He finally came back, and the moon was not quite ready to be in the middle of the sky yet. He wasn't ready to face that fucker again, he needed to brace himself. He needed to find Valerian.

"Valerian? Valerian, where are you?' he cried. He wiped his tears using the sleeve of his tunic.

"Valerian?" He called again.

"She'll be back in a minute." Rose said.

"Thanks. Oh, sorry, did I wake you?"

Rose shook her head. "I'm working on my own little project."

Matthew tilted his head. "What's that you're making?"

"A new hut for us, Valerian and I have been talking about building a house big enough for us all."

"Oh. That's nice!"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Thanks!" Rose said cheerfully.

Matthew then saw Valerian heading back. He raced over to her.

"Hey, how was the trip?" Valerian wondered.

Matthew sighed, doing his best to fight back tears. "Not good, look Valerian....you got to help me, I really need to hold that rock again!"

Valerian stopped him and then looked into his eyes. "Tell me everything."

Matthew explained the fight he had with Max.

"Valerian, I can't be near him. He's gone, there's nothing left of him!"

"Hey, let's go for a walk for a little while, take your mind off of things."

Matthew scoffed. "How will a walk help?"

"It's soothing." She said simply.

"Oh, okay."

Valerian nodded. She then looked down at Rose. "If the others get back before we do, let them know we went for a stroll."

Rose nodded in agreement.

..........................................

Matthew and Valerian strolled in silence. She was right, for a walk like this, it IS relaxing. He could do this more often.

The thought of going back knowing Max will be there, made his anxiety rise.

"Valerian, I don't think i can do this, I can't!"

Valerian then held his hand to calm his nerves.

"Look, Matthew, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about."

Matthew winced. "Valerian, you know I don't like that word."

"No Matthew, you're not in trouble. There's a favor I've been wanting from you."

"What's that?" He then asked her.

Valerian stopped to face him." If you'd like to go on a journey with me?"