All I Have Are the Stars

Chapter Three - "Valerie?"

The trails were getting less and less obvious as the ground hardened from the muddy form it was in the morning. Agitated, he focused on disruptions in the dirt and grass instead as he ventured on. A rock torn up here, patches of muddy grass here, all leading to the same place. Noah was more determined than ever to track down this thief. No, they weren't a thief, but a lousy, suicidal, sad creature who was just waiting for their day to come. Noah didn't care if he had to kill the thief to get his Ashlynn back. Maybe that's what the thief wanted, to be killed by another to be sent to heaven. 'So be it,' He thought, 'if they want to get to heaven, I'll happily allow them too. It'll only be the most agonizing experience they've ever suffered.' He chuckled at the thought of what he'd do to the thief as he kept on walking forward. The sounds of the village were in earshot, and the lack of tracks didn't bother Noah so much. He thought, no, he knew the thief was hiding here. Hiding lazily in the local inn, just waiting for somebody to break into his space. Just waiting for Noah's wrath to claim what was rightfully his.

He walked normally amongst the townspeople, as if he didn't just not show his face for a whole year. As if the entire town thought he was rotting away in his cabin. Alone. Everybody looked normal, though. The carts were wheeling with animals and grains and the people were bustling about as normal. Noah was drawn to the small grocer, the same one who delivered him food by his doorstep when he wouldn't show his face for months. The only one who was concerned for his health, at least a little bit. The bell on the door rang as Noah opened it. He was greeted by Valerie, the tall, elegant women who owned the shop. Her dark skin lit up and her face contorted into what looked like a mixture of shock and relief. She rang up the customer in line, and waltzed around the counter she worked behind to pull him into a hug. Noah stiffly stood there, frozen, unable to react.

"Noah! Finally! Oh, you have no idea how long it's been, do you?" She's attracted the attention of regular patrons with her cheerful tone at his presence. She finally stopped the embrace, yet kept her hands on his shoulders as she shook him. "I was worried sick! I thought you might've not been getting my deliveries, or maybe you had been kidnapped? My head was spewing nonsense on your whereabouts. Why haven't you visited?"

Noah didn't know how to react to any of this. She was concerned about him? She wanted to know his whereabouts? She made sure he was fed?

She cared?

Keeping a cool expression, Noah responded. "My apologies, Valerie, I've just been so caught up in my work and my tutoring. I must've lost track of time." He plastered his best smile as Valerie scoffed at his excuse. She let go of his shoulders, walking back to behind the counter. Noah followed, although he thought he would've left by now.

"Lost track of time?" She quickly rang up another customer, making sure to carefully check each egg in the patrons basket. "How could you let a year slip past you like that? And not once coming back here to visit? Or at least to get the basic necessities for living. When was the last time you bought clothes? Or had your shoes repaired? When was the last time you spoke to someone?" She rambled, genuinely concerned for Noah. When he did regularly visit, she deep down thought of him as a nephew who she would care for. Somebody who secretly needed family.

The last question struck Noah in his already open wounded heart. His face showed no emotion, but his insides were screaming at him to leave before she found out. Leave before she caught onto why he was alone. He looked up to the ceiling, half expecting meteors to come crashing out of the sky, took a breath, and mustered up an excuse which he hoped would keep her concerns at bay. For his sake and hers.

"You're familiar with the woodland creatures which play in the forest, right? Well, I've become so accustomed to them, and them to me, so I talk to them as...friends. I send them out to fetch me food or a torn jacket repair. Please don't be so worried, Valerie, I've been perfectly fine. Actually, I came into town today because I missed you. And, of course, Mr. Horus's fresh baked ciabatta. More so the ciabatta." He smoothly transitioned into a more lighthearted tone, it seemingly working. Valerie laughed as she threw one of her baked rolls at him. He caught it and took a bite out of it, smiling. She sighed as she grabbed a premade grocery bag she kept under the counter.

"I saved this for you, just in case. I'm glad to see you back around, Noah." She smiled sweetly as she placed the bag on the counter. Noah couldn't help but feel a little good inside that somebody actually missed him. Somebody who he respected. The crows feet around her eyes crinkled as she pushed the bag to him, amused by his slight change of face. "You think you're so stoic, yet I can read you so well."

He chuckled, dropping the act for just a moment. "It's a skill I've had to master, and I think I'm pretty good at it, thank you very much." He took the bag off the counter, almost forgetting why he came into town, and then set it quickly onto the surface again.

"I'll pick it up later, if you don't mind, I have some...business to attend to." His eyes shifted a little at Valerie's knowing glare. After what seemed like forever, she shrugged, sorting the baked goods in the display case.

"Oh, alright. I don't think I'll ever understand you, Noah." She chuckled, looking up at him again.

"I promise I will! I really must be going. It was enjoyable speaking to you again, Valerie." He mock-bowed at her.

"The pleasure was all mine, dear Noah." She waved him off jokingly, taking care of more customers. As he was walking out the door, her eyes lit up knowingly, yet with a hint of curiosity. She yelled to him as he left. "Oh! Tell Ashlynn she's welcomed anytime as well!"

Noah stopped, door slightly ajar, as his shoulders tensed. He yelled back quickly, trying to conjure up the same energy. "Will do." He marched out towards the direction of the Moonglow Inn, remembering why he decided to socialize again. Why he decided to open up.

Worst mistake he's ever made.