Ella was a godsend.

She brought much more than I had even expected. Basic foodstuffs, staples, and even a bag of dog food and treats which we had to hide very high up in the pantry (Max went crazy for the stuff). I asked her who was watching Kiandra and she simply answered family, without going into it any further. I didn’t press. For the first time, I sensed a wall up with her, an intensity.

I understand. Family isn’t something I like to go into either. Ever.

I changed the topic and the mood shifted. We began to talk about farm life while Ella made herself at home in my kitchen, preparing us two cups of tea and breaking out some more baked goods. I told Ella about everything I’d done so far and how good it felt to be working with my hands, even though I was still relatively clueless. I told her about the tomato plants, the crows, and my brief new stint as a lumberjack.

“I’m so lucky I met you, I don’t know how I’d be surviving without your assistance, I’m clueless as a farmer… although I feel like I’m learning fast, did you see the scarecrow?” I asked.

“I did,” she giggled. “Very fetching.” Ella paused and fiddled with her hands as if she was struggling to say something important. “George, I’m lucky too. You know I’m usually very shy, some people are scared of me because I’m an elf.”

“What? Why would that scare them?” I asked. “I mean, you are absolutely stunning. I’m sorry but I have to be honest.”

Ella went a shade of crimson I had yet to see on her at that comment. She mumbled something unintelligible and twirled her hair. I smiled watching her, not caring that she saw me stare. Max barked at us both and Ella jumped a little in her chair, startled.

“Max!” I said crossly, “What is it?”

Max barked again looking at the door. I sighed, annoyed at him for ruining the moment. Ella looked at me. “It seems like he wants to go outside.”

We got up from the table, opened the door, and followed Max into the moonlit fields. The sky was black. It had gotten late. Max sniffed the ground intently and we tailed him into the brush a little ways before he stopped and started whining and barking. He would go no further. It seemed as if something had upset him, perhaps even frightened him. I walked over to the edge of the brush and looked up and down but found nothing.

Then I heard a jingling sound and saw a rustling of leaves just ahead of me. I stopped dead in my tracks and behind me, Ella gasped. Max growled and darted into the bushes. I saw a blur of movement and then chaos erupted. Ella shouted, I called for Max and I heard a growl and a yelp.

I charged into the brush, feeling myself get pricked and scraped by all sorts of branches and shrubs. Max whined, clearly suffering the same types of injuries and both of us very quickly turned around and exited, defeated and having given up the chase.

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[ Health: 95 / 100 ]

I dismissed the notification angrily and I bent at the knees, panting. I was well aware of my own injuries without a system notification. I looked at Max and he swallowed his lolling tongue, looking at me guiltily as if he sensed my irritation. We had found nothing.

I heard a jingling sound and looked down. Well, almost nothing. I kicked at an object in the dirt and the sound rang out again. It was a collar with three bells on it. I picked it up and turned it over. It was made of black leather. I shook it to see if anyone or anything would come out to claim it. But there was no sign of any more movement. Nothing.

“Strange, very strange,” I murmured as I put it in my inventory.

Ella shivered. “That was a little scary, maybe we should get back.”

I nodded. “Yes, we should.” I led her by the hand and her fingers entwined into mine. I felt a rush of excitement at her touch but reminded myself she was just scared, it didn’t necessarily mean anything. Max patrolled us from behind.

Ella relaxed by the time we got back, smiling again when we were at the door and releasing her grip on me. “Sorry I got frightened, I’m not good with things like that. But I’m sure it was just a house pet that got lost.”

“Yeah, I can’t see wolves or bears having a collar like that,” I joked in return. I neglected to mention that the collar was abnormally large for a cat or small animal. It was safely tucked away in my inventory.

“Well, I’d better get going back home. It’s getting late, and I bet you have a lot of work to do around the farm tomorrow too,” Ella said, petting her horses.

“Right,” I agreed, although my heart sank a little. I’d been enjoying our time together right up until the dramatic finish

“Thank you, George. For being a friend…” Ella said and leaned over to hug me.

I opened my arms but then thought better of it, taking a step back. “I’m so sorry, but I honestly reek. I haven’t had a shower in two days. Maybe getting close isn’t the best idea.”

Ella giggled and then burst out into all-out laughter. I grinned, it was a beautiful sound. I liked it.

I laughed a little too. “Come on now, it's not my fault! I’m used to living in a place with a built-in shower. You wouldn’t believe all the amenities at that apartment Ella! I guess I was spoiled. ”

She shook her head, her silken green hair shaking from side to side. “Oh George, you truly aren’t a farmer or from around here, are you? There is a well behind your house and likely a barrel and basin for washing. Though you oughta do it in the morning, nighttime will be freezing. You also have a pond in front of the house, though it probably needs some dredging first before it can be used for much.”

I shook my head. “Unbelievable. This whole time I had a well back there and I didn’t know about it. Thank you so so much. I will do that tomorrow!”

She laughed and got on her horse and then gave me a wink. “I’ll come to collect my hug soon then, you owe me you know.” Then she rode off into the night and I shook my head.

“She’s getting more confident by the minute. I kind of like it.”

Max barked and panted.

“You think so too huh? You know bud, I think you deserve one of those new treats Ella left you. Then we better hit the hay. I’m about to get in trouble with the system. I don’t want to find out what happens when that clock goes completely red.”