~
Word Count: 3645
Note: the writing gets extremely non-linear from this point, as I will be writing different plot points out of order. After editing the book will be placed in the correct order
Question: how would you describe the appearance of Enori? What does she look like to you?
~

Mam Dorce had fussed over Melle and I as soon as we arrived, tears in her eyes. It was the first time I had ever seen her cry in all the many years I had lived at the Hents House.

Kidget had yelled at me too, when Mam Dorce was done smothering me, until finally she broke down into sobs and said she was grateful we were both safe.

"But Enori," Kidget said, her voice breaking. "You stink." She sniffed, swiping at her eyes. "Like, really stink like smoke. Go take Melle and get cleaned up."

"But the water," I protested. "They'll have closed off the pipes already, so only what's already in there will be left for us until they find a way to get more."

She waved me off, her head turning towards the kitchen. "Don't worry, Enori. I had some of the girls prep some bowls of water as soon as you left. I already knew you would somehow find yourself caught up in it and wanted to make sure we would be able to properly care for you when you finally came back."

"Ok." The word felt like little more than a breath, and I snuck a glance towards where Melle was still huddled on the floor, staring blindly downwards as Fia and Nurwa tried to speak to her. "Do you think she'll be ok?"

Kidget sighed, shaking her head. "Who knows. I think she just needs time now, Enori. Just take her to the washroom and get her cleaned up, ok? I'll send somone to grab your sleep-clothes for you in a moment."

"Ok."

I felt so tired now, the weight of the events of the hours pressing firmly against my shoulders as I leaned forward against Kidget. "How long was I gone?"

She sighed, rubbing at my back. "Too long. Hours. I didn't keep track of the time, I just waited and fretted. I was worried about you, especially with you just running off like that. You're never allowed to do that again, ok?"

"Ok."

The word felt almost automatic now, like my body was slowly shutting down it's functions, and that was one of the few ways it could operate. Just that one response. "Ok."

I was just so… tired…

I closed my eyes, promising to myself that I would take only a moment, a blink really, to rest here in the safety of Kidget's arms, before taking care of myself and Melle. Just this one moment of peace after all that happened during the fire, a solace from the sounds of shouting and screams that still, even now, echoed in my ears.

Her voice rumbled in her chest as she spoke, her fingers tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. Somone else replied, the sound of it muffled as I sat in that place between awake and not, in this little blanket of blackness I had cocooned myself in.

Hands took me by the arm, and I could feel, if even ever so vaguely, my feet stumbling slowly across the floor as somone walked me down the hall into the wash-room.

The person spoke again, this time bringing a little clarity into their voice. Reah?

The wooden floors shifted into the cool tiles of the washroom, and I was dropped slowly to the floor once more.

"Enori, I need you to take off your blouse and skirt."

It was Reah. I cracked one eye open, the silver of light that came through making me groan. I pulled up one arm over my eyes, a small moan escaping me.

She sighed, reaching out to pull my arm down. "Stop that. You need to wake up, Enori. I know you're tired, and I know it's late and a lot has happened, but I can't do this alone. You have to help me out here."

"Fine," I groaned, still not opening my eyes. I fumbled for the row of buttons to my blouse, my fingers feeling stiff and unusable.

Reah helped me peel the rest of my clothing of me, my skin sticky with sweat from the heat and exertion of the night. Finally, she ran the wet sponge across my shoulders, and I couldn't help the small sound of relief that came from me at its cool touch, rivulets of water running down my back.

Her touch was gentle, and slowly the refreshing presence of the cool water drew me out of my exhaustion and into a realm of awareness once more. I sat up, rubbing at my face. When I drew my hands back, they were covered in smeared soot and tears, and I stared at them blankly, watching as little droplets fell onto my open palm.

"You're crying," Reah remarked, her voice forcing me to look up at her.

I sniffed and rubbed at my eyes again. "Yeah."

"It'll be ok," she said, running the sponge along the curve of my cheek. "You'll get al cleaned up and nice, then tucked into bed where you can sleep of all your worries, and when you wake up everything will be ok."

"Not everything," I murmured, scrunching up my face as she rubbed at it. "The freighter ship is all crispy now so the workers don't have anywhere to stay."

Reah clicked her tongue, moving to scrub at my neck now. "Well, maybe that can resolve itself by the time you wake up."

