𝔹𝕖𝕥𝕨𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕍𝔼𝕀𝕃 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝟙
~ 17~

I looked around the small house, a man sat on the chair facing a hearth, glancing at the woman briefly before his eyes landed on me his brows raising as he looked at me suspiciously.

Maybe I would like to test my survival capabilities outside, what could be so bad? Maybe if came across a wolf could outrun it but… I’ve already entered the wolf’s den I don’t think I have much of a chance of survival. I thought as a shifted uncomfortably.

“Raylan this is…” The woman began before looking at me surprised. “I never got your name.” The woman said as she looked at me with a tender smile.

Here’s hoping the poor child didn’t have the same name as me. I thought as I looked at her with a gentle smile. “Zaphira,” I said calmly as I looked at the woman ignoring the scary man in the corner.

Almost as if I said something upsetting. Oh my God please don’t she had the same name as me. I prayed as I looked down at the wooded floor.

“Quite a unique name.” The man said with a semi-deep voice as he rose from the chair and walked towards me. “Names Raylan and this is my wife, Evelyn.” He said as he put his hand out to mine.

Nervously I gripped his hand firmly as he shook it. The man looked at me smiling almost pleased by the handshake. “What a fine grip you have their girl, quite stronger than many men I’ve shaken.” He said sounding proud.

“Thanks…” I said confused.

“You must be hungry; I made some food earlier before I went outside,” Evelyn said as she gestured for me to sit down. Raylan smiled as he pulled out a chair for me, while Evelyn went to the hearth and opened the giant pot.

Okay at least they got something right, straw and wooden homes with a hearth inside, good job Little Cottage on The Countryside. I thought giving credit to one of my favorite TV shows for getting it pretty accurate.

“How long are you staying?” Raylan asked as he sat down on another chair across from me.

“Just for the night, we're hoping she can find her way home soon,” Evelyn said as she put a bowl in front of me.

“How long have you been out there?” Raylan asked as he gestured with his hands to Evelyn.

Damn now, what do I say? I can’t say I just woke up here on a muntin and is from another world entirely…. Can I? Wait when did the witch trials begin again?

“Umm, only about two days I keep ending up in the same spot over and over again clearly I’m walking in circles.” I finally said as I thought of the last time I dreamt of this place, appearing on top of the mountain.

Evalyn looked surprised as she placed some bread next to my bowl. I glanced down at the strange food in the bowl, the colors not looking so appetizing.

I guess that’s another thing history got right their food looks so… Spoiled I don’t know how they can eat it I’m worried for them. I thought as I took a spoonful of it in my mouth preparing for the taste bad.

“How do you like it?” Evelyn asked as she sat down on the chair beside me.

“It’s really good, it’s different from what I normally eat but it tastes really, really good,” I said eating more of it.

“See Evelyn, I told you, your food was delicious you should listen to me more,” Raylan said laughing.

I smiled as the couple chuckled to themselves. “I guess you’re right I’m sorry sweetheart for not listening to you,” Evelyn said.

“Zaphira, I know we haven’t known each other for very long or… At all but I could not allow a young defenseless girl to wander the streets by herself.” Raylan said as he glanced at me, his expression serious.

I looked at him confused, even Evelyn looked confused as we both looked at him curiously.

“Zaphira, I would like it if you stayed for a while, just until you can understand and figure out how to find your way home,” Raylan said sincerely as she looked at his wife.

“Raylan…” Evelyn said as she looked at her husband with sad eyes.

“I know that my wife would love the company, another woman to talk to, to pass her days when I am not home.”

My heart tugged as I glanced at Evelyn her sad eyes as she looked at me, torn between her feelings and what she thought was right.

“I couldn’t do that, I would not want to impose on you and your wife, it must be hard as it is to feed yourselves, I don’t want to be another mouth to feed,” I said thinking of every historical event that led to famine and food shortages.

Raylan looked at me, his eyes intrigued as he looked at me almost as if I said something amazing.

“You truly are a blessed child, but I insist we have the means to feed ourselves happily and we do not find your presence a burden, certainly not Evelyn.”

“Please Zaphira, I could not live with myself if something happened to you, it is so dangerous outside so many monsters and creatures,” Evelyn said almost terrified.

I thought for a moment, the gentle sound of the fire crackling from the hearth as they waited in anticipation for my reply.

I mean what could be the harm? I have an interesting family in the dream world in the medieval era, I learn about interesting things and could make lots of friends in this world then wake up and tell Blaine all about it.

I thought almost a little too excitedly. Then again, I feel really bad, I mean they’d be expecting me to find my way home, to a village and a family to a house that doesn’t exist other than when I wake up. They would be taking care of me for nothing.

I could feel Evelyn touch me her warm soft hands resting on my knuckles. I glanced at her as she smiled.

“Okay, if you guys really do not mind having me,” I said faster than I could stop myself. I guess it can’t be helped it’s already been said can’t regret it now. I thought as I smiled at both of them.

“Splendid! I have a bed you can have, for now, tomorrow I will go out and look for a fur blanket, it will be much warmer than this thin fabric.” Raylan said happily as he rose to his feet.

“Sweetie are you sure would be able to afford such an expensive blanket?” Evelyn asked surprised.

“Raylan, I don’t need a fur blanket, like I said I don’t want to be putting you guys out,” I said reminding him.

“It is not a problem Zaphira; you’re going to need a warm blanket we can’t have you getting sick can we.” He spoke. Raylan looked at us as we frowned. Concerned Raylan kissed Evelyn on the forehead then ruffled my hair before turning towards the door.

“Don’t worry girls we are fine if we were in trouble, I would tell you.” He said before disappearing out the door.

“I thought he said he was gonna wait till tomorrow,” I said as I moved towards the small bed with the one pillow that looked like it was made of straw.

“Did he say tomorrow? I know Raylan says he’s going to wait till tomorrow but I can guarantee you by the time you wake up the blanket will be on you.” Evelyn said as she moved towards the big bed with two small pillows.

I shook my head crawling onto the bed. It feels like one of those… What were they called? They were those weird cots that I’ve seen in my childhood, there not very comfortable but good for what they served their purpose for. I thought as I lowered my head on the flat pillow.

Okay, I miss my pillows already this is too hard to lie on how are they not sore all the time? I wrapped myself with the thin blanket staring at the hearth as the flames danced. This is very relaxing, it’s Like camping. I thought as I closed my eyes and listened to the crackle of the flames.

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