“Well, this is quite nice.” Mrs. Houper smiled as she entered the kitchen. Seren looked up from their breakfast and smiled. She swept Seren’s long hair back out of their way.

“Hurry up, we have-” Mr. Asche started but was abruptly hushed by Mrs. Houper.

“Don’t rush the child,” she said. “WE don’t want them to choke.”

“Mrs. Houper, the day is not getting any younger.”

“And neither are you, slow down and enjoy the company.” Mrs. Houper brought the pot of coffee over and refilled Mr. Asche’s mug. He huffed and looked down at Seren who shrugged. They’d finished their breakfast and only scraps remained on their plate.

“I’m finished,” Seren wiped their hands and face on a napkin.

“You sure? I’m sure Kalyani wouldn’t mind making up another egg or more toast.” Mrs. Houper offered. Seren grinned but shook their head.

“No thank you, I’m full.” They said and slid off the barstool.

“Good, this break has been a bit longer than I would have liked. We’re going to have to hurry too catch-up.” Mr. Asche stood up. Falling right back down to the stool. The coffee spilled onto the counter and Mrs. Houper gasped like a scream.

“Are you alright?” Mrs. Houper rushed around Seren. Seren was in a trance, their entire body felt vacant as they were taken to another place.

“I’m fine, stood up too fast.” Mr. Asche grumbled and let Mrs. Houper help him up.

“Are you sure?” She asked. “Here let me see,”

“It’s just lack of sleep,” he said. Standing back up again.

“Seren, hey.” Kalyani whispered. Snapping her fingers in their face a few times.

“Huh?” They said as they snapped out of their trance.

“You good?” She asked.

“Yeah, I think so.” Seren nodded, still haunted.

“Good, upstairs.” Mr. Asche commanded, Seren jumped like a spell had broken.

“Right!” They Said, turning and running for the stairs. Kalyani stopped Mr. Asche and whispered something before letting him go again. Seren reached the study first and stared down the staircase, waiting for Mr. Asche to catch up. Instead, they heard him call from the bottom of the stairs. Seren ran back down the stairs to where Mr. Asche was having a very heated discussion with Mrs. Houper.

“Fine!” He snapped. Turning to Seren which made them step back, where they tripped over the stairs and fell back onto the stairs. “Go tell your father we’re going on a trip.”

“Oh. To where?” Seren said in shock, but Mr. Asche wasn’t paying attention to them anymore.

“Does that make you happy?” He asked Mrs. Houper, she pursed her lips and starred sharply at him over her glasses.

“No, but I accept the compromise.” She said, turning back to the kitchen. Mr. Asche turned to Seren, seemingly surprised to see them.

“What are you still doing here? Go!”

Seren jumped up and rushed to the front door. Pausing to pull their shoes and coat on before running off into the snow. They ran all the way to their house and shouldered their way through the door violently.

“Sh- Seren!” Their dad caught himself before swearing as he jumped at the sudden noise. “What’s happening?” Out of breath, Seren exhaled an explanation in a single unintelligible breath.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Whoa, slow down.” Their dad put his sketchbook down on the table and went to Seren’s side. “‘What’s going on?”

“Mr. Asche says we’re going on a trip.” Seren panted, every word taking up a whole breath.

“What? To where?” Their dad asked, alarmed. Seren shrugged, they turned to run back but their dad caught their arm. “N0, you are not allowed to just go with him to gods know where for who knows what.”

“But I’m still working right now,” Seren objected.

“Well then I’m going over there to tell him you aren’t going.” Their dad said, grabbing his coat off the table. Seren felt their stomach crawling up their throat again.

“I can do it, it’s okay.” Seren placed themselves between their dad and the door.

“Seren, I’m fine.” Their dad said sternly. He knelt down to their eye-level. “What’s wrong? What is it that has you on edge?” Seren played with their hands. Anxiously cracking their knuckles and picking at their nails.

