When There Is Nothing Left But Love

I sat up in a daze for a moment before I got out of bed.

With Abe’s permission, I had complete freedom around the villa.

There was a landline in the villa, but I was not allowed to use it.

Nobody was able to guarantee if the landline even worked; it was not worth the trouble to try.

To speak to Nora and the rest, I had to find a way to enter the operating theatre. The only catch was that it required Danny’s retina scan to unlock.

With nothing to be done, I wandered around the pitch-black villa and returned to my bedroom dejectedly.

Everything was normal over the next few days. I’ve probed Dante a couple of times hoping to learn something about Nora’s situation, but all I’ve been told was that she was away doing what needs to be done.

The monsoon was in full force during lunchtime.

It left as quickly as it came; the air was dank with moisture when the rain cleared.

The compound of the villa was littered with rain moths. I glanced over at the boulder-like figure next to me. “Grilled moths are delicious,” I said casually. “Have you had any before?”

Danny was taken aback. “Had before,” he repeated, in broken English.

He looked like he understood. “Did you have them in a restaurant?” I asked with a grin. “I used to have them when I was little. Each time when it rained in my home, I would go out to the yard and pick them up. I’d give them a rinse and then throw them into a pan. When the wings are crispy, that’s when I’d add some oil and spices. It was delicious.”

within his memories and did not answer me. “It had just rained outside,” I pressed on. “If you’re worried about me running, why don’t you come along

taste of fried moth. It was my childhood favorite, you know. I just want a taste,

agreed in

“Thank you, Danny!” I

to fill it up with moths from the yard

appearance of a dark hand over my basket only to realize that Danny

like fried moth

but

gathered an entire basketful and headed back into the

be honest, I was not familiar with the art of moth eating. But according to Tabitha, moths are a staple for people from Xenhall. Many of them had fond childhood memories of having moths as

Danny’s expression change, I think there

geographical differences, one’s

taught me to sauté them for a while before adding some oil and seasoning to taste. The moths would soon turn from sticky to

could not help himself but watch me in

know how to cook?”

But it’s been years since I’ve cooked this.

Danny the plate when

very rare smile as he

very slowly. “Not bad!” he said

things that other cultures would consider repulsive like silkworms,