There it was, my home, standing in front of me. The chipping green paint was less vibrant than what I remembered but yet it still had a stark contrast between the green grass around it. Few flowers sprung up by the door, welcoming me. This was the place that I spent my whole life in. Finally, I was home. 

With my heart pounding, I opened the door, creaking, warning Kol someone was here. I took a deep breath, the familiar scent of home filling my lungs as I stepped inside hoping Kol would come to see who was here, but nothing. The silence almost deafening. 

"Hello?" I called out, my voice echoing through the empty house. No response. 

I carefully glanced at Ezra who stood beside me. He shared a worried look but remained silent. 

"He's probably in town. He'll be back soon," I reassured him. 

I wandered deeper in the small house, closing the front door behind me. My eyes lingered on everything in the space. It was as if nothing had changed. Everything was still in the same place as I had left it. The old chairs, the stove, the family photos sitting on a table, the bookshelf crammed with books. It wasn't much, but it was mine.

I moved to the kitchen table, hoping to find some sign that Kol would be back soon. The table was clean. I opened the fridge, finding it stocked with the small but usual groceries.

I sighed and leaned against the counter, feeling a pang of disappointment. I had imagined this moment so many times, the joyful reunion, the hugs and tears. But now, standing alone in the quiet house, I felt a strange emptiness.

I decided to make myself a cup of tea, just like Kol would have done. As the water boiled, I wandered back into a chair and sat down. I picked up a photo from the small table beside me—one of Kol and I with our parents when we were young. We looked so happy, so carefree. It wasn't long after that photo was taken in my mother lost her mind.

"These are you parents?" Ezra asked as he looked over my shoulder at the photo.

"That's them."

"You look like them."

"Thank you." 

He sat down in an available chair and placed his head in his hands. 

"I think Kol is out in town. He should be back soon though." 

The kettle whistled, commanding me to get up. I poured myself a cup of tea and sat back down, sipping slowly. The warmth of the tea spread through me, bringing a small measure of comfort.

I knew Kol would be back soon. And when he did, I would be here, waiting. For now, I would let myself sink into the familiar surroundings, the memories of home wrapping around me like a warm blanket.

"Do you have any first aid here? I can help clean your side," Ezra offered, standing up, looking around the house. 

"We have strong alcohol and clean linen there," I said, pointing to the trunk by the window. That was as close as we got to a first aid kit. I didn't know about those kits until Ari took a fall and Irena rushed to get one. 

Ezra went to get the items then knelt by my side. He carefully rolled up my shirt and frowned at the sight of it. 

I bit my lip as I looked at the red, swollen wound that oozed yellow puss. 

"This will probably hurt," Ezra said with gentle eyes as he got the white linen wet with the clear alcohol. 

I nodded as I sucked in a breath. I knew it would. It wasn't my first time getting an infection. I turned my head as Ezra leaned in closer. 

A scream echoed the house. It radiated from my mouth, but I never knew I was capable of making a sound so loud. 

The pain was sharp and immediate, like a thousand needles pricking my skin, logging themselves deep within my body.

My hands balled into fists, allowing my nails to dig into my palms, as if that would help the pain. 

"You're doing great," Ezra reassured me with a calm and soothing tone. Although, nothing felt great about this. I wanted to push him away but as my gaze shifted to his work, I knew that he wasn't done. "Just a little more."

I focused on his words as if that would distract myself from the pain. He worked quickly and meticulously, cleaning out the pus and debris that had accumulated. There was determination in his eyes to do a good job, but each touch sent a jolt of pain through my body. My stomach churned as I gritted my teeth, trying to endure it.

Finally, Ezra sighed, pulling back after he applied a fresh linen over the wound. "There you go." He gave me a warm smile. "All done."

I sank into the chair as the pain began to subside, replaced by a cool, numbing sensation. A wave of relief wash over me. At least this was one last thing I needed to worry about. Ezra worked as if he knew what to do. But how did he know what to do? There were hospitals and first aid kits in the capital. I closed my eyes as I relaxed. For now, that was a question for another day. "Thank you," I whispered.

"Of course." 

By time I managed to open my eyes, the room was lit with a vibrant shade of orange. The sun was setting, and it wrapped this room into a cozy warm color. 

My eyes met Ezra's who stared at me silently, for who knows how long.

I stretched gingerly, carefully not to disturb my wounded side. "Did Kol return?" I asked. 

He shook his head. 

I stood up with a frown. Something was not right. I could feel it deep in my soul. "He should have returned from town by now. Kol doesn't stay out past sun set." 

"Maybe he does now?" Ezra suggested.

"No," I said, refusing to think that Kol had changed since I left. It was only a few months. 

I walked towards the door. I would not wait any longer. Kol was out there, I needed to find him. Maybe he was out with his friends. Maybe he was out fishing. Whatever it was, I would find him.

"Where are you going?"

I turned to Ezra. "Going to get Kol."

"The sun is setting though. Don't you think we should look for him in the daylight?"

