Day Sixteen - Morning

     “Hey, Balor? I don’t suppose you’d happen to have something you need run down to Smith, would you?” More gold? Another secret message perhaps?

     “If I had, I would have told you the first of the three times you have asked me this morning!”

     “But it’s Sunday!” Casper sulks.

     “So it is.” Balor straightens from the plant bed he was tending to and turns his attentions to whatever quandary’s eating away at Casper this time. “What of it Casper?”

     It’s no big deal really. It’s merely the one day of the week he can go pester Smith without getting brushed off. “Well… What if Smith needs something and we don’t know it yet?” Casper tries. What if something’s come up that’ll jeopardize his ticket out of here? The date’s not yet fixed in stone and Smith’s the only one who knows for sure when and how he’ll make his escape. He’s been chomping at the bit all day for an opportunity to split for town. He’s going stir crazy from being cooped up on the hill for the better part of the week.

Day Fourteen

     It’s been relatively quiet these past few days. The last of the post-move bustle has finally died down as Casper finishes settling into his new daily routine. Mornings are, from now until always, reserved for breakfasts in the greenhouse with Balor. Balor brings him up to speed on everything he feels Casper needs to know, whether it be chores or Myr’s latest mood. On this latter subject, they grumble extensively, and if Casper ends up doing most of the grouching, that’s because he has more to complain about.

     In truth, aside from the usual shoving on the rare occasion Myr gets the drop on him, it’s been almost tranquil. No more repeats of Myr calling up a manhunt for him in the middle of the night, but Casper sleeps lightly anyways.

Day Twelve

     Imagine Casper’s surprise when, as he’s hitting up the glass house for his usual breakfast fare and meet and greet with the old man, he finds the little patch of earth they’ve been clearing two days prior completely free of the brush they’d been hauling.  ‘Continued assistance’ his ass, Balor didn’t need any of it. He’s been tricked! He gives Balor an accordingly frosty reception that morning for the perceived slight. Balor isn’t regretful in the slightest, the traitor. Something about not wishing to waste the day while Casper was away. Casper grudgingly forgives him after the old man points out that this project of theirs is ultimately to his benefit. Forgives him for tricking him into helping sow the seeds this morning too.

Day Eleven - Evening and Night

     Curfew looms nigh. Casper can’t play hooky forever, can’t put off the inevitable. He’ll have to face the consequences of his actions- have to face Balor eventually. He has to go back. He dreads it. It’s not something he’d choose to do, not on his life.

     He goes back. The manor is as welcoming a sight as always, which is to say not in the slightest. Casper stands there, gaping up at it like an imbecile over whether he should use the front door or the back. The window perhaps? Or he could forgo the main building entirely and hole up in the glasshouse like he’s done for the past few days.

     Oh, what does it matter? Balor’s going to chew him out regardless of where he goes or what entrance he uses to get there. Isn’t that the reason for his coming here? Better he comes himself than get dragged to heel by force; he’s learned his lesson well. There’s no escape. Two more weeks- two more weeks and he can leave, but, until then, he’s staying where he is. He has to go back. He’ll always go back.