“Doctors are useless.” Dru said, as though anyone had asked her.

Wrena elbowed her cousin and shot her a glare.

“Unless you have a broken leg or something.” Dru amended.

Captain Thompson ignored this very productive comment entirely. “He’s on bed rest for a few days.” He said. “If you boys could help me keep him there, and reasonably happy . . . Well, quiet anyway, I would sure appreciate it.”

“Of course.” Prin said.

Elwin cast a look his way. Prin’s eyes were shiny pools of sea. He felt responsible for all of it. Although Elwin wasn’t sure over excitement had anything at all to do with Valor’s illness. And the only one who could keep him quiet and calm would be himself.

Maybe Dru was right. If only about this one particular thing, ever.

“We could read to him.” Elwin said, trying to school the reluctance out of his voice.

“Boys and their books.” Dru rolled her eyes. “What he needs is fresh air, maybe the beach. And a girlfriend. Or boyfriend, you know, whichever.”

“We tried that.” The captain said.

Wrena spoke, or more like yelled, over her father. “Fresh air isn’t going to cure seizures! What are you, nuts?”

“No, but it might do something for depression.” Dru said. “If you’re going to be miserable either way, you might as well be happy!”

“So you can die with a smile on your face!?” Wrena exclaimed.

“Enough!” Captain Thompson bellowed. “What did I just say about calm?”

“All of you, be quiet.” Mrs. Frances said in a terse tremulous voice. “What if he were to hear you? No one is dying, with a smile or otherwise.”

To Elwin it seemed as though they were all catastrophizing just a bit, but it didn’t seem productive to mention it. So he just looked down at his feet and tried to act contrite. Not that he did anything.

“Sorry Frances.” The captain said it on all of their behalf.

“We’re all trying our best.” Mrs. Frances said gently. “There isn’t much more one can do. After that it’s in the hands of the gods. At least we have a safe haven here in this house.”

“All he’s got in here is cats and dust.” Dru muttered under her breath. Truly tempting fate.

“What did you say about my housekeeping?” Mrs. Frances said, in a tone of outraged shock typically reserved for acts of the utmost blasphemy. “You’re on thin ice young lady!”

“No one ever takes anything seriously!” Wrena turned around and stomped out of the kitchen. Done with any and all of their bullshit.

“Alri-iight, none of us have had enough sleep.” Captain Thompson said. “Nap time for all. Come on.” He ushered the remaining young people out of Mrs. Frances’s kitchen, before they could jeopardize him getting a good supper later by further antagonizing the chef.

At this rate it would be roofing nails and mud puddle water for sure.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Instead of going to their room for a nap, Prin and Elwin headed to Valor’s room. Elwin could tell that Prin was really worried for his friend. As though the collective anxiety of the others had just added to his own, growing the burden.

Elwin half expected to see Mrs. Frances’s assistant lurking in the shadows, like some kind of ghoul, since she had been notably absent from the kitchen. But no, all was quiet and Valor was alone save for his cats.

The boy was doll-like nestled among the pillows, his grey night shirt giving his pale skin an even more cadaverous pallor. His hair was tousled in his face, partially obscuring his eyes. A cat was stretched out on each side of him, like matching book ends.

Maybe Dru was right about the fresh air and sunshine too. A broken clock twice a day and all that.

“Was the doctor just awful?” Prin asked as soon as the door was shut behind them. He had his own decidedly mixed experiences with those of the profession. Negative more often than not.

Elwin Went to the window and closed the curtain. It had only been open a crack anyway, but he still couldn’t entirely shake the feeling of being watched. The oil lamp would be enough light.

“Hmm?” Valor tilted his head as though having just realized he was there. “Oh, Prin. No, he’s okay. Or rather, yes, he’s awful but only in the boring old typical way. He’s just about the only one on the island. I think.”

“How are you?” Elwin asked. He really just wanted a casual way to let Valor know he was in the room, in case he hadn’t realized it yet. Before anything may get awkward.

“I’m fine.” Valor said. “Just tired. I don’t know why everyone’s making a big deal.”

Prin sat down beside him, and the black cat moved to the other side with its sibling to make space. Was Prin another one of Valor’s pets?

“They’re just worried about you. And love you.” Elwin said.

“Pfft, sure.” Valor said.

“Of course they do.” Prin said.

“Do you need anything to eat or drink?” Elwin wondered. He sat down beside Prin, causing him to be squished closer to Valor, but he didn’t seem to mind being the middle of the sandwich.

“No.” Valor said. “I’m sure old Frances will see fit to bring a tray soon anyway.”

“You do know everyone loves you and is concerned about you, right?” Prin asked.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Valor said. “We have more important things to discuss anyway.”

“But—” Prin protested.

Valor rapped on the side of Prin’s head with his knuckles. “Knock knock.”

“Uhhh, who’s there?” Prin asked.

“You’re wanted for murder.” Valor said.

“Oh right, I forgot.” Prin said. His voice sounded like someone ran over his puppy. “It’s bad enough to have the guilt of having done something, but then to be accused of it too? That’s too much.” He gave Elwin a watery smile to show that he was joking. Elwin wasn’t so sure.

“It doesn’t matter. We’ll figure it out.” Elwin put his arm around him.

“That’s all I’m trying to say, we have some figuring to do.” Valor said. “You really did forget, I’m sorry.”

“O-ooh, just for a few minutes. It’s okay. It couldn’t last anyway . . .” Prin said. “It’s just kind of a gut punch every time my mind gets lifted off of it for just a minute and then it comes crashing back down.”

“Those guys won’t dare come back around here again.” Elwin said.

“Oh they will, yes they will.” Valor said. “I mean, they won’t make it past the yard unless they want to try their hands at breaking and entering. But they’ll try, is what I mean.”

“I think we could outrun them.” Prin said. “How far will they chase us?” He gave a woeful laugh. “We know how hard it is to chase someone down once they get a little distance. It’s a big world. We need to get moving anyway, hanging around here isn’t getting me any closer to –” Prin lowered his voice, as though he had also got the sense that someone was watching or eavesdropping on them, or just didn’t want to take the chance. “lifting the curse.”

He was scared. Elwin hugged him to his side. “The only question is how.”

“Prin. . . These guys are not you. The two of you are just kids from the boonies who were already days behind when you started and didn’t have any money either, right?” Valor said. His hand reached out and he patted around on Prin’s leg until Prin put his hand where he could find it. Valor took his hand and held it a little too tight. Elwin felt him flinch.

“We’re older than you are.” Prin said.

“That’s not my point. My point is these guys have experience and resources, you have no idea, really, how long and how far they would chase you.” Valor said.

“Well, hell.” Prin said. “What am I supposed to do then?”

“They’re only after you because they suspect you. As, far as they know, the last person to have seen her alive.” Valor said. “All you have to do is make them suspect someone else.” Valor said this with some satisfaction and a little smile, as though he had figured it all out and all Prin and Elwin had to do was thank him.

“It might be easier just to eat them.” Prin said.