Chapter Five (Amaya)

Abigail woke me up just as the sun rose. She had me fetch water from a well that was a short distance from her cottage. When I brought it back, she made porridge for breakfast and poured me a glass of beer.

“Beer for breakfast?” I asked, confused.

“Not a custom where you’re from?” she asked. When I shook my head no she replied, “it will help fill you up and give you energy for the work we need to do today. Besides it is safer to drink than water, the water around here has been making people sick.”

I nodded and took a sip. It was thick like porridge but smooth and had a bitter bite to it. I scrunched my nose as the bitter taste lingered in my mouth. I was never a beer fan.

Abigail laughed, “You get used to it, bottoms up girl. We got work to do.”

I chugged the contents and finished my porridge as she put bread, cheese, butter and a jug of beer into a basket and handed it to me as she grabbed another basket which was empty.

We left the cottage, and I followed as she went deeper into the woods. “What herbs do you need?” I asked before adding, “I know nothing about plants.”

She turned to me, smiling, reaching into what I thought was an empty basket, and passed a leather-bound book at me. “It has all my trade secrets.” She winked.

“Why are you sharing this with me? You barely know me?” I asked as I flipped through the pages. It had detailed drawings of plants and lists of what ailments they could be used for, beside the real name of a plant was a code word. For example, Lavender's code word was elf leaf.

She looked at me as if assessing me, and shrugged, “You are my apprentice. It is stuff you need to know. Granddaughter.”

“So, which ones are we looking for?”

“I need pretty much everything, especially Thyme. I use it to prevent infections.”

Nodding, I looked around and began gathering plants that looked like the ones in the book. Abigail handed me some string so I could tie them together in bunches.

Abigail looked at the sun with her hand covering her eyes. “Lunch time,” she declared as she brought the basket I had set next to a tree over. Taking a swig of beer before handing it to me, I did the same. She then buttered some bread and handed to me along with a piece of cheese.

“Thank-you.”

“So, Amaya, what is the future like?” she asked after looking around her, to ensure we were alone.

“Busy and chaotic.” I shrugged. She looked at me, wanting more. “Let’s see, there are tall buildings, and everything is made of cement, which is like artificial stone. Everyone is trying to make money, working long hours at their jobs and rushing from one place to another. Trying to pay bills, taxes and have enough money for food and necessities. A lot of people don’t know how to hunt or plant gardens anymore and rely on grocer… um kiosks for food.”

She nodded thoughtfully. “I understand taxes, but what are bills?”

“Money you pay each month for a service. Running water, electricity, phones and rent are the main ones.”

“Rent and phones?”

“You pay a monthly fee to stay in your home and phones are like letters, allowing you to communicate with other people quickly.”

“Things sure change a lot. What year are you from?”

“2022.” I responded as her eyes widened. “He really misplaced you, didn’t he?” She laughed as she finished eating.”

I nodded with a chuckle, " I guess this is his idea of a joke."

“We are done here for the day; we need to head to town. I need to pick some supplies I ordered.”

Nodding, I helped her pack up, then stood up and brushed my skirt off. Grabbing the baskets, we headed to the cottage and dropped them off before following a well beaten forest path towards town.

“How far is it to town?” I asked.

“About half an hour, I suppose. Never timed it.” She replied.

When we finally reached the town, I followed Abigail as she headed down the street leading to a store; I followed her inside.

As she spoke to the store owner, I gazed at the different things for sale.

"How are you liking your vacation, little flame?" Sin asked from behind me.

I jumped and spun around, coming face to face with Sin. “You!! Take me home right now!” I almost yelled, but instead demanded it in a whisper so I wouldn’t draw attention.

He smiled devilishly, “Sorry little flame I can't, you have work to do.” He reached out and caressed my cheek.

“What work? You kidnapped me,” I hissed.

“Shhh.” He looked around. "They might think you’re a witch, talking to yourself." He laughed as flames engulfed him and he disappeared.

“That arrogant ass…”

“Are you ready, granddaughter?” Abigail asked, raising her brows in warning. I nodded and followed her outside, running into a man walking on the street.

“I’m so sorry.” I apologized, looking up at him.

He was handsome, with a tall, broad build, short dark brown hair, and a goatee. His eyes were shades of blue, grey and green, swirling with a hint of darkness underneath.

“Don’t worry about it, Little Dove.” He spoke, his eyes seeming to capture me, entrancing me. Why was he calling me that?

Abigail bumped my shoulder gently, breaking our eye contact. Shaking my head, confused, I looked at her.

She looked at the man, “sorry sir, are you new here?”

“Yes, I'm Samuel and I’m afraid I’m lost. I’m looking for the Pastor Gideon.” He replied, still staring at me.

“He’s down the pathway there. You can’t miss it.” She pointed down the road to a tall church that stood in the distance.

He nodded, "Gooday, Little Dove." He tilted his hat and smiled, before heading in the direction Abigail had pointed in.

As soon as he was gone, Abigail turned to me.

“You stay away from that man.”

“Why? What’s wrong with him?” I asked curious, he seemed like a normal guy to me.

“He reeks of death and ill intent.”

Her words threw me, but I agreed.

Come, we need to pick up a parcel and head back to the cabin. She replied, looking over her shoulder at Samuel in unease.