He had a point but it didn't stop me from opening the door. Maybe looking for him would be pointless. But possibly one person would know where he was, and I could at least ask him. 

"Telvi, where are you going?"

"To Mr. Green's house."

"Who is Mr. Green?" 

"Our neighbor," I said as I took sure steps towards his house. 

As I walked towards the front of his house, I saw Mr. Green sitting on the front porch, rocking in the same rocking chair he had for as long as I could remember. 

I waved to him which he returned with a warm smile. 

"I thought I saw you coming down the road," Mr. Green said.

I nodded. Nothing escaped his eyes. He knew so much of what happened in this town. A silent watcher which people never realized. 

"I thought the talent contracts were normally for a few years. You haven't been gone long, have you?"

"No. I got back early," I said as Ezra caught up to me. He stood right beside me without a word. 

"Ah," he hummed. "It's because of the war, isn't it?"

My eyes widened in surprise. I thought it was just attacks. War sounded more severe. The attacks just started a few days ago, but news had already spread to the Commonwealths. Maybe this was a war. "You know about that?"

Hell was so far removed from the capital. There was very little news that I heard about the capital growing up so I didn't think any news on the attacks would spread so quickly, if at all. But maybe Mr. Green knew a little more because he was from the Motherwealth.

He nodded, giving a sad look. "It was only time that it happened." 

The attacks on the Motherwealth were something I could care less about. The fight was with the Motherwealth, not small towns like us. I did not owe it to the Motherwealth to be concerned about the war it was fighting. 

"You, you are from the Motherwealth, aren't you?" Mr. Green asked as he pointed to Ezra. "I can see it in your eyes. You don't know hardship like the Commonwealth people do." 

Ezra frowned as he stuffed his soft polished hands from view. "I'm from the capital." 

He gave a slow knowing nod. "I was too at one point. Glad to see not everyone buys into their nonsense." 

Ezra's jaw tightened in silence. I wasn't sure if he was feeling awkward or upset about his comment. 

Mr. Green looked at me then at him. I am sure he was trying to figure out why Ezra was with me. I was sure he had questions, questions I didn't have time to answer. Kol. That was the most important thing on my mind. But before I could ask Mr. Green that question, he spoke up again.

"That was one thing that I couldn't stand. The capital took everything from everyone, and the citizens didn't seem to care. I couldn't in good conscience do that, so I left. Took a train in the dead of night to the boarder then walked the rest of the way here. Hell seemed far enough from the capital that I would find peace." He sighed and shook his head. "Those talent scouts do everything to kill my peace when they roll into town acting like they own this place." 

"I didn't know the damage the capital caused until recently." 

He nodded. "At least you started to think for yourself. Not many are in your shoes. Ignorance is bliss they say." 

"The thing is, I don't think most people know what truly happens outside the capital boarders. It's hard when you cannot travel city to city."

"That could be the case. It's been decades since I've been back. I know a lot has changed. Long ago there used to be no boarders, people could travel as they wished. Now look at us now." He paused and looked around the grassland we stood on. "Stuck in the town we were born in unless we get approval to move." 

Ezra ran his hand through his hair with a sigh. "My dad told me once things used to be different." 

"Different, but never good. Maybe the capital deserves this war..." his voice trailed off as he continued to rock in his chair. 

Seeing this silence as my opportunity, I took a step closer to Mr. Green. "Where's Kol?"  

He sighed. "He's gone."

That vague response could mean so many things. I needed more. "Where?" 

"To the Motherwealth."

The breath got knocked out of me. I took a step back. Did I hear things correctly? 

"They took all able-bodied men to the capital to fight their war. He was one of the first to volunteer before the draft even began." 

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. The ground beneath my feet spun. I grabbed a hold of Ezra to steady myself. My vision blurring as tears welled up in my eyes. How could he do that? He hated the Motherwealth. He wouldn't dare do this. It had to be a lie. 

I came back for him, but he wasn't even here. "No, no, that can't be true," I whispered, shaking my head in disbelief. 

"I'm sorry, Telvi. I wish I had better news."

"When did he leave?" I managed to choke out. 

"A day ago. I think he was hoping to meet you in the capital." 

My grip around Ezra only tightened. I came all this way for nothing. 

"Thank you so much, sir," Ezra said to Mr. Green. 

"Of course."

With firm hands, Ezra guided me back to my home. 

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I thought about the information shared. Kol left because of me. He went to fight a war that he would deem pointless because he wanted to find me. 

"We will get to him," Ezra said confidently as he closed the door behind us. He wiped a tear from my cheek then placed both hands on my shoulders to keep me stable. "We will find your brother."

"But what if we don't?" I whispered as fear took hold.

"Don't say that. We will."

"We have to go," I said as I looked around the room, trying to figure out what I needed to take with me. If Kol was already at the capital, I needed to back now. There was no more wasting time.

"And we will. But for tonight, we will sleep." He pushed me gently on to the chair. "We will go first thing tomorrow morning." 

"Promise?" 

He nodded. "Promise>"

Kazimir as he exited the Amber mine.