Velt sat with a stack of papers in his hands, his expression unmistakably exhausted.

  —God… I’m so tired —he muttered, letting his gaze fall over the documents.

  —Don’t complain. We’re just as bad —Luke replied from a nearby chair.

  —We have to repair everything we destroyed and get rid of what’s beyond saving —Jack added, sorting through another pile of paperwork.

  Velt leaned back slightly in his chair.

  —We could use the guards we captured. That would give us some extra manpower.

  —Don’t even think about falling asleep —Luke warned when he saw him relaxing.

  —Give it a rest, Luke. We’ve been at this for days —Dash cut in, tossing a bundle of papers onto a nearby sofa.

  —It’s true… we’re all exhausted. None of us have slept properly —Jack said, rubbing his eyes. —I think we should stop.

  Velt glanced around.

  —Where are Rurhy and Rosa?

  —I think they went to the room to sleep. They were completely drained —Luke answered, closing his eyes.

  —Don’t fall asleep here. Go to bed —Dash told him, giving him a shake.

  Velt stood up with effort.

  —Let’s call it for today. We’re too tired. Tomorrow we’ll think more clearly.

  —Get some rest —Luke muttered.

  —You too —Jack added.

  One by one, they left, their minds worn to pieces.

  Velt opened the bedroom door and stopped. On the bed, Rurhy and Rosa were asleep, hugging each other like sisters. Their breathing was soft and steady.

  What a beautiful sight, he thought, before sitting down in the chair beside the bed.

  —Velt… —a drowsy voice called.

  When he turned, he saw Rurhy looking at him through half-lidded eyes.

  —Did I wake you?

  —No… I woke up on my own —she replied, rubbing one eye.

  —I see.

  —Did you and the boys finish?

  —No. We were just too tired.

  Rurhy opened her arms.

  —Come here.

  —I don’t want to wake Rosa.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  —Don’t worry… this usually wakes me up —Rosa murmured, lifting her head slightly.

  —Come sleep here. You’ll be more comfortable —Rurhy insisted.

  Velt lazily got up and let himself fall onto the bed.

  —In the middle —Rurhy ordered.

  He obeyed. As soon as he settled in, Rurhy wrapped herself around one side of him and Rosa around the other.

  —You must be exhausted —Rurhy whispered.

  —I’m sorry for dragging you into all of this —Rosa added softly.

  —Don’t worry… it’s just that administrative stuff isn’t really my thing. Once I’ve rested, we’ll keep moving forward.

  Without warning, Rurhy kissed his cheek.

  —You worked hard. Now rest.

  Rosa, slightly flushed, kissed his other cheek.

  —I-I mean… since Rurhy gave you one, I thought I should too…

  —Don’t worry —Velt smiled, gently stroking their heads. —You’re the best girls I could ask for.

  They hugged him tighter.

  —We’ll have a lot to do tomorrow —Rurhy said.

  —Yeah… we need trade partners —Velt replied.

  —What do you mean? —she asked.

  —Sarah cut off all ties with neighboring cities. She blocked trade, and that was one of the town’s main sources of income, along with agriculture.

  Rosa lifted her head slightly.

  —I’ll handle that.

  —Are you sure? —Velt asked.

  —Yes. It’s my duty. I can’t let you do everything. I’ll go to the neighboring cities and try to restore the trade agreements.

  —Velt will go with you —Rurhy added.

  —But— —Rosa tried to protest.

  —We don’t want anything happening to you. Velt will go to keep you safe. In the meantime, I’ll stay here with the others, repairing the damage and establishing a new trade link with my village.

  Rosa thought about it for a few seconds, then finally nodded.

  —Velt, do you agree?

  But he was already fast asleep.

  The two girls laughed softly before each giving him another kiss on the cheek.

  —Sleep well, Velt —they whispered, settling in beside him.

  Meanwhile, Velt found himself once again in that dreamlike place. This time, the chains binding him were not only more numerous but heavier.

  —What’s going on? —he muttered, trying to move.

  —The human brain is incredible, don’t you think? —asked the man seated behind the desk. This time, he wasn’t looking at documents; he was staring directly at Velt.

  —What do you mean?

  —Just repeating something I once heard.

  Velt frowned.

  —Tell me why I’m here again.

  —I don’t know.

  —What do you mean you don’t know?

  —I’m not the one who brings you here… nor the one who puts those chains on you. They must be heavy, right?

  Velt stayed silent for a few seconds.

  —Let me guess… I have to remember.

  —That’s right. You have to remember.

  Several minutes passed in silence.

  —And what if I don’t want to? —Velt finally asked.

  The man looked at him as if he had expected that answer.

  —Then you’ll keep seeing me.

  Velt clenched his teeth.

  —Tell me… was I a murderer?

  —I don’t know. Were you?

  —I’m asking because I don’t know.

  —You do know. Remember… were you a murderer… or a puppet?

  —Wait, what did you say?

  The deafening alarm began to ring again.

  —Time’s up —the man said.

  —Wait! What did you mean by that?

  —I’m getting tired of repeating myself. You have to remember.

  Darkness swallowed everything.

  Velt opened his eyes. He was back in bed, with Rurhy and Rosa hugging him as they slept.

  Do I really have to remember my past? Something tells me I’d be better off ignoring it… he thought, gently brushing Rurhy’s cheek.

  She slowly woke up.

  —Good morning —Velt said.

  —Good morning… —Rurhy replied sleepily.

  Rosa opened her eyes with a yawn.

  —Morning.

  —Morning —they both answered.

  —Shall we have breakfast? We’ve got a lot to do today —Rurhy said.

  They nodded and got up, heading toward the kitchen.

  But one word kept echoing in Velt’s mind.

  —Puppet… —he murmured.

  —Did you say something? —Rurhy asked.

  —No, nothing. Just thinking out loud.

  —Alright then, let’s eat —she said before giving him a quick kiss.

  Rosa blushed.

  —Hey… are you really going to do that this early?

  Rurhy smiled mischievously as she walked toward the kitchen.

  —I’d like to, but we’re responsible for this town now, aren’t we? Though when everything settles down… I expect to be spoiled properly, okay?

  Velt turned red.

  —W-well…

  —Let’s just eat. I’m hungry —Rosa cut in.

  —And you and Velt need to plan the trip —Rurhy added.

  —What trip? —he asked, confused.

  The two of them only smiled without answering as they continued toward the kitchen in search of breakfast.

  And though the day had only just begun, something told Velt that the real problems were far from over.