be at home. But she had a long smile just thinking about the mould and moss growing, as time had shown no marks of a crook's work.

The woman she called her mother was alive and standing amidst the stench of woe nearby. But her face couldn't stay eager, for she knew there was a departure she must catch.

Somewhere, in a house belonging to Eve's family, the two sat on their comforting couch as they waited for the woman with a plate of treats on the table.

"Nice house. I swear you said your home was...malnourished." Cyrus breaks the silence.

A pack of rats passes by the floor. Then a dust swept by wind coming from the windows.

"Oh, nevermind. I'm still glad to be here, though..."

"You shouldn't." Eve stares with a scowl as she perches her eyes onto the screensquare television.

It was a terrible sight outside, with dust over her windows. But the relief lies for the mother, who was spared from all this terror with her daughter in their beloved home. The cleric and the librarian sat firmly on their chairs as the woman lay somewhere from their sight. But the librarian could feel relief turned with suspicion, for the silence bore no tension.

The mother thought away from Eve and Cyrus, peeking through their conversations with theories and worries.

"Oh, my. I can't believe my daughter was here with a man. What did I think? I should've been more prepared for this!"

"On this day? With these attires? Eve, you've made your mother in blush! You should've called me on the screenlink first."

"Come on, Stella. Don't embarrass yourself! Your daughter comes here once every year! You should be glad that you washed the dishes beforehand!"

"But this is so surprising! I didn't...ough...I want to faint..."

But the librarian waits no longer for the surprising goody. The mother arrives with a cookie and milk for her and the cleric. It was not a waste for them to take, for their impatience grew thin in disguise with kindness. But the mother loves the faces that treat themselves as pleasant as they want. Her face is visible to the librarian, that she is nowhere near calm.

Eve and Cyrus take a slow yet satisfied bite at the cookie before Stella. But the sour taste makes it hard to chew.

"Calcium cookie..." Eve chuckles with a nostalgic stare.

"Ehm...it tastes...good? I didn't know...you can cook...Ms. Ainsley!" Cyrus keeps biting with a little resistance from gagging.

"It's a family's recipe. I've made them for long using several bits of calcium from my workplace as a desert for my daughter!"

"Uh...?" Cyrus stares in confusion.

"I worked at Frayfoil slaughterhouse. Grinding meats and chopping bones to feed the town! How wonderful, isn't it? They used to have this bucket of shredded bone to separate the calcium to be used as a food ingredient."

"My husband used to say we could snatch a few bucket and pile up enough to make a calcium cookie, everyday!"

"Speaking of my husband. He works on a small office at the Arlitean district managing travelling ships by the border. Which means he make a lot of money for our family every month!"

"That is until the Crow-eyed members began taxing at our tables, stripping our economy to bits for their fortunes. I would have grown a lot from this house if it wasn't for them...." Her face turns into a deep depression.

"O-okay...?"

How lovely was the hour inside. The librarian could savour as much as tomorrow, but tomorrow won't be her day—nor anyone's. Leisure exists only to slow her from reaching the higher wisdom with the cleric and the Tin Man. After all, how could the librarian accept a fresh family recipe she had savoured for years when there were better cookies outside?

"Speaking of a lot. Eve, don't you have a lot to say, too?" The mother stares joyfully at Eve with an embarrassed face.

"Hm? Oh, don't bother. He knew me enough to stick with me more than others. Right, Cyrus?" She pauses her snacks.

"Only when my students slacked off of the table for some materialist charm. Like now." Cyrus grunts.

Hearing his response turns Stella's insecurity even further.

"Y-you're a teacher?? Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to insult your intellect! I was just hoping to get you close with my family!"

"N-no need, Ms. Ainsley! I'm not a teacher, I'm a priest. I won't judge as we are all equal in flesh..." He recites.

"Judgement is one man's greed for attention. And I'm humble with just one eye."

"Wise..." She thought with marvel at his words.

An hour passes as the clouds turn dark as night. Eve sees people leaving the street with their heads covered while Tophats stroll around, taking the opportunity to walk freely. The street had grown lonelier since the dawn had never shone bright. Their smiles bring a wrathful thought as she wonders their malicious thought.

"Alright, uhm...mother. I, uh...wanted to ask about your day today? I am thinking of visiting you because I was worried about you? Not that there's anything bad happened around the town..." Eve stops.

