Chapter 9 - Regrets

1/26/2020 5:05 PM

“Julia! I’m home!” Robert called out upon entering his home.

“Okay, be out in a minute!” called Julia, her voice coming from the kitchen.

“Who’s Julia?” asked Ryan.

“She’s my sister,” replied Robert. “Oh, by the way Julia, we have a guest!” Robert called out.

“Who is it, a neighbor?” Julia replied, her voice growing closer. “Who is that?” Julia asked upon seeing Ryan.

“Julia, this is Ryan. Ryan, this is Julia.” Robert said, introducing the two.

“Where is he from, and why is he so small and weak?” Julia asked.

“He is from another dimension. Apparently things are not as tough where he comes from. He is stranded here and so he is going to live with us for now.”

“Provided he lives that long. He is easy prey for the Evicerators.” Julia said with a cynical edge to her voice.

While Robert and Julia talked, Ryan took the opportunity to study Julia. She was slim but muscular, with Reddish-blond hair, blue eyes and a soft alto voice with a pleasing Irish lilt. However, her voice was the only thing soft about her.

“Granted, he may not seem like much, but I think he can learn to be quite effective at defending himself,” Robert replied, coming to Ryan’s defense.

“Alright fine, but he is your responsibility. I will not be accountable for his survival.” Julia replied.

“Fair enough,” Robert said. “Come on Ryan, let’s have dinner, it is too late to train you tonight. During your stay, you can lodge in my room.” Julia, Ryan, and Robert all trooped into the kitchen, where they sat down at a rough wood table on wooden chairs. Julia walked over to the pot hanging over the fire in the stone-brick fireplace and took it down with white hot pads.

She then walked to the table and set the pot on a stone slab in the middle of the table. Striding to the cupboards, she pulled out an extra wood bowl for Ryan. Setting it before him, she picked up the pot, and removing the lid, she ladled out the soup inside the pot. Waiting until Julia sat down to begin eating, Ryan then dug into his food with an appetite.

Ryan listened to Julia and Robert talking about how he got to this dimension while he thought of Lucy. I wonder how she is doing. Ryan thought. I hope she understands. The thought of his sister in anguish was nearly unbearable to him. Unable to control himself, Ryan felt tears seep into his eyes.

Spotting Ryan’s tears, Robert suddenly said, “Well, it’s been a long day so I think I should help Ryan get settled in my room.”

“Oh-ok” Julia stammered with surprise. “I will just start cleaning up then.” She then got busy picking up all the bowls and washing out the dishes with water from the hand pump in the kitchen sink.

“Are you ok? What’s wrong?” Robert asked once Ryan and he were in his room.

“I was just thinking about my sister. I left her behind and I will never see her again.”

“You haven’t told me much about her. Would you like to?” Robert asked gently while pulling up two wood chairs and motioning for Ryan to sit down.

After flopping into a chair, Ryan continued in a shaky voice. “She is my twin and she has black hair like mine and vibrant but soft green eyes. She was always very kind and supportive of me.” Ryan said as a few tears found their ways down his cheeks.

“She sounds wonderful.” Robert said softly. “So, why did you leave her?”

“After Michal died I just couldn’t take it. I was not satisfied with what I still had, and so when I heard that my dad found a way to time travel, I selfishly took it. I would not blame Lucy for hating me now.”

Robert was silent for a few moments before replying. “Well, if your sister is who you said she was, I think she would forgive you in a heartbeat if she could just have you back. I know she did not deserve you just leaving her, but hey, you’re human. Making mistakes is in our nature, and that does not mean you can just give up. You need to let your mistakes teach you and improve who you are.”

“Thanks”

“No problem, I hope you feel better soon. For now, just rest there while I get my room ready for you.” With that, Robert stood up and gave Ryan a friendly clap on the shoulder before walking away.