It wasn’t long until they reached the edge of the forest, and there were still people out the kid’s names. An older lady who was drenched and shivering violently glances at Eden and Nova. She did a double take, but when she saw the kids, she screamed.

“Mathew!” She ran towards them pulled the child out of Edens's hand and hugged him tightly. Her body shook with sobs. The other villager noticed and came rushing over. Nova gave the kids to who she thought were their parents and took a step back.

The kids slowly woke up and hugged their parents back.

Eden glanced at Nova; she was still soaked but didn’t seem to mind. While Nova wanted nothing but a warm bath and to go to sleep. Debating on whether or not it would be rude to just leave the woman turned back to them.

“Thank you, thank you,” she repeated over and over again.

“It's no problem, you probably get them dry and warm.” Eden finally interrupted the woman’s mantra.

That seemed to strike a chord, the parents quickly ran into the buildings leaving Eden and Nova alone.

“Next time you decide to jump out a window, just don’t,” Nova sighed thinking about this day started out normal and quickly escalated. “You know what, I don’t care anymore. I’m going to bed and deal with this in the morning.”

Nova grabbed Eden’s hand and pulled her along. Eden stumbled a bit but didn’t pull away and felt warmth in her chest. Nova didn’t even bother to wake up the man at the front desk and pulled Eden up the stairs.

Nova let their hands drop and let herself fall into the bed. Eden stood silently in the doorway. Nova quickly fell asleep not even noticing Eden’s mental crisis.

Eden's heart felt like it was going to burst out of her chest. Warmth crossed her face as she sat silently on her bed. Despite staying up all day, Eden didn’t even feel a bit tired.

Even when the sun started to rise, Eden started out the window. Not a single cloud in the sky mocked yesterday's weather. Unlike yesterday, a crowd quickly gathered around the streets bustling and loud. It felt like a whole new town. The dreadful silence was now replaced with children’s laughter, people chattering loudly, and movement.

Thankfully or unthankfully, Nova didn’t stir once and left Eden to their internal screaming. Eden should process their emotions but honestly, she didn’t feel like she could. Anytime her eyes landed on Nova the panic increased.

Whether she liked it or not her mind was at a standstill.

“Eden?” Nova's voice was groggy and uncertain. Her eyes were still unfocused and barely had the strength to push herself off the bed. Her face was a bit red.

Eden placed her hand over Nova's forehead. A fever.

“You slept with your wet clothes.” Eden sighed as she pushed Nova back into the bed. Nova whined and grabbed Eden’s hand. No matter how much Eden tugged at her hand, Nova wouldn’t let go. “Fine, you win.”

Grumbling, Eden sat on the floor next to the bed as she held Nova's hand. Tucking herself into a ball, Eden hummed softly. Eventually, Nova fell asleep, and Eden managed to her hand free.

Quietly, Eden left the room and walked downstairs. The man that was asleep before was wide awake scribbling down in a book.

“Pardon me, I like to order some food.”

The man finished his writing before looking up, “of course, do you have any preferences?” The man seemed to study Eden before grabbing another notepad.

“If you have any soup that would be nice.”

He nodded before going through a door in the back. Eden looked back at the streets, and she sighed. Unlike the village near her area, the culture here was diverse and more chaotic. She didn’t understand how people could live here. The constant noise and new people filtering out every other day.

Perhaps the found comfort of people, the culture, the lifestyle.

Eden may find out; she has the lifespan to figure out. She can experiment with different lifestyles unlike humans who only have such a little time on this earth.

Looking at her reflection in the glass, Eden notices how unkept her hair was. Her dress ripped and dirty. Making a note to change clothes she turned back to the man coming back.

“It’s on the house,” Eden titled her head, “News spreads fast. The village owes you for helping to save the kids.” 

Eden nodded along. She didn’t understand the generosity of the man, but she wasn’t to deny free things.

“If you didn’t find them, a witch could of, or maybe one of those unholy beasts!” Eden barely was paying attention to the man’s rant.

Grabbing the two bowls of soup, Eden walked back upstairs. Nova was exactly where Eden left her, died to the world. Her breathing had evened out and she wasn’t sweating as much.

“Morning Nova,” Eden gently shook Nova. “You need to eat something, soup should be easy on your stomach.”

Nova glared Eden but took the soup and slowly ate the soup.

Eden sat back on her bed.