"But maybe I can walk all the way downhill to meet you here

"The prince? Oh, right! The storm, right? I was in disbelief when I heard that! Can't you believe it? No one's feeding up those lies!"

"Definitely! I wouldn't be so trustworthy on a man with six golden rings and a parade of talking machines telling me more about my fate than I do." Cyrus yelled with furious compliance.

"But then everyone saw those storms and went silent since. We've had nothing to argue but our lives since...so bad."

"Oh...yeah...that, too..." Cyrus scratches his head with a scowl.

"So bad...So-woah!" Stella slipped and fell on her back. But Cyrus quickly catches up to her.

"Mother!" Eve rushes.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry...I'm such a gullible woman..." She stood up with an unwell face. Her thoughts are still far from reality.

"The storm. Yes, the terrible nuance in my head since two days..."

"All the workers in the slaughterhouse were absent...we were all in disbelief but...we saw it..."

"The Tophats...they...they saw it too but they...they thought of something else..."

Together, they bake their favourite cookies in the warm of an oven—their lovely snack for decades in Frayfoil, where voices are sullen. All this love between the mother and daughter bonds as before, making the librarian feel more and more delighted in her quest. She remembers every one of the ingredients and how crunchy it was when she bites. It was a wonderful memory in the Frayfoil.

Eve and Stella baked more calcium cookies while Cyrus watched the screensquare.

"Mother, I'm glad you're okay. I hope you didn't tripped or hurt yourself while I'm leaving."

"Of course not, Eve! Your mom is fiercer than you know! Slaughterhouse didn't make a woman forget how to decapitate a head—I mean, defending herself from Tophats. Hahaha..."

"Well, I'm glad you're fine. It has been one year since I left you, and I returned right after I heard about the storm..."

"That's so sweet of you, Eve...but you didn't have to return to this town for me."

But no matter what she thinks and does, her facade will soon thin as her inner voice comes to replace. Time's ticking, and the Tin Man didn't clocked in. The woman's head is off the place for the time she and the librarian had made her bloom. She knew she had to be swift, or else the home would take her.

Eve stops moulding the calcium dough.

"Mom." She mumbled.

"Yes, dear?"

"You're not worried if father didn't come home? I haven't heard about him...but I hope he did inform you..."

"Oh, he'll be back, dear. I'm sure tomorrow or another day? Maybe after the sixth day, he'll return knowing nothing? Maybe I can surprise him with some dough..."

"But it seems you have a present for him, too. Didn't you? I see you picked some fruits and water for me..."

"Oh, uhm...yeah! I did...but I wanted to bring it back to East Wood first because they're still...fresh from the tree? You know we can't raw from the tree? Haha..." She jokes nervously.

"I see...keep them fresh before he'll come. Maybe for the first time, he didn't have to eat calcium cookies as a snack."

She tried her best, but all she did was lick her lips with a sweet edge and bite the bitter. The woman's smile was too cherished to be broken, and the librarian had no heart to spare should it tear. All that's left in this family's pursuit is adding more and more words to the paper.

Eve stays in the living room, cleaning the rats with a broom, while Cyrus helps settle the tables and utensils in the kitchen.

"Mother." Eve stops again.

"Yes, dear?"

"You sure you don't need anything else here? I still have a hand to help! Less thing to make you worry!"

"Oh, I don't think you have to, Eve! I have all the things I needed here."

"Well, the floor isn't dirty enough for you? Maybe I could sweep it..."

"You have quite an energy today, Eve. Mother felt mysterious charmed with that...especially your new faithful friend."

"You're...welcome?" Cyrus awkwardly leaves.

Words and words, and words, and more words in the chapters. But what's happening in the house is never close to any climax. The librarian toils as much as she can, for the woman seems to enjoy her little lie more than she would hear the truth. Yet what didn't stay happily in her domain was the sands that had turned the world blind, piling as in time wasted upon babbles.

Eve, Cyrus and Stella sat peacefully in the living room as they finished. Sands had nearly grown on all windows, leaving clouds to ponder.

"I'm so glad you're here, Eve. I never thought you would be here helping me after everything. Could it be that you're here because you wanted to nurture your beloved mother?"

"Of course, mother! You know I would never let you down. Besides, now that our home is clean, you can finally go to rest and enjoy your day like before! Except just don't go out yet..."

She gifted her a book titled "The Lies of a Tree".

"Oh, and here's something to cheer you up. I don't usually allow myself to steal book, but I couldn't hold at the thought of my mother alone in her home doing nothing, right?"

