Shade and Dusk: Guardians of Analysia

(11) Got Meat?

When they finally reached Trixy’s house, Shade had a look around. From the outside her house looked like a simple wooden cabin but bigger, and somewhat old. It’s made out of oak wood, and Shade noticed some smoke from the chimney. It’s surrounded by a grassy area

     “Nice house,” said Ray.

     Trixy shrugged, “Do what you can to survive. Big world out there.”

     “Yeah, no kidding,” grumbled Celeste. Shade looked at her, “What’s the matter?”

     “There’s a sea creature out there that Adrian wants to kill,” said Celeste, “and you guys are okay with it?”

     “Celeste, I already told you,” reminded Ray, “this isn’t our fight. We just came here to get some food, that’s all.”

     “I have a vegetable garden out back,” said Trixy, “You’re welcome to anything you like.”

     “Great,” said Shade, “Just one request . . . you don’t happen to have a pound of meat do you?”

     Trixy blinked, “Why, yes. Though I don’t know why you would―”

     “Great!” said Shade, “Can we have some? Ray here will pay you.”

     “I will?” said Ray in surprise. Shade kicked him in the shin, “Yes, you will.”

     “Well, I don’t see the harm in that,” said Trixy, “Follow me.”

     “You guys go on ahead,” said Celeste, “I’ll hang outside.”

     “You sure?” asked Shade. Celeste nodded, “Yeah. I need some fresh air anyway.” Ray nodded, “Alright, just stay out of trouble.”

     “Come on, you know me,” said Celeste.

     Shade and Ray nodded, and when Trixy picked up some of the boxes, Ray said, “Here, let me help you with that.”

     “Why thank you,” she said.

     As the three of them went into the house, Celeste backed up a few steps, then ran toward the beach of Silvermeadow. Sea monster or not, Adrian is not going to hurt this creature. Not on her watch.

 

     Once they went inside Trixy’s house, Ray and Trixy put down the boxes next to the doorway. “Well,” said Trixy, “here we are.”

     Shade looked around. The house is small, and it appeared to only have a dining room and then a hallway leading to a couple of bedrooms as well as a bathroom. The whole house is made out of wood, and Shade saw a cauldron in a fire place for cooking food. The table is in the middle, with a bench on each side and a wooden chair on the ends. A candle held as a centerpiece, lighting the area on the table a golden light.

     “There’s really not much to look at,” said Trixy, “Here, you can―”

     “Trixy?” asked a male voice in the back, “You know you are not allowed to have guests unless I―”

     The man stopped when he saw Shade and Ray. Like Trixy, the man has darker skin, with black curly hair and somewhat of a beard. He has a polo shirt on and black pants as well, his eyes the same as Trixy’s, so they’re hazel.

     “This is my older brother Trent,” explained Trixy, “we co-work at Silvermeadow’s Market. Trent, these people stood up to Adrian. They’re alright.”

     He studied Shade and Ray, as if he still wasn’t so sure about them just yet. Finally he nodded, “Okay, so long as they don’t steal.”

     “No stealing,” Ray promised. Trixy laughed, “These kids need some food for the road. Is that all right with you?” When Trixy asked the question, it was more like a “say-yes-or-else” kind of way on how she asked. Shade could only assume that they don’t get along well most of the time.

     “You know who is in charge,” said Trent.

     “And you know who keeps the bills running and the food on the table, so I suggest you let these starving kids have some of our food. We have plenty to spare.” Trent sighed, “I hate it when you get like this.” He turned toward Shade and Ray with a pained smile, “Welcome, guests. Take some food if you like.”

     “We don’t need that much,” promised Shade, “we’ll pay you back the money also.”

     Trent grunted, then went down the hall and into a bedroom.

     “Was it something that I said?” asked Shade.

     “No dear,” said Trixy, “Trent is just . . . tempered, I guess you will say. We barely get along with each other ever since our parents left us with the house.”

     “No kidding,” mumbled Ray. Shade elbowed him in the gut.

     “Here, why don’t I get you some food,” said Trixy sweetly. Shade nodded, “Thank you.”

     Now hopefully Celeste wasn’t getting herself into any trouble.