Don’t

Despite yearning to keep Rowen for myself, I keep thinking of how worried his mother will be. Once, when I was still little, I was away from home for a long time. I wasn’t lost. I knew where I was and could easily find my way back. But my mother didn’t know that when I got home, I got quite a scolding because of how worried she was. Now I can’t help but imagine Rowen’s mother being similarly worried.

I stop searching for a potion and close the book. I just can’t do it. I can’t keep Rowen all to myself. I have to let him go.

When the soup is ready, I call for Rowen to come eat it with me. We were both quiet throughout the meal. When both of us were done, Rowen said, “Well, I guess it is about time for me to go back home.”

“And for me to be alone again.” I say with some sadness. “I wish you could stay.”

“You know, Maeve. I’m sure that if you were to join me, my village would happily welcome you. There are a lot of nice people there. You would certainly no longer be alone if you did.”

I think over Rowen’s invitation. It is not a bad one. It would certainly help against the loneliness. But if I did, I would have to leave the only place I’ve known my whole life. And what if his village has so many it makes me uncomfortable again. I don’t know. I’m really torn about it.

“Which direction is your village anyways?” I ask.

“It’s to the south.” Rowen tells me. “It was hard for me to tell at night, but now that the sun is up, figuring out where south is should be an easy thing.”

“Also, it has happened before that people weren’t able to make it back from the forest.” Rowen continues explaining. “People who got lost or caught in one of the traps our hunters placed for wild animals. When something like that happens, the hunters will gather the next day with food and clothes and start searching the forest. So far, they have always found the missing people.”

“I see. Your village seems to be quite a close community.”

“Eh, we have our exceptions. Farmer Gavin is the most asocial of the bunch. But his farm produces a lot of food. So, despite his grumpy demeanor, he is still an important person.”

We talk a bit more about Rowen’s village, but eventually the time comes for him to leave. I follow him outside my cabin. He is about to walk out of my life.