Episode 5.5

"Oh, that's beautiful!" Mak sighs as we continue walking deeper into the garden. He stretches as my gaze rests questioningly on him. "I like such short battles," he says, laughing. "They really wake you up!"

"How did this all come about?" I inquire, gesturing to all the people milling about.

I had gathered from their somewhat heated conversation that something had happened between Jert and him. I'm just unclear on the details.

"A few weeks ago, the machines were still allowed for work, and I always parked the transporter in the right spot," he explains. "Now I don't do it anymore, hoping his comrades will thank him in their own way for the work."

"And what has he done that's so bad?" I inquire further.

"The boy is brave and quite direct!" Mak replies. "Actually, I find that impressive given his situation. If only he didn't have the habit of getting so damn loud and offensive."

I can imagine that Jert has insulted Mak before, hence his eagerness to cause trouble for him. I have to chuckle at the thought.

"But he does have confidence, I'll give him that!" Mak winks at me. Seeing my curious expression, he continues. "Some time ago, I took Kaia back to the palace. The boy caught her eye, and she made it very, very clear to him. His reaction was to consistently ignore her." Mak bursts out laughing. "Her expression was just priceless." He calms down again. "I don't know if the boy even realized who was in front of him. If he did, then he's either crazy or just damn brave!"

Mak stops at one of the trees and sits down. I lean against the trunk next to him.

"By the way, girl...!"

"Janine!" I correct him.

"Sweetie!" He winks at me.

I just let out a sigh. What's the use of protesting when he's just going to ignore it anyway?

Mak picks up a fruit lying on the ground. "Your friend is doing better," he continues. I also pick up a fruit from the ground and listen to him. "He must have been roaming around in the death zone because he's worried about you." Mak looks at the fruit extensively, turning it over in his hands before taking a bite. "It's just a shame that he won't be of any use in a few days."

My gaze turns questioningly to Mak, but he doesn't even need to address it; it's clear to me what he means.

"If he keeps this up, he'll soon be unable to help you," Mak continues. "He's said not to have touched any of the food since he got here."

I nod in agreement. I've noticed that he refuses to eat anything. Although I can understand, considering how terrible the stuff supposedly tastes.

"So I thought you'd help me with this problem," Mak bites into the fruit. How does he mean that? I wonder. "A starving time traveler is of little use to us, so we need to get him to eat." A grin spreads across Mak's face.

"And what do you have in mind?" I ask suspiciously. This guy is planning something, that much is clear!

"You'll find out when the time comes!" he replies. "And maybe you'll like it."

I don't know what he means, but one thing is also clear to me. I won't get an answer from him for sure! Instead, I turn my head away from him sulkily.

"We'll see!" I retort.

We stay in the garden for a while longer and eat some of the fruits.

It's me who starts talking.

"When are you going to take me to my mother?" My gaze is sad as I ask the question, staring at the ground. I don't want to, but the worst thoughts about what might happen to her there creep into my mind.

"We can leave right away!" He smiles at me. "But first, let's go to the market. I need to buy you some clothes so I don't always have to borrow from Akara."

With that, he signals the departure.

***

So, this is where my mother once lived.

In this beautiful palace.

But I have no idea what happened back then. How she fared here. I hardly know anything about my mother's past.

One of the things I really want to ask her.

But I also know that time for all my questions will probably be far too short.