In Elion's house, Althea lay fast asleep on the bed covered with a light blanket. The sun was beginning to peek through the curtains, gently illuminating the room.
Althea slowly opened her eyes, still in the throes of a deep sleep. She felt something warm and noticed a shadow over her face. A small hand was blocking the sunlight coming through the window.
When she blinked and came to her senses, she saw the curious face of a child very close to her. He had hair as blond as ripe wheat and blue eyes that seemed to reflect the clear sky
—You're awake. —said the child, without emotion.
Althea sat up suddenly, surprised by his closeness.
— Brother, the baby's awake! —the little boy shouted, without taking his eyes off her.
—Who are you calling baby? And who are you? —Althea replied, frowning.
—You, and I don't have to give my name to an intruder —he said, crossing his arms—. I don't know who you are or why you're here. But this is my house. And you'd better leave soon because you're not welcome here.
—What did you say?! — Althea stood up completely, frowning.
—Hael, that's enough —a firm voice intervened.
They both turned around. It was Elion, who had arrived just in time to separate them before a real fight broke out.
—Althea, this is Hael, my younger brother. And Hael, this is Althea... she's here because I helped her. She's not an intruder.
Hael pursed his lips, still suspicious.
—I don't like strangers... We don't know anything about her. What if she brings trouble?
Elion sighed patiently.
—Hael, not everyone who comes here brings trouble. Trust me.
Althea pressed her lips together, somewhat offended... but also curiously hurt by the coldness with which she was received.
Elion sighed, trying to remain calm.
—Give him time. He's protective of everything, and very stubborn when he doesn't know someone, because he's very distrustful.
She looked at him silently, but something inside her told her that this was going to be more complicated than she thought.
The silence lingered a little longer than was comfortable. Hael remained with his back turned, unwilling to say another word, and Althea stood next to the bed, somewhat uncomfortable.
Then Elion broke the tension with a soft voice:
—Come on, breakfast is ready.
Althea hesitated for a moment. She glanced sideways at Hael, who still had that closed expression, as if he didn't want to share even the air with her. She frowned slightly.
—I don't think it's a good idea to be too close to him… —she murmured, barely audibly.
Elion looked at her patiently and moved a little closer.
—I know —she replied honestly—. But you need to eat. And you need to stay calm... if you really want to see Max soon.
Althea lowered her gaze. The name Max still stirred up emotions in her chest that were difficult to explain. She needed to see him, to know how he was doing, and to be by his side, remembering what they had shared. She needed it.
She nodded gently.
—All right… I'll try.
—Just ignore his grumbling —Elion said with a small smile—. Over time, Hael is less fierce than he appears.
From the doorway, the boy's voice sounded dry:
—I can hear you, you know
Althea sighed.
—Yes, it's definitely going to be complicated.
Elion chuckled softly, and together they walked toward the makeshift dining room, their steps tense but marking the beginning of a new dynamic... one that, unbeknownst to anyone yet, would change all three of them.
On the table were a couple of bowls, toast, and a pot of what looked like thick soup. Elion had done his best with what they had.
Hael was already seated, arms crossed and staring at the table. When Althea was about to sit down, he didn't even look at her. She, for her part, avoided sitting directly across from him, preferring the seat furthest away.
Elion served calmly.
—It's not much, but it's hot —he said as he set a bowl in front of her.
—Thank you… —Althea replied quietly.
Hael muttered something that was unintelligible, but his tone was annoyed enough to make it clear that he was not happy.
—Did you say something, Hael? —Elion asked without looking directly at him.
—Nothing —the boy replied, stirring his soup with more force than necessary.
Althea pressed her lips together, trying not to respond. She forced herself to eat a little breakfast, even though her stomach was in knots. The silence was tense for a few minutes, until Elion tried to lighten the mood.
—Hael found some dried carrots yesterday. That's why the soup isn't so bad today. Right, Hael?
The boy didn't answer right away. Then he muttered, as if it were an obligation:
—That's righ.
Althea raised an eyebrow, surprised that he spoke at all.
—I guess thanks for the… carrots.
—I didn't do it for you —Hael replied immediately, coldly.
She put her spoon down in the bowl and leaned back in her chair, exhaling deeply.
—Are you always this charming, or just when there are visitors?
—I don't like intruders.
—And I didn't ask to be here —she said, looking him straight in the eye—. Believe me, if I could, I'd be somewhere else right now.
Hael looked at her and said nothing more. And although his gaze remained distrustful, he also seemed confused... as if he hadn't expected her to defend herself so firmly.
Elion watched them both, without intervening, but with a small smile. In its own way, it was a start.
—Eat —he said at last, in a soft voice—. There are few things we can control right now. At least let's keep ourselves well on the inside. With a full stomach... it's easier to think clearly."
Althea and Hael said nothing more, but continued eating in silence. They weren't friends yet. Nor allies. But at least... they were sharing the same table.
And sometimes, that was something.
When Althea finished eating, she carefully set her spoon aside and looked up at Elion.
—Do you think... I could go see Max now?
Elion nodded with a slight smile.
—Sure. I need to go out for a while too, to get more supplies. I won't be long.
Hael frowned when he heard this.
—Are you going out alone again?
—Don't worry, this time I'm going with some friends.
—Is Aslan going too?
—Yes, he's going too.
—Take care of yourselves... and come back safely.
—Don't worry, we will. I promise I won't stray too far — replied Elion, as he began to clear the plates.
—All right —said Hael, still with concern in his eyes—. And if you can... bring me a cookie or some chocolate.
Elion chuckled softly.
—Of course.
He turned to Althea.
—And you, can you take Hael with you to see Max? — he asked with a kind but firm look —. I want him to be with you too. Just in case.
Hael narrowed his eyes.
—What? Why do I have to go with her?
— Because I trust you. And because I'll feel better if you're together —Elion leaned down slightly to be at his brother's height—. Okay? Please, Hael.
The boy sighed heavily, crossing his arms dramatically.
—Fine... but only because you asked.
—Thank you —said Elion, then looked at both of them—. Go ahead. I'll finish washing these dishes and catch up with you. Hael, can you show Althea around a bit? Just a quick tour while I finish up.
—What? Seriously? I have to be a tour guide too? — Hael protested, clearly annoyed.
Elion shot him a look.
—Yes, seriously. Come on, just for a little while. Do it for me.
Hael snorted.
—Ugh… fine. But I'm not going to act like I like it.
They both left and began to descend the stairs to the first floor. Althea followed him silently, while Hael walked ahead with his hands in his pockets, his steps somewhat reluctant.
—Well —Hael began half-heartedly, pointing without turning around—, these are the stairs, this is the courtyard... and those are the houses. Four of them. Two of them have two levels, one has three... and another has four, as you can see.
Althea looked at him in disbelief.
—Are you kidding me?"
Hael shrugged.
—Well, I don't know what you were expecting, but that's all I have to say. If you like it, fine, and if you don't... I don't care.
Althea pursed her lips in annoyance, but held back. It wasn't worth arguing about.
At that moment, she heard footsteps behind her. She thought it was Elion, who had already caught up with them, but when she turned around...
It wasn't him.
It was a slightly tall, thin man with a lanky appearance, his green hair sticking out slightly from under the hood of his black sweatshirt. He had a cigarette between his lips, and a metal baseball bat rested on his shoulder.
He looked at her with a carefree expression, but his eyes fixed on her with obvious distrust.
—And who are you supposed to be? — he asked bluntly, in a hoarse voice—. How did you get here?