Sapphire watched as Evera disappeared behind the grey door. Sapphire did what she could to stay calm, tracing the scar on her palm. Several minutes passed before Evera reappeared with an older version of herself in tow. The woman’s eyes mirrored her daughter’s, red and apprehensive, but lacked the softness Evera’s held.

For a fleeting moment, Sapphire wondered if she ran, how far her raw and blistered feet would take her.

‘Hello. My name is Lelani. My daughter tells me you’re in a bit of a bind.’

Sapphire met Lelani’s gaze, and the woman tried her best to hide her flinch. Sapphire did not miss Lelani giving Evera the smallest push, putting her body behind her own.

‘As I explained to your daughter, all I need is a change of clothes, and then I can be on my way.’

Lelani looked her up and down twice before she spoke.

‘You are exhausted.’

Sapphire began to interrupt, but the woman raised a hand to silence her.

‘You are exhausted, and your feet are in a state. Why don’t you come inside and rest while we try and sort things out, hmm?’

Sapphire wanted to say no. She wanted to refuse the woman and her kindness, but as she peered around the village, she wasn’t sure where she would go. She needed shoes, and water, as the thick burning in her throat reminded her. So she nodded and the woman allowed her to pass through the gate. Once inside the cottage, Evera led her to a small table, pulling out a seat before heading up the stairs. Lelani joined Sapphire, her face suspicious.

‘What is your name?’ the older woman asked.

Sapphire chewed on her lip, wondering if it would be unwise to reveal more about herself to these women. But exhaustion weighed on her. She had to trust them, even if she knew she shouldn’t.

‘Sapphire.’

‘So, Sapphire, can you tell me how you came upon my daughter?’

‘I was just trying to get home,’ Sapphire snapped, her tone more defensive than she had intended.

‘And where is home?’ Lelani continued, her face unreadable. She was clearly unfazed.

‘Witrotean.’

‘I’ve never heard of Witrotean.’

The woman’s tone spoke volumes. Sapphire knew what she was thinking: liar.

Still, the answer chipped away at her resolve. Witrotean was a war-torn hellscape, but for her, it was her only home, the place where she’d grown up and, more importantly, a place where she knew how to survive.

‘How do you not –?’ Sapphire choked on the words, the muscles along her throat clenching in tiny spasms from thirst, but Lelani did not move to comfort her.

‘Is there anything you can tell us? Anything that could help us help you?’ Lelani asked.

Sapphire considered the question, but when she met the woman’s cautious expression, she knew honesty had no place at this table.

‘No.’