Ever and Mimi walked up the paved stone path to the house, back from their afternoon walk. It wasn’t even 5:30 yet, but it was already dark. Ever took the leash off and the dachshund ran ahead, overgrown grass tickling her tummy. She ran head first through the dog flap, sending it swinging back the other way before it settled.

  Ever grabbed the key out, swiping his phone and refreshing the Ted and Twisty channel. Nope, still no new video. It had taken him a few tries, but he was pretty sure that he had successfully recorded the budgie ghost doing her favorite little song and dance as a final memento to Ted. He sighed, slipping the phone back into his pocket.

  Wonder what I should make for dinner? It wasn’t a question that he’d asked himself at all really, not until Logan let him go. He had basically eaten out or bought take out every night on the way back home. Now that he had all this extra time, he decided to learn how to cook, buying some basics from the supermarket: potatoes, eggs, bread and milk, amongst other things.

  ^Hi Nyx!^ Mimi barked in greeting, from the other side of the door. Ever smiled, unlocking the door and walking in. The aroma of melted butter wrapped him up like a blanket, tugging him towards the kitchen. Sure enough, the primordial spirit of the night was busying herself in front of the stove. Mimi was already having her meal, looking up at Ever with deep, dark eyes as she munched and crunched.

  “Hello Ever,” Nyx said, looking back over her shoulder. “Dinner shouldn’t be too much longer. Take a seat first.” He was impressed; from not knowing how to turn on the gas stove last week, Nyx had shown application and persistence, now having two pots on the go at the same time.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  There was a chopping board on one end of the kitchen bench, potato peels in a pile. The tub of butter was indeed open next to it, a knife placed diagonally across the top, the lid to the side. An open carton of eggs was next to that, four of them missing.

  Ever’s phone vibrated: it was a message from Zoe.

  “Hey, I’m on my way over, are you home?”

  Curses, he’d completely forgotten that she was coming over.

  “Thank you for waiting,” Nyx said, gliding across a plate in each hand. She put one down in front of him and the other across from him before standing up straight. Ever regarded the decidedly… white... meal of mash potatoes and two hard boiled eggs. He looked up at her hopeful face, cheeks dusted with star freckles. “What do you think?”

  Ever dug his fork into the mash, scooping up some of the lumpy bits before putting it into his mouth. “It’s… delicious!” he said, going for a second dig. He nodded enthusiastically to sell the statement.

  Smiling moon beams, she sat down opposite him, her large frame somehow perched elegantly on the too-small fold out chair. “I’m glad, son.”

  Ever looked up at her, fork halting to his mouth. Son?

  There was knocking at the door.

  “Ah that will be Zoe,” Ever said, getting up. “Sorry Nyx, I forgot to tell you that she was coming over too.”

  He wiped his mouth, stood up and went to the door.

  “Hey ice cream boy–oh.” She grimaced. “Sorry, probably should stop calling you that, huh?” She gave him a quick hug and a peck. “Wow, something smells good. Did you make us dinner?”

  “Not me,” Ever said, leading her into the dining room. “It was…”

  The primordial goddess who had moments ago called her son, was no longer there.