"The market is burnt too," I added, holding out an hand to take the sponge from her. She relinquished it and I poured some more water into it to wash it out. "And Presa is missing. I couldn't find out anything about her. I promise I tried though."

My voice caught, and I looked at Reah with trembling eyes. "I really did try."

Reah sighed, getting to her feet. "I know you did, Enori." She stopped, shuffling in place before reaching down to stroke the top of my head. "You did everything you could, Enori. I'm just glad you and Melle got back safe."

There was a knock on the door, and Reah cracked it open, speaking softly with whoever was on the other side. She then turned,  holding a small pile of folded clothes as the clicked the door closed behind her. "Put these on when you're ready, ok? I'm going to check on Melle now. They said they were going to try and make her drink some water before they moved her any more."

I nodded but didn't reply, just went through the motions of sponging myself off.

My nightclothes were a welcome comfort when I finally pulled them on and left the room. There was little to be done at the moment for the smell of smoke still lingering in my hair, and I truly did not care about such a small issue as that as I made my way upstairs to our bedroom.

It was practically full when I entered, all the girls stretched on the various beds and whispering in quick, urgent tones. They all silenced as soon as I came in, though.

Wilomi stood, her eyes catching the light of the candle. "What was it like?" She asked, stepping towards me.

I closed my eyes and dropped onto my bed, groaning into the covers in response.

Leanor, relaxing on the covers beside me, spoke up in my defense. "Let's just leave Enori alone for right now. I'm sure there will be plenty of time to bother her in the morning after she's gotten some rest."

Wilomi started to speak out in response, but I heard Dorcas speak over her instead. "Let's all go downstairs. I'm sure there's something we could do down there for a while." The tone of her voice shifted. "Unless you mean to be sleeping. Then you can stay up here."

There were mumbled agreements, and I listened to the sound of footsteps as they left the room, while I dug myself under the covers, drawing over a pillow to prop my head on.

Leanor stayed in the room with me. "Are you feeling ok?" She asked, brushing her hand across my forehead.

"Everyone keeps asking me that," I mumbled, rolling over to look at her. "I'm fine."

Her lips twisted into an almost smile. "Well, you look terrible."

I narrowed my eyes at her, puffing to blow a lock of hair out of my eyes. "You suck, you know that, right?"

Leanor laughed, her blue eyes shining. "Oh absolutely." She reached over and brushed the hair off of my forehead. "But you keep me around because I'm oh-so funny."

I pulled the blankets deeper around me. "We'll call that debatable," I groaned, the muscles in my arms tightening at the motion. "But for now, I'll call myself tired."

"Ok," Leanor said, a chuckle in her voice. "You get some rest, Enori."

I had slipped away into the night before she finished speaking.

Everything did not, in fact, feel better in the morning.

My whole body ached, my arms groaning from the effort of the night before. I blinked wearly, staring out at the empty room and trying to process my surroundings.

A face popped up into my vision and I lurched backward, my head hitting the wall. I hissed in pain, and Jordyn squeaked, reaching out to touch my hand.

"Sorry Nori."

I sat up and rubbed at the back of my head. "It's E-nori, kiddo." She stared back with wide, unblinking eyes. I sighed. "Come on up here," I beckoned, patting the open spot on the bed next to me.

She hummed in delight, pulling herself up onto the bed and leaning against me. I held my hand out and she took it, tracing her tiny fingers along the lines of my palm. "Why was everyone so scared last night?"

I stroked her hair, considering what to say. "Well… there was a fire. And Melle got a little lost, but it's all ok because we found her."

"Mam Dorce was mad at you," Jordyn mumbled. "Did you go off and get lost too?"

I tilted my head, memories of the night before flashing through my mind. "Sorta." A dull ache spread throug my head, and I groaned, reaching up to rub at my forehead. "We should go downstairs. What time is it now?"

"One," Jordyn chirped, bending my pinky.

"One?" I jolted up, dragging her into my arms as I stumbled out of the bed. "Like in the afternoon?"

"Yeah," she replied, tucking her head against my shoulder. "Didn't you notice the sunlight?"

The sunlight?

But there it was. The sunlight, draped across the back wall of the room and warm against my skin as I stepped into it.

Oh, how I missed the sun.

I stood there, basking in the light and warmth of it, before shaking my head to break me from the trance. "Let's go downstairs. Have you eaten yet?"

