Joan

Chapter LVII

I hadn't realized I had closed my eyes until opening them and taking in the familiar greenery of my grandparents' backyard. Everything looks the same, sounds the same, even smells like the regular woodsy scent I'm used to. It's all so typical and ordinary. I almost wouldn't believe the extraordinary adventure I just went on if it wasn't for the reminder next to me.

"Looks like it worked out," Brent says, surveying the area before studying himself. "But make sure you have all your limbs and stuff in the right place just in case."

As I let go of Dhisnaek, I glance over at my grandparents' trailer where I frown in thought.

"Wonder how long we've been gone?" I question aloud.

"Well, we know time works differently there compared to here," Brent replies. "Because a few days passed there before I stumbled across the hole. So, I'm going guess maybe a few hours, give or take. Still kinda feels like the same day."

I squint up at the sky. "Yeah. Ugh, now I'm gonna get jetlag or whatever from hopping universes."

"So teleport-lag? Or tele-lag?" He grins impishly.

While we tease each other, Dhisnaek finally speaks up, staring around in awe as if he'd never seen a forest before.

"This is amazing," He breathes.

I smile at him, taking in a refreshing breath myself. "Yeah, home sweet home. Welcome to Cauldron."

Slowly, a smile makes a way onto his face as he studies the area in greater detail.

"How are you feeling?" Brent asks, a bit of concerned on his face.

Though it appeared during our transfer that he was in a bit of pain, Dhisnaek seems as light as a feather now.

"It's indescribable what I feel."

"Do you need to rest?" Brent asks, sounding like some sort of concerned nurse or something (he's just thoughtful like that, though). "We could stop by our grandparents' house for a little." Before he can even finish his sentence, I'm already protesting.

"Oh no, not a good idea. Let's, maybe, keep this hush-hush from grandma and grandpa for now. I mean, are you tryin' to give them a heart attack? We should head home and clean up- it's been too long since I've had indoor plumbing and that is a sin in and of itself."

"Whatever," He rolls his eyes at me, already starting off back toward home.

I'm close behind him when Dhisnaek calls out causing us to pause.

He now looks a little worn and worried, fiddling with the ends of his beard.

"Will your father be home when we arrive?"

I can already tell this is going to be the start of some serious reassurance until the fated moment comes. Going back over to him, I pull him along.

"No, he's probably out doing stuff. My mom's at work too so it'll just be us."

Noticeably reassured by this, he follows us as we head off our grandparents' property back to our house- we take the back roads as to avoid heading into town and being seen with some strange older guy dressed in dated clothes (just help keeps rumors from flying).

It's not until we arrive in our neighborhood do I feel relieved my dad won't be home. Though I feel like I haven't seen either of my parents in ages, I'm still a bit conflicted on how I should feel about everything I learned in Edalirwen and Pyranaleath'tai, especially concerning my dad. I want to talk to him but I know it's not going to be easy, so some time to think is much needed.