"I...*yawn* I think I'm a little too tired. Maybe I could go to sleep after this..."

Cyrus and Eve gather for a sip of tea on the table.

"Your mother seems well enough to survive on her own. I'm surprised for a town filled with the most fearsome crooks, they haven't got her yet."

"Yeah, she knew well not to stay long on the day after hard work. We should leave after this...sunset's getting close to dread."

"We're about to leave, aren't we? Shouldn't we say something at least?"

"Don't you think we should've told her about our voyage?" Cyrus mumbled.

Eve pauses with a doubtful thought, staring at the sandful window for her answer.

The more she stalls, the more she thinks to herself. As it seemed that the librarian was about to give herself into the beckoning truth, she was enlightened to be a witness of the sand's wisdom. Every waste of sand covering the glass panels concealed her from the horrors outside made by a man, providing her with a better life through lies and truthfulness. Perhaps she had no idea how to sweep them off, like the mother she couldn't face with her own eyes.

Eve tucked Stella into the bed. It was not a cosy one. But it fit to stretch a limb.

"Alright, mom. It's time for you to rest! You've been working hard and we've been eating well so you don't have to feed us twice. Here...have some apple and water..."

"Thank you, Eve. But I'm not hungry or thirsty—nor tired. I still could walk around like the ol' Ainsley I am still."

She tries to walk out, but Eve stops her.

"No, no, no. Mom, it's better for you to rest here. Me and Cyrus had to go and we can't leave until we know you are rested well! So rest."

"You're leaving? I thought...we could have..."

"Time's ticking, and I must help Cyrus back to his family now..." Eve mumbled nervously.

"I see *yawn* Tip a goodbye for Cyrus from me. Okay?"

Dusk settles in, and the Tophats seize the sunset as they hunt. The librarian and the cleric make it fierce to leave as the presence of black hats grows ever more aggressive. The woman knows not their disappearance, for their departure comes urgent. But the thoughtful cleric always clings to the people, and the considerate librarian leaves only a message in a paper.

Eve packed her belongings and basket with a cloth, preparing to leave the house.

"Alright. I've cleaned the house enough for mom to not touch the broom."

"Your mother didn't need to hear about our leave yet?"

"Already left a note on the bed for her. But if you want to bid goodbye, then I'll be waiting here so I don't waste any steps..."

"And in case that creature returned."

Cyrus checks his body.

"Maybe I should. Left my amulet on the table. Wait for me." Cyrus entered the house.

Dusk settles in, and the Tophats seize the sunset as they hunt. The librarian and the cleric make it fierce to leave as the presence of black hats grows ever more aggressive. The woman knows not their disappearance, for their departure comes urgent. But the thoughtful cleric always clings to the people, and the considerate librarian leaves only a message in a paper. But something disturb him, leaving her at slow.

Eve packed her belongings and basket with a cloth, preparing to leave the house.

"Alright. I've cleaned the house enough for mom to not touch the broom."

"Your mother didn't need to hear about our leave yet?"

"Already left a note on the bed for her. But if you want to bid goodbye, then I'll be waiting here so I don't waste any steps..."

"And in case that creature returned."

Cyrus checks his body.

"Maybe I should. Left my amulet on the table. Wait for me." Cyrus entered the house.

Cyrus spends the rest of his seconds searching for his amulet. With a struggle from the dusty sand on his face, he had to sneak in to avoid making noise. Yet from the seemingly void stance, Stella sat in the living room with a depressed glare at the window despite her supposed slumber by Eve.

"Ms. Ainsley? She's awake? I thought she's asleep!" Cyrus thought with a beating heart.

"Maybe I should...sneak in...and..."

"I...know you're there, Cyrus." Stella stares directly at him.

"Ms. Ainsley? Hehe! I was just picking my amulet...I thought you were supposed to be asleep?"

"I can't sleep. I really can't sleep. I don't want to sleep."

"Oh..." Cyrus wore his amulet tight.

"You're about to leave this town, right? Please, use a short passage my daughter will use so the Tophats won't find you..."

"Of course! I'll go get her to safety!"

"And please...take care of her when you're out of this land." The mother uttered.

It was a word that froze Cyrus just as he was about to grab his amulet off.

"M—Ms. Ainsley! I...I don't know what you're talking about...?" He smirks awkwardly at her.

