The Fateful Heart

The sudden screech made Elliot's ears pin back for a moment, but James cooed in his ear and pet him gently.

"You're okay, buddy. It's alright."

Elliot was still a little nervous but seemed a little less on edge after some reassurance.

James turned to Evaline, watching her with concern. He hadn't been sure if she was trying to insult him backhandedly - he had been sincere - but it sounded like she was joking again, so he chose not to make a big deal of it. He was more concerned with how quickly and suddenly she'd been spooked.

First, the snake. Now, Elliot. He was glad he didn't try too much more than start with petting.

"We can be done for today," he said softly. "Are you okay?"

"Perfectly fine," she mumbled, standing up straight and shaking herself off. She just about lost all the smug points she was showing off just a minute ago.

She glanced back at James and Elliot. James did seem concerned and wanted what was best for her—which peeved her a bit because why couldn't he be strategic and just do what what was best for him? Elliot, meanwhile, didn't look like he wanted to hurt her, even if her being spooked had spooked him just a little.

She bit back a sigh. "No, let's keep going," she said as she slowly approached Elliot. "Sorry... Elliot."

Her hand brushed against his snout again, and the skepticism started to wash off her face once more.

"People like to say that animals are more afraid of you than you are of them, but I'm starting to think I am more afraid of you than you are of me."

Elliot gave her another lick, but this time, she didn't flinch.

"I'm working on that, though."

James was glad to see Evaline come back to Elliot so quickly, even after being spooked. He continued to pet Elliot along with Evaline as a soothing gesture.

"It'll come with time," he said. "I think you'll get along just fine."

"I hope so," Evaline said softly, already feeling more comfortable. She wasn't particularly excited to do this, but she was glad James had the hope and confidence in her.

James nodded, and started to lead Elliot forward once more.

"Come along, then. I want to make more progress so we can reach Riverside by tomorrow morning."

Hours passed, and they continued to walk towards the town. Occasionally they chatted when something eventful happened, like James pointing out a colorful bird in the distance, or explaining mysterious animal prints that Evaline had never seen before, but they refrained from talking about their personal lives. It seemed that the time in the cave had settled aside any doubts they had about each other, and even though there was still a lot they didn't know about each other, they knew just enough to know that they could trust each other. And that was all that mattered.

Night fell, and morning came.

The both of them continued to press on, but they would arrive at Riverside in a few miles.

The silence was peaceful as the birds chirped and the sun stretched its rays across the relaxed leaves above them, but Evaline decided to break it.

"Tell me about Riverside," she asked James after catching her breath from walking up a steep hill behind him. "What's it like?"

James could see the town over the treetops - a little collection of buildings and scattered homes on the edges, all surrounding the docks at the edge of the river. Little wisps of smoke were coming out of someone's chimney, which at least meant that the town was awake.

James paused for a moment, watching.

"Well, it's a little fishing town," he said. "But they get some produce from nearby farms a little further down the river. You'll probably like that. They mostly have peaches and corn, and there should be a little shop - lightly stocked - but enough for me to maybe find you a shirt that will actually fit you."

He might have to haggle for that one, but he would try.

Evaline stopped beside James, turning to match his gaze to see the town off in the distance. It was small and unimpressive, but it also looked cozy, inviting, and strangely familiar, like she was passing by a small rural community.

A strange sense of enthusiasm swirled in her chest. It felt exciting to finally see hints of civilization after walking nonstop for days without passing another person.

"That sounds rather nice," Evaline said, still gazing in the distance. "How does one get money anyways?" She turned to give him an impish look. "You're like my dad, buying clothes and food for me."

James scratched the back of his head and shrugged, smiling a little.

"It's the least I can do," he said. "And, uh, well, most people get money through work. It's been difficult for me to hold any kind of job at the moment, so I've been spreading myself pretty thin, doing little favors when I can for some coin, but otherwise, I'm living off what I ran away with a year ago."

Evaline pressed her lips together in thought, looking back at the little town. It sounded like he was low on money before she arrived, but now with her traveling along with him, he'll have to spend double, perhaps more, than what he spent on himself. She had no idea how this didn't stress him out, but she was grateful it didn't.

"What kinds of favors?" she asked. "Maybe I can help get you money."

That way I can help you, too. I don't want you to spend all your money on me, was what she wanted to say too, but decided to hold back.

"I appreciate it, but I don't want to be spending any more time in Riverside than we need to," James said. "We walk in, get some food, get you a shirt, and we leave. I can worry about money later. Right now I'm more concerned with you being fed, clothed, and safe. And as long as you're with me, we'll both be safer away from town."

"Okay, dad," Evaline said with a smirk. "Is there anything else I need to know about the town?"

James sighed, and started forward.

"Just let me do the talking."

Evaline frowned as James continued to walk on ahead. It felt ridiculous, but she was honestly disappointed that he wanted her to sit back and not do anything. She was getting more comfortable living in Nye, and sure, she could take a few more lessons about the world, but would it really be so bad if she could explore the town without feeling like a helpless stray dog? Plus, James was a wanted man, and she was not. She could really be an asset to him.

She hesitated before following behind him. "Are you sure it's safe enough for you to talk, though?" she insisted gently. "You said it was a risk, but it could be a lower risk if I interacted with others instead."

James kept walking.

"I'm just as concerned about your safety as I am my own," he said simply.