“I don’t want to go back to the way things were.” Seren said slowly. “We have food in the house, and we’re gonna go get new clothes and blankets this weekend. None of those things we’d be able to do without me working. And think of how much I’ll make today! I want to live better than this. I want a house that doesn’t shake when the door shuts. I want to run around the house without needing shoes and three coats cause there's no heating. I want to go into stores without people sneering at me. I want to see something nice and buy it cause I can!” Their dad’s eyes watered but he quickly stood up and rubbed his face.

“All right, I understand.” He sighed, “But I still have to put my foot down here. Just do me a little favor okay?”

“Okay?” Seren asked suspiciously.

“Just don’t overwork yourself? For me? Don’t hurt yourself working? Money can always be remade but your body won’t always be able to heal. Okay?” Their dad pulled Seren into his arms and squeezed them tightly.

“Okay, I promise.” Seren agreed.

“Thanks,” Their dad said. “All right, let’s go have a word.” Seren nodded and took their dad’s hand. Together they left their house and made the trek through the snow back to the Summer district.

When they got to Mr. Asche’s house, the front was blocked by a large black covered carriage and two horses. The modest cargo hold was being loaded with a wicker basket.

“I don’t think I’ve ever ridden in a carriage before.” Seren said. Hoping their dad would change his mind and let them go. However, their dad didn’t respond or even seem to hear them. They rounded the back of the carriage where the staff were congregated, gossiping amongst themselves as they took their time placing the basket into the cargo space. On the front porch, Mrs. Houper and Mr. Asche stood discussing something heatedly. Mr. Asche saw their dad and sighed. Seren waved excitedly and he curtly ended his discussion with Mrs. Houper and descended the steps to meet Seren and their dad.

“Clark, I didn’t expect to see you so soon.” Mr. Asche said, obviously not happy to see him.

“Eric.” Seren’s dad said with equal tense annoyance. “I don’t think Seren should go outside the city alone-”

“Get in then.” Mr. Asche said without waiting for Seren’s dad to finish. Which stopped Seren’s dad mid-word. Mr. Asche had retreated back up the stairs and Seren looked up at their dad excitedly.

“Wait a minute!” Their dad said, dropping Seren’s hand to follow Mr. Asche up the steps.

“Dad! You didn’t want me to go alone, I won’t be if you come along so let’s go!” Seren ran close and grabbed his hand and jumped up and down excitedly. Pulling him toward the carriage, their dad resisted but couldn’t compete with Seren’s energy and health. They pulled him to the carriage and Seren jumped in.

The inside of the carriage had two velvet upholstered seats opposite of each other and a wood floor. The windows had dark closed curtains with little hooks for the curtains to be held back.

“Ooh…” Seren breathed as they sat. Their dad sighed and sat beside them and covered his face.

“Isn’t this exciting?” Seren bounced up and down, rocking the whole carriage.

“Serenity, sit still.” Mr. Asche said as he entered the carriage.

“Right, sorry.” Seren stopped moving and their dad snapped a sharp glare at Mr. Asche as he sat opposite of them.

“They can’t help it,” their dad said.

“Sure, they can, look.” Mr. Asche pointed at Seren who was doing their best to sit perfectly still. Their dad just gave a long sigh and a look. Mr. Asche didn’t acknowledge it and instead pulled a hidden cord; a bell rang from somewhere outside the carriage. With a lurch the carriage got started and Seren began bouncing again.

“We’re moving!” They giggled excitedly.

“Sit still,” Mr. Asche said again. Seren stopped bouncing. “It’s a long ride, try to keep yourself entertained.”

“Where exactly are we going?” their dad asked.

“Outside the city to a smaller farm town.” Mr. Asche pulled a book out of a small travel bag.

“Why?” Their dad asked.

“You’re free to get out at any time.” Mr. Asche said without looking up from his book. Seren turned to see what their dad would do; he settled back and crossed his arms with a deep frown.

“Can I open the curtains?” Seren asked. Trying to refrain from bouncing in their seat.

“Go for it,” Mr. Asche said. Seren carefully pulled the curtains apart and looked out the window excitedly. Unable to help bouncing when the city gates came into view and opened for them to leave the city.