Perrin set a quicker pace once they arrived in the village. For how small it was, the houses were packed close together, giving Sam a claustrophobic feeling. He was reminded of the dark alleys near his apartment, too small for even a car to fit through, but the right size for a person to hide.

  The cobblestone streets were still lit by the sun overhead, but as he stumbled past people wandering the streets, desperately trying to keep up with Perrin, Sam still wasn’t comfortable.

  “Perrin!” he huffed, reaching the intersection where he last saw his new friend before he disappeared down some street. There’s that word again. Friend. Something good, in all of this God-forsaken—

  Actually, didn’t Perrin say ‘gods’? No, wait, he had said ‘hells’. Why are there hells, plural? That’s something I’ll have to ask about later. Speaking of Perrin, wasn’t he somewhere around here? Sam shook his head, refocusing on the world around him.

  “—am? Sam! Are you all right?”

  “Yeah. I just got lost in my thoughts again. I’m still processing most of... this.”

  “You weren’t responding to anything. You were just staring.” Perrin shuddered. “Do you do that a lot? It’s a bit... scary.”

  “I’m sorry about that. You were walking so fast that I lost you, and I got distracted by something you had said back when—” Sam paused and looked at Perrin. He really was disturbed. I guess I’ll have to work on that... habit... of mine, if I don’t want to scare off my friend. “Anyways, where are we going?”

  “I’m taking you to the inn. You do plan on staying here, right?” He started walking, slower than before. Sam walked beside him as they talked.

  Considering I don’t think I have any money, “Is there anywhere I can stay for... free?”

  Perrin looked at Sam, giving him a once over again. “Why? It’s only a silver a night.”

  These clothes send the wrong message. “I, uh... don’t have any money.” That much was true. He left his wallet in his apartment before he walked to the college. Not that it would serve him any good now. Silver?

  “Well, if you don’t have money, I’m sure you could stay with us. I live alone with my ma, and we have a guest room.”

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  “Thank you! For everything, really.”

  “Everything?” Perrin snorted. “We’ve barely met!”

  “Hey! I have no idea where I am, and you found me in a hole in the middle of a field. Most of this is on you.” He’s even the reason why I don’t have to sleep outside tonight, if his mother is even half as welcoming as he is.

  “Whatever you say, Sam. You’re the first person to visit in weeks, anyways.” Perrin grinned. “And you’ll be doing my chores! For what more could I ask?”

  “Chores? You didn’t say anything about chores!”

  “What, did you really think my ma would let you stay for free? I barely get a break, and I’m her bloody son!”

  “Well I suppose I can help. I’m not very strong, though, so I don’t know how helpful I’ll be.”

  “It’s mostly cleaning. My ma can’t do it herself, with her back ‘n’ all.”

  “All right, I’ll do whatever I can. Lead the way.”

  The pair walked for a few more minutes before stopping in front of a two story house. “Here we are! Home sweet home.” Sam’s eyebrow raised as he looked at Perrin. All of the houses they had walked by had only been one story. “My father left us a small sum of money when he passed,” Perrin explained, his eyes glossing over for a second, before returning to Sam. “We were able to get a house near the Center. It’s a little large for just me and my ma, but when I marry, it’ll be great for a family.”

  “Shall we go in? I still feel bad about asking to stay, but I don’t have any options.”

  “I told you! My ma won’t turn you away. She’s a little hard on me, but she’s always been kind to everyone else she meets.”

  “If you say so.”

  Sam gestured to the door, and Perrin led him into the house. Perrin’s mother came out of the kitchen and hugged Perrin. “You’re early. Who’s your friend?” She gave Sam a once-over. Again.

  Sam held his hand out. “Ma’am, I’m Sam.” He winced. That sounded worse in my head.

  She laughed, and shook his hand. “I’m Karris. Perrin’s mother, as you probably already know. It’s a pleasure.”

  “Ma, he asked if he could stay in the guest room, and I said yes.”

  “Did you tell him he’d be doing chores if he stays here?”

  “Of course! You’d never let anyone stay here free, even if they had money, ma.”

  “He doesn’t have money?” Her brow furrowed, as she looked at Sam.

  “I don’t know where I am, ma’am. I ended up wherever here is, and Perrin found me. I don’t have a... silver to my name.”

  “Welcome, then. Your room is upstairs, first door on the right. Go ahead and store your satchel in your room and get situated, but come back down so you can help Perrin.”

  Sam nodded, and climbed the stairs to his room. Satchel...? Oh, my messenger bag. He opened the door, and found the room mostly empty, except for a cot against the back wall. He set his bag down next to the cot, and sat down, putting his head in his hands. He had so many questions about everything, but one question was prominent in his mind:

  “What do I do now?”

  au revoir!