Chapter 2: Home

Michael shut the exterior door behind Serina and they made their way down the dimly lit passage. Serina now understood a little of the reason her father had sent her to Michael. Judging by the current surroundings and Michael’s obvious skill with weapons, she would be safe, although she was somewhat concerned about being accepted into her new home. The main entrance opened and the smell of breakfast wafted through the air.

“ I see Gabriel has been busy.” Without turning her back the woman in the kitchen quipped, “You don’t think you’re the only hunter in this home, do you? Go get cleaned up and I’ll serve you a meal.”

“Eva, we have another mouth to feed.” Eva stiffened and turned. “Victor is dead. This is Serina,” said Michael. Eva momentarily contemplated the full meaning of that then regained her composure.

Evangeline immediately made Serina feel welcome and couldn’t help but notice that she needed to wash. She took her to the washroom and prepared a bath.

“Get out of those clothes…you will feel better after this.”

Serina removed her deeply soiled clothing and stepped into the tub. Eva promptly threw her clothing in the laundry chute. Contusions on her forearms and legs indicated her hardships of the last few weeks. Her ribs showed through her skin, belying her lack of food. Privacy had not been easy to come by for her in her previous home and this was no different. Serina could only wonder what they thought of her condition. She herself wondered why she was still standing. She had not eaten since she left the camp and had been without water for days, yet she felt as she could endure more. ‘Strange’, she thought to herself as she sunk into the bath and relaxed.

Serina emerged wearing one of Eva’s nightgowns and sat at the kitchen table. She was famished but Michael told her not to eat too much at first. “Thank you for havin’ me in your home.” She said, almost crying. Eva put her arm around her as Michael spoke.

“I’d have it no other way. Victor was a