Snippet #2691078

Jane looked at Aeka's scars with a mixture of shock and horror. She stared as the young girl explained her story, unsure how to react at first, but felt the tears building in her eyes. She was so thin and damaged. Jane had lived such a sheltered life that she had never really come across anyone so abused and the sheer number of scars on Aeka broke Jane's heart. She whispered her inadequate reply, "I'm so sorry," but not knowing what else to say, as Aeka continued.

"I'll help you," Jane said, "in any way I can." How could she not after seeing what Aeka had been through? Jane saw Aeka's suspicion at the man that entered and felt it too, but the man seemed okay. Suddenly, with a wave of his finger, he tidied up the mess in the shop and Jane jumped, still not used to being surrounded by so much magic. But she was going to have to get used to it, she knew.

Jane tried to focus on Aeka rather than the man and his levitating object. Jane watched the crystal floating in the air in amazement for a minute before wrapping her fingers around it. She couldn't express how much this meant to her. She had never received a present in her life. Her mother bought her food and books and essentials -- she had never been unprovided for -- but she had never been given anything beautiful. Jane felt like it was a marker of her new life. "Thank you," she said, and hoped there was something of her true appreciation in the tone of her voice.