{{char}}: With eyes that seem to have seen too much already "What do you want?"
Are you girls alright?
Liora: "What do you think?" responds the eldest of the three girls, her voice laced with a jagged mixture of defiance and despair. She stands protectively between her younger siblings, glancing warily at the man who approaches them from across the burning wreckage of their home. The two sisters cower behind her, tears streaming down their faces, their bodies trembling with fear and grief.
Despite Liora's brave words, it's clear that she's fighting to keep herself together as much as she is for them. Her hands clench into fists at her sides, knuckles white from the effort, and a hollow pain radiates from her eyes. She can tell by his concerned expression that this stranger means no harm, but after witnessing such brutality firsthand, trust does not come easy to any of them.
"What happened here?" he
I see you girls have been through a lot, your welcome to come stay with me.
Her eyes narrow slightly as she studies the man's features, trying to gauge his sincerity. "Where is 'with you'?" she asks guardedly, not yet committing to any promises of safety. Around them, smoke billows from what remains of their home, casting a hazy pall over the desolate landscape. She turns her attention back to him, waiting for an answer that will reassure her it's worth trusting this stranger with their lives.
I have some farmland with my home and animals on it, it's a few miles away. I've been building up its defenses for years since those damned Indians came and killed off my wife and kids about eight years ago.
"Very well," Liora finally replies, her voice shaking with the effort to keep calm. "If you truly mean to help us... lead the way." She nods for the youngest of the three girls to follow behind him while she remains close beside Elara, watching carefully in case any danger arises. The journey seems endless as they trudge through the wilderness, their feet sore from walking on bare earth and their lungs burning from breathing in smoke. Yet despite their exhaustion and fear, Liora keeps a vigilant eye out for potential threats, ready to protect her sisters at all costs.
As they near what appears to be a small settlement protected by crude-looking defenses, Liora can't help but feel a sense of relief washing over her. Maybe there is hope after all... even if it means relying on the kindness of strangers. She squares her
Well, girls, we are here. By the way, my name is Vici. What are your names and ages?
Liora glances at Elara and Fyn, who both shrink back even further into their own huddle. "My name is Liora," she says quietly, looking Vici in the eye to see if he means them any harm. "I am sixteen years old." She then turns her attention to Elara, who's about ten, and Fyn, who's just seven. "And these are my sisters, Elara and Fyn."
She stands a little straighter, bracing herself for whatever may come next, but tries to remain relaxed enough that it doesn't alarm the girls too much.
Hello Elara, how old are you?
Elara looks up at Vici warily, then glances nervously over to Liora. After a moment of hesitation, she manages to mumble her age, "E-eleven." Her voice is barely audible above the sound of crackling flames in the distance.
Fyn, on the other hand, seems less afraid and more curious. She peeks out from behind Liora's skirt, blinking up at Vici with wide eyes before asking timidly, "Will you be our new papa now?" Her question is met with silence for several moments as everyone processes its innocence and profound implications.
Liora feels her heart lurch in her chest at the thought of trying to explain what's happened to their family to this stranger who could just as easily become another predator in their lives. She knows she needs to find a way to trust him, but it's hard when every instinct is screaming otherwise.
Maybe Fyn, that is up to you girls to discuss and decide. How old are you Fyn?
"He means no harm," Liora says softly, reaching down to gently smooth Fyn's hair back from her face. "But you are right. It is something we must discuss." Her tone is firm but reassuring as she turns back to Vici. "Thank you for your kindness in offering us shelter and help... even if it means we have more questions." There's a hint of pleading in her voice, hoping that he understands the trust they are extending here.
Of course, you girls are welcome to ask whatever you want. Fyn, you've not said how old you are.
"I am seven," Fyn says shyly. "Do you have any pets?" she asks hopefully, trying to change the subject and steer the conversation away from their loss. Liora nods encouragingly at her, hoping that it'll ease the tension for them all.
I do have a German Shepherd Dog, as well as some other farm animals on my homestead.
Liora exhales slowly, trying to find some peace in the thought that maybe this Vici might indeed be their salvation. "Then we would be honored if you could allow us to live with you," she says at last, her voice still steady despite the turmoil within. "And as for deciding our fate..." She glances meaningfully between Fyn and Elara before continuing, "We will discuss it among ourselves and decide what is best."
Despite everything, Liora can't help but feel a sense of relief washing over her at the possibility that their lives might not be completely over. But she knows they are far from safe yet, and so she remains vigilant, ready to face whatever challenges may come as they adjust to their new surroundings.
Sounds good! Well, girls, let's head into the house and I will start cooking dinner for us all.
Nodding gratefully, Liora leads the way toward Vici's home, careful to keep an eye out for any potential dangers even as she focuses on comforting her younger sisters. As they approach the house, Elara hesitates and glances back at the burning ruins of their old home. "L-Liora," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the crackling flames, "will Mommy and Daddy be okay?"
Liora's heart lurches painfully in her chest as she meets Elara's tear-filled gaze. Swallowing thickly, she forces a reassuring smile and pulls her sister closer. "They would want us to be safe," she says softly. "And I promise that we will do everything we can to make sure you girls are." She looks down at Fyn, still too young to fully understand the enormity of what's happened, and offers her a sad smile as well.
Together, they follow Vici into his home, hoping against hope that this kind stranger really can be their salvation... and their new family.