After nightfall, Winter volunteered to stay with Crystal while Fifi and I returned to the forsaken place.
Unlike earlier, the houses seemed to look alive. Lights were turned up, and voices could be heard from afar.
Fifi and I exchanged glances.
"Are they night creatures?" I whispered.
Fifi shook her head.
"But there must be a proper reason they sleep or at least stay indoors at day and only come out by night."
"Did you try asking Crystal anything about her hometown?"
Fifi shook her head again.
"The girl is too shaken even to speak coherently. I don't know what she might have witnessed before we saw her, but she's scared."
"I see," I thought back and considered trying to ask Crystal about Bronn once I got her trust. I don't see her parting with Winter anytime soon.
Winter.
Elise.
It was a beautiful name.
Thwack!
Fifi bonked me in the head, sensing I was again lost in my thoughts. I chuckled.
