Head titled to the side, the girl froze when it was affirmed that her parents were not anywhere nearby, and furthermore, that she was now across the world from the place she called home. Her mind was racing as Lindsey continued to explain.
Though tell of ‘magic’ would have captured her interest at any other moment, she found herself shaking her head violently and getting quickly to her feet. “Well now, thank ye kindly for your concern, sir,” she told him, ever cordial though the pitch of her voice had risen significantly. “But please, I must go back. I have t’go back.”
It was then that she remembered.
“Liam…” the name came out in a whisper, and instantly her face crumpled. Hands rose to cover her face, palms pressed firmly against her mouth as she fought against the sensation that the floor had suddenly dropped out from beneath her.
He was dead. Her brother, whom she had loved more than anyone was dead.
“Please…,” she choked, half-pleading and half-thinking aloud. “Me mam, if she finds we’re both gone…I’m afraid of what might happen to ‘er.”