She woke up to a fresh smell and a comfortable bed with clean sheets around her. Not knowing
what had happened or where she was. For all she knew she had been caught after murdering that
mean, hateful man and was in a jail cell. In that case she would stay here for the rest of her life and it
would be way better than everything she had dealt with to this point in her existence. She opened her
eyes and looked around the beautifully decorated magnolia scented room. She jumped up scared of the
unfamiliar surroundings and saw that she was in clothes that were nicer than any she had ever had.
Having heard their guest upstairs, Ronjathan and Tangela, ran up and were expecting to find a
frightened mess. They walked in and found the girl with a lamp in her hand and ready to strike.
Ronjathan used a calming spell on the girl and she shuddered and collapsed into a ball on the ground
with no will left to fight. Tangela went over and held her as she cried, rubbing the girl's temples and
singing her a lullaby. Nima would always remember the lullabies sung to her by Tangela and would
use them to comfort her in her future career.
After having held the girl for what seemed like hours Tangela spoke to her. "Child, what is your
name?"
"My pa never gave me a real name. They called me many things, most of which hurt when I
repeat them. I guess my name must be Worthless Good for Nothing. That is what he called me most of
the time."
"How about I call you Kelonima? Nima for short. It is a family name. You can stay here. We
have an extra room and I always did want another daughter and now if you would like you can be that
other daughter? You will not ever have to go back to your life the way it was and you never have to tell
us about it if you don't want to."
"What's the catch? What do you want?" Nima looked back and forth Tangela and Ronjathan.
Ronjathan looked at the scared youngling and stepped forward. He wondered what he should say to the
child when she began to speak again. "I should leave. I don't know you people and there'll be trouble
if I don't get out of here and soon. I have to go."
"No, there will be no trouble. I took care of everything back where I found you. No one will
ever know what happened. You don't even have to share it with us. There is no catch to you staying
here and it is probably the safest place you can be right now. You can leave whenever you want, just
give us a chance to help you. Please."
"Listen, you seem nice enough and all but I don't even know you and I definitely have no clue
as to where I am or how long I have been here. I do know that if I don't go home soon my father will
send his lowlifes after me and I will have hell to pay, quite literally."
Ronjathan looked at the frightened girl and winced at what the possibilities of her punishment
could be. He dared to open his mouth again in hopes of convincing her to stay. "Miss, I understand
that, but trust me he will never be able to find you where you are. He can not even gain entrance to
where we are right now. The guards will not even let his kind into this side of town. You are
completely safe." Ronjathan went to the window and pointed outside. She looked and realized he was
right. Her father would not even consider that anyone from here would help her let alone care about
her or her safety. Nima looked at a hopeful Tangela for any sign that she was making the right choice.
Tangela just gave her a simple nod and a sincere smile of encouragement.
Nima looked around at the surroundings one more time and realized as far as hideouts this was
the best she had ever seen. It had a beautiful and comfortable bed, a nice and quiet neighborhood, was
safe, and she might even not have to worry about the basic necessities of life. She started tearing up
realizing this was the kind of home she always dreamed about as a little kid. "Yes, I will stay, but if
there is anything that happens I am outta here!"