“Everybody is out enjoying the forest right now. They needed to get out of the cave, so a few of the older ones organised a camping trip.” Nia explained. “So, when they get back, which will probably be sometime today, don’t be alarmed Porter. They all know you, but you don’t know them. They may forget that you lost your memories.” She warned. “They can be very forgetful sometimes.”

“So, is it always the same people here? What do they do if they’re not here?” Jessy asked as they all walked out of the bathroom. They headed towards the kitchen where Kyte and Kylie were making dinner.

“Only about fifty are here permanently, either because it’s dangerous out there for them or family members and friends have rejected them. Most of them are here because humans found out about them.” Nia entered the kitchen behind Porter and Jessy. They all found something to do to help out with dinner. “Anyway, to answer your second question, if they don’t stay here for long, it means they just had to lay low for a while or find a way to go somewhere else. I hope you both decide to stay. Even Jessy is a target now.” Nia started chopping up a large stack of potatoes.

Jessy thought about staying. Porter already knew he was going to, he loved it here.

“Are we making food for everybody who’s coming back as well?” Jessy asked as she peeled the potatoes for Nia to cut. Porter was stuck washing the vegetables.

“Yes, we are. Once everyone gets back, this will be a regular thing. Everyone will be given chores. We’ll rotate between people and jobs, so no one gets stuck with the same job for to long.” Nia informed them. She began putting potatoes into a large pot to boil.

“You’re lucky we’re not cleaning the floor right now.” Kylie laughed. “That takes nearly fifty people two hours to do and it’s disgusting. There is so much dirt on this floor because of the younger werewolves.” She grimaced. Porter sensed that she didn’t like them too much.

“Are there only werewolves here?” Porter asked as he finished his job and moved onto another one.

“Goodness no. We have everything from werewolves to fairies. We even have a leprechaun.” Nia got excited. She prided herself on the fact that this place accepted all walks of life, even the nasty ones like vampires.

When dinner was ready, the food was placed in large metal trays. Everybody helped Nia carry them.

Porter and Jessy followed the others carefully, not wanting to get lost. They had no idea where they were going.

Once they got to their destination. Porter and Jessy both paused at the door. The room was huge. It was full of so many tables that it could probably seat up to a thousand people rather than just one hundred.

The tables were made of marble and the benches were made of light wood. Floating just below the dark ceiling were glowing orbs that looked as if they were tiny dim suns. They were all different sizes, making the ceiling resemble a starry sky.

“This place just keeps getting cooler!” Jessy said as she turned to smile at Porter. “What’s wrong?” her smile faltered.

“I don’t know. It just reminds me of something sad.” Porter frowned before walking further into the hall.

He placed the tray of mash potatoes on the bench where the others had placed theirs. Just as Kyte handed Porter and Jessy a plate, Nia smiled and put her plate down.

“They’re here!” she sang before she ran to great them.

“She really cares about those people.” Jessy observed. She couldn’t even remember if there was a time when her parents were that happy when she came home.

“Yeah. She cares about all the people she saves.” Porter said as he dished some food onto his plate. Once they all had food, the four of them found a table to sit at.

“This food better taste amazing. We were cooking for at least five hours.” Kylie dug in.

“Don’t be so dramatic. It was more like two.” Porter rolled his eyes before beginning to eat.

“This is ten times better then the food my aunt makes.” Jessy said as she ate the stake as if she were a starved animal.

As Porter lifted his fork to his mouth, he was interrupted by a hand clapping him on the shoulder. He didn’t even realise how crowded the hall was until then. He had been lost in thought.

Porter turned around to see who it was. A tall, muscular girl stood behind him with a mighty grin on her face. “Hey, Ports. Long time no see!” she laughed.

Porter laughed awkwardly before looking over to Kyte for help. He had no idea who this girl was, he liked her hair though, it was very thick and curly, and very orange.

“Porter, this is Antionette. We just call her Anti though; she doesn’t like her full name.” Kyte glared at her.

“Hi.” Porter smiled.

“Oh right. I forgot that you forgot everything. Sorry about that. We used to be best friends, you know.” She laughed to ease the awkwardness.

“Cool. I hope we can be best friends again.” Porter said as he finally got food into his mouth uninterrupted.

“We better. Your parents wouldn’t be happy if I didn’t.” she smiled. “That is, I’m a merperson, like you. Your parents asked me to protect you while you’re up on the surface.” She said when she realised I didn’t know what she was talking about.

“You know my parents?” Porter asked.

“Yeah. I’m a royal guard.” She told him.