The fine spray of water dropped from a great height sparkling in the light. Cherry looked for the Sun but couldn't find it. What could be a light source that could not be seen or tracked across the sky, yet it aided the growth of life? Hopefully, she could find an answer to the question.

She knew this place. Thick ferns and tall trees grew near the rock face the water fell from. They were almost obscured by the banks filled with Weeping Willows dipping into the water of a mighty flowing river coursing from the clear pool of water accumulating at the bottom.

Cherry smiled. Beauty filled her senses. The clear air filled her lungs, clearing her head, and bright flowers lined both banks, their colours mixing with the green and brown of the foilage, moving back as far as the eye could see.

Turning in a circle, Cherry watched the river run away into an open field of tall grass and blooming flowers.

"I knew it existed," she whispered, "I knew it was real."

Looking around, Cherry took in her surroundings. On one side stood a tall mountain wall, stopping the expansion of the lush forest against its rocky walls. Turning to the other side Cherry took in the woods, expanding as far as the eye could see on the other side of the river. The ample space held scents Cherry had only dreamed of smelling again. Tilting her head back, she expected to see the blue expanse of the sky, but instead ... she blinked ... this treasure of beauty was encased by rock. This sanctuary was inside a mountain or a cave. Voices came to her on a breeze rippling over the beautiful surroundings. Moving toward them, she found a man and a woman sitting on a protruding rock ledge at the edge of the expansive pool, dangling their feet in the water. They chatted quietly with each other oblivious they were being watched or in the presence of another person.

"My parents," she whispered, about to draw attention to herself; something about how they sat made Cherry pause. She couldn't pinpoint where it was the sadness in their expressions or the haunted look in their eyes, but she felt a sudden need to watch them. Silently learning all she could learn about them.

"Mom, I'm here," she whispered, "over here."

But the couple continued to chat and move their feet under the water's surface. Cherry didn't understand why they didn't swim. It looked wonderfully calm and inviting. Walking toward the pool, Cherry knelt, looking at herself on the mirror-like surface. She sighed, taking in her blonde hair, pixie-shaped face and cautious expression. How did she get to a place like this? A sudden thirst rose to scorch her throat. Running her hand down her throat, she realised the extent of her parchedness. When had she last had something to drink?. Dipping her hands into the lake, she sipped; it tasted sweet, thirst-quenching and gave a peace she had not experienced for many years. Sitting in the grass, Cherry felt her eyes close. The inviting warmth embraced her as the sound of the water running, and the gentle breeze lulled her into a deep sleep.

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"She's mumbling in her sleep again," Tyron said, "do you know what that is about?"

"Probably a dream," Silas whispered, "we have more work to do. The two bedrooms have been cleared. We need to start with the kitchen and then the lounge."

"We're stripping the house of everything," Steve said, glancing at Cherry as she murmured and shifted in front of the roaring fire, "are you sure we are allowed to do this."

"You said yourself she wanted to make her own furniture," Silas said, "we're helping her get started with the new. Something tells me things will come to a head sooner than we want them to."

"What does that mean?" Tyron asked, pausing to lift a side of the kitchen table, "you've been saying all these cryptic things since Cherry showed up. Are you going to explain to us what it's all about? What all those weird trips you have taken for the past few years every few months?"

"There are things that cannot be spoken of ... yet," Silas said, "I took those trips because I wanted to and what I mean is ... my gut is telling me there will be more trouble before everything is sorted out."

"You think that Tenderhooks will burn the cabin to the ground?" Tyron asked.

"They already tried that," Silas said, "it simply gets rebuilt."

"How?" Steve asked, moving a kitchen chair out of the house and adding it to the growing pile outside.

"Beats me," Silas shrugged, "never knew how it happened. It simply did."

"How many times have the brothers tried to burn it down?" Tyron asked.

"At least twice, but their father and uncle before them tried many times," Silas said.

"You knew their father and uncle?" Tyron asked.

"Of course, grew up with them," Silas said, shaking his head, "even then, they were strange, cruel and vindictive."

"Reminds me of the Tenderhooks currently in control," Tyron shook his head, "sounds like a wonderful family to belong to."

"Oh, no one here wanted anything to do with the family," Silas said, "the brothers moved away and married women who wanted rich husbands and status. Women didn't care where that money came from as long as they were well looked after and had everything they wanted. In turn, a set of boys were presented."

"That's where the cousins come from," Steve said, nodding in understanding, "I'm guessing the original brothers brought their boys up to continue in the family business."

"You are correct," Silas sighed, "they didn't raise the boys ... they used them as tools. A big difference from their upbringing. The result being no woman worth marrying wants them as husbands."

"What goes around comes around," Tyron muttered, "didn't we hear they were trying to ... create ... children for themselves?"

"You're right," Silas narrowed his eyes, thinking, "there was that rumour."

"Let's hope they don't get it right," Steve said, shaking his head, "that could be a disaster."

"Yeah, more than you know," Tyron said, sighing as he glanced at a restless Cherry.

"It will be dawn in a few hours," Silas said, "we need to make sure it's cleared by the time Cherry wakes up so .." he waved them into motion, "stop staring at her and let's get this done."