Shani and I sat across from each other at a modest table while we ate.
"Nerf herding is a simple life . . ." Shani said, "But sometimes the simpler the better."
Then there was a knock at the door.

"Excuse me" Shan said as she got up from the table and went to the door. Instantly an identical, yet younger version of entered. She had Shani's brown hair and and brown eyes. Her cheeks had the same slim yet full shape. Her nose was the same button features. But she as a person was different. The life inside her eyes was different. Her stride was livelier. Her gaze locked on me and a smile spread like a wildfire over her face. She raced over to me and almost knocked over my plate.

"You're awake!" she nearly screamed with glee. Then she hugged me. I stood there for a minute feeling very awkward. I hadn't been hugged i so long, I almost didn't know what to do. I tentatively patted her on the back.

"That's enough. Stop it, your smothering her!" Shani exclaimed as she pried the girl off of me.

"Sorry about that Bree. This is my daughter Jesl." Shani explained. Well that explained the similarities.

"Ohmigod! I'm so glad you're awake. I almost didn't go to school today." Jesl piped.

"Excuse me young lady, there was no doubt in my mind that you were going to school today. Education is too important for you to skp." Shani said sternly.

"But Mom . . .", Jesl whined as she wrapped her arms around me again, "This is my new sister."

"Enough, do your homework and get to your chores." Shani ordered as she turned away from us.
Then I heard the door open. Seconds later a young guy slipped in. He was a little taller than me. He had his mother's brown hair, but his eyes were a bright blue. His hair was cut short. He wore common clothes that hinted a tough and buff physique hidden underneath. And his face was strong with baby-like eyes.

"Con, this is Bree, the girl you found this morning." Shani introduced me.

"Bree, this is Con, my son."

"Uh . . .," He looked down at the ground and shuffled from foot to foot. For some reason, I sensed fear in him. The kind of fear that shook you on the inside and made your your voice shake.

Finally he looked up at me. But her didn't just look at me. He looked in me. He looked in my eyes, and I looked into his eyes. As he looked in my eyes, I felt him stop shaking and I saw confidence strike him.
" Hi," he breathed.

" Hi," I breathed back. Then the confidence was gone and he all but ran away.

"Con!" Shani called after him, then sighed when he didn't respond. "What has gotten into that boy."

"He probably didn't want Bree to see that huge pimple on his forehead." Jesl giggled. Did he have a pimple? I couldn't recall if he had. Normally I had the uncanny skill of memorizing every detail. I needed to get back on my guard, and back to Master Versa.