Episode 3. Confusion

This makes no sense. How am i wanted? I haven't done anything to warrant me being wanted by nobles. I could feel the panic welling up inside me. Thoughts i never considered reality were coming up. Will i be executed? Am i a criminal? What have I done? What about Ava and Nevaeh? They will become slaves to whoever finds them. 

I can feel my heart beating in my ears. My breaths are getting heavier. I have to calm down. The people behind the door are wating for my response and anything I say may be used against me later, or something. 

I take a deep breath and speak clearly and loud enough for them to hear me properly.

-"I know no such man so please be on your way."

-"We apologize for your inconvenience.  We will be on our way."

They said that, but I can't hear them walking away. I put my ear closer to the door to hear what they are doing.  They are still not moving. Maybe I should look through the window? If they see me, I'm as good as dead. It's too risky, I'll just walk back to Ava and Nevaeh to see how they are doing. 

I lift the rug and knock on the hatch two times and then another two times to let them know it's safe. 

-"Are the people gone?" Ava asked anxiously. 

-"Were they bad guys? Did you beat them up?" Nevaeh is more excited to hear about my supposed fight I had with the people behind the door, but she's always been like that.

I pat both of them on the head and say that everything is alright. I also didn't beat anyone up, who do I look like? 

I get an exaggerated sigh from this little goblin. I pinch Nevaeh's cheek hard enough for it to not hurt, but with enough strength to make her cheek red. 

-"Ow! That hurts! Leave me alone!" She stomps off into the kitchen and I hear one of our chairs creak on the floor. Fufufu, she wanted me to leave her alone, but is now sitting on the eating table where we are going to eat soup. 

I ask Ava if she's hungry and she storms off into the kitchen where her sister is. I take that as a yes. I decide to follow suit and walk into the kitchen to feed them my glorious soup. I take their bowls and fill them up. They look eager to eat, but wait for me to have my own bowl filled before eating. 

I also need to thank Ava for helping her big brother out.

-" Thanks for setting the table, Ava, it was a big help." 

-"You're welcome!" She says, obviously happy that I thanked her for her efforts. What a cute little girl. 

-"Alright, let's eat!" I tell them and we all begin eating. 

The soup is mostly made out of water and vegetables. It has no meat or any other animal in it. Not that we don't want it, but because we can't afford it. Every now and then the farmers will give me a discount on their chicken, but even then I tell them it's out of my price range. It makes me feel so pathetic that I can't even buy something so simple. This shabby house if it you can even call it that. One room and a kitchen. I want to get away from this entire village. 

How are my sisters, though? They probably don't worry as much as I do. I ask them how school is and they tell me how they have gotten some friends. They play together, but sometimes the boys like to pick on them. Nevaeh then proudly talks about how she beat the boys up and now they don't even dare to pick on them again. 

I can't help but laugh. My laugh causes them to laugh and now we are all breaking dinner etiquette by laughing at the dinner table. We all laugh for a solid 30 seconds before I calm down.  Ava quickly follows. Nevaeh is still grinning, but she calms down, as well. 

-"So I can rest assured that you two are happy at school?" I ask them.

They both nod. That's good. I would die if all my efforts to make them look presentable were in vain. That's probably why the teachers treat them well, too, since they didn't mention anything bad about the teachers. I let out a burdened sigh. My shoulders feel lighter now. 

We all finish eating and I'm cleaning the bowls and spoons. Ava is cleaning the table of any accidental spills and Nevaeh went to sleep. I tell Ava that she doesn't have to clean the table and that I will do it. She can just go to sleep and I will take of everything. 

-"Okay, goodnight, Vidarr." She yawns on her way back to the bedroom. She's obviously tired and decides to help me. 

-"Goodnight, Ava, sleep wel-"

The door suddenly bursts open and three men in black clothes come inside the house. My entire body is in shock. I can't react. What is happening? A tall man tries to reach for Ava and she screams.

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