Welcome

While everyone else froze in their steps and paled at the raised gun, Rose had to stifle a chuckle. This was Aunt Betty as she lived and breathed—the polar opposite of her brother, Mr. Kepler. Where he was a calm man, she had quite an explosive personality. Perhaps that was due to her living out here in the middle of nowhere all alone. Occasionally, she would hire temporary helpers during harvest season or drive to town for supplies. Otherwise, she was on her own, accompanied only by her two dogs, a few cats, some chickens, and the mice that scurried around the farm.

Mr. Kepler quickly stepped forward, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "Betty, it's us! Don't shoot!"

The woman's eyes widened in recognition, and she lowered the shotgun. "Robert? Is that you? I haven't seen ya in years! What in tarnation are you doing here?"

Mrs. Kepler moved forward to stand besides her husband. "We had tried to contact you, but weren't able to reach you. I am sorry if we startled you. With how things are at the moment, we just thought, it might be safer here…" she got more quiet towards the end, seemingly uncomfortable. 

Aunt Betty`s gaze swept over the group, lingering on the youths. Her expression softened slightly, but wariness remained in her eyes. "Well, I suppose you'd better come inside and explain yourselves. World's gone mad, can't be too careful these days."

As they shuffled into the farmhouse, two giant shepherd dogs welcomed them with scrutinizing gazes and inquisitive sniffs. Afterward, the dogs settled at their designated spots between the door and the fireplace.

The group filed into the cozy living room, filled with well-worn furniture and the scent of wood smoke. Aunt Betty gestured for them to sit, her eyes never leaving the newcomers as she settled into her favorite armchair, shotgun propped against its side.

"Now then," she said, her voice gruff but not unkind, "start talkin'. What's brought ya all the way out here?"

Mr. Kepler cleared his throat. "Betty, you've seen the news, haven't you? About the portals and the... changes happening to people?"

Aunt Betty snorted. "Course I have. Ain't much else to do out here but watch TV and tend to the farm. Sounds like a load of hogwash to me, though."

"It's not," he replied. "We have seen it with our own eyes."

"Robert, ya can't be serious," she said, her gaze filled with skepticism. 

"It's the truth, Aunt Betty. I have entered one of them!" Luke interrupted. Before anyone could stop him, he had stretched his hand forward and a moment later conjured a tiny flame on it.

Aunt Betty's eyes widened in shock, her mouth falling open as she stared at the flame dancing on Luke's palm. For a moment, the room was completely silent save for the crackling of the fire in the hearth.

"Well, I'll be..." she finally muttered, leaning forward to get a better look. "How in the world...?"

Luke extinguished the flame, a hint of pride in his voice as he explained, "It happened when I went through one of those portals. I can create and control fire now." He tactfully omitted mentioning his near-death experience in the portal. 

Aunt Betty sat back in her chair, her weathered face a mix of disbelief and concern. "So it's all true then? The world really is goin' to hell in a handbasket?"

Mr. Kepler nodded gravely. "I'm afraid so, Betty. That's why we came here. We thought it might be safer in the outskirts, seeing that those portals mainly appear in urban areas. Since we don't know what's going to happen we wanted to stay with you if that is alright and observe the situation."

"Of course, of course," she replied, clearly still processing what she had just witnessed. She glanced around at the group, her gaze lingering on Rose, Ethan and Andrew. "And who might these youngsters be? Don't recall seein' them before."

Mrs. Kepler stepped in, "These are our neighbors, Ethan and Rose, and their friend Andrew. They asked to come along and would also like to stay here for the time being. We thought it might be safer if we stick together in these times…"

Aunt Betty grunted, seemingly unconvinced. "Don't think of me as heartless, but I am also not running a charity here. If ya would like to stay here, there's plenty of space, but ya can't expect me to provide for all of ya for who knows how long."

Ethan spoke up, his voice calm and measured. "We completely understand. We aren't planning on freeloading. Please be assured that we will be contributing our part. Actually, we were thinking of heading to the nearby towns in the coming days, stocking up on supplies. If there is anything specific that you might be in need of, please let us know."

Betty nodded, apparently content with Ethan's reply, her posture much more relaxed now that that topic was off the table. "Then ya are welcome to stay."