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.”

in thought as though he recalled something 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 with me and we’ll

overthinking,” I said impatiently. “I’m just feeling nostalgic over the taste of fried moth. It was my childhood favorite, you know. I just want a taste, no

agreed in

smiled at him. “Thank you, Danny!” I

kitchen and proceeded to fill

my basket only to realize that Danny

like fried moth

but did

an entire basketful and headed back into

eating. But according to Tabitha, moths are a staple for people from Xenhall. Many of

I

geographical differences, one’s experiences would differ

while before adding some oil and seasoning to taste. The moths would soon turn from sticky to crispy, bloated with oil and all the good stuff. A bite into it would be an explosion of flavor

scent, Danny could not help himself but watch

to cook?”

“Yes, I’ve learned how to when I was young. But it’s been

taste?” I offered Danny the plate when I was

very rare

“Not bad!” he said as he

things that other cultures would consider repulsive like silkworms, maggots, and locusts due to