"You don't need to pretend about it to me, young man." Stella stood from her couch and grabbed something from the cabinet.

"I knew my daughter as much as I knew this town. She wouldn't be here out of the blue unless she has something else in her back to let loose..."

The woman gave Cyrus a pair of eyeglasses and intertwined twigs.

"No humans would live knowing the horror of Frayfoil's edge. But if a sane human wants to be in this town, it's definitely because of the whale oil and scraps."

"I knew that was the moment my daughter had found something else. And given the situation we are all in this town—I knew she must have found a way to leave. As she did once a year ago."

"I would've stopped her. But who am I to stop a girl from saving herself? Not even I want to live in Frayfoil...nor Gold Creek after this inevitable storm."

"Heck, I doubt the prince actually could save us. Even if he could, what price do we pay for him?"

"But she didn't do it to save herself! She was trying to regain her library back from the prince! Maybe the storm could be evaded! Maybe?" Cyrus comforts her.

Cyrus stands nervously with a doubtful thought. But he didn't go silent for long.

"Well, come with us! We can help you out, too! We'll try to make room for that!"

"Oh, dear. I wish I could, but..."

The woman showed her ankle monitor with a hat tattoo marked on it.

"Watchlock?"

"The Tophats kept those with this mark from leaving. Either they want me to die with them, or they hoped to use me as a sacrifice to appease the storm somehow..."

"But you two are the luckiest people to not be killed on a sight. And I wouldn't let that streak broken because of me."

"Now, go. Sail as far as you can before the Tophats or the storms gets you." Stella pushes Cyrus away from the door.

"Wait, Ms. Ainsley! We can talk about this! Please just let me help you—"

"Go! Go before you can't!" She begs as she slams.

And the door was closed for Cyrus. He stand with thoughtless horror while holding what Stella had wished for him.

The librarian finds the cleric dazed, with all the curtains of her home closed and her door sealed. The woman was nowhere to be seen, and the lights were off as the dust swept. No farewell nor promises for her—only silence and a fitting end. But the librarian stares firmly, as another curiosity would stall her for the horror.

"What was that, Cyrus? Did my mother said anything about you?"

"Huh? Oh, uh...your mom was...in a hurry...an important hurry..." Cyrus brushes off his fear with an awkward smile.

"And you're carrying...my glasses?"

"Well...? Don't you need it?"

"Perhaps? I was about to bid goodbye to my mother. But I suppose she understands the importance of time. So, what do you say? Shall we go back fixing that boat again?"

"Yeah...L—let's do that. The quicker, the better..." Cyrus resolves.

Eve and Cyrus hide by a small passage in the town, where they watch Tophats seizing another victim into their hands. Helpless as they were, they could only watch a poor man losing his finger while savouring a few calcium cookies.

"You didn't tell her. Didn't you?" Cyrus mumbled with pity.

"How can I? That would break her heart and I'm a greedy woman." She mumbled—shedding a shed of tears.

"I won't blame you. Glad you didn't come to hurt someone's feelings during this day."

"I can't let my mom nail her coffin for this. She has so many reasons to live, yet I couldn't save any of that..."

"You know, I would've give my mom a goodbye kiss on the cheek before I leave to school, teaching some manners about honesty to troubled street kids. But now I wonder if I should kiss my mother goodbye for a lie?"

The poor man walked off with a chopped finger. Now he knows his price.

"Maybe you should." Eve mumbled with a shed of tear.

But the weeping is over, and the librarian stands, keeping her worry for the future. The two wander in enjoy, witnessing each second they have on the town from its frail alloy. But the Tin Man emerged at last, but his face said nothing joyous to cast. With a hasty foot and troubled eyes, he reaches out to the librarian and the cleric to break the news.

"Eve! Eve! Eve!"

"Charger! Where have you been? And keep it down, you're luring the Tophats into us!" Eve shushed.

"That's a problem we have, friend! We can't sail anymore! We can't!"

"What? Don't ridicule me right now, creature...!" She whispers.

"I didn't! I swear! I was heading back to the coast to check some of the tins when a few people with black hats came out of nowhere and took our boat!"

"The Tophats. Fuck!"

The Tin Man shares, and the Tophats steal. Their boat disappears by a heartless taunt, leaving them with no escape. The librarian stands speechless, for a crook still stands on her fleet. With sands crawling deep into her lungs, the seemingly big time grew thinner. Even with all the odds, she was still in disbelief.