Chapter five

"You should go and join her rather than staring," Xavier said not looking at her.

"What about you? Don't you also need a bath? We've been walking for a long time now and we're all sweaty." I said.

"I'm not sweaty. I get the feeling you only want to see me without my shirt." He answered and walked away.

After some time, I was also in the water. I felt clean now. Back at home, we snuck at night to take our baths every three days. I just closed my eyes and allowed myself to relish the moment. I then washed my dress and dried it on a rock.

We stayed around for a few hours but I got dressed before Senah. When it was her turn, Xavier and I heard a yell. When we went to check, I saw a boy about her age who had leaned against a rock and was biting into an apple.

I quickly stood in front of Senah protectively. The boy chuckled and had a mischievous glint in his eye. I turned back to see Xavier sharing the same expression with the boy.

"I thought you were dead, man. As much as I hate to admit it, I missed you like crazy. I thought you wouldn't make it." The boy said.

"Brandon, I thought you left! You stayed back and waited for me for a whole month! You could've gotten killed." Xavier replied returning the hug.

"Well, I can see you brought visitors along." The boy looked from me to Senah. He seemed to be lost in thought. I could swear I saw his eyes turn black for a moment.

Xavier's mood went down when he realized we were still with him. "This is Ephreona and this is her sister Senah." He said while gesturing to me and Senah. "Guys meet my younger brother, Brandon."

He took my hand and shook it carefully and left it while he held Senah's hand like it was a fragile piece of glass.

"Let's get something to eat then."