"Yeah," she mumbled into my ear, fixing her attention on my hair now. "I don't wanna get in trouble."

I shifted my hold on her, freeing up one hand to open the door. "And why's that?"

"I'm not supposed to both you."

My lips twisted into a wry smile. "Too late to regret it now, baby girl." I started down the stairs. Searing pain rocketed up my legs and the shock of it almost made me drop Jordyn. I groaned, leaning against the wall.

"Hmm, yeah, not doing that." I bent, lowering Jordyn to the ground. "You head downstairs and I'll… be there in a minute."

She hummed, blissfully unaware and accepting as she hopped down the steps, clinging to the rail along the wall.

I watched her a moment more, then sighed, sliding down the wall. Everything felt slightly dizzy, like the world had shifted and I was looking at it all from an angle. I closed my eyes, digging my fingers into my hair.

Had my lungs burned like this the night before? I didn't remember it burning in such a way when I had returned with Melle the night before.

Another deep breath, and the sting seemed to fade. No, no I was fine. I just had to go downstairs and function like everything was normal. Because everything was normal. I was fine.

I pushed myself to my feet and went down the stairs, legs shaking with every step. Finally, finally, I was in the kitchen.

<interacts with the other girls>

I rested my head on the kitchen table, head still swimming. "And Melle is really ok?"

Reah patted my head as she moved around the kitchen. "She's fine, Enori. She's resting in Mam Dorce's room where it is quietest, so nobody bothers her. I'm sorry Jordyn got into our room, though. She wasn't supposed to, but I suppose she felt really stubborn today."

I drummed my fingers on the table. "It's fine. I'm not worried about it, honestly. I'm just glad I'm awake to enjoy the sun."

Reah hummed. "And yet here you are, sitting here in the kitchen instead of sitting in the living room where all the drapes are open and the sun is shining inside."

"Eh. It's too loud in there. I like it in the kitchen. It's peaceful."

Reah laughed, patting my shoulder. "Yeah, until you and Leanor are the only ones left in here and we come into the curtains on fire."

I sat up, slamming a hand on the table. "That was one time! And we were fourteen!" Indignation flared in my voice, only causing Reah to laugh more.

"Oh," I groaned, putting my head back on the table. "Oh I should not have sat up that fast."

"Hey Enori?"

"Oh great dry rivers," I muttered into the wood, before lifting my head once again. "What it now?"

Kidget stood in the doorway from the living room, her arms folded as she stared at me. "Enori, please tell me why Dawson and at least ten other freighters are standing outside our door, and why he's asking for you."

I squinted at her a moment, then my eyes widened with realization. "That's what I forgot!"

Kidget did not look amused. "Enori. What did you do?"

I could feel my face flushing and I fiddled with my hair, pulling it down to cover my face. "I may have told Dawson that… the freighters could stay with us."

"You what?"

I squeaked and ducked my head down, trying to push past my immediate urge to run. "I mean, I know it's cramped here, but they just had their home catch on fire, and if it happened to us I would be grateful if somone offered us a place to stay."

I chanced a glance up at Kidget, and her expression had began to soften. "And besides, I didn't really expect him to show up. Last night he said he wouldn't, that they would be leaving today."

"Oh, yes!" Reah chimed in. "If they're leaving today, maybe they've come to say goodbye, or even bring some of us along with them?"

Reah set down the pot she had somehow acquired and grabbed me by the arm. "Come on, Enori! If Dawson is asking for you, we can't keep him waiting."

"Wait—" my protest died off as quickly as it came. Reah dragged me through the kitchen, with Kidget having to sidestep out of the way to avoid being hit. Finally, she deposited me right outside the door, tilting her head to look outside the window, where many of the freighters who had visited us at the beginning of the month were standing.

"Open it," she urged, tapping my shoulders. "Open the door."

I tried to brush her off. "You need to calm down, girl." I straightened out my blouse, then froze. "Reah," I said slowly, my head turning to look at her, realization dawning in my eyes. "Reah, I'm still in my night-clothes. And all of those men out the window can see me."

Fia, sitting just below the window moved without command, swishing the curtains closed and eliminating most of the light in the room.

I let out a sigh of relief, flashing her a quick smile.

"Someone still has to open the door," Reah said, nudging me. "Say hi."

I screwed up my face at her, then reached out for the door handle.

Dawson's was there, waiting for me on the other side, features pressed with exhaustion and still smeared with darkness, matching the circles under his eyes.

He leaned against the doorway, propping his weight up on the arm as he looked down at me. "Hey little miss."

"Dawson." I opened the door wider, trying to catch of glimpse of the others there. "You look terrible."

"Yeah." He chuckled, but there was little humor in the action. "It's been a rough night." He craned his head too look past me, into the room. "Is it ok if we come in?"

I shot a look towards the girls behind me, and Kidget nodded, gathering up some of the girls and moving them from their places on the couches and chairs, ushering them out of the room. I looked back to Dawson, a tired smile on my face. "Yeah, I think that would be ok. We might even have enough water stored so that you all could wash up a little."

Dawson stepped into the room and I backed up a little, my hand hovering for a moment to touch his arm, before I put it back down. His eyes scanned the room, then turned his gaze to me, the smile on his face seeming a little more genuine. "Honestly? This place seems like heaven right now."

I smiled too, the wearily grateful expression on his face almost infectious. "I'm glad." This time I didn't stop myself from touching him as I settled my hand on Dawson's arm. "Why don't you invite your friends in? I'll go see if we have any food to give you."

He patted my hand, the feel of his palm rough against my skin. "Thank you, Enori. You really don't have to do this."

"But I do." The words were blurted out before I had a moment to think over them. "I mean, it's really just the least I can do."

I took a step away, hesitating to look back at Dawson, who seemed wholly out of place in this room. "You all get comfortable," I murmured, expression softening when his gaze met my own. "Just give me some time to get everything ready for you."

He only nodded in response, and slipped out of the room an into the kitchen.

Once there I pressed myself against the wall and slid to the floor. "Oh sweet stars and dust," I muttered to myself, digging my fingers into my hair. "What have I done?"

A hand reached out and settled itself on my knee. "It was kind of yoy to offer," Reah said, patting my knee. "But also incredibly stupid. So get up so we can address the mess you've gotten us in."

I took Reah's offered hand and let her pull me to to feet. "Mam Dorce is so going to kick me out for this," I moaned, rubbing at my forehead. "Actually, she'll kill me first, and then she'll kick me out."

Leanor tossed herself at me, hanging abount about shoulders. "Nah. She'll totally just pin you up by your skirts and tell the younger girls that's what happens when you invite twenty handsome and available mine directly into our place of business."

I shrugged away from her. "Ow. And I think you meant "our home". Because that's what this place is first and foremost."

Mam Dorce swept into the kitchen from the side hallway, a robe wrapped around herself. "And our home has guests now!" She sang, turning to address the other girls who had begun assembling in the kitchen, having ventured from their various hiding places they claimed throughout the day.

She pointed to Veda, who's brown eyes widened at the sudden attention. "Darling, please go out there and see how many guests we have tonight, and if we might need to make any extra preparations at this point." Her attention shifted. "Kinsey, you and I are going to talk to whoever seems to be in charge. Would you say it was that nice gentleman who helped our dear Enori?"

My face flushed at the mention of my name, and I stepped behind Reah, as if that could hide me from the others' attention.

"As for everyone else," Mam Dorce continued. "Let's try and get some soft of food whipped up for them. I'm sure we have enough of something somewhere to help these poor men who got burnt out of house and home."

Leanor and I traded startled looks as Mam Dorce bustled out of the room, Kinsey and Veda following in her wake.

"She didn't kill me," I whispered.

"Or hang you up by your skirts," Leanor teased back, winking.

"I still might," hissed Reah. "Now let go of my shoulder."

I flinched away, released my grip that u hadn't even been aware was attached to Reah. "Sorry," I said, voice low.

She rolled out her shoulders. "Whatever. Let's just go upstairs to check on the other girls. I'm sure there's quite a bit of confusion of there presently, and the girls will have the food covered down here."

Reah started to walk towards the stairs, then paused, looking me up and down. "And you better get yourself into proper clothes."

I looked down at my still once-more forgotten sleep clothes, and squeaked. "Right."

Reah turned, placing her hands on Leanor and I's shoulders. "Girls, we have to try our hardest here. Good impressions only. This is our second chance, and I have no inclinations to waste."

She squeezed our shoulders, then nodded. "Right, let's do this then."